Why is it so difficult to find the best lesbian movies? Historically, portrayals of lesbians and same-sex relationships in American films were extremely limited due to the Hays Code. The Hays Code, enacted in response to the wild and roaring 20s, was a set of moral standards dictating what was appropriate and inappropriate to show in movies. These rules censored everything from nudity and profanity to inferences of sexual “perversion” and portrayals of interracial relationships.
Due to these strict guidelines, lesbianism in the film was largely regulated to subtext. Germany’s Mädchen in Uniform (1931), known as the first lesbian movie, managed to sneak through the code for a limited US release thanks to support from Eleanor Roosevelt. Enforcement of the code slackened by the 1960s, and The Children’s Hour, starring Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine, became the first American film to explicitly reference same-sex attraction between two women.
The 60s-80s saw a dearth of lesbian movies, and the next major release didn’t arrive until 1985 with the romantic drama film Desert Hearts. The 90s and early Aughts were a golden era of lesbian movies, though many have been criticized for tragic portrayals and low-quality content. Currently, there are more movies featuring queer leads than ever before, but there is still a long way to go in terms of fair and accurate representation.
How to use Netflix codes to search for lesbian movies
The hack to finding lesbian movies on Netflix is using codes. Finding something to watch is overwhelming and can lead to hours of aimless browsing. Thankfully, Netflix uses secret codes to organize their movies and shows by genre.
These codes range from broad to specific and known codes for LGBTQ content include:
5977 – LGBTQ Movies
7120 – LGBTQ Comedies
500 – LGBTQ Dramas
3329 -Romantic LGBTQ Movies
8243 – Foreign LGBTQ Movies
4720 – LGBTQ Documentaries
65263 – LGBTQ TV Shows
Using Netflix codes is simple. Copy and paste this link into your browser — https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/[code]. Then, replace [code] with the corresponding numbers above. For example, https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/5977 will direct you to LGBTQ movies while https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/500 leads to LGBTQ dramas.
As of now, you can only use Netflix codes on your web browser. These codes don’t work on your Netflix app or smart TV. Instead, you have to search for the specific genre or type LGBTQ and a list of genres will pop up. Click on the one you want and you’re good to go!
Recent Lesbian Movies
Catch the Fair One (2022)
Catch the Fair One is the story of out queer boxer, Kali Reis. The down-and-out fighter sets out on a mission of revenge on sex traffickers she believes are responsible for kidnapping her missing sister.
The Fall Out (2022)
The Fall Out is an HBO Max original. Jenna Ortega stars as queer student Vada Cavell struggling with her depression following a mass shooting at her California high school. She also navigates romantic attractions to her classmates Mia Reed played by Maddie Ziegler and Quinton Hasland played by Niles Fitch, with whom she hid in a bathroom during the shooting
Tove (2021)
Tove is about the beloved queer creator of the moomins. In the midst of her artistic struggles and life as a queer woman, Tove Jansson found worldwide success from an unexpected side project. TOVE is a captivating drama about the creative energy of an iconic talent and her turbulent search for identity, desire and freedom.
The World to Come (2020)
The World to Come is a beautiful historical drama set in upstate New York in the 1850s. Abigail and Tallie are both farmers’ wives. The two strike up a tentative romantic relationship, filling a void in their lives that neither knew existed. Battling hardship and isolation, witnessed by a splendid yet testing landscape, they are challenged both physically and psychologically.
The Half of It (2020)
In The Half of It on Netflix an adorable shy, straight-A Chinese-American student helps the school jock woo a girl whom, secretly, they both want to date. They find themselves connecting and learn about the nature of love.
Bruised (2020)
When 6-year-old Manny, the son she kicked out on years ago, returns to her doorstep, Jackie Justice played by Halle Berry, a disgraced MMA fighter who has failed at the one thing she’s ever excelled at – fighting. Bruised, on Netflix is dark, sexy, and sophisticated.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)
The Mitchells vs. The Machines is an animated children’s movie. Katie Mitchell embarks on a road trip with her proud parents, younger brother and beloved dog to start her first year at film school. But their plans to bond as a family soon get interrupted when the world’s electronic devices come to life to stage an uprising. With help from two friendly robots, the Mitchells must now come together to save one another — and the planet — from the new technological revolution.
Two of Us (2019)
Two of Us is a beautiful and refreshing movie focused on an older lesbian couple. Retired couple, Nina and Madeleine have hidden their deep and passionate love for many decades, but their bond is put to the test when they are suddenly unable to move freely between each other’s apartments.
Freeheld (2015)
Julianne Moore and Elliot Page star in Freeheld, the true story of a lesbian couple fighting for equal rights. A terminally-ill New Jersey police detective fighting to leave her pension to her female domestic partner. Sad, beautiful, and gripping Freeheld is the perfect movie for a cry fest.
The Favourite (2018)
Starring Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, The Favourite is a twisty tale of two cousins competing to be the Queen’s well…favorite. The period dramedy is loosely based on Queen Anne, who reigned over Great Britain from 1702 to 1714.
In the film, the Queen’s companion and confidante, Sarah Churchill (Weisz), takes care of the oft-ill Queen and runs the court in her absence. Sarah is effectively in charge of the country. When Sarah’s cousin Abigail (Stone) arrives and begins vying for the Queen’s affections, a darkly comedic love triangle, and a power struggle ensues.
Hearts Beat Loud (2018)
In Heart Beats Loud, a record store owner in Brooklyn (Nick Offerman) tries to convince his daughter Sam (Kiersey Clemons) to start a band with him. Sam refuses; she plans to move to the West Coast to study medicine leaving her father and girlfriend (Sasha Lane) behind. The feel-good film is both a sweet father-daughter story and a groundbreaking portrayal of young love between two queer women of color.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)
Based on the Emily Danforth novel The Miseducation of Cameron Post was directed by Desiree Akhavan, the movie centers on Cameron Post (Chloë Grace Moretz), a teenager who’s sent to a gay conversion camp after being caught with another girl. Even though her circumstances are dire, Cameron finds friends and herself along the way in this poignant coming-of-age tale set in the early 90s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJGbBupXJxA
Can You Ever Forgive Me (2018)
In, Can You Ever Forgive Me, writer Lee Israel, who lives in poverty in 1990’s New York, realizes that if she doesn’t find a way to make money, she’ll be forced to sell her belongings. Desperate, Israel hatches a plan to forge letters by famous authors and sell them to bookstores and collectors. When book dealers begin to catch on, Israel recruits a friend to help her continue her cycle of deceit.
Other recent lesbian movies to check out: Duck Butter, Tig
Lesbian Romance Movies
Below Her Mouth (2016)
Below Her Mouth is one of the sexiest lesbian movies of all time. Jasmine is a successful fashion editor living with her fiance. On a night out in the city with her best friend, she meets Dallas, a roofer recently out of a relationship. Surprised by the confidence with which Dallas pursues her, Jasmine turns Dallas down but can’t get her out of her head. When Jasmine finally succumbs, the two women embark on a steamy affair that forces them both to re-evaluate their lives.
Disobedience (2017)
Another novel adaptation, Disobedience is a story of forbidden love. After the death of her father, Ronit (Rachel Weisz) returns to the strict Orthodox community she fled in her youth. While there, Ronit reconnects with childhood friend, Esti (Rachel McAdams) and the two confront the same romantic feelings for each other that drove them apart years before.
The Kids Are All Right (2010)
Though The Kids Are All Right is a divisive film in the queer community, it was one of the first mainstream releases to portray a same-sex household and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) are a married couple with two teenage kids. Their kids are curious about their sperm donor and track down Paul (Mark Ruffalo). Paul enthusiastically enters their lives, shaking up an already modern family.
I Can’t Think Straight (2008)
Directed by lesbian novelist Shamim Sarif, I Can’t Think Straight is a British romantic comedy starring Lisa Ray and Sheetal Sheth in their second romantic film together (the first being Sarif’s 2007 period drama The World Unseen).
In the film, two women from very different worlds collide Tala, a Palestinian Christian engaged to be married, and Leyla, a British Indian Muslim. Tala and Leyla meet through mutual friends and though they challenge each other’s political and religious belief systems, they soon fall in love. But, family expectations and Tala’s impending nuptials threaten to come between the star-crossed lovers.
Imagine Me & You (2005)
Imagine Me & You is a lighthearted rom-com stars Piper Perabo and Lena Heady as Rachel and Luce. On Rachel’s wedding day, she locks eyes with her florist, Luce, across the room. Luce introduces herself to Rachel during the reception and the two share a meet-cute moment. Knowing nothing can come from their encounter since Rachel just got married, they go their separate ways.
Weeks pass, but Rachel can’t get Luce out of her head. She goes to Luce’s flower shop and invites her to dinner. Rachel and Luce begin spending time together as friends, but it becomes apparent there is something more between them. Saving Face (2004) Directed by Alice Wu and inspired by her personal experiences, Saving Face is a story about the difficulties of coming out in a Chinese American community.
Successful surgeon Wil is closeted to her family. When she begins a relationship with Vivian, a dancer facing her own familial pressure, Wil considers coming out and introducing Vivian to her family. Will Wil and Vivian get their happy ending or are the confines of family, culture, and community too powerful to overcome?
If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000)
If These Walls Could Talk 2 portrays three lesbian relationships set in the same house over different time periods. In 1961, Edith and Abby are an elderly couple who have been together for 30 years. They live in a time when society doesn’t acknowledge their relationship The second story takes place in 1972.
A group of lesbian feminists live in the house together. One of them, Linda (Michelle Williams) is courted by Amy (Chloe Sevigny), a butch woman, and Linda’s friends don’t approve. Then in 2000, Fran (Sharon Stone) and Kal (Ellen DeGeneres) want to have a baby together but struggle to conceive.
Desert Hearts (1986)
Desert Hearts was one of the earliest films to portray a lesbian relationship in a positive light. Vivian, a stiff English professor travelling to Reno to speed up her divorce, meets Cay, a carefree young artist, along the way.
Vivian, first turned off by Cay’s brashness and candor about her sexuality, begins to loosen up. Vivian and Cay grow closer, eventually kissing, and must decide where to take their relationship next. Other titles to check out: Below Her Mouth, Bound, Fried Green Tomatoes, Boys on the Side, Jenny’s Wedding, Cloudburst
Lesbian Teen Movies & Lesbian Coming Out Stories
First Girl I Loved (2016)
The First Girl I Loved is a poignant and heartbreaking portrait of high school first love. Awkward Anne (Dylan Gelula) develops a crush on softball star, Sasha. They start hanging out and their friendship turns into something more after exchanging flirty texts with one another. When a real-life encounter leads to a public kiss, Sasha pulls away leaving Anne hurt and confused.
Pariah (2011)
Pariah is a semi-autobiographical coming of age story based on director Dee Rees’s own coming out experience. 17 year old Alike (Adepero Oduye) is grappling with her intersecting identities as a black, queer, masculine of center young woman. She feels most comfortable in men’s clothing, but her mother forces Alike to be more feminine.
Alike has to hide the truest parts of herself and lead two separate lives: one where she’s immersed in the AG lesbian subculture and the other as a devoted daughter and straight-A student. What happens when Alike’s conflicting lives begin to overlap?
But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
But I’m a Cheerleader is a satirical comedy has a surprising amount of heart. Bubbly high school cheerleader Megan played by Natasha Lyonne is sent to a gay conversion camp by her parents. The camp utilizes a five-step program promising to “cure” homosexuality.
Megan is determined to ace all five steps and complete the program when she accidentally falls for fellow camper Graham (Clea DuVall). The movie also stars RuPaul as a flamboyant “ex-gay” counselor. Other titles to check out: Princess Cyd, Lost and Delirious, Loving Annabelle, Mosquita y Mari, My Summer of Love, The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love
Historic Lesbian Movies
Battle of the Sexes (2017)
Battle of the Sexes is a biographical film about Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and her riveting 1973 tennis match against rival Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell). The match, which was watched by an estimated 90 million viewers, was a significant part of the Women’s Liberation Movement became a symbol of female empowerment. Leading up to the match, King, who is married, has an affair with a woman and begins questioning her sexuality.
Carol (2015)
Carol is based on Patricia Highsmith’s seminal classic The Price of Salt, Cate Blanchett stars as the titular Carol, an intoxicating woman who catches the eye of the department store clerk, Therese (Rooney Mara). The two women are at a crossroads: Carol is going through a divorce and custody battle; Therese is stuck in a dead-end relationship.
They begin a slow burn courtship thwarted by societal conventions of the 1950s and Carol’s embittered ex-husband. During a road trip together, the engrossing will-they-or-won’t-they reaches a climax and the two women are forced to confront their feelings for one another. Other titles to check out: The Hours, The Runaways, The World Unseen, Gia, Aimee & Jaguar
Lesbian Comedy and Drama
Appropriate Behavior (2014)
In Appropriate Behavior, Desiree Akhavan’s sharp directorial debut, a bisexual woman (played by Akhavan) deals with a difficult breakup and tries to come out to her Iranian American family. The breakup turns Shirin’s life upside down as Shirin, now homeless and jobless, must navigate the responsibilities of adulthood and Brooklyn’s dating scene as a single woman.
Gia (1998)
Gia is an iconic lesbian movie starring Angelina Jolie as supermodel Gia Carangi. The movie chronicles the dark rise and fall of one of the most iconic queer women of our time.
D.E.B.S (2004)
Now a cult classic, D.E.B.S turns a well-known action movie trope (hero falls in love with villain) on its head. This parody film features a Charlie’s Angel-esque group of spies tasked with capturing the elusive criminal mastermind, Lucy Diamond (Jordana Brewster).
While the group is gathering intel, lead agent Amy has a literal run-in with Lucy. Amy is taken aback by Lucy’s charms and lets her escape. The encounter leaves both women fixated on each other resulting in an alluring game of cat and mouse. Other titles to check out: The Intervention, High Art
Lesbian Christmas Movies
Christmas at the Ranch (2021)
Christmas at the Ranch is the gay horse girl Christmas movie of your dreams. When Haley Hollis returns to her family ranch to try and save it from closure, she wasn’t banking on spending so much time with ranch hand Kate – or falling for her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY0Ka5MSi3k
Under the Christmas Tree (2021)
Under the Christmas Tree is a lifetime original movie and the story of workaholic Charlie visiting Camden, Maine to find the perfect christmas tree for the Governor of Georgia’s tree lighting ceremony. When she finds it, she finds out that it belongs to the owners of a year round Christmas holiday store that’s been in the family for over 100 years, and the daughter, Alma, who is taking over the company, doesn’t want to sell. At first, Charlie’s job is the driving force that keeps her in Alma’s circle, but there’s magic and love in the air that soon has both her and Alma wondering if the paths people have given them are the paths they really want to take.
Happiest Season (2020)
The Happiest Season is a lighthearted romantic movie but also represents every lesbian’s worst nightmare. It’s the story of a young woman who plans to propose to her girlfriend while at her family’s annual holiday party discovers her partner hasn’t yet come out to her conservative parents.
I Hate New Years (2020)
In I Hate New Years, rising music star Layne Price reluctantly visits a mysterious fortune teller whose flamboyant advice she misconstrues. Heading home to Nashville, Tenn,, for New Year’s Eve, Layne hits the town with BFF Cassie Holmes. While Cassie plans to finally confess that her feelings have evolved into more than friendship, Layne is too focused on bumping into her elusive ex to notice.
Foreign Lesbian Movies
The Handmaiden (2016)
Sarah Waters’ popular lesbian novel Fingersmith has inspired multiple adaptations including the critically acclaimed Korean film, The Handmaiden. The film swaps a Victorian-era London setting for Japanese-occupied Korea.
A con man wants to marry the heiress Lady Hideko, commit her to an asylum, and steal her fortune. He seeks help from a pickpocket named Sook-hee. Sook-hee agrees and poses as the heiress’ maid. But Sook-hee grows fond of Lady Hideko and she no longer wants to betray her.
Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)
This highly buzzed-about French romance is well known for its explicit 6-minute love scene. Based on a 2010 graphic novel, Blue is the Warmest Color the movie revolves around 15-year-old Adèle and follows her into adulthood.
Adèle, who has been questioning her sexuality, is instantly drawn to a blue-haired art student she crosses paths with on the street. When they unexpectedly meet again, the two girls begin a passionate relationship together. Other titles to check out: Fucking Amal (Show Me Love), Water Lilies, Kyss Mig
Lesbian Musicals
Rent (2005)
Adapted from the Tony Award-winning Broadway production, Rent is the story of six bohemian New Yorkers struggling to pay rent at the height of the AIDS crisis. Among the ensemble are girlfriends Maureen (Idina Menzel) and Joanne (Tracie Thoms).
Maureen is a provocative performance artist while Joanne is a straight-laced Harvard grad. The couple’s differences cause friction in their relationship which comes to a head when Maureen gives Joanne an ultimatum: “take me for what I am, or leave me.”
Other lesbian musicals to check out: Girltrash: All Night Long
Lesbian Documentaries
Ahead of the Curve (2020)
Ahead of the Curve follows the rise of Franco Stevens’s Curve Magazine. The iconic lesbian magazine was launched to serve the lesbian community in the 90s and became the best-selling lesbian magazine of all time.
Edie and Thea: A Very Long Engagement (2009)
Edie and Thea: A Very Long Engagement is a documentary best known for what happened after its release. The film follows Edie and Thea, a lesbian couple who met in 1963 and had a relationship spanning over 40 years. In 2007, the couple married in Canada since same-sex marriage was not legal New York where they lived.
Thea died before the film’s release leaving Edie with a massive estate tax bill that she would be exempt from had their marriage been recognized in the US. Edith Windsor took her case all the way to the Supreme Court. Her landmark victory deemed the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional in 2013 and paved the way for marriage equality.
More Lesbian Movies and TV Shows
She-ra and the Princesses of Power (2018-2020)
This animated TV show has an incredible friends to enemies to lovers arc, with queerness being simply accepted in their world. It’s a fantasy show that’s suitable for all ages, but is still a great watch for adults. Heal some of your inner child with the representation you might have wished you had in your cartoons!
Orange is the New Black (2013-2019)
Orange is the New Black is widely popular, but for a reason. It has grippy, gritting story lines, great lesbian and queer representation, and a dive into the injustices of the prison systems.
Booksmart (2019)
Booksmart is a gen-z humor lover’s dream. Starring Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever, Booksmart manages to capture the feeling of having a crush on someone in high school but not knowing if they’re gay feeling perfectly. If you’re looking for laughs and queer romance, then this is the movie to watch.
The Owl House (2020-2023)
The Owl House is definitely aimed at a younger audience. Its queer representation is authentic, natural, and perfect for young kids to feel seen, and maybe see themselves for the first time. It’s a sweet fantasy show, with magic, dark forces, cool libraries, wizard school, and more.
Feel Good (2020-2021)
Feel Good is a raw, honest depiction of a character in recovery from addiction, who falls in love. Their relationship has its ups and downs, but the love they share is strong and they truly see each other for who they are. This show has lesbian and non-binary representation that is talked about beautifully.
Sense8 (2015-2018)
Sense8 is a rollercoaster of thrills, suspense, drama, and more. It also has fantastic trans and lesbian representation in its main characters. Sadly, it ended up being canceled by Netflix, but what is out and still streaming is a beautiful, captivating story. Put those phones away though, it’s easy to miss something if you’re distracted.
Let It Snow (2019)
Based on the book by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle, this winter movie involves multiple romances, including a sapphic romance that keeps our hearts warm. It might be a bit cheesy, but we think we need the cheesy, light representation too! A great movie when you want to watch a classic Christmas romcom with a queer romance.
Sex Education (2019-Present)
Sex Education is a great show depicting teens in high school with the drama, fun, and excitement that follows that. There is a good amount of authentic representation, including sapphic and nonbinary representation that includes major characters. The show also helps normalize conversations about sex, sexuality, and gender.
PS: You’re someone that would rather pick up a book than watch a movie with a full list of lesbian books too.
