Best Lesbian
🛑 ALL INFORMATION CLICK HERE 👈🏻👈🏻👈🏻
Best Lesbian
Taste of Cinema 2019. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy (http://www.tasteofcinema.com/privacy-notice-and-cookies/) Theme by Colorlib Powered by WordPress
When thinking of a ‘best’ list of LGBT related films, the criteria is so varied that it’s very hard to pick just a small amount. Are we comparing them in terms of narrative? Or is it strong and unique characters? Is it in terms of innovation of the genre, and can we even call lesbian or LGBT films a genre in general, considering they can vary from comedies, to dramas, to murder stories?
Of course, one must consider all these things at once because, after all, films are complex and multi-sided. Although many films were made in earlier cinema about lesbians – whether openly or in more subtle forms – it is the New Queer Cinema that really transformed the definition of sexuality and the potential of what non-heterosexual films can be as well as the way LGBT characters can be presented. Although the movement never became mainstream, it has subtly infiltrated both indie and Hollywood cinema in a way that it’s traces are still seen today.
Without further ado, although a list of great films should never be limited to such a small number as 10, these titles definitely stand as strong representations of lesbian films.
10. The Handmaiden (Park Chan-wook, 2016)
The Handmaiden is a brilliant film in all its aspects, with a plot that doesn’t stop to shock and surprise at every turn. The film follows a con-man, Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo) who is on a mission to seduce and steal the inheritance of a rich Japanese woman Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee).
To carry out his plan he hires the help of a professional thief, Sook-Hee (Kim Tae-ri) to act as her handmaiden. However, the women are smarter than Fujiwara thought and what follows is an endless power swap of the characters, in the process of which Sook-Hee and Lady Hideko fall in love.
9. The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant (Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1972)
Although this is not the film most associated with Fassbinder, it is a real gem and one of his greatest works. The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant was adapted by him from his own play of the same name, giving it a great cinematographic spin and illuminating it with rich colours suitable to a film about a fashion designer. The story is both humorous and tragic, showing the difficulties of finding true love when you’re rich and famous – a story quite personal to Fassbinder himself.
Set in a luscious and artistic apartment of Petra Von Kant (Margit Cartensen), a powerful woman who is arrogant and self-righteous, whose life changes for the better or worse when, infatuated with a young model Karin (Hanna Schygulla), she invites her to move in with her, causing a series of drama.
8. My Summer of Love (Pawel Pawlikowski, 2004)
The summer is a strange romantic time for youth. A period where you have a lot of time to yourself, and longing for something exciting to happen that will help you feel more alive.
Set in such a period of time, My Summer of Love explores a unique relationship between two young girls that could not have less in common. Tamsin (Emily Blunt), coming from an upper-class background and a spoiled attitude and Mona (Natalie Press) a lower-class girl hiding her brightness behind a hard-faced mask.
However, whether it is the summer, or the bonding over their familial problems, the girls immediately become close and find themselves crossing over the strict friendship barrier.
Like many LGBT films, Pariah is a film of self-discovery, and one that is very much personal to the director herself. The film follows Alike (Adepero Oduye) in a coming of age story that creates a lot of sympathy and identification with the young teenager.
One can’t help but root for her as she is forced to hide her unfemininity in front of her parents, changing clothes before seeing them as a reassurance of her normality. At the same time we can experience the joy of her first love and the transformation in makes in her and for her relationship with herself as she finally finds someone who understands her.
The film is filmed with beautiful cinematography from Bradford Young that reflects Alike’s emotions through the saturated colours at a night club scene and green murky tones of desperation as she finds out the price of being herself.
6. Desert Hearts (Donna Deitch, 1986)
Desert Hearts is a ground breaking film in that, for the first time, a man was not in any way involved in the romance between two women.
Armed with powerful and complex characters, Desert Hearts follows Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) in an attempt to start fresh after her divorce, as she learns to rediscover who she is. The spark she needed appears in the form of Cay (Patricia Charbonneau), a bright and energetic sculptor who has long learnt to forget about society’s permission when it comes to living her life as she wants. She is fearless and not afraid to be challenging, something that immediately draws Vivian. The films western rural landscapes serve as a backdrop for the inspiring affair.
(opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)
(Image credit: Everett; Netflix; Shutterstock)
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands
Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
(Image credit: MELINDA SUE GORDON/NETFLIX)
(Image credit: Thierry Valletoux/Netflix)
More stories to check out before you go
Marie Claire is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s why you can trust us .
From Oscar-nominated period films to easy-to-watch rom-coms, consider these required watching for LBGTQ+ and allied viewers alike.
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
A good lesbian movie is hard to find, unfortunately. But as streaming services like Netflix become more and more popular, we’re seeing more films that feature lesbian, queer, and bisexual protagonists falling in love, breaking up, or just dancing and singing their way through a Midwestern high school prom. These films give audiences a chance to see characters, who have so often been left off-screen, just living their lives; these characters represent a slice of the population too often ignored by Hollywood.
According to GLAAD’s 2020 Studio Responsibility Index , more LGBTQ+ characters were prominently included in studio-backed feature films last year than any year previous. But lesbian and bisexual representation, specifically, decreased significantly. And the data also proved that the film industry has lengths to go in racial diversity and including queer characters with disabilities. So it’s more important than ever to stream lesbian-centric films, promote their numbers, and open up dialogues on the future of lesbian filmmaking—how it can be even better, more inclusive, and more thought-provoking. To start, check out these lesbian movies currently streaming on Netflix, from Oscar-nominated period films to easy-to-watch rom-coms.
Ryan Murphy’s big movie musical, adapted from the Broadway show, premiered in December 2020 and has left many singing the bubbly soundtrack since. The star-studded cast includes Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep as Broadway stars who travel to Indiana to advocate for a student who isn’t allowed to take her girlfriend to the senior prom. The dance numbers are glitzy, the songs catchy, and the straight-from-the-headlines plot will be relatable for LBGTQ+ and allied viewers alike.
Filmmaker Alice Wu’s outstanding follow-up to her early aughts romcom, Saving Face , received high acclaim when it debuted on Netflix in spring 2020. Set in a small town, this movie follows social loner Ellie Chu who agrees to ghostwrite a jock’s love letter to a girl who Ellie also has a crush on. It’s heartwarming chaos from there on out.
A film that basically takes place in quarantine before many of us knew quarantine was a thing we’d have to do, this indie film from 2018 follows two women who meet at a bar and decide to go through all the stages of an intense romance within just 24 hours. No U-Haul required.
This mockumentary takes place during a wine country bachelorette weekend for two brides-to-be (Constance Wu and Angela Trimbur). Should that sound too pleasant, don’t worry. It’s not a breezy getaway because, obviously, dual bachelorette drama ensues. You’ll feel like you’re in a group text with all the film’s questionable characters.
If you’re eager to take a trip, this queer holiday film is for you. The fantastical plot takes a bride-to-be on a journey alongside her guardian angel who shows her what life could be like if she coupled up with her childhood best friend: a woman who, in real life, died by suicide following a trauma. This film is both genre-less and mind-boggling, but simultaneously entertaining.
In this Spanish film, two women in their 70s come out to their families and reveal their plans to get married. It comes as a bit of a shocker—an entertaining shocker—to say the least.
A young Jewish woman, Simone, finally feels ready to tell her family that her roommate is, well, more than her roommate. But then she finds herself falling for the male chef at her local lunch spot. It's a French version of the classic bisexual indie film Kissing Jessica Stein but stands on its own as a fun (and controversial) story of a confused queer woman in love.
Produced by Ryan Murphy, this documentary about a former All-American Girls League baseball player named Terry Donahue and her partner, interior designer Pat Henschel, who had a seven-decade love—that they kept a secret from their families the entire time. It’s a beautiful story that celebrates the couple at the center while reminding us of just how far things have come for LGBTQIA+ people in America.
A gorgeous period film about two women in 1901 Spain who want to get married, so one adopts a male identity so they could pose as a heterosexual couple. Based on a true story about the first (well, recorded) same-sex marriage in Spain, it’s a heartwrenching but ultimately very beautiful film about what women had to face to be together not so long ago. It ends with the hopeful postscript about how same-sex marriage was legalized in Spain in 2005.
Melissa is a writer based in Brooklyn.
These must-watch films are essentials.
These must-watch films are essentials.
Never feel guilty about skipping book club again.
An official ranking of the decade's standout films.
In this exclusive 'Mack & Rita' clip, Keaton's character gets an invite to our annual power summit.
All the nakedness of porn, but with the plot and storylines of mainstream film.
Better than crying about the state of the world, right?
Spoiler alert: There's a lot of Shah Rukh Khan.
Marie Claire is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site .
© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.
(opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)
(Image credit: Everett; Netflix; Shutterstock)
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands
Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
(Image credit: MELINDA SUE GORDON/NETFLIX)
(Image credit: Thierry Valletoux/Netflix)
More stories to check out before you go
Marie Claire is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s why you can trust us .
From Oscar-nominated period films to easy-to-watch rom-coms, consider these required watching for LBGTQ+ and allied viewers alike.
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
A good lesbian movie is hard to find, unfortunately. But as streaming services like Netflix become more and more popular, we’re seeing more films that feature lesbian, queer, and bisexual protagonists falling in love, breaking up, or just dancing and singing their way through a Midwestern high school prom. These films give audiences a chance to see characters, who have so often been left off-screen, just living their lives; these characters represent a slice of the population too often ignored by Hollywood.
According to GLAAD’s 2020 Studio Responsibility Index , more LGBTQ+ characters were prominently included in studio-backed feature films last year than any year previous. But lesbian and bisexual representation, specifically, decreased significantly. And the data also proved that the film industry has lengths to go in racial diversity and including queer characters with disabilities. So it’s more important than ever to stream lesbian-centric films, promote their numbers, and open up dialogues on the future of lesbian filmmaking—how it can be even better, more inclusive, and more thought-provoking. To start, check out these lesbian movies currently streaming on Netflix, from Oscar-nominated period films to easy-to-watch rom-coms.
Ryan Murphy’s big movie musical, adapted from the Broadway show, premiered in December 2020 and has left many singing the bubbly soundtrack since. The star-studded cast includes Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep as Broadway stars who travel to Indiana to advocate for a student who isn’t allowed to take her girlfriend to the senior prom. The dance numbers are glitzy, the songs catchy, and the straight-from-the-headlines plot will be relatable for LBGTQ+ and allied viewers alike.
Filmmaker Alice Wu’s outstanding follow-up to her early aughts romcom, Saving Face , received high acclaim when it debuted on Netflix in spring 2020. Set in a small town, this movie follows social loner Ellie Chu who agrees to ghostwrite a jock’s love letter to a girl who Ellie also has a crush on. It’s heartwarming chaos from there on out.
A film that basically takes place in quarantine before many of us knew quarantine was a thing we’d have to do, this indie film from 2018 follows two women who meet at a bar and decide to go through all the stages of an intense romance within just 24 hours. No U-Haul required.
This mockumentary takes place during a wine country bachelorette weekend for two brides-to-be (Constance Wu and Angela Trimbur). Should that sound too pleasant, don’t worry. It’s not a breezy getaway because, obviously, dual bachelorette drama ensues. You’ll feel like you’re in a group text with all the film’s questionable characters.
If you’re eager to take a trip, this queer holiday film is for you. The fantastical plot takes a bride-to-be on a journey alongside her guardian angel who shows her what life could be like if she coupled up with her childhood best friend: a woman who, in real life, died by suicide following a trauma. This film is both genre-less and mind-boggling, but simultaneously entertaining.
In this Spanish film, two women in their 70s come out to their families and reveal their plans to get married. It comes as a bit of a shocker—an entertaining shocker—to say the least.
A young Jewish woman, Simone, finally feels ready to tell her family that her roommate is, well, more than her roommate. But then she finds herself falling for the male chef at her local lunch spot. It's a French version of the classic bisexual indie film Kissing Jessica Stein but stands on its own as a fun (and controversial) story of a confused queer woman in love.
Produced by Ryan Murphy, this documentary about a former All-American Girls League baseball player named Terry Donahue and her partner, interior designer Pat Henschel, who had a seven-decade love—that they kept a secret from their families the entire time. It’s a beautiful story that celebrates the couple at the center while reminding us of just how far things have come for LGBTQIA+ people in America.
A gorgeous period film about two women in 1901 Spain who want to get married, so one adopts a male identity so they could pose as a heterosexual couple. Based on a true story about the first (well, recorded) same-sex marriage in Spain, it’s a heartwrenching but ultimately very beautiful film about what women had to face to be together not so long ago. It ends with the hopeful postscript about how same-sex marriage was legalized in Spain in 2005.
Melissa is a writer based in Brooklyn.
These must-watch films are essentials.
These must-watch films are essentials.
Never feel guilty about skipping book club again.
An official ranking of the decade's standout films.
In this exclusive 'Mack & Rita' clip, Keaton's character gets an invite to our annual power summit.
All the nakedness of porn, but with the plot and storylines of mainstream film.
Better than crying about the state of the world, right?
Spoiler alert: There's a lot of Shah Rukh Khan.
Marie Claire is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site .
© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.
(opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands
Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
More stories to check out before you go
Marie Claire is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s why you can trust us .
Diverse, queer, female experiences are far from dominating on TV, but these titles are a great start.
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
When social distancing began a brief 700 years ago, I half-heartedly tweeted that we (queer women) didn’t have enough lesbian content to get us through this. At the time, I had no idea how long this pandemic-induced isolation (opens in new tab) would stretch, but, regardless, I had evidence: a lifetime of searching for women-loving-women entertainment that often turned up empty results.
But that finally seems to be changing. In 2020, there are a (limited, but decent) plethora of shows which depict lesbian and bisexual women (opens in new tab) , from a Los Angeles chief of police to a candidate for mayor to a trendy women’s magazine editor to a Midwestern adult in middle-aged crisis. While the diversity of queer, female experiences is far from being comprehensively captured on TV screens (opens in new tab) , these lesbian TV shows are a great start.
Queer content, of course, isn’t just for queer people. Embracing fully developed, complicated, lovable (and sometimes unlikable) queer characters is also an important part of being an ally. When there are still so few LGBTQ characters on TV, sometimes we have to actively seek out queer women onscreen.
And thankfully for all of us, there’s a wide range of lesbian-led TV shows streaming for free right now. From half-hour sitcoms to movie-quality dramas to family-friendly ensemble shows to reality classics, here’s what you should be
Kendra's Thanksgiving Stuffing Full Video
Pornpics Feet
Taylor Swift And Selena Gomez Nude