Happy Pride Month! Join the GATA team as we honor and uplift the voices that have shaped the LGBTQIA+ landscape. The representation of LGBTQIA+ individuals on the big screen has come a long way, and we're here to showcase the best of the best. Our top 15 must-watch flicks for this month and beyond will transport you to a rainbow-colored world where authenticity reigns supreme and every story deserves to be celebrated.

From boundary-breaking masterpieces to thought-provoking explorations of love and identity, these films are a vibrant kaleidoscope of stories that demand to be seen, heard, and cherished. More than just stories on a screen—they are powerful testaments to the resilience, strength, and beauty of diverse identities.

The Living End (1993)

Gregg Araki

No queer movie guide would be complete without including the radical works of Gregg Araki. Leading the new queer cinema movement of the 90's with his experimental and edgy style, The Living End is a testament to the power of film to challenge and provoke. Created during the height of the AIDS epidemic, this film gives a raw and unflinching portrayal of two HIV-positive lovers who grapple with existential questions, conflicting emotions, and their own fears of what lies beyond.

Comparable to a gay Bonnie and Clyde, Luke and Jon embark on a road trip of self-discovery and destruction, inviting viewers to reflect on what it truly means to be alive.

Party Monster (2003)

Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato

Exploding with drugs, drag, chaos, sex, and murder, Party Monster is a fever dream that takes you on a wild ride into the outrageous world of New York City’s club scene in the late 80s. It is based on the true story of Michael Alig, a flamboyant aspiring club promoter who becomes the king of nightlife. Michael, along with his eccentric friends, creates a club kid revolution, throwing the most extravagant and over-the-top parties that are a haven for misfits, artists, and fashionistas.

Things turn sour as Michael gets entangled in a web of money, jealousy, and, ultimately, murder. This film delves into the darkness of the party scene, exposing the excesses and consequences of a lifestyle fueled by fame, and a relentless pursuit of pleasure. With its vibrant costumes, head-banging music, and larger-than-life cast, Party Monster invites you into the ultimate VIP experience.

Tangerine (2015)

Sean Baker

Tangerine is a window into the lives of two transgender sex workers living and working in the gritty underbelly of Los Angeles. After finding out that her boyfriend has been cheating on her while she was locked up, Sin-Dee and her best friend Alexandra go on an odyssey through Hollywood to confront both parties involved.

Underneath the painful wounds of transphobic prejudice emerges a story that is light and unapologetically hilarious. Above all, Sin-Dee and Alexandra are portrayed as people, friends, and women. The film's unique charm is enhanced by its entirely shot-on-iPhone 5S cinematography, adding a vibrant and intimate visual aesthetic to the story. With its improvisational dialogue and technicolor aesthetics, Tangerine offers an unfiltered and heartwarming portrayal of a world rarely seen on screen.

Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)

Abdellatif Kechiche

A film met with equal acclaim and controversy, Blue is the Warmest Color, has been mired with backlash since its release, called out for its inherent male gaze and fetishization of lesbian relationships. However, at its core, Blue is the Warmest Color is a powerful and emotionally intense drama that delves into the complexities of first love and sexual awakening.

Following the life of sexually confused Adèle, she falls madly and deeply in love with a confident older woman, Emma. This film navigates the kind of love that is all-consuming and absolutely soul-bearing: the kind of love that never leaves you. It’s a tale as old as time when Adèle refuses to openly come out, and the beauty of their love turns into the most devastating form of heartbreak and pain. For all the hopeless romantics out there, this film will leave you an emotional wreck.

Titane (2021)

Julia Durcournau

Gear up for a wild ride that explores the bounds of sexuality, family, and trauma. Following the chaotic and tangled mess that is Alexia, a misfit who absolutely shatters every norm put in place by society. While Alexia’s sexuality is never explicitly discussed, we see them engaging in sexual acts with both men, women, and … cars. Yeah.

After going on a rampant killing spree, Alexia goes on the run and assumes the identity of a young boy who has gone missing years ago. Through its graphic and unsettling imagery, the film provokes a visceral reaction from the audience, challenging them to confront their own discomforts and preconceived notions about identity. Almost like an explosive car crash that you can’t look away from, Titane is captivating in every sense of the word. Needless to say, this transgressive horror film pushes the boundaries of experimental cinema and gender fluidity in ways that will leave you feeling shocked at every twist and turn.

Happy Together (1997)

Wong Kar-Wai

Happy Together is Wong Kar-wai like we’ve never seen before. The film presents a raw and turbulent portrayal of a troubled love affair, demonstrating the cyclical nature of their relationship as they repeatedly try to start over. The characters’ intense arguments and moments of pain contrast with fleeting moments of happiness and reconciliation.

Reflecting on this film, Wong Kar-wai says, “‘Happy Together’ applies not only to the relationship between two persons, but also the relationship between one person and his past. If people are at peace with themselves and their past, this is the start of being able to be happy with somebody else.” Capturing the highs and lows, the anger and the tenderness, and all the in-betweens that make love so complicated.

Boys Don’t Cry (1999)

Kimberly Peirce

This raw and haunting film is based on the true story of Brendan Teena. Set in rural Nebraska, it unveils the struggles faced by a young transgender man who dares to love a single mother, played by Chloë Sevigny. In a world where acceptance is elusive, Brendan's unwavering confidence in his identity becomes a target for those who cannot comprehend his truth.

At the time of its release, this film shined a harsh spotlight on a reality that was rarely shown on the silver screen. Be warned, this film does not shy away from the brutal reality it portrays. Graphic and ruthless depictions of violence serve as a stark reminder of the traumatic horrors faced by individuals who simply seek to live authentically. It is a confronting experience, not meant for the faint of heart, but one that tells an important story that will linger in your thoughts long after the final scene fades to black.

But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)

Jamie Babbit

Meet Megan, the All-American cheerleader who loves pink, daydreams about other girls, and hates to kiss her boyfriend. Because of this, her conservative parents begin to worry that she is a lesbian (spoiler alert, she is) and send her off to conversion therapy. At the conversion camp, she opens up to her not-so-hidden desires and is able to come to terms with her sexuality.

Normally, films that take on such heavy subject matter would have a dejected tone; however, this satirical comedy pokes fun at the absurdity of conformity - one of the camp directors is literally played by RuPaul. But I’m a Cheerleader looks right into the face of oppression, and laughs at it, effortlessly skewing stereotypes and bringing a whole new meaning to the word camp.

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

Gus Van Sant

What do you get when you combine Shakespeare’s Henry IV and two gay hustlers played by River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves? My Own Private Idaho is a ground-breaking and intimate portrayal that humanizes the depths of love. With moments of tenderness and vulnerability, this film marked a dramatic shift in the representation of gay men, fearlessly challenging the negative stereotypes that were hyper-prevalent at the time.

As our duo embarks on a road trip in search of long-lost meaning, love emerges as a powerful force that is both painful and sweet. This unforgettable journey navigates the fleeting moments of happiness and melancholy in the landscape of youth and self-discovery.

The Handmaiden (2016)

Park Chan-Woo

Park Chan-Woo masterfully spins a web of deceit, erotica, and dark humor to create the controversial love affair that is The Handmaiden. Set in 1930s Korea during Japanese colonial rule, this film creates a constant tug-of-war between submission and dominance that will send shockwaves through every fiber of your being. From beginning to end, this film keeps us captivated with the edging subtleties and sapphic schemes.

When it comes to Park Chan-Woo’s work, it’s known to expect the unexpected; The Handmaiden elevates this to a whole other level. This rollercoaster ride of love and betrayal reminds unsuspecting viewers to never underestimate the power of a woman.

The Favourite (2018)

Yorgos Lanthimos

The Favourite is another historical lesbian period piece that has made its way onto this list, and rightfully so with its wit, thrills, and queens (in every sense of the word). Set in 18th-century England, this film follows queer Anne, oops, Queen Anne, and her various power-hungry escapades. Amidst the lavishness of the era, Queen Anne finds herself indulging in a royal love triangle full of jealousy, lust, and tantalizing sexual tension. This darkly witty film takes you on a spellbinding journey where manipulation and revenge reign supreme. Long live The Favourite, a true masterpiece of absurdity and royal rebellion.

C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)

Jean-Marc Vallée

Born into a catholic family of five brothers, each crazier than the next, Zac has always felt like the odd one out, struggling to find his place. At odds with societal expectations and the identity that his parents want him to uphold, we see Zac navigate his sexuality over the span of several years. Music becomes the backdrop to Zac’s personal revolution, especially that of David Bowie, who provides a voice for his unspoken desires and a role model for unapologetic expression.

Packed with themes of religion, forging identity, and forgiveness, C.R.A.Z.Y. brilliantly captures growing up within complex family dynamics. This film will make you want to laugh, cry, and most importantly, shout your identity from the rooftops.

Velvet Goldmine (1998)

Todd Haynes

Step into the glamorous world of Velvet Goldmine, where glitter, rock 'n' roll, and sexual liberation collide in a wild frenzy of decadence. Set in the vibrant music scene of 1970s London, this pseudo-David Bowie biopic takes you on a captivating journey through the rise and fall of a mythical glam rock icon.

Brian Slade, a flamboyant and androgynous rock star electrifies the stage with his charismatic presence and shakes the world by storm with his outlandish behavior. After the hedonistic Slade stages his own assassination on live television, a young journalist embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the glittery façade. Velvet Goldmine celebrates the rebellious spirit of an era where boundaries were shattered and conformity was left in the stardust.

Pariah (2011)

Dee Rees

You’re gonna want to bring the tissue box out for this one, Pariah will break your heart into a million pieces and put it back together again. This intense coming-of-age story brilliantly covers all the bases of growing into your skin, diving deep into topics of sexuality, gender, race, and socio-economic status. Through intimate camera work and uncut emotion, this poetic expression of identity and expression painfully shows just how suffocating the closet can be.

This film powerfully provides an authentic perspective on the battle of becoming who you are rather than who others want you to be. In her pain we find strength and in her story we find humanity. It is hard to come out of Pariah unchanged, this candid breath of fresh air will leave you feeling all the feels, but above all, uplifted.

Paris is Burning (1990)

Jennie Livingston

Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about vogue. Not the magazine, not the Madonna song, but the unapologetically queer ballroom scene. Beyond an art form, voguing is a political statement. This fiercely electric documentary shares the stories of those leading the ’80s drag movement. Told through the lens of some of the most legendary queens in history emerges a story that is both equally beautiful and tragic.

Amidst all the ignorance and hatred directed towards the drag and trans communities, this groundbreaking documentary is drenched with hope, highlighting the resilience of those who manage to, despite it all, serve face. Providing a safe space of authenticity and queer joy, Paris is Burning is like a warm hug for the soul.

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Words by Jennie Bull