While representation in film has improved over the last few decades, there still never seems to be quite enough lesbian movies out there, at least not when you really need one. Fear not. This list is the perfect collection to work your way through until Pride Month begins, getting you as hype as possible about WLW stories and queerness in cinema. If you're not at a level 10 already, that is.
The selection below ranges from romances to comedies to thrillers to powerful dramas, exploring the intricacies of identity and desire, as well as the fun and excitement of counter culture communities. Some focus on the history of real queer icons, or offer incisive commentary on the political influences over lesbian couples around the world. And some of them are just stories about two women falling in love and figuring it out. There's nothing more relatable than that. Scroll through for more.
Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
Starring Kristen Stewart as Lou, a gym manager, and Katy O’Brian as Jackie, a drifter and the hottest bodybuilder you’ve ever seen, this lesbian thriller from A24 is set in a small-town in New Mexico. When the two cross paths by the weight rack, the chemistry is instantaneous, but Jackie’s obsession with body elevation translates into an ambition that soon brings violence into both their lives. Lou is no angel—her criminal family sucks the young couple into their web, and the only question is if they’ll make it out with both their love and lives intact.
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Gia (1998)
Gia Carangi was a real supermodel who is perfectly portrayed in this biopic by the gorgeous Angelina Jolie. In New York City, Gia rose to the top as a fashion and runway model under the tutelage of agent Wilhelmina Cooper, played by Faye Dunaway, but her life began to spiral out of control when Cooper passed suddenly from lung cancer. The film focuses on Gia’s life and tragic death, but especially on the loving relationship she shared with her girlfriend Sandy Linter.
The Kids Are All Right (2010)
After 20 years together, Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) share two children, who they birthed with the assistance of an anonymous sperm donor. The couple's eldest, Joni, decides to find out who that donor is and makes contact with restaurateur Paul (Mark Ruffalo). After Paul comes to visit the family, their usual dynamics and understandings of one another are thrown into disarray. Soon Nic and Jules are examining their own life together and what’s kept their relationship going for so long, especially as the kids grow up and get ready to leave an empty nest.
But I'm a Cheerleader (2000)
This campy cult classic follows a naive teen played by Natasha Lyonne who doesn't know she's gay, even though everyone around her does. After getting sent to a conversion camp, the confused cheerleader learns exactly who she is and who she wants: Clea Duvall.
Carol (2015)
Set in 1950s New York, Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), an older, wealthy woman, meets young Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) at the store where Therese works. A connection forms between them instantly. Carol is in the process of divorcing her husband, and her relationship with Therese threatens her custody of her daughter. She and Therese take off on a road trip to try and escape the encroaching pressure that might split them apart.
The Watermelon Woman (1996)
Written, directed, and starring Cheryl Dunye, The Watermelon Woman is partly about racism in romantic relationships between white and Black lesbians, but it's also about the representation women like Dunye receive in media at large—and how these two things are intertwined.
Portrait of a Lady On Fire (2019)
This period piece is a gorgeous meditation on love, fleeting connection, and the societal pressures that keep people apart. A young woman is pledged to marry a suitor once he receives a painting of his betrothed, but she keeps destroying her own image and sending painters away. Finally, a young woman portraitist arrives at her grand estate, pretending to be her hired companion and painting in secret. When they're left alone for the weekend, all sorts of secrets come out.
Disobedience (2017)
Ronit Krushka (Rachel Weisz) heads to London following the death of her estranged father, leaving behind her established new life in NYC as a photographer. Ronit grew up as part of an Orthodox Jewish community and upon her return she reconnects with her childhood friend Esti (Rachel McAdams) with whom she shared far more than friendship. But now they're adults, and things are complicated.
The Handmaiden (2016)
The Handmaiden is based on the erotic lesbian historical novel Fingersmith by Sarah Waters—but set in 1930s Korea instead of Victorian Britain—about a young con artist who conspires to help a man rob and institutionalize a rich heiress. Instead, she stumbles upon an abusive secret and ends up falling in love with her planned victim. Part love story, part thriller, it's full of twists and turns.
Pariah (2011)
Pariah follows 17-year-old Alike (Adepero Oduye), who has been going to queer clubs with her openly lesbian friend Laura (Pernell Walker). Alike, however, is not entirely sure where she belongs. When she finally comes out to her parents, she must grapple with their different reactions to her identity, including violence. It's a real coming-of-age story that roots for Alike the whole way.
The Favourite (2018)
The Favourite stars Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz as Queen Anne and her two lovers that are battling for her affection. The movie has lots of sex, grim humor, and realistic period details, but it's ultimately about trust and how easy it can be to lose it.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Everything Everywhere All at Once is about a lot of things; that's sort of in the title. It stars Michelle Yeoh as the disconnected mother of Joy (Stephanie Hsu). Joy has been struggling to introduce her mom to her girlfriend, and just get her mother's attention in general. From there, things jump from the familial to the metaphysical, and another version of Joy just might make everyone pay for her parent's shortcomings.
Tár (2022)
Lydia Tár is an incredible conductor, but a complicated person. Cate Blanchett plays the titular character in a turn so engaging many viewers thought Lydia Tár was a real person. Moments away from a huge achievement in her career, things start to unravel as Lydia screws up her own life and leans on her daughter Petra for help.
Bessie (2015)
Queen Latifah stars in the biopic of Harlem blues singer Bessie Smith, a bisexual performer known as the Empress of the Blues during the Jazz Age. The movie is directed and written by filmmaker Dee Rees, who also directed Pariah, another film on this list. Smith had a dramatic life, facing racism, stigma around her sexuality, and the ups and downs of a career in show business. The film won four Emmy awards, including one for outstanding television movie.
Ammonite (2020)
Paleontologist Mary Anning lives a quiet, scientific life, collecting fossils to sell to tourists in her coastal town while exploring her own research on the side. One day, a wealthy man brings his depressed wife by her shop, demanding Mary take her in and give her something to do to help her out of her funk. Things escalate quickly and sensually.
Crush (2022)
This teen rom-com is a love triangle with three gals, and the two possible love interests are sisters. Rowan Blanchard stars as a girl trying to get into college and pursue her artistic dream, but all she can think about is her crush. To get closer to the object of her affection, she joins the track team, only to find she connects more with her crush's sister. Whoops.
Benedetta (2021)
Set in 17th-century Italy, the movie follows the life and trials of Benedetta Carlini, a young woman who joins a convent in Pescia. She experiences religious visions and claims to have a direct connection with Jesus Christ, while also forging a real connection to Sister Felicita as her lover. Benedetta's influence draws scrutiny and soon she is accused of heresy. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, the controversial but acclaimed film explores the intersection of faith, sexuality, and institutional control.
Booksmart (2019)
Booksmart is the queer feminist version of Superbad, following two nerds on the last night they have to party before graduation breaks up their powerful duo. The night becomes a long adventure of exploration, including drugs, sex, choreographed dancing, and making mistakes that change your life forever—in a good way.
Bound (1996)
Bound stars Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon as a mafia man's girlfriend and an ex-convict handyperson who has been hired to do renovations on their apartment, respectively. Excitement immediately flares between them, and it isn't long before they get physical. This was the directorial debut for the Wachowski sisters, and they hired sex educator Susie Bright to plan the sex scenes, long before that was the norm on film sets.
Happiest Season (2020)
Happiest Season stars Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, and Aubrey Plaza in a Christmas rom-com that is perfect with a cup of cocoa. Abby and Harper are super in love, but Harper isn't quite ready to tell her family she's in a relationship with a woman. But she still wants Abby to come home with her for the holidays while pretending to be just friends. That goes about as well as you'd expect.
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