Finding the right movie can be overwhelming, especially when looking for stories you can connect with. While Wikipedia lists hundreds of lesbian movies, we’ve done the filtering for you.
After scouring multiple Reddit threads (including this one, this one, and this one), IMDb pages, and our own streaming history, we’ve curated this list of 30 must-watch lesbian and sapphic-centered films, according to queer movie buffs.
This list offers a variety of genres and themes depending on your mood to ensure there are all hits, no misses.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
A visually stunning and deeply emotional film set in 18th-century France, where an artist is commissioned to paint a young woman’s wedding portrait and the two women fall in love.
Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)
An intense and raw portrayal of a young woman’s journey of self-discovery and her passionate relationship with an older art student.
Set in the 1950s, this groundbreaking film follows a professor who travels to Reno for a divorce and finds unexpected love with a free-spirited younger woman.
But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
A satirical comedy about a high school cheerleader who is sent to a conversion therapy camp and discovers her true identity.
Bottoms (2023)
A fresh and funny high school comedy about two queer teenage girls who start a fight club to have a chance to hook up with cheerleaders.
This coming-of-age drama centers on a teenage girl forced into a gay conversion therapy center, where she bonds with other residents and begins to question the institution’s teachings.
Disobedience (2018)
A powerful drama about a woman who returns to her Orthodox Jewish community and rekindles a forbidden romance with her childhood friend.
D.E.B.S. (2004)
A fun and light-hearted spy comedy featuring a group of young women who are part of an elite crime-fighting unit and the romance that blooms between one of them and a criminal mastermind.
An elegant, slow-burn romance between an aspiring photographer and an older woman going through a difficult divorce in 1950s New York.
Bound (1996)
A neo-noir thriller about two women who fall in love and team up to steal millions from the mob.
The Handmaiden (2016)
A masterful South Korean psychological thriller about a con woman who is hired to be a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, only to develop feelings for her.
A dark comedy set in the early 18th century, focusing on the power struggle and romantic entanglements between two cousins vying for the favor of Queen Anne.
Thelma (2017)
A supernatural thriller about a young woman who discovers she has mysterious powers while dealing with her burgeoning feelings for another woman.
The Half of It (2020)
A modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, where a shy, introverted student helps a jock woo the girl they both secretly love.
Part mockumentary, part rom-com, this film follows a young Black lesbian filmmaker’s journey as she uncovers the forgotten history of a Black actress from the 1930s, known as “The Watermelon Woman.”
The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love (1995)
A sweet and genuine tale of first love between a tomboy and a popular girl in high school.
Imagine Me and You (2005)
A charming rom-com about a bride who realizes she has fallen for a woman she meets at her wedding.
A romantic comedy-drama about a Chinese-American lesbian and her traditional mother who are both struggling with their identities and family pressures.
Season of Love (2019)
A feel-good holiday romantic comedy featuring several interconnected love stories within the LGBTQ+ community.
When Night Is Falling (1995)
A poetic romance between a conservative college professor and a free-spirited circus performer.
A quirky comedy about a runaway servant who takes refuge at a convent full of emotionally unstable nuns.
Celebrating sapphic cinema
These films offer diverse stories and characters, celebrating love, identity, struggle, and triumph. Whether you’re in the mood for a tearjerker, a comedy, or a thriller, we hope you’ll find something here to enjoy.
These films join the ranks of other queer movies and shows that not only entertain but also break down barriers and challenge LGBTQ+ stereotypes, proving the power of cinema in fostering empathy and understanding.
Have we missed any of your favorite lesbian/sapphic movies? Let us know in the comments!
And for more curated lists, movie recommendations, and LGBTQ+ news, be sure to subscribe to the Queerty newsletter.
Don't forget to share:
Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...
We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.