An old axiom holds that all politics is local. Apparently the same is true for movies.
Shane Co.–the fabled jeweler who provides the diamonds & gold for hundreds of same-sex weddings–celebrated pride season by delving into their Google Trends to compile some of the most popular LGBTQ movies, broken down by state. The results may surprise.
Who’d have thought that an underground film like The Watermelon Woman would prove the most popular in Tennessee? It delighted us to learn that the awesome comedy Tangerine transfixed the Googlers of Arizona. Or that Larry Kramer‘s The Normal Heart would transfix conservative Alabama?
Have a look at the top searched films, and feel free to take a few as suggested viewing. You really can’t go wrong with any of these jewels and gems!
1. Beginners
By far, the most searched title on this list belongs to Beginners, the excellent drama which nabbed Christopher Plummer an Academy Award. The 2010 film casts Plummer as a gay man coming out in his final years and focuses on his son’s (played by Ewan McGregor) efforts to make sense of his new life. The film topped the searched list in 12 states, including Virginia, Washington, Hawaii, and Wisconsin.
Streams on Amazon, YouTube, iTunes & VUDU.
2. The Normal Heart
The screen adaptation of writer Larry Kramer’s touching play about the AIDS crisis scored the top spot in five states, including Alabama, Kentucky, and Mississippi. Strange that a movie about New York would prove so popular in the South. Then again, why not?
Streams on HBO Max, Amazon, YouTube, iTunes & VUDU.
3. The Children’s Hour
This 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine landed in the top spot in Ohio, Michigan, and North Carolina. The story deals with two women running a children’s school who become the subject of allegations of lesbianism. Said charges especially rattle one of the women, who comes to question her sexuality.
Streams on Amazon, YouTube, iTunes & VUDU.
4. Blue is the Warmest Color
This French drama about two young lesbians proved searchable. The film earned criticism for some viewers for being an informed man’s take on lesbianism. Nevertheless, the film scored rave reviews for its acting and intensity.
Streams on Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, iTunes & VUDU.
5. Can You Ever Forgive Me
Props to the District of Columbia and New Mexico for making this awesome comedy their most-searched-for title. Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant both scored Oscar nominations for their work as a lesbian forger and her Oscar Wilde-like accomplice. Both should have taken home the statue too.
Streams on Hulu, Amazon, YouTube, iTunes & VUDU.
6. Head-On
We’re not sure how this obscure 1998 drama found such a following in West Virginia and South Carolina, though if we had to bet, we’d guess it might have something to do with the steamy scenes.
Streams on Netflix.
7. Weekend
Iowa and Colorado had a sneaker for this British romance from director Andrew Haigh. The movie follows a hookup turned romantic as two young men meet for casual sex, only to find themselves falling in love. Maybe its popularity speaks to the number of viewers in those states that have also had a weekend they’ll never forget.
Streams on Amazon, YouTube, & iTunes.
8. 23-Way Tie
From there, the stats land in one gigantic statistical tie, as 23 states most Googled unique titles, ranging from the predictable (Brokeback Mountain, Hedwig & The Angry Inch) to the obscure (High Art, Holding the Man) to the influential (The Watermelon Woman). The biggest shocker: that the leather bar-set thriller Cruising–which is often derided for its homophobia–would land the top spot in Kansas. Seriously?
Shane Co. is an advertising partner of Q.Digital, Queerty’s parent company.
This article includes links that may result in a small affiliate share for purchased products, which helps support independent LGBTQ+ media.
dhmonarch89
keep in mind- many of the lesbian films were searched by str8 guys
Jim
The Australian film “The Sum of Us” is awesome.
It’s decades old and stars a guy named Russell Crowe. Don’t know if his career went anywhere
Josh447
Your kidding right? Russell Crowe is an academy award winning (2002 Gladiator) world famous actor. He was just in a movie last year with Nicole Kidman called Boy Erased, about a Mormon gay kid battling his preacher father Russell Crowe. Research Google when in doubt is always my motto.
Jared MacBride
@Josh – lighten up. Jim was obviously making a joke.
Troysky
@Josh….. Jared is right….. Jim was kidding, so lighten up and don’t be another Karen.
controversial2019
I’m surprised Latter Days isn’t on there. In Utah, of course, but anywhere really. I loved Latter Days!
Josh447
Excellent point! You know every gay boy in Utah watched Latter Days more than once. I’ve watched it 3 times and actually went to the premier in LA. One of the absolute best gay movies ever.
Mack
I thought the same thing, matter of fact that is just what I came into check to see if it was what Utah watched.
trsxyz
“Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss” was a lot of fun
Cam
High Art is the most searched on in Ga??? A decades old film starring Ally Sheedy? I have to say I’m shocked.