Top 11 Great Gay Interest Movies
Published on July 22, 2008 - 141 Comments
So many genres of film making have been covered on the site, but one certainly sticks out for its lack of representation - and this, finally, is it. These are films that are not designed to promote or condemn homosexuality, but films which mirror the “coming of age” films, the “romance” films, and just general life-stories that we see so often in mainstream cinema. The difference is that these films are based on same-sex situations. I have tried very hard to select films that I think appeal to ALL people - not just a homosexual audience. I have seen all of these films and I would easily recommend them as masterpieces of cinema or story telling. For those with biases, put them aside and check these films out - I am certain you won’t regret it.
I feel a bit guilty for adding this film - it is here for its art value only. The film itself is a little hard to watch unless you are particularly fond of avant garde French movies - it is not just a gay story, it is an art form - from the art of the author (Jean Genet) to the art of the director (Fassbinder). For many this might appear a B-grade film, but I assure you, it is not; it is true to the story, it is true to the life of the author, and it is a moving film. Perhaps even more moving is the fact that the main actor, Brad Davis, ultimately died of AIDS through drug use. This same actor was the brilliant star of Midnight Express.
Synopsis: French sailor Querelle arrives in Brest and starts frequenting a strange whorehouse. He discovers that his brother Robert is the lover of the lady owner, Lysiane. Here, you can play dice with Nono, Lysiane’s husband : if you win, you are allowed to make love with Lysiane, if you lose, you have to make love with Nono… Querelle loses on purpose…
This is our coming of age film for the list. But, obviously, it is a coming of age film with a twist - the twist being the angst of teenage life coupled with the angst of realizing, and learning to deal with homosexuality. The acting is superb and the film really does have moments of tears and laughter. The addition of a brilliant soundtrack including much music by Mama Cass really makes this an amusing and fun film. If you only watch one movie on this list - let it be this one.
Synopsis: A tender love story set during a hot summer on a South-East London housing estate. Jamie, a relatively unpopular lad who bunks off school to avoid football, lives next door to Ste, a more popular athletic lad but who is frequently beaten up by his father and older brother. Such an episode of violence brings Jamie and Ste together: Sandra (Jamie’s mum) offers refugee to Ste, who has to ‘top-and-tail’ with Jamie. Hence, the story tells of their growing attraction for one another, from initial lingering glances to their irrefutable love, which is so magnificently illustrated at the end of the film.
This is a film that I found a little harder to appreciate, but it is still an extremely highly regarded film for its genre. Not only do we deal with homosexuality here, we also deal with multi-racial relationships. This is, as far as I am aware, the only film which deals with both issues. Set in a launderette during the Thatcher years, this film is historically interesting and a bonus for those who love the 80s.
Synopsis: My Beautiful Laundrette is set within the Asian community in London, during the Thatcher years, and displays those values, of money but ‘anybody can make it.’ Omar gains the running of his Uncle Nasser’s laundrette. He is helped by his friend Johnny who is an outsider, white but not entirely accepted by either the white or Asian Londoners. There are many memorable characters: Tania, Omar’s cousin whom he might marry. Salim the manager of Nasser’s garage and sometime drug importer. Rachel, Nasser’s white mistress, who like Johnny seems to be another outsider.
This was the first film of this type that I have seen and I will be forever thankful as I have become a great fan of the director Gus Van Sant ever since. If you have not seen any of his films (which I am sure is not the case for most listverse readers), this is a good one to start with. It has the beautiful cinematography that all of his films seem to have, without the more avant garde style that much of his recent work has. Additionally, this film shows us an entirely different side to the now-dead River Phoenix, whose acting here really shows us what a tragic loss the film industry suffered when he died.
Synopsis: Surreal character study focusing on the friendship between two male hustlers, Mike and Scott, in Portland, Oregon. They live on the streets, do drugs, and sell themselves to men and women. Mike is quiet, gay and suffers from narcolepsy. Abandoned as a child, he is obsessed with finding his long-lost mother. Scott is the rebellious son of a high-ranking family, who lives this life mostly to embarrass his father. Mike is in love with Scott, who still maintains he is straight and insists that his wild lifestyle on the streets is only temporary. Together, they embark on a quest to find Mike’s mother, traveling from Portland to Idaho to Italy, with Scott picking up a beautiful girl along the way.
Completely in French, this lovely gentle film shows us the story of a little boy who wants to be a little girl. We see the difficulty suffered by his Catholic family and neighbors as he simply does not fit in. Best of all, this film is shown through the eyes of the young boy who is the object of the movie. A unique perspective.
Synopsis: Ludovic is a young boy who can’t wait to grow up to be a woman. When his family discovers the little girl blossoming in him they are forced to contend with their own discomfort and the lack of understanding from their new neighbors. Their anger and impatience cave and Ludovic is sent to see a psychiatrist in the hopes of fixing whatever is wrong with him. A movie that addresses trans-gender and gender issues in general through the eyes of a child.
This film is the one most likely to be known by ALL readers. It was a hit for Guy Pearce and is full of flamboyant “fabulous” costumes and acting. Here we get a behind the scenes view of the Australian world of drag - and what a world it is! Coupled with the color and pizazz are the lonely lives of the main characters who struggle to find themselves, and their families, and a place in society. This is, undoubtedly, one of the best drag films ever - so much so that I rate it higher than the Birdcage (which is not included in this list).
Synopsis: Two drag-queens (Anthony/Mitzi and Adam/Felicia) and a transexual (Bernadette) contract to perform a drag show at a resort in Alice Springs, a resort town in the remote Australian desert. They head west from Sydney aboard their lavender bus, Priscilla. En route, it is discovered that the woman they’ve contracted with is Anthony’s wife. Their bus breaks down, and is repaired by Bob, who travels on with them.
This lesser-known film is unlike any of the others on the list. In this film we see the struggle of the young man drawn to others of his own gender, but never able to truly accept himself. We see the incredible split in his family as his mother buys him the pram he always wanted, followed by the father forcing the mother to return it - a true struggle between morality and immorality all in one family. Add a drug addicted brother, a geeky brother, and music by Ziggy Stardust and you have one hell of an entertaining film. The film is in Quebecois but subtitles make it easy to follow. Highly recommended - perhaps the best Canadian film of the last decade.
Synopsis: It’s a story of two love affairs. A father’s love for his five sons. And one son’s love for his father, a love so strong it compels him to live a lie. That son is Zac Beaulieu, born on the 25th of December 1960, different from all his brothers, but desperate to fit in. During the next 20 years, life takes Zac on a surprising and unexpected journey that ultimately leads him to accept his true nature and, even more importantly, leads his father to love him for who he really is. A mystical fable about a modern-day Christ-like figure, “C.R.A.Z.Y” exudes the beauty, the poetry and the madness of the human spirit in all its contradictions.
The biggest surprise in this film is the appearance of Hugh Grant, playing the young English University student who falls in love, and out, and in, with another student. Unique in this film is the period - the early 1900s when homosexuality, or more specifically, sodomy, was illegal in the United Kingdom. Not only do we see the issue of gender dealt with, but the issue of class - when one of the main characters (a wealthy young man), falls in love with a servant. This film is produced by Merchant Ivory - renowned for their excellent work in period dramas. A must see for anyone interested in historical sexuality issues.
Synopsis: Two male English school chums find themselves falling in love at Cambridge. To regain his place in society, Clive gives up his forbidden love, Maurice (pronounced “Morris”) and marries. While staying with Clive and his shallow wife, Anne, Maurice finally discovers romance in the arms of Alec, the gamekeeper. Written from personal pain, it’s E.M. Forster’s story of coming to terms with sexuality in the Edwardian age.
This is a film that cuts to the bone with emotion. Here we see some of the best acting to grace the silver screen of late (courtesy of Hilary Swank). The tragic and disturbing events in this film are, sadly, based on a true story. You simply can’t help but feel every moment of suffering that the main characters experience. This film definitely contains some extremely violent scenes and is not appropriate for young viewers, but it is a film that undoubtedly should be seen by everyone.
Synopsis: Based on actual events. Brandon Teena is the popular new guy in a tiny Nebraska town. He hangs out with the guys, drinking, cussing, and bumper surfing, and he charms the young women, who’ve never met a more sensitive and considerate young man. Life is good for Brandon, now that he’s one of the guys and dating hometown beauty Lana. However, he’s forgotten to mention one important detail. It’s not that he’s wanted in another town for GTA and other assorted crimes, but that Brandon Teena was actually born a woman named Teena Brandon. When his best friends make this discovery, Brandon’s life is ripped apart.
Deciding where to rate this film was very tough - perhaps more so due to the recent death of Heath Ledger, but ultimately it had to be in the top 5. Here we see two of Hollywood’s greatest young actors playing roles we would never expect - and doing so outstandingly. No matter whether you are straight or gay, this is probably the romance film of the decade. In fact, the film won the best film kiss Oscar - the first between two men (both of whom are straight!) While I prefer to keep certain aspects of my private life to myself, I feel I must admit that I shed a tear at one of the final scenes in the film (the one in the parent’s house near the end - if you have seen the film you know what I mean). This film is an astonishing film production of a brilliant short story.
Synopsis: In the Summer of 1963 Wyoming, two young men, Ennis a ranch hand and Jack an aspiring rodeo bull rider, are sent to work together herding sheep on Brokeback Mountain, and what had otherwise been anticipated to be a rather uneventful venture, will soon turn into an affair of love, of lust, and complications that will span through 19 years of their lives. Through marriage, through children, and through the mighty grip of societal confines and the expectations of what it is to be a man.
I generally prefer not to leave a list on a depressing note, but this film has to rate as number one. It is a film adaptation of the play by x. In this film we see two gay German men who are forced in to a concentration camp for their sexual preference. Despite not knowing each other, the two manage to form a relationship which is entirely chaste - and yet more emotional and sexual (without sex) than a couple co-habitating. If you have not seen this film, watch it - the sex scenes (without sex) are completely unique to stage and screen. It will tie you up in knots, but it is definitely worth it.
Synopsis: Max is gay and as such is sent to Dachau concentration camp under the Nazi regime. He tries to deny he is gay and gets a yellow label (the one for Jews) instead of pink (the one for gays). In camp he falls in love with his fellow prisoner Horst, who wears his pink label with pride.
Source: Synopses courtesy of IMDB, the Internet Movie Database
Notable Omissions: The Birdcage, Even Cowgirls Get The Blues
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1. blacksunshine - July 22nd, 2008 at 7:50 am
AMAZING list Jamie!
2. jfrater - July 22nd, 2008 at 7:51 am
Thanks
A little better than the one I just killed eh? 
3. Csimmons - July 22nd, 2008 at 7:53 am
wow, great list, I thought Brokeback mountain would be #1 but oh well.
4. Mike - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:01 am
Where is the Birdcage???
5. LemonKiwi - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:01 am
I agree “wow, great list”. I’ve seen several of these movies and will be looking for the ones I haven’t seen.
6. colin - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:01 am
yay yay yay YAY!
i have WAITED for this list! lol
ok, have heard of or watched 7/11, and agreed with you on every point. great selection, considering how many films there are…
and re that final scene in BB….cried too:)
havent seen Boys Dont Cry - because i know its gonna be hard to watch…i love sad movies, but i know that ones just gonna break my heart..but now, of course, im gonna have to, cos you put it on the list.
behold the power of lists of listverse
btw what was the one you just killed?
7. Cheeshygirl - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:02 am
Wow, I’ve seen a few of these. Might have to check out a few more. I also mourn the loss of River Phoenix. He was amazing in that movie. Great job Jamie.
8. NiMur90 - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:03 am
Good list, I havnt heard of a lot of these movies
9. Tempyra - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:05 am
Great list
I’m ashamed I have yet to see ANY of these movies (your movie lists always seem to be lists of movies Tempyra hasn’t seen lol). Brokeback Mountain is one I’ll be watching in the near future. Seeing Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight earlier this evening reminded me of Brokeback Mountain and now that movie comes up on Listverse - it must be a sign lol.
What was wrong with the last list?
10. jfrater - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:11 am
Csimmons: when you see Bent you will understand why it beats Brokeback
Colin: a superheroes one which got VERY bad feedback
Mike: in the notable omissions - watch the films on this list and you will see why Birdcage is not in the top 11
And thanks Cheeshy, NiMur90, blacksunshine, LemonKiwi, and Tempyra for the compliment - I enjoyed writing this one a lot
11. LemonKiwi - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:13 am
Another movie you could add to the Notable Omissions would be Trick(1999)
12. Callie - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:15 am
Is there really a best kiss oscar? There’s a best kiss MTV award…
At any rate, I’m going to see about renting Bent and the French film. They sound interesting.
13. jfrater - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:18 am
Callie: argh! You are right - my mistake - it was the MTV award - thanks for pointing that out - I will correct it when I wake up
It is 3am here and I am about to fall out of my chair!
14. dangorironhide - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:20 am
Nice replacement list.
Haven’t seen any of these actually, but ‘Bent’ sounds quite good actually.
15. Eve - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 am
Great list,thank you.
BB mountain is number 1 for me.It is the most beautiful,emotional and sensual film ever…
16. chershey - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:25 am
I would have added The Birdcage (or La Cage Aux Folles, although I think The Birdcage is a better version,) if only because of its accessibility to those “weary” of homosexuality as it isn’t strictly about a gay relationship.
17. Kreachure - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:27 am
Very nice list!
Sadly, I’ve only seen one of these, My Beautiful Launderette, for a UK history class in college. But I’m interested in seeing Brokeback Mountain whenever I get a chance, and Bent (which I hadn’t heard of before) sounds REALLY interesting, so I’ll be looking out for that one too.
PS. Only a single superhero list on the site (if you count the “significant moments in comic history” as one), plus a “your view” about superheroes (”who is the best superhero?”), and that’s about it for superheroes on Listverse so far. Now you decided to nuke “9 superheroes and their enemies who fail”. Was it really that bad? Or do you not like men in spandex?
18. jfrater - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:29 am
dangor: the best thing about Bent is Clive Owen - he is a great actor and this lesser known work by him is one of his best IMHO.
Kreachure: it really was that bad - and I also do not like men in spandex
19. Eve - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:31 am
Has anyone seen The Mudge Boy-it would have been a good addition to the list.Love Emile Hirsch!
20. JB - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:44 am
my girldfriend will enjoy this list
thank you!
21. DK - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:55 am
Awesome list Jamie! Lots that I haven’t seen/heard of, but I’ll definitely make a point to see some of these now!
22. Blogball - July 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 am
Very interesting and well written list jfrater. I was thinking The Philadelphia Story might be here but I guess that was more about the attitude about aids than it was about that the main character that happened to be gay.
I couldn’t help notice all the films are about relationships with two men and no movies about two women. It just seems that there should be at least one mainstream movie out there about a lesbian relationship. I can’t think of one myself but maybe another listverser can.
23. SaturnIon - July 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 am
This is a pretty good list, (I love movie lists), and I hate to be nit picky and you can correct me if I’m wrong; but I don’t think Boys Don’t Cry should be on this list. Brandon Teena was a transgender, so technically he was not gay.
The movie was about a person of the the female sex who dates other females, however, she’s a man on the inside.
24. perun99 - July 22nd, 2008 at 9:53 am
I was sure Philadelphia would be on the list, but the focus was more on AIDs as the previous poster noted.
The only movie I can think of dealing with lesbianism is Grey Matters and it wasn’t good enough to make a top list.
25. Ginger Lee - July 22nd, 2008 at 11:19 am
I’m not surprised “Priest” with Linus Roache and Robert Carlyle isn’t on here but it’s one of my favorite gay theme movies. What “Brokeback Mountain” does for the tugging of the heartstrings, “Priest” does it tenfold and a million times better.
I’d have to say my faves are “Priest” and “The Birdcage”
26. LemonKiwi - July 22nd, 2008 at 11:39 am
Some movies that deal with lesbian relationships:
Better Than Chocolate
Personal Best
But I’m a Cheerleader(comedy)
I also liked the movie Gods and Monsters
27. ChuChu353 - July 22nd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
“I couldn’t help notice all the films are about relationships with two men and no movies about two women. It just seems that there should be at least one mainstream movie out there about a lesbian relationship. I can’t think of one myself but maybe another listverser can.”
Blogball - May I suggest Desert Hearts, Bound, Tipping the Velvet, Better Than Chocolate, Nina’s Heavenly Delights, and If These Walls Could Talk 2
28. diogenes - July 22nd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I’m not a homeysexsual or anything, but I second the inclusion of “Gods and Monsters” as a suitable addition within the perameters set here . Also “Happy Together” dir. by Wong Kar Wai or perhaps “Velvet Goldmine” and “Posion” with the short film within a film, based on a Jean Genet a storyl; both by Icantthinkofhisname. To be honest, I have always put of watching Querelle, because of what appears a to much of a homesexual theme for my interest, but I’m a big fan of Fassbinder. “Fox and His Friends” and Icanthinkofitsname with Harry Baer.so maybe i’ll try.
One last thing. I recall hearing that Nightmare on Elm Street 2, for all the disaster it represents within the series, is now considered a cult homoerotic flic.
29. Blogball - July 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
LemonKiwi an ChuChu353 I knew there had to be some out there. I do remember If These Walls Could Talk 2 . I think there were3 separate stories.
I remember watching a movie called The Children’s Hour when I was a kid. This was before any gay subject matter was ever shown or even mentioned. It stared Audrey Hepburn & Shirley MacLaine.
In the movie it is implied (through a child’s accusation) that Shirley MacLaine had sexual feeling for Audrey Hepburn. That was huge deal back then. I think the film was made in the early 60s.
If anyone out there has not seen this film I would recommend it. It was groundbreaking at that time.
30. Kreachure - July 22nd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
There are MANY “lesbian interest” films, and I’m sure many of those are good enough for a list:
Lesbian-related films: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.....ated_films
Also see: Portrayal of lesbianism in cinema: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.....ism#Cinema
31. Anna - July 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I like this list, though I’m a bit confused on the addition of Boys Don’t Cry. It’s really a transgender interest movie. Did you mean for this list to be exclusively gay male?
I’d really love to see a lesbian interest movie list, since we’re excluded from this one. :\
32. Blogball - July 22nd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Is the listverse web site having some issues or is it just me?
33. Riya B. - July 22nd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I loved My Own Private Idaho and the Adventures of Priscilla, and Brokeback Mountain just blew me away! Keep up the good work.
Maybe next time there will be a list of lesbian movies?
34. zionred - July 22nd, 2008 at 3:09 pm
what about “Top Gun” ?!
35. Nelia - July 22nd, 2008 at 4:05 pm
For something a little lighter, I heartily recommend But I’m a Cheerleader. Really funny, really sweet, touching, and I love the cast. For another very funny (but also bittersweet) gay-centered movie, see The Heartbreak Club. It deals with a lot of aspects of the average gay person’s experience.
36. jfrater - July 22nd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Blogball: it wasn’t just you - it is now resolved thankfully!
37. Crumbs - July 22nd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
HAHA! zionred you just made me laugh out loud, what an obscure but good subject to do a list on next you will do top ten films with mullets in
please do actually
38. MPW - July 22nd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
wonderful list.
39. fili - July 22nd, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I can’t believe no one’s mentioned Hedwig and the Angry Inch!
(I apologize if this comment appears more than once.)
40. KC - July 22nd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I saw a British movie called Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit which was really good…
41. Ginger Lee - July 22nd, 2008 at 4:38 pm
D’oh- I forgot to mention But, I’m a Cheerleader, I’m glad others recommended it as I really think Jamie Babbit has a huge future in filmmaking.
42. JwJwBean - July 22nd, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Great list. I have only seen Priscilla and LOVED it. My husband and I saw it in the movie theater. Someone in the seat in back of me kept tugging on my hair. I wonder if they thought it was a wig. lol. In fact I think I was pregnant at the time too.
43. Seven - July 22nd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
The first one i’ve never heard of, but it sounds good. The thing is I don’t know if I can bring myself to watch it, just reading the synopsis made me teary-eyed…
44. Matt - July 22nd, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Bent is definitely a great movie and very much deserves to be at the top of the list.
I was disappointed to see that my favorite gay movie wasn’t on the list. Edge of Seventeen is a great gay coming-of-age film. I enjoyed it a lot more than Beautiful Thing (which is good as well).
45. Diogenes - July 22nd, 2008 at 7:02 pm
It occured to me that i don’t see any overzealous Shakespeare commentators attaching(or banging) their noggins together, in discussion of the merits of “My Own Private Idaho” within the stage or streets through these times of the more modern scope, which we call our own.
what sayeth thees?
46. Sugarpie - July 22nd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Yeahhhhhh CRAZY someone outside Canada actually love this movie it’s amazing!!!!!! Yeahhhh again!!!!!
47. Vear Lynn - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I have seen a few of these. They all touch me in a strange place in my heart. It’s not that I “get off” seeing 2 men together, it is the vulnerability they exhibit. Men in my world are always so big on solving problems, or trying to be the rescuer. To see 2 men be so emotionally fragile just gets to me. On of my favorite TV shows for a while was “Queer as Folk.” Loved those guys.
I will see the rest of the movies on this list.
48. Jessy - July 22nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Fascinating list, I’ve only seen Boys Don’t Cry and Brokeback Mountain so far, but some of those other ones definitely looked interesting. Just a few small quibbles:
1) There is technically no such thing as “Quebecois” language, they consider themselves to speak French (although us Ottawans know the real truth about “Franglais” :P).
2) For lesbian movies, “Lost and Delirious” is one I’ve seen a couple of times, and it’s quite sad. Basically the American, lesbian version of Maurice I guess, concerning forbidden love in a boarding school environment, and one of them giving it up to save face within her family.
3) I absolutely CANNOT remember the name of this film right now (I’m sure it’ll come to me as I’m trying to fall asleep tonight), but it stars Russel Crowe in his younger years, as a young gay man living with his father in Australia, and basically how he lives and looks for love after his father (who’s very approving of his lifestyle) suffers a stroke and requires a high degree of care. Very sad subplot about Crowe’s lesbian grandmother and how she was forcibly separated from her lover so her family could “look after her better”.
Wow, sorry for the novel. Time for bed methinks.
49. P.J. - July 22nd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Jessy, the Russell Crowe movie you’re thinking of is “The Sum of Us.”
50. Jill W. - July 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
“Heavenly Creatures” anyone? Anything from John Waters?! No? Sad, sad, sad.
Was this list written by an actual homosexual? Not trying to be a jerk, but I live with several homos, and none of them thought this list was any good, especially the gay-cowboys-eating-pudding movie that everyone seems to like so much…except homosexual men.
51. astraya - July 22nd, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I am straight enough not to seek out movies with a homosexual theme, though I have seen My beautiful laundrette (and didn’t understand anything), Priscilla (I’m Australian - it’s compulsary) and Boys don’t cry. Also, of other movies mentioned, The sum of us. I don’t count any of them among my favourite movies.
There was another Australian movie about 5 years ago called Holding the man (a term from Australian football) which I believe had a gay theme to it.
When I saw Fried green tomatoes at the Whistle-stop cafe, I didn’t realise that the two younger characters were meant to be lesbians, and refused to believe it when I read an article stating that they were. Then I bought the book, which makes it clear that they are.
52. ohio - July 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
great list!
my own private idaho is a favorite. good example of river’s talent, van sant’s vision, and keanu reeves acting (wooden) style working for the character.
despite personal objections to terminology (gay=old skool and narrow, queer=queering norms and transcending homo/hetero labels)this list represents many facets of good cinema despite sex. note: didn’t like queen of desert but trannies ain’t my thing.
missing: mysterious skin (really good movie and great novel). alien abductions, sex, drugs, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. yay!
speaking of missing - when is “brick” film going to show up on modern hard boiled detective flicks list? and what about “bound” - i consider hard boiled crime > lesbian. but that’s just me
53. badlist - July 22nd, 2008 at 9:35 pm
What About Star Trek?
54. CRSN - July 22nd, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Jamie - Great list, good to see some different content
JillW - I got the same thing, i had 2 gay house mates and they hadnt seen any of them except broke back mountain, but when i started to get into movies from non-english speaking countries, a lot of them were about Gay relationships, mainly middle european countries.
They had never seen anything like it, mabye because they were in their early 20’s, but it made it easier to except them selves as they were.
55. LivePaola - July 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Agree with fili. Drag, costumes, crossdressing? We’re missing “Hedwig”. So much better than “Priscilla”.
56. whatiswrong - July 22nd, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Brokeback Mountain-ultimately it had to be in the top 5
Why? In terms of writing and acting, it isn’t a pimple on the a** of at least half the movies on this list. I wish I had a dollar for every one of the people I’ve heard say in one form or another that when all was said and done, that they were actually bored to tears by it. One guy(Who happens to be Gay), after raving about it like so many others, admitted he fell asleep during the movie.
As Jill W. inferred-”This should be re-titled Straight Peoples Best Gay Movies.”
57. modelpenguin - July 22nd, 2008 at 10:49 pm
excellent list! i’ve just updated my netflix list to include several of these.
58. ChuChu353 - July 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 pm
I’m surprised that no one has yet mentioned “The Fluffer”, a 2001 indie film that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the world of gay porn.
59. alucard - July 22nd, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Does any one remember the title of the movie starring patrick swayze, john liguizamo and wesley snipes it just like Priscila Queen of the Desert.
60. CRSN - July 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
alucad - was it “Dirty Dancing Disco Biscuits”
61. colin - July 22nd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
CRSn: LMAO
it was To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar
62. thunderchicken - July 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 am
Alucard: “Does any one remember the title of the movie starring patrick swayze, john liguizamo and wesley snipes it just like Priscila Queen of the Desert.”
Its called To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything
63. schiesl - July 23rd, 2008 at 12:11 am
what about “Pink??” That movie was most excellent
64. schiesl - July 23rd, 2008 at 12:12 am
Wong Foo was amazing!!!
65. Teapixie - July 23rd, 2008 at 12:26 am
Ginger Lee (25)
Absolutely agree with you about ‘Priest’. It’s been years since I saw that movie, but I loved it.
This is a fantastic list. Thanks Jamie.
Now I have a few more films I have to see. Gonna have to live to be 200. Better get watching now.
66. Ane Krel - July 23rd, 2008 at 1:05 am
Great list!
Though, I’m in kind of agreement with some of the other users that while “Boys Don’t Cry” was moving and amazing, it wasn’t really about being gay, and more about being transgendered.
Other flims I felt should have honorable mentions:
“The Children’s Hour”. Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine. I would credit this film as being instrumental in opening the public discussion of homosexuality.
“Aimee and Jaguar”.
“High Art”. Hands down Aly Sheedy’s finest on screen performance.
67. Dev - July 23rd, 2008 at 2:20 am
Yeahhh…I’m finding it pretty difficult to imagine a ‘gay’ film ever being a very good thing…a pox on all these silly films!
68. Swifty66 - July 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 am
Great list! I thought “Boys Don’t Cry” was an incredible movie, Hilary Swank was amazing. Has anyone seen “The Wedding Banquet”? It is a cross cultural comedy/drama about a gay couple who try to hide their relationship from one partner’s traditional Chinese parents. Probably not as great as some of the films mentioned, but worth renting if you’re a fan of the genre.
69. jwbm2525 - July 23rd, 2008 at 5:41 am
I am disappointed not to see Torchsong Trilogy on here.
70. rubysp - July 23rd, 2008 at 6:20 am
Fabulous list! Thank you very much for the putting it up! One of my favourite is “The Trip” which tells the tale of a journalist/writer straight man looking for inspiration for his book accidently showing up at a gay ‘meeting’ and meeting with another guy. A lot of emotional entanglements occur (girlfriend, denial, work pressure, society pressure) and the main character did end up publishing a book that is anti-homosexual despite being in a relationship with one.
Since this movie take place during a period where Homosexuality is struggling to be acknowledged you can see the revolution of disgust to grudging acceptance. And an ending which made me brawl. (and I really LOVE the eccentric mother who is wholly accepting of her son’s preference, and steals spoons)
71. skipps - July 23rd, 2008 at 6:27 am
Transamerica anyone? Felicity Huffman was brilliant in it.
72. rubysp - July 23rd, 2008 at 6:27 am
ah right, sorry if my description was a bit off, I watched the movie 2 years ago so the details are a sketchy to me. The Trip is directed by Miles Swain
73. blaze fielding - July 23rd, 2008 at 7:15 am
great list :] i absolutly loved bent, its been a while since i last watched it but it is certainly an unforgetable movie.
74. shantiquax - July 23rd, 2008 at 7:31 am
For a hidden gem, rent Parallel Sons. Toe-curlingly romantic. Gabriel Mann is ethereally beautiful. Laurence Mason looks incredible naked.
75. Mara - July 23rd, 2008 at 8:18 am
Great list.
A couple other good gay movies (would name more, but have not finished coffee):
Wedding Banquet
Touch of Pink
Trick
Hanging Garden
Jeffrey
76. courtney - July 23rd, 2008 at 8:44 am
I love this list, but I was hoping Mulholland Drive would’ve been mentioned…?
77. fabXtaC - July 23rd, 2008 at 8:54 am
http://www.logoonline.com/show.....ners.jhtml
thats logo’s 50 greatest films
(Logo is the gay channel)
I was hoping latter days would be on here, that movie mad me cry.
78. Lucy - July 23rd, 2008 at 10:34 am
where is the birdcage?!
79. SlickWilly - July 23rd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Lucy:
“Notable Omissions: The Birdcage, Even Cowgirls Get The Blues”
Bottom of the list.
80. kris - July 23rd, 2008 at 11:11 am
Can i watch all these movies… ?
81. warningdontreadthis - July 23rd, 2008 at 12:40 pm
lovely list. I’m going to check out nr 1.
82. Cedestra - July 23rd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Yeah, I agree here- the Birdcage just doesn’t quite make the list. I’m also glad JFrater didn’t inclue “To Wong Foo…Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar”.
Great list! Woo! I want to see Bent now.
83. Axel - July 23rd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros is also a very good film.
84. cocololo - July 23rd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
the birdcage, while plucky, is still one of my all time favorites. i am easily entertained…
who doesn’t love nathan lane pretending to be straight while pretending to be gay? or that shriek he can do…
i haven’t seen brokeback mountain yet, but i knew it would be on this list. its just one of those things you know you’ll cry and then everyone gets to call you…………………………..
wait for it…………………………..
GAY!!!
not that there’s anything wrong with that, lol!
85. Petemurrey - July 23rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
wtf..bent?
you know it makes sense
im sam kecovich
86. Charlotte - July 23rd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
good to see that other people were disappointed with the lack of ‘lesbian movies’. Great suggestions given too. My favourite coming of age is Faucking Amal (or Show Me Love is its english title)written and directed by Lukas Moodysson. check it out!
87. Ty - July 23rd, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Beautiful Thing made me cry! It’s a beautiful movie and maintains a really good pace, but it’s not so fast that you don’t get to know the characters; I recommend it to everyone.
88. Heymon - July 23rd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
What about Philadelphia?
89. dofnup - July 23rd, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I also thought Torch Song Trilogy would be on here … ah, well. Great list anyway!
90. Francisco D’Anconia - July 24th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Must admit I’m surprised there was and has not been mention of “Chasing Amy” a beautiful, touching and hilarious film.
91. nerdlette - July 24th, 2008 at 1:06 am
I think that ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ definitely deserves an honorable mention because it was one of the very first movies to show homosexuality in a humorous yet non-demeaning light.
92. Paramnesia - July 24th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Great list, i definitely added some of them to my “must view list”
Though i would have added philadelphia, i just love that movie.
93. Cedestra - July 24th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Oh yeah, I had forgotten “Chasing Amy” and “Philadelphia”; still, I like the list. Oh, how about “Kissing Jessica Stein”?
94. Shami - July 24th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Wanna See One Of These Movies, Someday..
95. andy - July 24th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
totally agree with charlotte there, ’show me love’(fucking amal)is an excellent film. overall the list is very good, the claire denis film ‘beau travail’, though not as explicit, should be there, it’s quite simply a breathtaking film, unfortunately seldom seen.
96. jfrater - July 24th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
andy: beau travail would be number 12 - I wish I had remembered it when writing the list! It is a breathtaking film - some of the most amazing scenery in a film!
97. Vera Lynn - July 24th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
“Even Cowgirls get the Blues”
I read it, but I don’t get/remember the homosexual-lesbian reference. All I remember is that she pulled out a pubic hair with a drop of “moisture” on it (she was wet).
98. Dandelion - July 25th, 2008 at 6:05 am
I have seen My Own Private Idaho, Maurice, Boys Don’t Cry and Brokeback Mountain from this list. I loved them all!
99. Kittykat73 - July 25th, 2008 at 10:28 am
[quote]I saw a British movie called Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit which was really good…[/quote]
I saw that years ago, in fact, the first lesbian based piece of video I’d seen. I’d highly recommend it.
Not one of my faves, but there’s also The Killing Of Sister George. Another very good one is Bar Girls. I’d love to see a lesbian centred list too please. Us lesbians seem to be ignored in a lot of places and ways.
Just as an aside, a great ‘coming of age’ lesbian book is Rubyfruit Jungle. Read that years ago too and I was bawling my eyes out at the end, I could hardly read! lol
100. Polly Odyssey - July 25th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Number 7 sounds really good, I might check it out sometime…
101. donatello - July 25th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I was expecting Happy Together by Wong Kar Wai. Great acting by Tony Leung and Leslie Yeung. This is highly recommended as well.
102. donatello - July 25th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Another great gay film is Bishonen..
103. Chipparoo - July 26th, 2008 at 1:40 am
You made a terrific list.
I haven’t seen one of the films you chose (Crazy), but I will make a point to do so based on your recommendation — all of the others you listed I have seen, and you made great choices.
I could add a few — from Poison to Transamerica — but your choices are great. And I love that you bring Querelle into the talk.
Of the films you listed that I do know, I REALLY encourage people to check out Ma Vie en Rose if they don’t know it. It’s on DVD, so Netflix it or whatever.
Off your list, I also suggest you check out Trevor, a really great short film made in 1994 about a kid who comes to terms with himself (with a Diana Ross soundtrack — and you know I’m Coming Out is involved). It’s also on DVD, miraculously.
104. jajdude - July 26th, 2008 at 2:46 am
Hilary Swank. Awesome. Great actress, and pretty hot too.
105. goof_ball - July 26th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
GOOD LIST!!! =D
106. /b/ - July 26th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Homosexuals are gay!
107. Nancy - July 27th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I agree with everyone here. This is a great list. Brokeback Mountain, I also agree that it is hard to rate that movie. Thank you for the list, I’m glad I came upon this website.
108. Nancy - July 27th, 2008 at 9:55 am
oh and to whoever suggested Philadelphia, thanks the movie is great.
109. cuddlebot - July 27th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
i really love la vie en rose, i watched it with my french teacher in high school. while its not necessarily about homosexuality, it does deal with gender confusion and dealing with prejudice.
i like this list a lot!
110. Mootpoint - July 27th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
What about Parting Glances, Philidephia, and Before Night Falls? Those were great tear-jerkers and amazingly acted.
111. Rosa - July 28th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I cried during that same part in Brokeback Mountain..
Thanks for an awesome list, I’ll be looking for the ones I haven’t seen..
112. GuesssWho - July 28th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
What about The Crying Game?
113. sharlu - July 29th, 2008 at 4:04 am
wow interesting list! iv’e seen like 5 of them haha betta than nothing
114. gforever - July 29th, 2008 at 7:01 am
What is tha possition of Latter Days??? That is a great movie too.
115. emotefully - July 31st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Quadruple threat: The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love … coming of age, lesbian, interracial and played by two straight actresses. Stars a young Laurel Holloman of L Word fame (’Tina’) and Nicole Ari Parker from the Showtime series Soul Food.
116. Hellbound Alleee - August 2nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Shame! for not mentioning “The Celluloid Closet!” Now THAT’S a resource for gay movies, and ways to think about them. The gayest movies are inevitably the old westerns with Gary Cooper. Any cowboy who has a sidekick has a wife in those old movies.
Anyone ever heard Willie Nelson sing “Cowboys are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other?” That’s what he means by that.
I would advise against listing AIDS movies as gay movies. AIDS movies are sort of death-porn, and not very gay, IMHO.
117. Stacey - August 6th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Great list! And I second everyone asking for a followup list of lesbian movies as well…Fire is a pretty good Bollywood one, for example.
118. chimmyjimmy - August 7th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Some films I would consider excellent too:
Mysterious Skin (Greg Araki)
The impact of child molestation on two teenagers. One of them think that he was abducted by an alien, and the other becomes a prostitute.
Presque Rien/ Come Undone (Sebastian Lifshitz)
My personal favorite ‘coming out’ movie. And it’s French.
Caravaggio (Derek Jarman)
Portrayed the complex character of the notorious painter and his love affair with one of his model.
Before Night Falls (Julian Schnabel)
Another biography, this time a Cuban artist, forced to flee the country because his orientation.
Une Chant d’Amour (Jean Genet)
The finest in gay erotica. And it was made in 1950!
Maurice and Beautiful Thing are 2 of my favorites too.
119. jfrater - August 7th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
chimmyjimmy: interestingly last night I watched Mysterious Skin. It was a very disturbing movie! I was impressed by the acting abilities of everyone in it though.
120. chimmyjimmy 2 - August 7th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Sorry for two posts in a row. But I don’t like Brokeback. For me, Ang Lee made another film about gay issues that is more beautiful than Brokeback:
The Wedding Banquet. Mixing everything from coming out, racial clash/cultural values, & faking a marriage to get a green card.
Oh, to whoever posted that A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 is a gay cult movie, I agree. Without a clear gay character, but the atmosphere is very obvious. Watch the dream sequence where the main character caught by his coach in a Gay bar!!
121. valerie - August 17th, 2008 at 7:34 am
The Sum Of Us should heaps be on that list.
122. lee - August 17th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I was astonished that nobody talked about Burnt Money, THE BEST.
123. lizzypop82 - September 15th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
C.R.A.Z.Y. is a great movie I was glad to see it on the list.
I also cried on the same part during Brokeback.
124. Rob - September 17th, 2008 at 3:58 am
What about Longtime Companion?
125. Sam The Quebecor - October 2nd, 2008 at 1:57 am
ok…i dont know if some1 replied, but i had to say this…there IS a language in quebec, its not really french, in fact, most people in France (or maybe all europe) have trouble understanding us…and I would know, i’ve been there. (im from Quebec you see…)
Anyway, GREAT LIST!!!, i’ve seen a lot of these movies, and I’m glad you put Beautiful Thing, because unlike other gay movies about younger guys, like Edge Of Seventeen, it’s not so much about their struggle with society, or bad relationship, but it’s about 2 young men falling in love. And it IS beautiful.
I don’t know if you’ve considered it, but i thought, just like Rob, Longtime Companion might make the list…it’s a little bit more about AIDS, but its such a great and moving story, especially the scene at the beach in the end.
P.S. YEAH!!! GO C.R.A.Z.Y.!!! It’s such a great and REALISTIC movie. It really WAS like that in those time…wich is sad…but w/e!
P.P.S. (haha) and I’m kinda glad you didn’t put birdcage there…It’s good, but the characters are WAY to defined by a single characteristic…(the gay tans who is girly, the macho gay, the son that ain’t ashamed of his gay dad, but not really proud either, the sweet GF that doesn’t seem to really care, etc.)
Valerie (121) - I think that movie should be there to!
126. Sam The Quebecor - October 2nd, 2008 at 2:13 am
OH!! and also (sorry for 2 messages…) i don’t remmember the name, but you should DEFINITELY have put the bristish film…ummm… I never remmember the name, but it’s one of the only (or maybe THE only) movie about a guy, who just HAPPENS to be gay. The story is normal, exept the main char is gay. I think it was a FANTASTIC innovation in seeing gays as people NOT defined by their sexuality. I just wish I would find it again…I’ve seen it a long time ago…maybe it’s not even british…hahaha.
P.S. Brokeback sucked btw…good acting, yes…but the script was SO BAD. Way to narrow minded. Just my opinion!
127. Dirk Nel - October 17th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Have anyone seen The Shelter? It should be on this list. Great movie
128. wacaroo - October 22nd, 2008 at 5:39 am
Umm, you havent corrected it still. It’s best kiss mtv award not oscar for brokeback mountain
129. Katie - November 9th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
What about But I’m a Cheerleader?
lol…KIDDING!!!
130. Dante - November 9th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
that. was. gay.
131. CRSN - November 9th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Dante - you think the list was gay? shit mate, with a name like Dante i wouldnt be saying that
132. skiluver - November 17th, 2008 at 9:45 am
First, thank you for the bantering. I am looking for appropriate titles to use to educate my students.
I have just watched Bishonen (a Hongkong gay movie made in 1998). It was memorable compared to all the other gay movies I have seen. Its ending is bittersweet though. However, the movie (through the director’s telling) does not ever make us feel that being gay is bad. Gay people also need romance/love just like straight people.
I wouldn’t recommend “Bangkok Love Story” (Thai movie, 2006) though. It is too implausible and forced. I don’t like it when a gay person forces his affection on a straight man hoping for the latter to return his affection. As an educator advocating gay/lesbian awareness in my teenage/college students, I look for movies with positive or at least neutral attitude on gays and lesbians to show/recommend to these students.
133. JwJwBean - November 17th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
skiluver: I don’t know what country you are in, but have you ever heard of PFLAG? http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=194. They are all about education about the Gay and Lesbian community. I think they have chapters in the US and Canada. I don’t know about other counties. You can find more information about them at that link.
134. skiluver - November 18th, 2008 at 9:19 am
JwJwBean, thanks for your suggestion. However there is no PFLAG chapter here in Thailand. Besides, I try to sneak in mainstream movies with teen pop stars to get the kids interested.
135. lauren - December 13th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Imagine Me and You is a 2005 film by Ol Parker about a young woman (Piper Perabo) who falls in love with a young woman (Lena Headey) she met at her wedding. I thought it was really adorable, though I haven’t seen it since it came out, so my opinion may be fuzzy.
136. Masha - December 22nd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
What — what — no “But I’m a Cheerleader”?
137. Chelsea - December 26th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Bent? Really? You’re going with Bent?
It was a terrible, terrible movie. Throughout the entire thing, all I could think was “This would be so much better as a play– I bet it was a play”. It’s all so forced and, instead of being avante garde and interesting, it comes off as rather silly. I was unable to connect with the characters for various and sundry reasons, not least of which the stone-faced, unshaven performance given by Owen. He took what would have otherwise been a very touching, sob-worthy ending and let it fall flat.
It was a terrible…. terrible movie.
138. Chris - January 2nd, 2009 at 3:16 am
Brokeback is the best. That Bent movie sucked!!!!!!!!!
139. gylles - January 5th, 2009 at 4:35 am
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve not seen all the films but I recommand one : Shelter. Very, very good movie.
140. indie - January 6th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
definitely agree with the list , accept like evryone i think , Brokeback Mountain, has not to be put in the same category than this others !!!! i mean so great !!
i add one film : “RED DIRT” a simple film but so good and so relaxing !