The 18 best LGBTQ movies to stream right now that aren't about coming out

Abby MonteilJun 18, 2020, 02:16 IST

Tae-ri Kim and Min-hee Kim costarred in "The Handmaiden."CJ Entertainment

Many LGBTQ movies center on coming out narratives.
While these stories are a vital part of capturing queer experiences onscreen, only showing this side of LGBTQ lives and relationships in media can make representations feel imbalanced.
To highlight the wide range of LGBTQ stories in movies, Insider compiled a list of 18 great LGBTQ movies not about coming out that you can stream.
These films include comedies like "The Birdcage" and "The Watermelon Woman," historical dramas such as "The Handmaiden" and "The Favourite," and more.

It's fair to say that in many LGBTQ movies, a good portion of the story revolves around characters coming out — to themselves, to other people, or both.

Coming out narratives are a vital and necessary part of capturing queer identities and experiences onscreen. However, given that these kinds of stories are so common in Hollywood LGBTQ films, highlighting and supporting films that show the complexities of queer people's lives and relationships outside of the coming out processes prevents LGBTQ media portrayals from feeling imbalanced.

To celebrate the wide range of queer stories in film, Insider has compiled a list of 18 great LGBTQ movies not about coming out that are available to stream right now.

Insider has many movie and TV show lists to keep you occupied. You can read them all here.

The 2015 biographical drama "Bessie" centers on bisexual blues singer Bessie Smith.

Queen Latifah starred in "Bessie." HBO

In the 1996 comedy "The Birdcage," a gay couple pose as straight men when their son introduces them to his fiancée's conservative parents.

Nathan Lane and Robin Williams played a couple in "The Birdcage." Screenshot

The 2019 comedy "Booksmart" follows two high-achieving best friends who enjoy one night out before high school graduation.

Diana Silvers and Kaitlyn Dever appeared in "Booksmart." NEON

The 2017 film "BPM (Beats Per Minute)" tells the true story of a Paris advocacy group fighting the AIDS epidemic.

"BPM (Beats Per Minute)" takes place in 1990s Paris. Memento Films

In the 1996 romantic drama "Bound," two lovers concoct a scheme to steal millions in mob money.

Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly costarred in "Bound." Gramercy Pictures

The 2018 biographical drama "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" follows real-life lesbian writer Lee Israel.

Melissa McCarthy portrayed writer Lee Israel in "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" Twentieth Century Fox

The 2018 movie "The Favourite" centers on the power plays and relationships between three women in Queen Anne's palace.

Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman starred in "The Favourite." Fox Searchlight Pictures

In the 2017 comedy "The Feels," a lesbian couple's bachelorette weekend is disrupted when one bride admits that she's never had an orgasm.

Angela Trimbur and Constance Wu played an engaged couple in "The Feels." Provenance Pictures

The 1997 drama "Happy Together" centers on the dissolution of a Hong Kong gay couple's relationship, as they move to Argentina.

Leslie Cheung and Tony Chiu-Wai Leung costarred in "Happy Together." Kino International

The 2016 drama "The Handmaiden" is both a revenge thriller and a lesbian romance.

"The Handmaiden" takes place in 1930s Japan-occupied Korea. Amazon Studios

In 2018's "Hearts Beat Loud," a father and daughter start a band as she has a summer romance with an artist.

Sasha Lane and Kiersey Clemons' characters have a summer romance in "Hearts Beat Loud." Gunpowder & Sky

The 2010 dramedy "The Kids are All Right" centers on the relationships between a lesbian couple and their two children.

Annette Bening and Julianne Moore played a couple in "The Kids are All Right." Focus Features

The 2017 documentary "Kiki" follows the voguing community of modern-day New York City's LGBTQ youths of color.

"Kiki" explores ballroom competitions in New York City. IFC Films

In the 2017 indie drama "Princess Cyd," a teenager goes to stay with her aunt for the summer and finds love.

Malic White and Jessie Pinnick appeared in "Princess Cyd." Wolfe Releasing

The 2014 historical comedy "Pride" tracks the alliance between gay activists and striking miners in conservative 1980s England.

"Pride" takes place in 1984 England. CBS Films

The 2017 film "Professor Marston & the Wonder Women" explores how a polyamorous relationship inspired the character of Wonder Woman.

Bella Heathcote and Rebecca Hall starred in "Professor Marston & the Wonder Women." Claire Folger/Annapurna Pictures

The 2015 comedy "Tangerine" centers on a trans sex worker who sets out to get revenge on her ex-lover.

Mya Taylor and Kitana Kiki Rodriguez starred in "Tangerine." Magnolia Pictures

In 1997's "The Watermelon Woman," a Black lesbian filmmaker sets out to make a documentary about a Black queer actress from the 1930s.

Cheryl Dunye wrote, directed, and starred in "The Watermelon Woman." First Run Features

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