Tired of watching straight couples fall in love? Yeah, me too. From forbidden royal romances to sweet holiday love stories, I’ve rounded up 11 gay films that’ll restore your faith in romance.
Whether you’re looking for light-hearted fun or soul-stirring drama, these movies prove that sometimes the best love stories are the ones that break all the rules…
1. Love, Simon (2018)
This groundbreaking teen romance from Greg Berlanti follows Simon Spier as he navigates high school, an anonymous email romance, and the terrifying prospect of coming out.
Cast: Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Garner
Behind the Scenes: First major studio film centered on a gay teen romance. It had a follow-up TV show – Love, Victor.
Why I can’t stop watching it: If you liked Heartstopper, this has a very similar vibe – a feel-good gay film where the main problems center around love and teen butterflies, and not around homophobia (though they do touch on that). Plus, let’s be honest – how can you NOT fall in love with Nick Robinson?
Where to watch: Amazon’s Prime Video
2. Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)
When America’s First Son falls for a British Prince, international relations get… complicated. And steamy.
Cast: Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine
Fun Fact: The book’s author, Casey McQuiston, was heavily involved in the adaptation.
Why it’s irresistible: Two hot guys trading witty banter in fancy suits? Sign me up! But seriously, it’s the perfect enemies-to-lovers story with enough heat to fog up your screen.
The chemistry between Alex and Henry is off the charts, and it’s one of those romantic comedies that will help you understand why the genre is so popular (but – this time – without those boring straight couples).
Where to watch: Amazon’s Prime Video
3. Single All The Way (2021)
Netflix’s first gay holiday rom-com follows Peter, who convinces his best friend Nick to pose as his boyfriend for the holidays to appease his family. But his meddling mom has other plans…
Cast: Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Jennifer Coolidge
Behind the Scenes: Director Michael Mayer specifically wanted to make a gay Christmas movie without coming out drama or family rejection.
Why you need to watch it: If you love Hallmark Christmas movies but wish they were gayer, this is your holiday treat. Jennifer Coolidge steals every scene she’s in, the romance is sweet enough to give you cavities, and it’s refreshingly drama-free.
Plus, who hasn’t fantasized about falling in love with their best friend during the holidays?
Where to watch: Netflix
4. Bros (2022)
From producer Judd Apatow comes this modern rom-com about Bobby, a cynical podcast host who’s convinced love isn’t for him – until he meets Aaron, a hunky lawyer who might just prove him wrong.
Cast: Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane
Historical Note: First gay rom-com from a major studio with an all-LGBTQ+ principal cast.
Why you’ll love it: Finally, a gay rom-com that feels like real life! The dating app struggles, the commitment issues, the culture clashes – it’s all hilariously accurate.
The film wasn’t a big commercial success – but If you enjoy your romance with a heavy dose of sharp wit and surprisingly deep conversations about gay culture, this one’s for you.
Where to watch: Starz (on Prime Video)
5. The Thing About Harry (2020)
Freeform’s sweet Valentine’s Day movie gives us Sam, an uptight college student who’s forced to road trip with Harry, the guy who used to bully him in high school. But people change, and Harry’s not exactly what Sam remembers…
Cast: Jake Borelli, Niko Terho
Fun Fact: Director Peter Paige previously starred in Queer as Folk (as Emmet Honeycutt).
Why it’s worth your time: If you’re a sucker for enemies-to-lovers stories and second chances, this will hit all your sweet spots.
It’s like all your favorite romantic comedy tropes got together and had a gay baby. Perfect for when you need something light and sweet that’ll leave you smiling.
Where to watch: Fubo
6. Latter Days (2003)
West Hollywood party boy Christian gets more than he bargained for when he tries to seduce his Mormon neighbor Aaron on a bet. What starts as a game turns into something much deeper as both men question everything they thought they knew about love and faith.
Cast: Steve Sandvoss, Wes Ramsey, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Behind the Scenes: The film sparked major controversy but also became a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ people from religious backgrounds.
Why you should give it a chance: Don’t let the religious themes scare you away – this is ultimately a beautiful story about choosing love over fear.
It manages to be both sexy and deeply touching, with characters that feel real and complex. Perfect for anyone who loves their romance with a side of personal growth.
Where to watch: Tubi / Dekkoo (on Prime Video)
7. Beautiful Thing (1996)
Set in working-class London, this tender story follows two teenage boys discovering their feelings for each other against the backdrop of a housing estate, family struggles, and the eternal soundtrack of Mama Cass.
Cast: Glen Berry, Scott Neal, Linda Henry
Fun Fact: Based on Jonathan Harvey’s successful stage play.
Why it will steal your heart: Many years before ‘Heartstopper’ took the world by storm, there was a hidden gay treasure that paved the way. Beautiful Thing was the original coming-of-age gay romance that had us all in our feels – a hopeful gay teen romance at a time when most LGBTQ+ stories had tragic endings.
And that ending (no spoilers) tears me up every single time I rewatch the film.
Where to watch: Tubi / Prime Video
8. Geography Club (2013)
Based on Brent Hartinger’s beloved novel, this film follows Russell Middlebrook and his friends as they form a secret LGBTQ+ student group disguised as a boring geography club. But keeping secrets isn’t as easy as it seems…
Cast: Cameron Deane Stewart, Justin Deeley, Andrew Caldwell
Fun Fact: The film stays remarkably faithful to the book’s authentic portrayal of teen life.
Why it’s worth streaming: If you’re missing your high school days (or still in them), this captures all those feelings of first love, finding your people, and figuring yourself out.
Think Love, Simon meets Dead Poets Society (look it up!), but with its own unique charm.
Where to watch: Prime Video
9. Moonlight (2016)
This Oscar-winning masterpiece follows Chiron through three chapters of his life, from bullied kid to questioning teen to grown man, as he grapples with his identity, sexuality, and what it means to be true to yourself.
Cast: Trevante Rhodes, Mahershala Ali, Ashton Sanders
Notable Achievement: First LGBTQ+ film and first film with an all-black cast to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Why it’s a must-see: This isn’t just a great gay film – it’s one of the greatest films ever made, period. Director Barry Jenkins creates pure poetry on screen.
If you’ve been putting this one off because you think it might be too “artsy,” trust me – it’s as emotionally engaging as it is beautiful.
Where to watch: Prime Video
10. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Director Ang Lee’s epic romance follows two cowboys who forge an unexpected connection while herding sheep in 1960s Wyoming, leading to a complex relationship that spans decades.
Cast: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal
Impact: Changed the landscape of mainstream gay cinema and garnered eight Academy Award nominations (though some in the gay community are not fans).
Why you can’t miss it: Even if you think you’re not into “cowboy movies,” this will surprise you. It’s a masterclass in restrained emotion and unspoken longing that makes modern romance films look shallow in comparison.
Plus, Heath Ledger’s performance is simply unforgettable.
Where to watch: Max / Prime Video
11. God’s Own Country (2017)
In the rugged Yorkshire (UK) countryside, isolated young farmer Johnny’s world turns upside down when Romanian migrant worker Gheorghe arrives to help during lambing season. As they work together in the harsh landscape, something unexpected begins to grow.
Cast: Josh O’Connor, Alec Secăreanu
Behind the Scenes: Director Francis Lee drew from his own experiences growing up gay in Yorkshire.
Why it’s special: If Brokeback Mountain made you yearn for more gay shepherd content (and honestly, who hasn’t?), this is your film.
But it’s also its own unique story – rawer, more hopeful, and featuring some surprisingly intimate moments (including a scene with handwashing lambs that’s more sensual than it has any right to be). And those Yorkshire accents don’t hurt either.
Where to watch: The Roku Channel / AMC+ (on Prime Video)