As Pride Month approaches, Netflix offers a diverse selection of LGBTQ+ movies and shows that celebrate love, identity, and diversity. From heartwarming romances to powerful dramas, these titles explore LGBTQ+ experiences with depth and authenticity. Whether you’re looking for a new favorite or revisiting classics, here are the 10 best LGBTQ+ movies and shows on Netflix to watch this Pride Month.
1. Pose
Overview:
Set in the late 1980s and early 1990s, “Pose” explores the juxtaposition of several segments of life and society in New York City: the ball culture world, the rise of the luxury Trump-era universe, and the downtown social and literary scene.
Why Watch:
“Pose” offers a groundbreaking portrayal of LGBTQ+ communities of color, highlighting the ballroom culture and the struggles and triumphs of its characters.
2. Schitt’s Creek
Overview:
“Schitt’s Creek” follows the wealthy Rose family who lose their fortune and are forced to relocate to the small town of Schitt’s Creek, which they once bought as a joke. The series follows the family’s attempts to rebuild their lives and relationships.
Why Watch:
With its witty humor and heartwarming moments, “Schitt’s Creek” includes a positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships, notably featuring a pansexual main character.
3. Disclosure
Overview:
“Disclosure” is a documentary that examines Hollywood’s portrayal of transgender people and how these portrayals have influenced American culture. It features interviews with transgender celebrities and activists.
Why Watch:
This insightful documentary provides a critical look at transgender representation in media and its impact on society, offering perspectives on visibility and acceptance.
4. Moonlight
Overview:
“Moonlight” is a coming-of-age drama that follows the life of a young African-American man named Chiron as he navigates his identity and sexuality in a rough neighborhood in Miami. The film unfolds in three acts that explore different stages of his life.
Why Watch:
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, “Moonlight” is a poignant and beautifully crafted film that explores themes of masculinity, identity, and love.
5. The Half of It
Overview:
“The Half of It” is a coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama about Ellie Chu, a shy, introverted high school student who helps a jock write love letters to a girl they both secretly love. As they collaborate, Ellie discovers her own feelings.
Why Watch:
With its heartfelt exploration of friendship and identity, “The Half of It” offers a refreshing take on teenage romance and LGBTQ+ representation.
6. Orange Is the New Black
Overview:
“Orange Is the New Black” follows Piper Chapman, a woman in her thirties who is sentenced to fifteen months in prison after being convicted of a decade-old crime of transporting money for her drug-dealing girlfriend.
Why Watch:
This acclaimed series features a diverse ensemble cast and explores issues of sexuality, gender identity, and social justice within the confines of a women’s prison.
7. Alex Strangelove
Overview:
“Alex Strangelove” is a comedy-drama film that follows Alex Truelove, a high school senior who plans to lose his virginity to his girlfriend Claire. However, his plans go awry when he meets a charming and openly gay teenager named Elliot.
Why Watch:
With its humor and heartfelt moments, “Alex Strangelove” explores themes of sexual identity, friendship, and self-acceptance.
8. Special
Overview:
“Special” is a comedy-drama series based on Ryan O’Connell’s memoir “I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves.” It follows a gay man with cerebral palsy who decides to rewrite his identity and finally go after the life he wants.
Why Watch:
The series offers a humorous and insightful exploration of disability, sexuality, and navigating the complexities of identity.
9. Love, Simon
Overview:
“Love, Simon” is a romantic comedy-drama film based on the novel “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli. It follows Simon Spier, a high school student who must balance his friends, his family, and the blackmailer threatening to out him to the entire school, while simultaneously attempting to discover the identity of the anonymous classmate with whom he has fallen in love online.
Why Watch:
With its heartfelt storytelling and universal themes of love and acceptance, “Love, Simon” is a feel-good film that resonates with audiences of all ages.
10. Tales of the City
Overview:
“Tales of the City” is a drama series that follows Mary Ann Singleton, a young woman who visits San Francisco and decides to stay, in search of her past and a new life. It explores the vibrant LGBTQ+ community of San Francisco through Mary Ann’s journey and the eclectic residents of 28 Barbary Lane.
Why Watch:
Based on Armistead Maupin’s novels, “Tales of the City” is celebrated for its diverse representation and exploration of LGBTQ+ experiences across generations.
These LGBTQ+ movies and shows on Netflix offer a range of stories and perspectives that celebrate diversity and resilience. Whether you’re looking for powerful dramas, heartfelt romances, or insightful documentaries, these titles are perfect for honoring Pride Month and beyond.