The Best LGBT Movies on Netflix Right Now (March 2023) (2023)

Call Me by Your Name (2017): Most Acclaimed International LGBT Romance

Italian teen Elio (Timothée Chalamet) has a crush on handsome American exchange student Oliver (Armie Hammer), who his family has agreed to host for the semester. Depending on how their friendship develops, it could be a very fun or very awkward summer.

Although Call Me by Your Name relies on common tropes, the film received international praise for its strong performances, stunning cinematography, and beautiful backdrops of the Italian countryside.

The Invisible Thread (2022): A Tale of Two Fathers

What's it like having two dads? In The Invisible Thread, a teenage boy decides to make a movie about life with his fathers, and he uncovers some surprising family secrets along the way.

The Invisible Thread (Il Filo Invisibile) is an Italian drama with a positive message and a few laughs. You can watch it in English on Netflix.

Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story (2022)—A Tribute to a Trailblazing Transgender Athlete

Stay on Board follows professional skateboarder Leo Baker as he prepares for the historic 2020 Olympics. On top of relentless training, Baker must endure the immense public scrutiny that comes with being trans in the highly gendered world of competitive sports.

In addition to documenting history, Stay on Board serves as a history lesson about the rise of skateboarding from the shadows of punk culture to a serious international sport.

Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration (2022)—Best LGBT Standup Comedy Special

In celebration of pride month, dozens of LGBT comedians came out to Los Angeles's Greek Theatre for a nonstop marathon of laughter. Hosted by Billy Eichner, Stand Out features the comedy of Margaret Cho, Tig Notaro, Judy Gold, and many more.

You'll also see other notable LGBT+ celebrities like Sarah Paulson, Stephen Fry, and Ani Difranco.

Front Cover (2015): Freshest Chinese American Rom-Com

Fashion stylist Ryan Fu (Jake Choi) is less than impressed when he meets his newest client, Ning (James Chen), a proud and patriotic Chinese actor. Their styles couldn't be more different, but after working together, they learn that they actually have a lot in common.

Front Cover was a hit on the film festival circuit when it came out. While it adheres to the basic rom-com formula, there are enough twists on the concept to make the movie still feel original years after its release.

Anne+: The Film (2021): Best Dutch Lesbian Open Romance Story

Based on a Dutch web series, Anne+ The Film follows a writer named Anne (Hanna van Vliet) who lives in Holland with her girlfriend Sara (Jouman Fattal). When Sara gets a job in Canada, Anne stays behind to finish her novel, and the couple decides to open up their relationship.

Filmed in Amsterdam, Anne+ captures both the thrills and challenges of discovering who you are and what you want to do in life. Definitely watch this one after the kids have gone to bed.

Dance of the 41 (2020): For Fans of History and Fancy Dresses

Decades before Stonewall, police in Mexico City raid a private gathering of gay men in an attempt to terrorize the local gay community. Unexpectedly, law enforcement is forced to sweep the incident under the rug when one of the party-goers is revealed to be Ignacio de la Torre y Mier (Alfonso Herrera), the handsome son-in-law of President Porfirio Díaz.

Inspired by true events, Dance of the 41 is a powerful period piece with a timeless story about persecution and perseverance. If you are interested in early 20th-century history, or if you have a fascination with fancy ball gowns, check this one out.

Pray Away (2021): Most Heart-Wrenching Exposé on Conversion Therapy

Pray Away examines the controversial practice of gay conversion therapy, which was openly championed by religious activists in the U.S. until fairly recently. Survivors and practitioners of conversion therapy give harrowing accounts of how genuinely good intentions led to decades of turmoil for countless families.

The film rightfully denounces the so-called "therapy," but it doesn't condemn anyone. All subjects are approached with empathy and an emphasis on healing. Pray Away is not necessarily a fun watch, but it is necessary viewing for anyone interested in the topic.

Valley of a Thousand Hills (2023): An Untraditional Coming Out Story

Nosipho (Sibongokuhle Nkosi) is betrothed to a man chosen by her traditional Zulu parents, but she only has eyes for someone else. Should Nosipho live a lie to please her family, or should she tell the truth and declare her forbidden love for another Zulu woman?

The Valley of a Thousand Hills takes its name from the region in South Africa where the movie was filmed and takes place.

Operation Hyacinth (2021): Best Police Procedural About LGBT History in Poland

During the final years of communist rule in Poland, a serial killer is targeting gay men in Warsaw. While the secret police try to sweep the murders under the rug, officer Robert Mrozowski (Tomasz Ziętek) goes undercover to find the culprit.

The movie's title comes from the real-life campaign of violence and blackmail enacted by Polish police to terrorize the LGBT community in the 1980s. The murder plot is fictional, but the historical reality is even darker.

Closet Monster (2015): A Twisted Tale of Internalized Homophobia

Have you ever gotten that funny feeling in your tummy when you see someone you like? It might not be what you think it is. In fact, there could be a monster inside you waiting to claw its way out. That's how Oscar (Connor Jessup) feels when he meets Wilder (Aliocha Schneider).

Closet Monster is a trippy tragedy with elements of horror and comedy. Best described as genre-bending, it's the most disturbing movie featuring a talking hamster that you'll ever watch.

Bruised (2020): Most Inspiring Redemption Story About Family and Cage Fighting

Former cage fighter Jackie Justice (Halle Berry) longs for a triumphant return to the octagon. After impressing a promoter at an underground fight, she might finally get her shot. However, life throws her a left hook when her estranged son Manny (Danny Boyd, Jr.) comes back into her life.

As its star and director, Halle Berry makes Bruised worth watching. Same-gender romance isn't the primary focus, but Bruised belongs on this list because it portrays a strong bisexual main character.

Hating Peter Tatchell (2020): Best Documentary About an LGBT Hero

Peter Tatchell has been an unabashed human rights advocate for over half a century, but his activism hasn't always endeared him to the public. In this documentary, Tatchell's ongoing story is told through archival footage, interviews, and conversations with notable LGBT activists like Ian McKellen and Stephen Fry.

Despite being the victim of hundreds of assaults and thousands of death threats, Tatchell continues to organize protests around the world. Most recently, he disrupted the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Moscow to protest the Russian government's oppression of LGBT citizens.

Time Out (2015): Best Bollywood LGBT+ Family Musical

For a coming-out movie, Time Out provides an often-overlooked perspective. When Mihir (Pranay Pachauri) comes out as gay, his teenage brother Gaurav (Chirag Malhotra) is forced to question his own burgeoning manhood.

Time Out has all the elements of a typical Bollywood movie, including elaborate dancing and musical numbers. Still, the film manages to stand out for its unconventional story and charming cast.

Super Deluxe (2019): Best LGBT Anthology Movie

This Tamil-language anthology film tells four interconnected stories about the complexities of love, gender, and sexuality in Indian society. The first segment about a transgender woman's relationship with her son earned Super Deluxe an Equality in Cinema Award at the 2019 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

Indian anthology films are really popular right now on Netflix, so if you enjoy Super Deluxe, be sure to check out movies like Ajeeb Daastaans and Ghost Stories as well.

Cobalt Blue (2022): A Love Triangle Turned into a Family Feud

In mid-1990s India, siblings Tanay (Neelay Mehendale) and Anuja (Anjali Sivaraman) compete for the affection of a handsome houseguest (Prateik Babbar). Torn between the brother and sister, the suitor has no choice but to break someone's heart.

Based on a book by director Sachin Kundalkar, Cobalt Blue is an emotional period piece with a story that still resonates today while highlighting how much more accepting society has become in just the past few decades.

Alaska Is a Drag (2017): A Master Class in Fighting Back Against Bullies

Aspiring drag queen Leo (Martin L. Washington Jr.) is tired of being bullied. So, with the encouragement of his sister Tristen (Maya Washington), Leo decides to take lessons from a handsome boxer named Diego (Jason Scott Lee).

Based on a 2012 short film by the same director, Alaska Is a Drag has a positive message about standing up for yourself.

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