53 best LGBTQIA+ movies, TV shows and documentaries to watch on Netflix right now
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While we're, of course, engaging with LGBTQIA+ content all year round, it's nevertheless an important time to make sure we are always hearing enough voices from the community in all capacities. Therefore, it's probably a good time to branch out and delve a bit deeper into the Netflix vault.
So, whether you're part of the LGBTQIA+ community, you are an ally, or you want to understand more about the queer community experience, we have rounded up the best LGBTQ+ movies, TV shows, documentaries and reality TV shows on Netflix to watch now. These are the TV shows, documentaries and movies that aren't just for Pride or LGBT History Month, they’re for all year round!
If you haven't watched Kim Cattrall-starring Glamorous, then what are you waiting for?! It literally took over Netflix this summer. Also, make sure to check out Russell T. Davies' It's A Sin. The show follows a group of young adults who move to London in the early ‘80s during the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic when little was known about the virus. It gives a snapshot of the young, gay men whose lives were turned upside down during this period – and is at once fun and poignant as the action chronicles the plight of characters who fall victim to AIDS.
Another brilliant show is Heartstopper, which tells the coming-of-age story of two teenage boys who realise their friendship is, in fact, something more. Or how about Tiny Pretty Things, set in the world of an elite ballet school and features plenty of LGBTQIA+ representation? If you want something to dance and sing along to, then, of course, there's always the musical drama series Glee. Or, if you love a probing documentary, there's Pray Away, which follows the ex-leaders and survivors of the gay conversion movement and takes a deep dive into how it affected members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Films from young adult-themed The Half Of It to award-season favourites, The Danish Girl are also a must-watch!
Here is our full round-up of the 53 best LGBTQ+ movies, TV shows and documentaries on Netflix right now. So, what are you waiting for? Get on that sofa and get binge-watching…
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© 2023 Netflix, Inc.TV: Glamorous
Sex and the City icon Kim Cattrall delighted us with her role of an esteemed beauty mogul, who offers a young gender non-conforming, queer man named Marco Mejia a job at her prestigious business after meeting him at his day job behind a makeup counter. The LGBTQ+-centred drama follows Marco as he tries to find his place at work, discover what he wants from life and what it means to be queer.
Sophie Giraud/NetflixTV: Tiny Pretty Things
It may have run for only one season, but the mystery drama Tiny Pretty Things, which was set in the world of an elite ballet school, featured plenty of LGBTQIA+ representation with its steamy sex scenes, dramatic relationship storylines, and whodunnit plot.
Beth Dubber/NetflixTV: AJ and the Queen
Starring RuPaul, the Netflix comedy-drama series AJ and the Queen follows the journey of down-on-his-luck drag queen Robert, who performs as Ruby Red. Looking for a new adventure, he embarks on a journey across America in his van alongside a tough-talking 10-year-old stowaway AJ. As AJ comes up with crafty plans for them to earn extra cash, Ruby finds ways to be in the spotlight before it culminates in the Miss Drag USA pageant in Texas.
VANS BUMBEERSTV: Kissing Game
Queer zombie series Kissing Game, which was initially titled Boca a Boca, aka "mouth to mouth" in its native Brazil, is a must-watch! Things take a turn for the worse in an isolated Brazilian cattle-ranching town when high schoolers contract a deadly infection transmitting my locking lips. Dubbed the "kissing disease", what will the town do to overcome the fatal infection that threatens to wipe out its young population?
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FOXTV: Glee
Glee, the musical teen drama from Ryan Murphy, was full of LGBTQ+ representation, including the relationship between Kurt and Blane as well as the romance between Santana (played by the late Naya Rivera) and her fellow cheerleader Brittany. Time to join the Glee club again!
COURTESY OF NETFLIXTV: First Kill
This supernatural queer romance follows the romance between Juliette and Calliope, which proves to be difficult, as one is a vampire and the other is a vampire hunter - and both are desperate to make their first kill. Despite its popularity, Netflix did not renew the show for a second season.
TV: American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace
The second season of Ryan Murphy's anthology drama American Crime Story focuses on the death of gay fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was murdered by serial killer Andrew Cunanan. Edgar Ramirez plays Gianni, while Ricky Martin takes on the role of his lover Antonio D'Amico. Darren Criss, Penelope Cruz, and more star in this 2018 series.
EIKE SCHROTER/NETFLIXTV: The Haunting of Bly Manor
The romance between Dani (Victoria Pedretti) and Jamie (Amelia Eve) was commended for a much-needed dose of love and LGBTQ+ representation during the horror-filled The Haunting of Bly Manor, which sees Dani deal with the haunted Bly Manor after turning up there to nanny two young children.
FOXTV: Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Brooklyn Nine-Nine was a cult favourite and also the recipient of the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2018. During its eight-season run, the police procedural comedy television series featured many LGBTQ+ characters, such as Captain Raymond Hold and detective Rosa Diaz - both of whom became essential representations of the community.
Channel 4TV: Crashing
There was representation galore in this British dramedy centred around the lives of six friends living together in London. In particular, the show was commended for the character of a South Asian queer man, Fred, played by Amit Shah. Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrote, created and also starred in Crashing.
CHRISTOS KALOHORIDIS/NETFLIXTV: The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy sees a dysfunctional family of superpowered beings who come back together following their father's sudden and mysterious death. The series saw massive acclaim for how it handled the transition of Elliot Page’s character Viktor Hargreeves.
COURTESY OF NETFLIXTV: Atypical
This heartfelt coming-of-age drama follows Sam (Keir Gilchrist), a teenager on the autism spectrum, who decides he is finally ready for romance. The series, created and written by Robia Rashid and Academy Award-winning producer Seth Gordon, also features the relationship between his sister Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine) and classmate Izzie (Fivel Stewart).
JOJO WHILDEN/NETFLIXTV: Halston
Ewan McGregor plays legendary gay fashion designer Halston whose influence and business-savvy skills redefined American fashion, along with his status of sex and fame in the seventies and eighties New York before he passed away at 57 due to AIDS-related cancer.
Courtesy of NetflixTV: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
The reboot of Sabrina the Teenage Witch sees former Mad Men star Kiernan Shipka play the titular magical character, which was previously played by Melissa Joan Hart, while surrounded by fabulous queer characters such as pansexual warlock Ambrose Spellman, and a trans man Theo Putman, played by Lachlan Watson.
TV: Queer Eye
There have already been 5 seasons of this now iconic ‘make-over’ show which follows Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown and Bobby Berk has they help individuals in need of navigating all aspects of their life, from avocados to hair grooming. Feel-good TV at its best.
TV: Heartstopper
Based on Alice Oseman's graphic novel series of the same name, Heartstopper is a coming-of-age romantic comedy series which features teenagers Charlie and Nick discovering that they are more than just friends to one another. Oh, and there's a cameo from the Olivia Colman.
TV: Orange is The New Black
In case you have been living under a rock, Orange is The New Black explores the lives of women in jail over six juicy seasons. It will make your self-isolation look VERY tame.
TV: I Am Not Okay With This
If struggling with your identity wasn’t hard enough, a teenage girl also discovers she has superpowers. The struggle is real in this teen TV drama which premiered in 2020.
TV: Eastsiders
Over four seasons, this Netflix show started life as an online drama and follows the life of a gay couple in Los Angeles who navigate infidelity, substance abuse and the abuse of each other. Digestible episodes make for addictive viewing.
NetflixTV: Hollywood
Hollywood it’s a revisionist look at Hollywood’s golden age, where people can “be themselves” and “express their sexuality,” says creator Ryan Murphy. The series follows a group of aspiring actors, filmmakers, and screenwriters as they navigate the industry and pursue their dreams.
TV: Pose
Season one of the show, inspired by Paris is Burning, has landed on Netflix. Set in the early 90s, the show follows a weekly LGBTQ+ ball – overseen by Billy Porter’s Pray Tell – and the house of Bianca, a transgender woman who turns mother to a dancer and a sex worker. Heartwarming but sad in equal measures.
TV: The Politician
This game-changing show by Ryan Murphy – the creator of Nip/Tuck and Glee – stands apart as the sexual identity of many of its characters is not labelled in this tale of a very ambitious high school student. Payton, played by Ben Platt, is determined to be president of the USA but is challenged at the first hurdle, becoming president of his High School in sunny LA. He’s got his sights set on Harvard, but some of his fellow classmates don’t want him to get there. So. Much. Drama. And it’s quirky too.
TV: Sex Education
Set in the fictional Moordale Secondary School, Sex Education is a rich narrative that is a testament to the growing pains of being a teenager. At the beating heart of the two seasons of Sex Education is firm fan favourite Eric, who powerfully and hilariously navigates being a gay black teenager. It’s a must-watch, taboo-shattering show that we are here for all day, every day.
NetflixTV: Schitt's Creek
Schitt's Creek is and has been dubbed one of the best shows with healthy LGBTQ representation. It follows the once-wealthy Rose family, who lose their fortune after being defrauded by their business manager and go off to rebuild their lives with their sole remaining asset: a small town named Schitt's Creek.
NetflixTV: RuPaul’s Drag Race
RuPaul plays the role of host, mentor, and head judge for this competition series, as contestants are given different challenges each week and compete for the appraisal of other guest judges, who critique contestants' progress throughout the competition.
TV: Black Lightning
As the superhero universe starts to reflect the world we ACTUALLY live in, CW’s Black Lightning has introduced a lesbian superhero of colour. FINALLY. Nafessa Williams will star as Anissa “Thunder” Pierce, a superhero who can manipulate her body’s density at will in the new series of the show, which is already in its third season.
NetflixTV: Master of None
Master of None is an American comedy-drama television series. By the third season Lena Waithe is in the lead role of Denise, a 37-year-old lesbian novelist, and the show follows their romantic, professional, and personal experiences.
TV: Tales of the City
An all-star cast from Laura Linney to Ellen Page appears in this underrated Netflix TV show. Laura’s Mary Ann returns to her hometown of San Francisco and reunites with her daughter and ex-husband after nearly 20 years. Mary Ann is quickly enthralled by her former life at 28 Barbary Lane, a boardinghouse-turned-apartment complex that is filled with young queer residents who have turned to the house to find a chosen family.
NetflixTV: Special
Ryan O’Connell, the creator and star of Netflix’s Special, is a gay disabled person on the show and IRL. We see him play Ryan, who suffers from mild cerebral palsy and decides to rewrite his identity and finally go after a life of independence...
Ben BlackallTV: It's A Sin
With an unbeatable 80s soundtrack and stellar performances from Lydia West and Years & Years' frontman Olly Alexander, It's A Sin is television gold. Not only that, but it makes for essential historical viewing with its sensitive, poignant exploration of the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Signature Entertainment LtdFILM: The Inspection
Proving to be an emotional watch, The Inspection centres around a young gay Black man (Jeremy Pope) who decides to join the Marines to prove himself to his estranged mother (Gabrielle Union) while also attempting to prove that he can be a success in a system that would typically have cast him aside. However, while he still faces deep-rooted prejudice, he finds unexpected support in his new community and changes how he views his identity forever.
Agatha A. NiteckaFILM: The Danish Girl
Alicia Vikander won an Oscar for her role in The Danish Girl, while Eddie Redmayne was nominated for his portrayal of Einar, who is asked by his artist wife Gerda to pose as a female model for her painting. Unexpectedly, this triggers him to reignite his suppressed identity.
LionsgateFILM: Ammonite
An acclaimed fossil hunter Mary Anning is forced to care for a rich visitor's sick wife. However, it's only a short time before the two develop an intense bond with each other. Starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan, you just know this watch will be worth it.
KC BaileyFILM: The Half Of It
The Half Of It sees a shy and straight-A Chinese American student helping a school jock to impress the girl of his dreams. However, she soon realises that she is also attracted to the same girl...
CurzonFILM: Portrait of a Lady on Fire
An absolutely stunning movie, Portrait of a Lady on Fire is set in France in 1770. A painter named Marianne is commissioned to do a wedding portrait for reluctant bride-to-be Héloïse, and she must only paint her without her knowing. While observing her every day, she realises that there may be a spark between herself and her new muse.
Sony PicturesFILM: Call Me By Your Name
This Oscar-winning (for Best Adapted Screenplay) 2017 romantic-drama film should not be missed. It stars Timothée Chalamet as Elio Perlman, a 17-year-old boy who falls in love with his father's student assistant, Oliver, played by Armie Hammer. It has been praised for its tenderly-shot scenes and sensitive exploration of sexual and Jewish identity.
Vertical EntertainmentFILM: Straight Up
This sweet indie film centres around the friendship between Todd, a 20-year-old man struggling with OCD and a fear of bodily fluids (while exploring his sexuality), and Rory, a struggling actress who finds it difficult to form emotional connections with others. With a 93% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, it's a quiet cult favourite which explores the complexity of love, attachment and sexual fluidity.
Film4FILM: Blue is the Warmest Colour
The show stars Adèle, an introverted high-school student who falls in love with a woman with short blue hair. After having vivid fantasies about the woman she saw on the street and having one of her female friends kiss her, she becomes troubled about her sexual identity.
Everett CollectionFILM: The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Starring Chloe Grace Moretz and set in 1993, The Miseducation of Cameron Post tells the story of teenage Cameron, who is sent to a conversion therapy camp in a remote area called God's Promise.
NetflixFILM: Prom
This life-affirming musical (with an all-star cast) follows four out-of-work four Broadway actors who head to Indiana to help a lesbian student banned from bringing her girlfriend to the high school prom.
FILM: Alex Strangelove
This film is a refreshing twist on the typical teen movie. A high schooler plan to lose his virginity with his sweetheart but when a handsome new gay joins the school his sexual identity takes a new turn.
FILM: The Perfection
Beyond twisted and troubling, Allison Williams stars in The Perfection, a horror thriller that has been touted as a ‘lesbian power movie.’ Allison’s Charlotte is a troubled musical protegee who finds herself in the shadow of her lover, Lizzie. The rest must be watched to be believed as her lover becomes overcome with a strange illness.
FILM: Elisa and Marcela
This Spanish drama follows the life of Elisa and Marcela in the late 19th century. The pair form a friendship that becomes a forbidden love affair. In the true story, Elisa adopts a male identity to marry the woman she loves. It’s one limited season of heartbreak, so get ready. It's one of the best foreign language offerings on Netflix.
Everett CollectionFILM: Yes God Yes
Natalia Dyer (Stranger Things's Nancy Wheeler) is a young Catholic girl in the early 00s who attends a Catholic school retreat in an attempt to suppress her newfound sexual urges.
Andy Warhol Foundation/Courtesy of NetflixDOCUMENTARY: The Andy Warhol Diaries
Writer-director Andrew Rossi delves into Andy Warhol's legacy as a queer artist in this six-part series which sees the iconic late artist documenting his life, thoughts and feelings in a diary to shed light on the secrets behind his persona after he was shot in 1968.
Cr. Courtesy of Netflix/2020DOCUMENTARY: John Was Trying To Contact Aliens
This 16-minute short film is an endearing and heartwarming watch in which rural electronics whizz John dedicates his life to searching for the extra-terrestrial in the hopes of communication and understanding. However, he eventually finds the connection he desires is on planet Earth…
© NetflixDOCUMENTARY: Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration
Watch the likes of Sandra Bernhard, Margaret Cho, and Eddie Izzard take to the stage at Los Angeles' The Greek Theatre in this special event as part of the Netflix Is A Joke comedy festival, hosted by Bros creator Billy Eichner.
NETFLIXDOCUMENTARY: Pray Away
This 2021 documentary follows those associated with the so-called “conversion therapy” movement (including former leaders, current members and a survivor of the experience). It takes a deep dive into the harmful effects of the movement and its practices on the LGBTQ+ community.
DOCUMENTARY: Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
This heartbreaking true crime documentary film follows the death of a transgender icon Marsha P. Johnson, who was found floating in the Hudson River in 1992. Many in the community believed she was murdered whilst it was initially ruled as a suicide, and this documentary aims to shed new light on the horrific story. It’s an essential watch for all.
DOCUMENTARY: Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall
The inspirational documentary follows the powerhouse performer, Todrick Hall, as he attempts his most ambitious project yet, creating a musical about growing up as a gay man in Texas.
NetflixDOCUMENTARY: Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen
The documentary follows an in-depth look at Hollywood's depiction of transgender people and the impact of their stories on transgender lives and American culture. It features the likes of Laverne Cox, Susan Stryker, Alexandra Billings, and more...
© 2022 Netflix, Inc.REALITY: My Unorthodox Life
My Unorthodox Life follows the personal and professional endeavours of fashion businesswoman Julia Haart, who was previously a member of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. The reality show also follows the lives of Julia's family and friends, including her daughter Miriam, who established to viewers that she identified as bisexual. In a previous interview with TheThings, Miriam explained: "I really wanted to represent a straight-presenting queer person because we exist, too - and it shows that being queer isn't a personality, you know? It's just one part of who I am. I can be queer and into tech, queer and into adventure."
NetflixREALITY: Dating Around
Dating Around is the first original dating series that Netflix has produced. Each episode of the series follows one person going on five blind dates, with dates including people of various races and sexual orientations.
