Gay movies: These 10 gay movies you MUST have seen!

In today’s world, where awareness and acceptance of LGBTQ+ issues is constantly growing, gay films play a crucial role in the representation and normalization of homosexuality. Not only do they contribute to visibility and recognition, but they also offer important insights into the specific challenges faced by people who discover and embrace their sexual identity. In this blog article, we will take a closer look at the world of gay films and present the ten best works that address this topic.

gay movies

The importance of gay films

Gay films are more than just entertainment; they are a window into the souls and lives of people who are often on the margins of society. Through these films, viewers can develop empathy and understanding for different ways of life. They show that love exists in many forms and that everyone should have the freedom to express their own form of love.

The 10 most important gay movies

We have researched the most important gay films for you and listed them below in the article. For each movie you will find our calculated gay factor. The higher the value, the fewer “non-gay” side stories there are in the movie. Our tip: You can often watch all the important gay films for free on Prime Video. If you sign up for Prime Video today using our referral link, you’ll even get FREE 30-day Prime Video access, which you can cancel at any time during this trial period.

So you can watch gay movies directly. If you prefer to buy the individual gay movies, we have provided a direct link to the gay movie under each recommendation. If you buy a movie or sign up for a Prime Video membership, we will receive a small commission, which we can use to (partially) finance the maintenance costs for this free gay blog. The price does not change for you, you still get the best prices.

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1. Brokeback Mountain

gay movies
Image source: “Brokeback Mountain”, Tobis Film

 

Director: Ang Lee
Cast: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal
Year of publication: 2005
IMDB: 7,7
Gay factor: 95

This film, a milestone among gay films, tells the moving story of two cowboys whose passionate love for each other lasts for decades, despite social conventions and personal obligations.

Watch this movie here on Amazon Prime!

2. moonlight

gay movies
Image source: “Moonlight”, DCM Film Distribution GmbH

 

Director: Barry Jenkins
Cast: Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, Alex R. Hibbert
Year of publication: 2016
IMDB: 7,4
Gay factor: 90

This Oscar-winning film tells the story of a young African-American man coming to terms with his sexuality and identity at different stages of his life.

Watch this movie here on Amazon Prime!

3. call me by your name

gay movie
Image source: “Call Me by Your Name”, Sony Pictures Releasing GmbH

 

Director: Luca Guadagnino
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer
Year of publication: 2017
IMDB: 7,8
Gay factor: 85

This romantic drama tells the story of summer love between a 17-year-old boy and an older student in Italy in the 1980s, full of discovery, desire and heartache.

Watch this movie here on Amazon Prime!

4th Love, Simon

gay movie
Image source: “Love, Simon”, 20th Century Fox of Germany GmbH

 

Director: Greg Berlanti
Cast: Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner
Year of publication: 2018
IMDB: 7,5
Gay factor: 70

A charming high school story about a young man struggling with the challenges of coming out and first love while trying to reveal the identity of the anonymous classmate he fell in love with online.

Watch this movie here on Amazon Prime!

5. milk

LGBT movie
Image source: “Milk”, Universal Pictures Germany

 

Director: Gus Van Sant
Cast: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch
Year of publication: 2008
IMDB: 7,5
Gay factor: 90

The true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. The movie follows his struggles, triumphs and ultimately his tragedy.

Watch this movie here on Amazon Prime!

6th Weekend

Image source: “Weekend”, Salzgeber & Company Medien

 

Director: Andrew Haigh
Cast: Tom Cullen, Chris New
Year of publication: 2011
IMDB: 7,6
Gay factor: 85

An intimate drama about two men who meet in a club and spend a weekend forming a profound connection with each other that changes their lives.

Watch this movie here on Amazon Prime!

7th Philadelphia

Image source: “Philadelphia”, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

 

Director: Jonathan Demme
Cast: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington
Year of publication: 1993
IMDB: 7,7
Gay factor: 75

The movie tells the story of a lawyer who is fired because of AIDS and sues his former firm for discrimination. It was one of the first Hollywood films to deal with AIDS and homophobia.

Watch this movie here on Amazon Prime!

8 God’s Own Country

Image source: “God’s Own Country”, Salzgeber & Company Medien

 

Director: Francis Lee
Cast: Josh O’Connor, Alec Secareanu
Year of publication: 2017
IMDB: 7,6
Gay factor: 85

In the harsh Yorkshire countryside, a young farmer discovers his sexuality when he falls in love with a Romanian migrant worker.

Watch this movie here on Amazon Prime!

9. blue is the warmest color (La vie d’Adèle)

Image source: “Blue is the Warmest Color”, Alamode Film

 

Director: Abdellatif Kechiche
Cast: Adèle Exarchopoulos, Léa Seydoux
Year of publication: 2013
IMDB: 7.7
Gay factor: 90

An intense romantic drama that follows the passionate relationship between two young women over several years, from their adolescent discoveries to the challenges of adult life.

Watch this movie here on Amazon Prime!

10 The Imitation Game

Image source: “The Imitation Game”, SquareOne Entertainment/Universum

 

Director: Morten Tyldum
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley
Year of publication: 2014
IMDB: 8,0
Gay factor: 40

This film sheds light on the life of Alan Turing, a mathematical genius who contributed significantly to the Allied victory in the Second World War and was later persecuted for his homosexuality.

Watch this movie here on Amazon Prime!

The impact of gay films in society

Gay films are of great importance not only for the LGBTQ+ community, but for society as a whole. They help to break down stereotypes and prejudices and promote a deeper understanding of the complexity of human emotions and relationships. By depicting real, profound characters and stories, they help to reinforce the idea of love as a universal language.

Challenges and criticism of gay films

Despite their importance, gay films also face challenges. There is frequent criticism of the portrayal of stereotypes, the lack of diversity within the LGBTQ+ community and the occasional glorification of sadness and suffering as central aspects of gay relationships. Filmmakers and screenwriters are therefore required to treat these topics sensitively and authentically.

Conclusion

Gay films play an essential role in today’s film industry and society. They reflect the diversity of human experience and help to raise awareness and acceptance of different lifestyles. While they continue to face challenges, their ability to touch hearts and change mindsets remains undisputed. Each of the films presented here offers a unique look into the world of love, acceptance and self-discovery and is therefore highly recommended for anyone who is interested in the subject of gay films or simply appreciates great cinema.

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