Beach Rats (2017)
Cast: Harris Dickinson, Madeleine Weinstein, Kate Hodge, Neal Huff, Nicole Flyus.
Eliza Hittman, who directed the award-winning movie at Sundance in the Dramatic Features category, helmed a film called “Sundance” that won the Best Director award in the US. In the movie, British actor Harris Dickinson plays a aimless youth named Frankie, who struggles to escape his bleak home life as he navigates friendships and explores his sexuality, while meeting older men online and a potential new girlfriend.
Beautiful Thing (1996)
Cast: Linda Henry, Glen Berry, Scott Neal, Tameka Empson, Ben Daniels.
The LGBTQ community praised the film “The Jamie with bunk to forced is he bed third a of absence the to due but in him takes Henry Sandra mother Jamie’s brother, drug-dealing his by beaten badly is Ste When Neal Ste, classmate his with infatuated teenager closeted a Gangel, Jamie as Berry Glen actor British retired stars Thing Beautiful,” which has gained a following cult.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Cast: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, and Michelle Williams.
The film ‘The ’60s’ achieved both commercial and critical success when it was released in 2005, winning three Oscars for Best Screenplay Adaptation, Best Director, and Best Picture. The late Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal starred as cowboy lovers in the celebrated same-sex romance ‘Brokeback Mountain’, directed by Ang Lee in the American West.
Carol (2015)
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, Kyle Chandler, John Magaro, and Cory Michael Smith.
Cate Blanchett ultimately earned nominations at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Critics Choice Movie Awards, and Academy Awards for her universally acclaimed performance in Carol, in which she stars as an older woman navigating a difficult divorce and embarking on a forbidden affair with a female aspiring photographer (played by Mara) in the 1950s.
Free Fall (2013)
Starring: Hanno Koffer, Max Riemelt, Katharine Schüttler, Oliver Bröcker.
The German drama Fall Free, directed by Stephan Lacant in 2013, tells the story of Marc, a male police officer who is torn between his heavily pregnant girlfriend Bettina (played by Schüttler) and his new love interest Kay. After meeting on a training course, Marc embarks on a passionate affair with his fellow officer. The internal conflict and angst between love and duty intensify, especially in the rain.
Holding the Man (2015)
Starring Ryan Corr, Craig Stott, Sarah Snook, Guy Pearce, Anthony LaPaglia, Kerry Fox, and Camilla Ah Kin.
This tear-jerking drama brings Timothy Conigrave’s acclaimed memoir “Screen to the Memoir” to life. It follows Timothy (played by Corr) and John (Stott), who fall in love in 1970s Australia. The film chronicles their heartbreaking yet beautiful 15-year relationship. Like we said, it’s a tear-jerker, so make sure you have tissues stacked up.
Maurice (1987)
Starring: James Wilby, Hugh Grant, Rupert Graves, Denholm Elliott, Simon Callow, Billie Whitelaw.
The height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, when it was released, Maurice received universal acclaim from critics for its character development and complex storyline. The film follows the passionate and complicated love affair between Maurice and Clive, who embark on a secret relationship due to Maurice’s sexuality and Clive’s high social status in society. At Cambridge, Maurice falls in love with Clive, a wealthy fellow student.
Moonlight (2016)
Starring Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Naomie Harris, Janelle Monáe, and Mahershala Ali.
In economically deprived Miami, Moonlight is a homosexual coming-of-age story that depicts the journey of a marginalized African-American individual. Its premiere garnered extensive praise from critics, particularly for its representation of homosexual men from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and it was honored with three Oscars in 2017 for its exceptional quality.
My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)
Starring: Gordon Warnecke, Daniel Day-Lewis, Saeed Jaffrey, Roshan Seth, Derrick Branche.
The film “My Beautiful Laundrette” explores the complex relationships between English and Pakistani communities in Thatcher-era London. It follows the romantic relationship between Lewis-Days and Johnny-punk street and Omar, who become joint managers of a family-owned laundrette. The film was nominated for a BAFTA and an Academy Award, just like “Brokeback Mountain” and “Moonlight” before it.
Mysterious Skin (2004)
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brady Corbet, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jeff Licon, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Elisabeth Shue, Billy Sage.
In terms of boys, its depiction of the lasting consequences of sexual exploitation continues to garner favorable feedback, although it sparked controversy during its release due to its exploration of sexual assault and pedophilia. His companion, who experienced abuse from the same educator, becomes fixated on extraterrestrial beings, while he ultimately delves into the realm of male prostitution. He took on the lead role in this coming-of-age film as a young schoolboy who endures sexual abuse from his baseball coach (Sage) before Joseph Gordon-Levitt rose to prominence in the film industry.
The Pass (2016)
Starring: Russell Tovey, Arinze Kene, Lisa McGrillis, Nico Mirallegro, Rory J. Saper.
Across the next decade, both men’s lives are impacted by an unexpected kiss shared between (Kene) Ade and his teammate (Jason Tovey) before their big international game. Over a period of ten years, this film follows the story of a closeted Premier League footballer, presented through three very different nights. Starring Kene and Tovey Russell.
Shelter (2007)
Starring Trevor Wright, Brad Rowe, Tina Holmes, and Ross Thomas.
Shelter also won the Outstanding Film award at the 2009 GLAAD Media Awards. What makes this LGBTQ film stand out is its happy ending. The film explores the close friendship that develops between two individuals who eventually blossom into something more. When Shaun (Zach Rowe), an aspiring artist, starts hanging out and surfing with his older brother’s best friend, his dreams of college are sidelined by family commitments.
Weekend (2011)
Starring: Tom Cullen, Chris New, Jonathan Race, Laura Freeman.
Before Andrew Haigh directed the romantic British drama film Weekend, which followed two men, New and Cullen, who meet and begin a short-but-sweet sexual relationship before one of them leaves the country. The film received universal acclaim after its release in 2011 for its realistic and documentary-like portrayal of a same-sex relationship. Andrew Haigh has also worked on the HBO queer series Looking.