Hollywood Movies That Celebrate Pride

Cinema has come a long way in amplifying LGBTQ voices, breaking stereotypes, and fostering understanding. These groundbreaking films have paved the way for inclusivity and representation, shedding light on diverse stories and experiences. Here are a few remarkable movies that have contributed to this positive change!

Handsome Devil

Hollywood Movies That Celebrate Pride

Imagine if Dead Poet Society were a gay film, and you would get Handsome Devil. This heartfelt coming-of-age movie takes apart toxic masculinity and its effects on gay pride. It features a great soundtrack and the heartthrob gay actor Andrew Scott. 

Moonlight

This Oscar-winner will win you over with its realistic storytelling and leave you in tears. It accurately depicts the struggles of trying to be yourself in a world that wants you to confirm. The amazing background score and cinematography make it absolutely perfect. 

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

The intimate spaces of lesbian love remain vastly unexplored. But this film makes up for that. Not only is it a brilliant pride film but it also shows the connection between love, art, and feminism. 

Laurence Anyways

 

A man tells his girlfriend he wants to become a woman in Laurence Anyways. One could use many adjectives to describe this film but words won’t suffice. It can only be experienced.

A Fantastic Woman

First up, this film illustrates that casting is an important indicator of representation as it features a trans woman playing the character of a trans woman. Rather than being preachy, it makes us empathize with the struggles of the transgender community through the universal theme of grief. 

The Half of It

This quintessential Netflix original is extremely layered in exploring love, sexuality, and friendship. If you want to watch something heartwarming this Pride Month, The Half of It is the perfect pick. 

Carol

Carol will empower you to defy societal norms, but not with bold or jarring storytelling. It is a warm, slow burn that will fill you with hope and strength this pride month.

Call Me by Your Name

Scenic visuals of the Italian countryside and love simmering between two beautiful boys make up for a perfect escapist watch. Adapted from the novel of the same name, this film will leave you with an unwavering sense of liberation.

Uncle Frank

Paul Bettany (Vision from the MCU) plays the role of a gay literature professor named Frank in this touching film. Frank is made to confront his past and move on with his life. It is a heavy watch that will make you cry at several places but ultimately, it will treat you with warmth.  

The Thing about Harry

This is the perfect gay romantic comedy for an ideal day. While most films have portrayed attraction to either the same or the opposite sex, The Thing about Harry goes beyond that and says, it’s totally cool to have your eyes set on more than one gender. 

Love, Simon

Love, Simon is helmed as one of the most effective movies to be made on accepting oneself. This Netflix original will keep you hooked from the first scene itself and will make you desperate to see the characters own their identity. 

4th Man Out

A man decides to reveal to his hyper-masculine friends that he is gay. What could go wrong? As it turns out, not much. This film will tickle you and make you sob a bit as well but the rollercoaster journey will be worth it!

God’s Own Country

Partly inspired by director Francis Lee’s own life, God’s Own Country is about finding the best way to live with one’s identity. It is unflinchingly honest and raw. But don’t worry, it breaks the trope of sad endings in queer cinema and leaves you with a lot of hope.

Which pride films are on your watchlist?