I’ve been wanting to compile a list like this for a while now, and what better time to finally do it than Pride Month!
I have sifted through many, many films in compiling this list, including reading through many synopses, and watching many trailers. I have made a strong effort to avoid films with unforgivably ignorant or maliciously negative portrayals of LGBT people (there are films here with LGBT villains/killers, but real life has shown us that we, too, can become corrupted by trauma and suffering). Of the films portraying LGBT characters as victims, they either triumph in the end, or are otherwise portrayed with proper humanity (i.e., their sexuality or identity is not blamed by the filmmaker as the cause for any problems they may have, except when facing villains motivated by bigotry). I felt it equally important that these films are listed based on canon, and not speculation or memery (sorry, Babadook!). Films with undertones have their own sub-lists.
Many, MANY more films came up while compiling this list that I felt didn’t quite meet the standards to be included, such as those whose LGBT content were relegated to minor background characters. If you’re still interested in finding these other films, you might want to check here, here, and here. If you’re interested in finding more LGBT directors, check here.
SUPER
IMPORTANT: While I will try to add warnings when applicable, I’m afraid
I have not seen every single film on this list, so there may be
upsetting content that I’m not aware of. If you are unsure about a
film’s content, and whether or not it will be right for you, please
consider looking up the IMDB or Wikipedia listings beforehand. It is unlikely that most of these movies will have pages on places like “commonsensemedia.gov”.
Lastly, permanent link availability is NOT GUARANTEED. I
wish I could have had more links to offer, but I’ve tried to rely only on free streaming sites and Youtube, so as to
avoid sending anyone to any sites that might be untrustworthy. Tubi TV
requires signing up, but it is still 100% free (and it’s also available
as an app on Xbox Live, as are Frightpix and Popcornflix). I will do my best to update links when there are changes.
There are a few films here that veer more toward being thrillers, sci-fi, or dark
fantasy, but I still felt they deserved to be included.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985)
- Jack Sholder
⚣ (While the film does portray one negative stereotype character, the rest of the film is filled with subtext that has been confirmed to be intentional)
In a Glass Cage (aka Tras el cristal)(1987) -
Agustí Villaronga
⚣
(No subtitles) (WARNING: This movie deals with some seriously fucked up
psychological issues and social taboos. Definitely NOT FOR EVERYONE. Viewer discretion is heavily, HEAVILY advised!!!)
Cannibal (2006) - Marian Dora
⚣
(STRONG content warning–NOT for those with weak stomachs! This film is based on the real-life case of cannibal and murderer Armin Meiwes, as is also the film Grimm Love (2006), though I did not feel as if that film was a good fit for this list)
Chillerama (2011)
-
Adam Green, Joe Lynch, Tim Sullivan, and Adam Rifkin
⚣
Father’s Day (2011) -
Jeremy Gillespie, Conor Sweeney, Steven Kostanski, Adam Brooks, and Matthew Kennedy ⚣
(WARNING: This film is distributed by Troma. That should be warning enough that it’s not going to be to all tastes. Viewer discretion is advised) (RAPE WARNING)
The Roommate (2011) -
Christian E. Christiansen ⚢
Vampires: Brighter in Darkness (2011) - Jason Davitt (on Tubi TV)
Jack and Diane (2012) - Bradley Rust Gray
⚢
All Cheerleaders Die (2013)
-
Lucky McKee and Chris Sivertson
⚢
Compulsion (2013) -
Egidio Coccimiglio ⚢
(This is essentially a remake of the Korean film, 301, 302 (1995) by Park Chul-soo, which I highly recommend)
Contracted (2013)
- Eric England ⚢ (RAPE WARNING)
Cross Bearer (2013)
- Adam Ahlbrandt ⚢
Darkness By Day (aka
El día trajo la oscuridad)(2013) -
Martín De Salvo ⚣
Love U Man (2013) - B.B Phuyal
⚣
Everlasting Love (aka Amor eterno)(2014) -
Marçal Forès ⚣
The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014) - Adam Robitel
⚢
The Blue Hour (aka Onthakan)(2015) -
Anucha Boonyawatana ⚣
Drink Me (2015) - Daniel Mansfield
⚣
Mania (2015)
- Jessica Cameron ⚢
You’re Killing Me (2015) -
Jim Hansen
⚣
B&B (2017)
- Joe Ahearne ⚣
Thelma (2017) -
Joachim Trier
⚢
Lesbian Vampire Films (So prevalent, I felt it warranted a separate category. Warning: Some of these are considered “exploitation” films, and thus may come off as sleazy. Viewer discretion is advised):
Return to Sleepaway Camp (2008) -
Robert Hiltzik
⚧
Denizen (2010)
- J.A. Steel ⚧
Ticked-Off
████████
with Knives (2010) - Israel Luna
⚧
(PLEASE NOTE: In spite of a title (censored above) that many may
rightfully deem offensive, this film was made not only as an homage to
70′s revenge/exploitation pictures, but also to shed light upon violence
against transgender women. In the director’s own words, “Whose story do you never see on the news these days?’. Luna wanted to create a film in which trans women become empowered, and fight back against their attackers.
While it was heavily criticized by GLAAD (despite the organization
having given media advice to the producer, director, and cast), lead
actress Krystal Summers was quoted as saying, “Our film does not promote hate or violence against transgender women.
It is not a documentary, but a work of fiction and a revenge fantasy.”
Israel Luna is a gay man, and the cast features two trans women
(Krystal Summers, and the late Erica Andrews), and drag performers
Kelexis Davenport and Willam Belli) (RAPE WARNING)
Kalpana (2012)
- Ram Narayan ⚧
LGBT Horror Films with Pornographic Content (While containing explicit content, these films also contain legitimate horror elements and actual plots, making them worth noting):
Evil Come, Evil Go (1971) - Walt Davis
⚢
XXX
Thundercrack! (1975)
- Curt McDowell ⚣
⚤ XXX
Crash (1996) - David Cronenberg
⚢
⚣
⚤
(While most may not consider it hardcore pornography, there does exist an NC-17 cut of this film)
