2023 is here, it’s queer, and it’s got a ton of great LGBTQ+ movies to look forward to.
Sure, 2022 was a barn-burner, but the future’s looking bright for gays at the cinema. We’ve got star-studded biopics of queer history-makers, raunchy comedies from up-and-coming talent, theater camp memories, searing romances, big-screen horrors, and the summer blockbuster all the dolls will be talking about.
In order to help you keep track of it all, Queerty has assembled a list of our 16 most anticipated films set to release this calendar year. Of course, dates are always subject to change, but there’s plenty to mark on your calendars regardless.
Barbie
Could Barbie save cinema? If you ask the denizens of Gay Twitter™, the answer is yes. We’ve spent the past year dissecting every frame, every leaked set photo, every crumb of this movie, so, yeah, we’re pretty excited to see what story director Greta Gerwig tells with Mattel’s iconic doll. Bring on that big, big Ken-ergy. Coming to theaters July 21.
Related: Step aside, Ken Doll! Here are 5 other live action hotties that left us swooning
Bottoms
Bodies Bodies Bodies scene-stealer Rachel Sennott and The Bear breakout Ayo Edibiri (they’re real-life BFFs) team up for this queer sex comedy about two high school seniors who start a “fight club” just so they can hook up with cheerleaders. With these two rising comedy stars involved, we already know this will kick *ss. Release details TBA.
Cassandro
A gay amateur wrestler becomes an international star in this biopic about the life of Saul Armendáriz, a.k.a. the flamboyant Cassandro, the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.” Gael García Bernal stars in the titular role, and is joined by Raul Castillo, Roberta Colindrez, and Bad Bunny. Premiering at Sundance, with an Amazon Video release TBA.
Related: The 2023 Sundance lineup is going to be gay AF. Here’s what’s screening…
Challengers
Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino only just unleashed his bloody horror romance Bones And All onto the world, but right around the corner is this tennis comedy starring Zendaya, Mike Faist (West Side Story), and Josh O’Connor (God’s Own Country), which will reportedly feature a queer romance. Coming to theaters August 11.
Dope Queens
Action, thriller, romance—Dope Queens is all that and more. With incredible trans talent in front of and behind the camera, this milestone film follows three friends (Alexandra Grey, Pierson Fodé, Trace Lysette) through one wild night in San Francisco’s historic Tenderloin district, based on true events. Plus, it features Drag Race All-Star winner Kylie Sonique Love! Release details TBA.
F*cking Identical Twins
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This R-rated musical comedy based off a live show from New York City queer comedy staples Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp is said to be a subversive spin on The Parent Trap. Jackson and Sharp star, with a killer supporting cast featuring Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, Bowen Yang, and Megan Thee Stallion. Release details TBA.
I Saw The TV Glow
Trans filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun had a major breakthrough with indie horror We’re All Going To The World’s Fair, so her follow-up—about a cult late-night horror show that gets mysteriously canceled—is highly anticipated. Queer star Justice Smith leads a cast that features Till‘s Danielle Deadwyler and Buffy‘s Amber Benson. Release details TBA.
Related: Actor Justice Smith introduced the world to his bf and found a whole new fan base
Knock At The Cabin
Master of the twist M. Night Shyamalan is back in his groove, and his next feature is about gay fathers—played by Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge—whose scenic woodland getaway with their daughter is interrupted by strangers who force them to make an impossible decision in order to stop the apocalypse. Coming to theaters February 3.
Related: Meet the dreamy gay stars of M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming horror movie ‘Knock At The Cabin’
Love Lies Bleeding
Buzzy director Rose Glass (Saint Maud) helms this romantic thriller set in the world of women’s competitive bodybuilding, with everyone’s crush Kristen Stewart set to co-lead as the athlete’s romantic partner. Ed Harris, Jena Malone, Dave Franco, and The Mandalorian‘s Katy M. O’Brian also star. Release details TBA.
Nyad
Annette Bening plays Diana Nyad, a lesbian athlete who attempted to become the first person ever to swim from Cuba to Florida at the age of 64. Queer icon Jodie Foster stars as the swimmer’s best friend, Bonnie Stoll. Not to get too ahead of ourselves, but could this be another Best Actress Oscar contender for Bening? Netflix release details TBA.
Rustin
Prolific gay character actor Colman Domingo (Fear The Walking Dead, Zola, Euphoria—we could go on and on!) gets the lead role he’s long deserved in this star-studded biopic of trailblazing gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, the man who organized the 1963 March on Washington. Netflix release details TBA.
Scream VI
Gays have long loved this iconic horror-whodunit series, and though the latest installment shockingly won’t feature Neve Campbell‘s Sidney Prescott, it does have queer star Jasmin Savoy-Brown, Wednesday It Girl Jenna Ortega, thirst-trap king Mason Gooding Jr., and the return of Hayden Panettiere’s fan-favorite character. Coming to theaters March 10.
Related: All the hidden (and not so hidden) gay culture happening within the ‘Scream’ universe
Strangers
Acclaimed director Andrew Haigh (Weekend, the Looking movie) adapts the popular Japanese novel of the same name; a fantasy drama about a screenwriter (Andrew Scott) who strikes up a relationship with his neighbor (Paul Mescal) while also communicating with the ghosts of his long-dead parents (Claire Foy, Jamie Bell). Release details TBA.
The Color Purple
Steven Spielberg adapted Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel once before, but now the musical comes to the big screen with a cast of heavy-hitting talent including American Idol‘s Fantasia, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, and Colman Domingo (who, really, is primed to have a massive year) Coming to theaters December 20.
Theater Camp
Fiancés Ben Platt and Noah Galvin are among the co-writers and stars of this comedic look at a theater camp in upstate New York, which sounds an awful lot like the historic Stagedoor Manor. Ayo Edibiri, Molly Gordon, Nathan Lee Graham, Patti Harrison, and Amy Sedaris also star. Premiering at Sundance, with further release details TBA.
Related: Ben Platt and Noah Galvin just got engaged, share photos of the ring
Untitled Julio Torres Movie
Los Espookys may have been tragically canceled in 2022, but queer comedian/writer/actor Julio Torres is just getting started. We know very little about his upcoming directorial debut, except for the fact that he stars in it opposite the brilliant Tilda Swinton. And you know what? That’s good enough for us! Release details TBA.
Related: Julio Torres shows us the untapped queer magic of the everyday
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A Benning and Jodi Foster! Together! That sounds interesting.
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Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino directing a comedy featuring Josh O’Connor (God’s Own Country, The Crown)? I’m so there.
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The positive: I’m so tired of biopics but I am interested in seeing any movie pairing Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, even if it isn’t great, and anything with Colman Domingo (exception below) in it. I also am a fan of Kristin Stewart and Justice Smith, so I may see those films, though given how wretched so many Hollywood films are these days I hope these are better than the current mean.
The negative: Why oh why is anyone remaking The Color Purple? The original film, whatever its flaws, is iconic. The performances, by Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Avery, etc. are iconic. I get that this is a musical version and a version of the musical, so it is different but…why not pick another great novel that hasn’t been adapted into a film to work with?