Best LGBTQ+ Movies on Hulu to Watch Right Now

Hulu has an excellent selection of LGBTQ+ movies. Though it’s become increasingly popular over the past decade, LGBTQ+ cinema doesn’t have the same length in history as other genres of film. However, LGBTQ+ movies span every decade and look at queer relationships from today back to the Italian Renaissance, so fans can immerse themselves in love from every period in history.

LGBTQ+ stories are finally getting a chance to be told, resulting in some truly great movies. In these often tragic, but always triumphant films, viewers can see the world painted in a rainbow. Movies like All of Us Strangers tell achingly personal, semi-autobiographical stories, while Swan Song features the “Liberace of Sandusky” in just a few of Hulu’s best LGBTQ+ films.

Updated on April 5th, 2024 by Brian Kirchgessner: This article has been updated with additional information and site features to keep the discussion fresh and relevant.

24 Milkwater (2020)

Milkwater is an amiable comedy that follows a young woman in New York, Milo, who agrees to become a surrogate for a gay man in his fifties whom she has just met at a bar. Milo’s decision is seen as impulsive by her friends, Noor, a pregnant lesbian, and her gay roommate, George. However, Milo cozies the idea of carrying Roger’s baby because “it is paralyzing never to feel pushed to do something terrifying and meaningful,” as she tells George.

A Well-Performed and Touching Story

A very poignant, touching, and true-to-life stirring story by Morgan Ingari, Milkwater is a film that invests in its characters and develops them as the story unfolds. Milo, in particular, stays true to herself at every juncture, allowing the film to gain an emotional force.

23 Viva (2015)

Irish director Paddy Breathnach’s Viva is more proof that the independent international film scene is alive and well. Viva tells the story of a sweet-natured gay hairdresser, Jesus, who dreams of being a performer. He eventually gets an opportunity to get on stage; a stranger emerges from the crowd and punches him in the face. To his surprise, the stranger is his father, Angel, a former boxer who has not been in his life for 15 years. As the two clash over opposing expectations of each other, Viva becomes a love story as they understand each other and become family once more.

Visually Stunning and Critically Acclaimed

Viva’s cinematography will knock you down. Despite being filmed in a run-down and desolate place like Old Havana, this Spanish-language drama surmounts itself. The well-known Cuban actors in the film, like Luis Alberto Garcia and Jorge Perugorria, also give excellent performances, making it easy to see why Viva was the first Irish film ever to be short-listed for the Best Foreign Language Oscar.

22 Pit Stop (2013)

Far from the gay centers of the world, director Yen Tan explores the complex and often forgotten lives of gay men in small-town America in the film Pit Stop. The movie gives a finely nuanced portrait of two gay men in small Texas slowly finding their way toward each other. On one side of the town, we meet closeted Gabe, who is getting over an affair with a married man by seeking solace in his relationship with his ex-wife. On the other side of the town, we meet Ernesto, who is still living with his ex-boyfriend, Luis, and spends his days reading magazine articles to another of his exes who is in a coma after he was involved in a car accident.

A Reflective, Meditative Exploration of Small-Town LGBTQ+ Lives

This slow-burn drama tells the story of Ernesto and Gabe’s story from the observer’s perspective, allowing the audience to understand what it feels like to be an outsider. Gabe and Ernesto have grown into emotional isolation, which is brought out in an optimistic, subtle, and poetic fashion without any melodrama. This results in a refreshingly quiet film where two men come together amid the backdrop of their small town.

21 Two Of Us (2019)

Who would think it would be so refreshing to watch a film in which the sexuality and desires of women in their 70s are portrayed as part and parcel of their lives? Two Of Us is a French movie about two retired women, Madeleine and Nina, who are deeply in love. Madeleine keeps this a secret from her family, but when an unforeseen event turns their relationship upside down, Nina has to stay away from her love. In a move no one saw coming, Madeleine’s daughter eventually unravels her mother’s secret.

Hugely Unique and Thoughtfully Crafted

This conventional romance is directed with a shiver of suspense by first-time feature maker Filippo Meneghetti. Each scene in the heartbreaking love story adds a little stab of something personal, ensuring anyone can take away something from the well-thought-out plot. All these prove it was an honor for the film to be selected as the French entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Award, in a shortlist of fifteen films.

20 The Inspection (2022)

Sometimes the most powerful LGBTQ+ stories are the ones derived from personal experience, and The Inspection is proof of that. Loosely based upon the real-life experiences of writer-director Elegance Bratton, his debut feature tells the story of Ellis French (Jeremy Pope), a young gay Black man who enlists in the military to seek approval from his homophobic mother. During training, his sexual orientation becomes hard to hide, and he finds both support and bigotry from his fellow service members.

A Deftly Done Debut

The film, clearly personal to Bratton, is not always the easiest to watch, as evidenced by the depiction of a hazing that proves near-fatal to French. But it’s nonetheless a powerful watch, and it’s achingly sincere in its plea for empathy and understanding from a world that isn’t always the most welcoming. Jeremy Pope carries the film on his shoulders in a deeply moving performance that got him a well-deserved Golden Globe nomination.

19 Just Friends (2018)

Just Friends is a Dutch film that tells the story of two young lovers. Joris is a 21-year-old Dutch man who lives with his mother and who struggles with the death of his father, who passed away a decade earlier. Yad is a 26-year-old Syrian refugee whose family settled there. When Yad is employed to do chores for Joris’ grandmother, the pair meet and instantly click despite their differences in age, race, culture, and socioeconomic status. Bonding over common interests, they soon become more than friends and begin a passionate relationship.

Swoon-Worthy Romance

Just Friends is a terrific film that ably tackles many hot topics like sexuality, interracial relationships, classism, and racism. In spite of these heavy themes, the romance remains light and warm. While stories of trauma and sadness have their place, it’s also nice to dip your toes into calmer waters as well.

18 Deep in Vogue (2019)

Through the lens of Northern Vogue and the stories of the vibrant people and queer community associated with it, Deep In Vogue is a thought-provoking documentary. Filmed over a year, it explores the buildup to the Manchester ICONS Ball, charting the amazing stories of how Vogue champions a variety of political issues with fearlessness.

Educational but also Emotionally Impactful

Amid its internal politics, the film also provides great insights into its history with ballroom, which created a safe space in the ’80s for black and Latino people from LGBTQ+ communities to find an artistic outlet. Fascinating, colorful, and immersed in triumphant stories of people learning to better accept themselves, the film serves as an inspiration to people who still struggle with similar barriers to acceptance in today’s world.

17 Cowboys (2020)

Joe and his father Troy embark on a journey through Montana and on their way to Canada, told through a series of flashbacks. Troy was once married to Joe’s mother, who refused to accept his gender of choice. This causes a rift and a host of problems that eventually break up the parents’ marriage, and eventually lead to Troy illegally taking Joe away to lead him toward a better life where he will be more accepted.

The Importance of a Loving Parent

Cowboys tells a powerful tale that nestles all too familiarly among the real-life experiences of many trans person experiences. Steve Zahn gives a career-best performance in the lead as the father of a transgender boy, which fans of the actor won’t want to miss.

16 Love Is Strange (2014)

Love is Strange is nothing less than a love letter to those who overcome all necessary obstacles for the sake of their loved ones, as difficult as it may be. The film focuses on Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina), a gay couple who face homelessness after George gets fired from his teaching position. Without a viable income, the two are forced to live separately and at friends’ homes, with the distance putting even more strain on their relationship.

Subtle and Moving

Adversity in the face of hardship is a defining constant of LGBTQ+ cinema, often to the point of contrivance, but this highly underrated 2014 feature manages to make the struggles of its protagonists feel character-driven and believable. Director Ira Sachs, who helmed last year’s immensely underrated Passages, directs his story with a graceful touch and empathy for his characters, and Alfred Molina and John Lithgow give beautifully internalized performances that only add to the emotional authenticity.

15 Supernova (2020)

Written and directed by Harry Macqueen, Supernova is a heartbreakingly tender tale of aging lovers who go on a cross-country road trip in their old RV for summer vacation. Sam and Tusker have been partners for twenty years, and clearly, the occasion demands to be celebrated. They decide to travel through England and visit their friends, family, and all the special places from their past before Tusker’s dementia gets worse, and it’s too late.

Two Actors at the Top of Their Game

Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci are absolutely brilliant at channeling their emotions in what went on to be their career-defining roles. As the symptoms threaten Tusker more frequently, they rekindle the spirit of first love against England’s haunting landscapes. Because after all, in sickness and in health, love, joy, and memories are what truly last, lingering in our hearts and providing solace.

14 We The Animals (2018)

We the Animals tells the tale of young Jonah. Growing up in Upstate New York, Jonah has to deal with the intricacies of growing up in a mixed-race family and having very boisterous older brothers. His relationship with his father is a complex one since he can be very unpredictable. Adding more intrigue to the mix is the fact that Jonah is also trying to deal with slowly coming to terms with his emerging sexuality.

A Youthful Perspective on LGBTQ+ Stories

We The Animals is a great coming-of-age drama that debuted at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. The film was a critical hit and has been praised for its direction and performances, which has seen it being compared to the Academy Award-winning film, Moonlight.

13 Benediction (2021)

Jack Lowden and Peter Capaldi play a younger and older version of war poet Siegfried Sassoon. Sassoon had a complicated life since he was both a decorated WWI vet and later institutionalized for his anti-war stance. He married and had a son, and later also converted to Catholicism. However, he also embarked on a series of relationships with other men. As a poet, he became a darling of the British aristocracy and the art world. His experiences inspired him to write amazing poems about the horrors of war, while his sexuality often proved a complicated part of his life.

Siegfried Sassoon’s Fascinating Life

Boasting a 93% critical rating, Benediction is a superb wartime biographical drama with a twist. Poetic and stunningly crafted, it’s a true(ish) story that will blow you away. Directed by Terence Davies, fans of his other work, which include A Quiet Passion, The House of Mirth, and Distant Voices, Still Lives, will be sure to enjoy this.

12 Elena Undone (2010)

Elena Undone follows a religious scene that sets up homosexuality as a forbidden act. At the center of it is Elena, the pastor’s wife, who decides to let her dwindling desires get the best of her after accidentally crossing paths with an openly lesbian writer, Peyton. They begin at a regressive place where the pastor is trying to have another child with his wife, and the failure leads him to reprimand her.

A Layered Look at the Intersection of Religion and Sexuality

On the other hand, Peyton is an activist in need of a photographer, which was Elena’s profession before she married. As the two women hang out with one another, their deepening bond introduces shades of queerness rarely seen in cinema. It’s a beautifully humanistic film directed by Nicole Conn, which was loosely based on her love affair with a filmmaker. Elena Undone reminds us that love can come to us when we least expect it.

11 Blue Jean (2022)

Bigotry may have changed its face and form over the decades, but the more it changes, the more it stays the same, as evidenced by 2022’s quietly devastating Blue Jean. In her feature film debut, director Georgie Oakley refuses to sugarcoat homophobia in Margaret Thatcher’s England, as school teacher Jean (Rosie McEwen) is forced to live a double life to hide her status as a lesbian. The arrival of a new student soon throws her carefully structured life into chaos and threatens to expose her sexuality.

Heartbreaking and Heartwarming at the Same Time

As much as we want to believe the world has overcome its past prejudices, films like Blue Jean serve as a necessary wake-up call, wisely drawing upon the past to comment on how systemic bigotry maintains itself over time. It’s also a deeply empathetic glance into those forced to live under fear and oppression, and it has a deep love for its characters that keeps it from feeling overly sensationalistic.

10 Happiest Season (2020)

Happiest Season follows Abby, a lesbian, who is immensely content in her relationship with her girlfriend, Harper. So much so that she’s decided to seal the deal by proposing to her in front of Harper’s family members when they plan to visit them on the holidays. What Abby does not expect, however, is that Harper isn’t out to her traditional family. A series of misunderstandings and hilarious fails lead to self-discovery and celebration of love.

The Perfect Lesbian Christmas Movie

A refreshing holiday romance that unwraps several gifts through its LGBTQ+ representation, Happiest Season succeeds because of its cast. Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis play the two women in this modern queer classic, which remains warm, witty, and wise throughout its runtime.

9 Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Based on Andre Aciman’s book of the same name, Call Me By Your Name is a tender glimpse into one’s first love. Set in 1983 in Italy, the 17-year-old Elio (Timothee Chalamet) spends the summer with his father (Michael Stuhlbarg), an archaeologist professor. The initial boring days of doing nothing quickly fade away when Elio meets his father’s new graduate student and teaching assistant, Oliver (Armie Hammer), as the two develop a mutual attraction that blossoms into an all-consuming obsession.

Lyrical and Tender

While the presence of the controversial Hammer now makes the film a somewhat awkward viewing, don’t let that distract you from one of the most touching depictions of first love and adolescence of the last decade. Director Luca Guadagnino never manipulates his audience, instead emphasizing the slow way in which the relationship builds, from initial glances and letters to more carnal acts of lust. A young Timothee Chalamet, in his breakout Oscar-nominated role, says more in his eyes than many actors twice his age convey at all.

8 Jagged Mind (2023)

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Billie (Maisie Richardson-Sellers) has a bad habit of hooking up with her ex-girlfriend and letting herself go in nightly social encounters. But she’s also suffering from déjà vu and symptoms of early-onset dementia. She finally meets a new girl who seems ready to walk her through these tough times. However, as their relationship grows, the blackouts start getting worse.

A Delightfully Thrilling Plot

Jagged Mind is a Hulu Original and has been hailed as an extremely erotic thriller, which is made very clear from the very first scene of the film. Jagged Mind puts the eroticism back in erotic thrillers and effectively walks the line between films like Basic Instinct and Memento.

7 Swan Song (2021)

Not to be confused with the sci-fi film starring Mahershala Ali, this Swan Song is about a former hairdresser whose increasingly dull life in a retirement home is interrupted when one of his old clients dies. His dreams of a fabulous return are made possible when that client bequeaths him a tidy sum in exchange for doing her hair at the funeral. Suddenly, Pat Pitsenbarger is back, and the “Liberace of Sandusky” sets out to peacock his way across town and remind the world that he once ruled the runway.

A Triumphant Goodbye

Udo Kier stars in this heartfelt and glamorous film, giving a performance worthy of remembrance. As The Guardian revealed in its review, “Swan Song works best in the small moments it creates for its main character, real-life hairdresser to the Sandusky, Ohio stars, Pat Pitsenbarger.”

6 The World to Come (2021)

The 19th-century American drama follows two married couples living isolated on the frontier. While the husbands do the ranching, everything changes when Abigail (Katherine Waterston) meets her distant and sympathetic neighbor, Tallie (Vanessa Kirby). They explore a forbidden romance while isolated by both the location and their significant others.

Finding Connection After Isolation

An intense and dramatic period romance, The World to Come is based on Jim Shepard’s novel of the same name. The World to Come won the Queer Lion award when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2020. The extreme isolation faced by the characters heightens every emotion, touch, and glance. This makes the central romance feel intoxicating and all the more precarious with their husbands around every corner.

5 Benedetta (2021)

In 17th-century Italy, a nun who has been in the convent her entire life begins to have religious visions while embroiled in a lesbian love affair. Benedetta’s visions are widely accepted as miraculous signs from God, but some within the church believe they are heretical. Her affair is used against her, and the church threatens to crumble around her.

A Wicked Twist on Typical Nun Movies

Paul Verhoeven, director of Basic Instinct, brought fans the striking film Benedetta in 2021. In this bracing and transgressive religious thriller, the violence of Benedetta’s visions is matched only by the heat of her throes of passion. The Guardian reviewed the film and said “Verhoeven’s handling is more silly than savage, more playful than profane, which ensures that the picture’s cloistered heat never comes to the boil.”