Here at Autostraddle we want every lesbian, every queer woman, and every non-binary person to know that films must include us and do include us. We desire you all to see our lives on screen with the range and quality we should have.
That’s why 5 years after launching our initial “100 Best Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Movies” list we chose to double it. The past half a decade has brought brand-new films worthwhile of exciteable gay event– and older works that have actually been discovered.
The goal with this list was to develop a canon of Lesbian film that honors all the various types of work deserving of viewing. There are movies that are just fun for a casual night in, there are deeply thought-provoking movies, and there are films that are primarily just here to turn you on.
This list was created through an extensive multi-step process that included a lot of viewing, a lot of ballot, and a great deal of weighing factors often neglected on mainstream movie lists. It was essential to us that we not take into account any metric voted on by institutions made up primarily of cis straight white males. While it’s excellent when a movie about queer females or nonbinary people manages to get Oscar elections or a high Rotten Tomatoes score, the films that get those recognitions are not often made by us or particularly for us.
Here are a few of the metrics we thought about when voting and ranking:
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The prominence of the queer character or story
Whether or not the work was made by queer people and/or women/nonbinary individuals
Awards provided by queer and women specific film celebrations and critics circles
And, most significantly, artistic quality
This list does not consist of films about trans men (e.g. By Hook or By Criminal, Tomboy), films about trans ladies exclusively interested in guys (e.g. Tangerine, A Great Woman), movies based on queer books that had their specific queerness removed (e.g. The Color Purple, Fried Green Tomatoes), or movies where the queerness is just subtext (e.g.
The headline states “Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer,” however for us that implies any woman or non-binary individual interested romantically or sexually in another woman or non-binary person.
One last note: There are movies on this list not currently offered to stream. A few of the greatest works of queer movie theater are not being seen, since individuals not within our neighborhood get to decide which movies should have attention. Lots of titles on this list were included since I got in touch with production companies and producers, went to unusual screenings, and searched for DVDs at real video stores. And still some films– most especially The Fox (1967) and Me siento extraña (1977)– were not consisted of since no one on our team had the ability to access them.
And these are simply the films we understand about! There is a world of cinema and a world of queer movie theater and there are films from the last a century waiting to be discovered. Hey, we’ll keep browsing for lost lesbian classics, the industry will keep making more movies that include us, and in the meantime why not begin with this little ol’ list of TWO HUNDRED movies? By the time you view them all, we promise there will be more.
200 Girltrash: All Night Long
Directed by Alexandra Kondracke, 2014 Enjoy It
Specific representations of queer women have been nearly missing from the history of movie musicals, so while we wait for a Fun Home film we’ll take what we can get. To estimate Mandy Musgrave’s Misty Monroe: Do not shit on my dream it’s simply a dream!
199 The Intervention
dir. Clea Duvall, 2016 Our Review// View It
Clea DuVall’s directorial launching is an ensemble piece about a group of good friends in a house working through their various relationship problems. It’s obviously motivated by The Huge Chill and it’s simply as white, however not as poignant. It has some great efficiencies– most significantly from Melanie Lynskey– and reunites DuVall with her But I’m a Cheerleader co-star Natasha Lyonne as the token lesbian couple of the group. Oh and Sara Quinn did ball game!
198 Breaking the Girls
dir. Jamie Babbit, 2012 Our Evaluation// View It // Likewise Available on Hulu
A lesbian remake of Complete strangers on a Train with a lot more weaves, this sexual thriller is certainly delicious. With direction from Jamie Babbit and a script co-written by Guinevere Turner, this has just the right amount of artistry contributed to its pulpy garbage.
197 Liz in September
dir. Fina Torres, 2014 Our Evaluation// Watch It
Beautiful beach surroundings (and stunning women) alleviate the pain of this Venezuelan melodrama that essentially has the premise “what if Shane McCutcheon was slowly passing away of cancer– however still succumbed to straight girls.” The film is at its best when it concentrates on the camaraderie among Liz and her good friends, a selected household of queer women teasing and supporting one another.
196 Elisa & Marcela
dir. Isabel Coixet, 2019 Readily Available on Netflix
Not the art film its flashy Black & White cinematography and more imaginative flourishes seem to be striving for, however a pleasurable period romance. Based on the true story of Spain’s first same-sex marriage, Isabel Coixet changes a typical looking queer lady and her androgynous love with 2 gorgeous high femmes. It’s a bit silly and a bit long, however hey the sex scenes are fantastic.
195 Lizzie
dir. Craig William Macneill, 2018 Our Evaluation// Watch It// Likewise Available on Vudu
Chloë Sevigny was supposedly dissatisfied with the final results of this long-gestating job, but any film focusing on a romance between her and Kristen Stewart can’t be all bad. In reality, the movie is respectable largely since of its two main efficiencies. But as the maudlin tale drags out one is left questioning what may have been if those two efficiencies had a script with a bit more depth and a director with a bit more ingenuity.
194 Angry Indian Goddesses
dir. Pan Nalin,2015
Not available.
For a movie centered on a lesbian wedding event, this motion picture sure is light on lesbian material. There’s a charm to its easy feminism, and the ensemble of actresses have a beautiful chemistry together. It’s regrettable that it takes some dark, melodramatic, and borderline exploitive turns, due to the fact that it’s a really enjoyable watch when it just focuses on a group of females hanging out at a turning point in their lives.
193 The Excellence.
dir. Richard Shepard, 2018 Our Evaluation// Readily Available on Netflix.
This isn’t a terrific movie, and even an excellent movie, and it stinks in a myriad of methods. However what it does not have in quality and morals it sure does offset in thrills. If you’re in the state of mind for a gory shockfest that also has lesbian sex and cello playing, then this movie won’t disappoint.
192 Inform It to the Bees.
dir. Annabel Jankel, 2018 Our Review // Enjoy It.
Changing in between quiet duration drama and soft wonderful realist melodrama, this story of prohibited 1950 s lesbian love in a small British town is redeemed by its 2 central efficiencies from Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger. It’s well-crafted, but the tonally imbalanced script never quite matches the accomplishments of comparable movies.
191 Lovesong.
dir. So Yong Kim, 2016 Watch It// Also Offered on Netflix.
Pretty to take a look at and grounded by a set of naturalistic performances from Riley Keough and Jena Malone, this indie drama follows 2 good friends whose connection could be more if they didn’t keep turning towards marital relationships with males. The significant turns at times feel required, but when the women are permitted to simply be together the film is charming and poignant.
190 Colette.
dir. Wash Westmoreland, 2018 Our Evaluation// View It.
Keira Knightley is known for her period pieces and this film definitely fits in with the more middling of the lot. It’s handsomely made, well-acted, and quite to take a look at– if never ever as artful as the work of its topic. It’s regrettable that the movie so poorly handles Colette’s lover Max’s storyline– casting a cis female and eliminating his transness. It might have been the uncommon huge spending plan duration piece to effectively represent queer lives, specifically trans lives, however instead it ends up being rather cringe-worthy for anyone knowledgeable about Colette and Max’s story and the pattern of trans erasure in historic narratives.
189 Whatever Relative.
dir. Sharon Pollack, 1996 Our Evaluation// Offered on Vimeo.
While extremely of its time, this big ensemble is uncommon in its casual, almost plotless take a look at lesbian lives. The stories vary in quality however at its best it’s a portrait of a specific generation of lesbians– or, at least, the upper middle class white cis lesbians of that generation. The referrals are charmingly 1996 and it all culminates in a lot of sex.
188 What Keeps You Alive.
dir. Colin Minihan, 2018 Our Review// Enjoy It.
Basic but effective, this lesbian scary film about a homicidal partner offsets its extravagant facility with a tight style and a great performance from Brittany Allen. The entire charade would’ve been even scarier with a more sensible script, but it’s still a fun trip.
187 Caring Annabelle.
dir. Katherine Brooks, 2006 Watch It// Likewise Readily Available on Netflix.
As a trashy reimagining of Mädchen in Uniform, this film strikes a number of tropes– however it’s fun if you’re in the mood for some light teacher/student dream. What it lacks in creativity or artfulness, it makes up for with a very brief runtime.
186 Pretty Persuasion.
dir. Marcos Siega, 2005 Our Review// Watch It.
Like Election, however less pointed and with a bigger lesbian subplot (not sure those balance out), this film about a sociopath teenage girl is really politically inaccurate in a really 2005 sort of way. The premise alone– Evan Rachel Wood’s Kimberly framing her instructor for sexual assault– is cringe-inducing and it’s definitely not handled with any sort of care. If you want to position morals aside and see Wood revel in her function as a really anti antihero– and see her hook up with Jane Krakowski– there is fun to be had.
185 Somebody Great.
dir. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, 2019 Our Review// Readily Available on Netflix.
While mostly concentrating on the hetero romance/breakup of Gina Rodriguez and LaKeith Stanfield, this anti-romcom likewise concentrates on Rodriguez’s relationship with her two best friends. And one of them is gay! She’s Got ta Have It’s DeWanda Wise plays Erin, a property representative having a hard time to dedicate and confess her feelings for her girlfriend. It’s a slick motion picture with a poppy soundtrack readymade for a Netflix night in.
184 Nina’s Heavenly Delights.
dir. Pratibha Parmar,2006
Unavailable.
This sweet Indian-Scottish romcom is ridiculous and sentimental, but it’s also an enjoyment to see. It has solid efficiencies from Shelley Conn and Laura Fraser, an enjoyable and breezy script, and a few great dance numbers. Gorgeous lesbians and food porn are indeed heavenly delights and this film has lots of both.
183 Gray Matters.
dir. Sue Kramer, 2006 View It.
In some cases you believe you’re in love with your brother, however actually you’re simply a lesbian. That’s the message of this wild romcom about a codependent sis and sibling (Heather Graham and Tom Cavanagh) who fall in love with the exact same female (Bridget Moynahan). With supporting efficiencies from Sissy Spacek, Molly Shannon, and the one and only Alan Cumming in addition to a champagne bath, a spontaneous dance number, and one steamy construct out, this film is a hoot even if it’s definitely no work of art.
182 Cloudburst.
dir. Thom Fitzgerald, 2011 Enjoy It.
Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker star as longtime partners who leave to Canada to get wed. Its handle homophobia is oversimplified, however the love at its center is beautiful. Dukakis likewise has some really fantastic one-liners.
181 Tru Love.
dir. Kate Johnston, Shauna MacDonald, 2013 See It.
This movie might have the least kinky mother-daughter love triangle in movie theater history. Its taboo facility gives way to a sweet story about individuals trying to resolve their concerns and take advantage of life. It’s corny and falls under a couple of tropes, but it’s transferring to see Tru (yes, that’s her name) overcome her mommy problems.
180 Birds of Victim: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn.
dir. Cathy Yan, 2020 Our Evaluation// See It.
Finally after so much subtext, a huge budget superhero movie that clearly includes queer women– in truth, it’s starring one. Cathy Yan’s explosive, misandrist, comic book reward may be light on gay sex and romance, however with a reference of an ex-girlfriend Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn is an on-screen canon bisexual. Add Rosie Perez’s lesbian Renee Montoya and her ex-girlfriend played by Ali Wong and a nice quantity of the typical subtext that accompanies a female-led action movie and you’re left with a movie that’s gay by any standard and really gay by a Hollywood requirement. Montoya likewise sets a lovely example for lesbian cops across media by doing the ideal thing– stopping.
179 The Owls.
dir. Cheryl Dunye, 2010 View It.
After a six-year hiatus, icon Cheryl Dunye returned with this flawed however fascinating work of lesbian cinema. At only a little over an hour, it acts as a comeback for Dunye, a postmortem on 90 s queer cinema, an expedition of generation spaces in the queer community, and an evaluation of the distinctions in between transmasculine people and butch lesbians. It might not work along with Dunye’s other movies appearing even more down this list, but it’s still fascinating.
178 It’s in the Water.
dir. Kelli Herd, 1997 Watch It.
This 90 s satire of town homophobia is sweet and charming even if its lost its bite in the passing decades. Report spreads that the water in Azalea Springs, Texas is turning people gay simply as the married Alex reunites with her lesbian high school bestie. Keri Jo Chapman and Teresa Garrett have great chemistry and make the movie a satisfying experience.
177 Vita and Virginia.
dir. Chanya Button, 2018 See It// Likewise Available on Hulu.
While not quite the work of art these two icons are worthy of, there’s still a lot to enjoy about this bold retelling of among queer history’s biggest romance. With a discordant rating from Isobel Waller-Bridge, Chanya Button’s movie declines to stay in the past, guaranteeing its tale of ladies writers, polyamory, and unsustainable connection feels alive and current. Elizabeth Debicki and Gemma Arterton are a satisfaction to watch and ultimately the film is as much about these individuals as authors as it is about them as lovers.
176 Love My Life.
dir. Koji Kawano,2006
Unavailable.
If you don’t read the plot description for this otherwise subtle lesbian coming-of-age romance, the coming out scene will be among the most unexpected ever shot. It’s a twist that adds a fascinating layer to the story and the movie is at its finest when exploring this intricacy and Ichiko’s relationship to her household. Her chemistry with Eri is truly sweet and actors Rei Yoshii and Asami Imajuku are enjoyable to view in the roles. The plot is a bit convoluted with conflict that feels made, however it’s still extremely pleasurable.
175 High Stress.
dir. Alexandre Aja, 2003 Watch It.
This is a difficult movie to describe, because of its ridiculous twist ending. Part of the New French Extreme movement, this scary film is endless in its cruelty and gore. It’s also skillfully made and, well, tense.
174 Salmonberries.
dir. Percy Adlon,1991
Unavailable.
All you really need to know about this motion picture is it stars kd lang. It’s a slow and odd film about identity and the past that does not absolutely work however is endlessly interesting.
173 Take Me for a Flight.
dir. Micaela Rueda, 2016 Enjoy It.
A simple coming-of-age motion picture abo
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