Five must-watch Netflix movies for Pride Month
Pride Month is always a great excuse to revisit old favourites but also to discover hidden gems. And it can be anything! A heartfelt coming-of-age story or a passionate romance. Some people like an inspiring true story or just self-discovery. Be it anything, Netflix has no shortage of LGBTQ+ films worth your time.
One of the best things about modern queer cinema is its variety. Gone are the days when LGBTQ+ stories were confined to a single genre or narrative. Today, you will find queer characters at the heart of romantic dramas, comedies, even historical biopics and mysteries. They are no longer sidekicks or just a designer cameo. They are the heroes of these stories, and that’s exactly what makes these films such compelling watches during Pride Month and beyond.
The five films on this list couldn’t be more different from one another. They have everything from self-discovery to sweeping romance. Something for every mood.
So, whether you are planning a Pride Month film marathon or hoping to broaden your watchlist with stories that celebrate queer voices and experiences, these five Netflix films deserve a place in your queue.
Five must-watch Netflix movies for Pride Month:
The Half of It (Alice Wu, 2020)
If you are after something a bit warm and thoughtful this Pride Month, The Half of It is well worth sticking on. Instead of going down the usual route of big romantic gestures and over-the-top teen drama, this one is a lot calmer and a more grounded approach to homosexuality. It focuses on figuring out who you are.
The story follows Ellie Chu, a shy but clever teenager who lives in the small town of Squahamish with her dad. To make a few quid on the side, Ellie writes essays and homework for other students, but things take a turn when Paul Munsky, an awkward lad from the school football team, asks her to help him write love letters to Aster Flores, the girl he is crazy about. The only problem is that Ellie has feelings for Aster herself. Initially, it starts off as a simple favour, but eventually turns into a touching tale of friendship and that whole confusion that comes with first love. It’s funny and a lot deeper than it first appears, which is why it’s still one of the most charming LGBTQ+ films you’ll find on Netflix.
Rustin (George C. Wolfe, 2023)
While many Pride Month recommendations focus on romance, Rustin takes a very different route by spotlighting one of the most influential LGBTQ+ figures in American history. In fact, one of the film’s biggest achievements is introducing many viewers to Bayard Rustin, a civil rights activist whose contributions were often overlooked despite helping shape some of the most important moments of the twentieth century. The film follows Rustin as he organises the historic 1963 March on Washington, working alongside leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Roy Wilkins and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Despite being the man keeping everything together behind the scenes, Rustin constantly faces discrimination because he is openly gay. Even with all the political pushback coming his way, he never loses sight of what he is fighting for and stays committed to the cause from start to finish.
That is a big reason why the film feels especially relevant during Pride Month. It shines a light on a queer figure whose impact goes way beyond LGBTQ+ history alone. More than anything, it’s a reminder that queer people have always played a major part in shaping society, even when they weren’t always given the recognition they deserved. After stories about first love and self-discovery, Rustin brings a unique angle to the list and shows how powerful Pride stories can be when they are centred on courage and leadership.
Nuovo Olimpo (Ferzan Özpetek, 2023)
After the historical significance of Rustin, it feels only right to move towards something a little more romantic, and Nuovo Olimpo is exactly that. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ferzan Özpetek, the Italian drama has become a favourite among viewers who appreciate long, lingering love stories. Set in Rome during the late 1970s, the film is the story of Enea and Pietro, two young men who experience an instant connection after meeting at a cinema called Nuovo Olimpo. Their relationship appears to blossom into something meaningful, but a series of unexpected events separates them before they can truly build a life together. Then comes a decades-spanning story as both men continue their lives while carrying the memory of that brief encounter.
This film has an old-fashioned approach to romance, yet it never feels outdated. Instead, it captures the feeling of wondering what might have happened if circumstances had been different. During Pride Month, it serves as a reminder that queer love stories deserve the same epic scale that audiences have long adored in traditional romantic dramas.
Good Grief (Dan Levy, 2023)
Not every Pride Month film needs to be about first love or someone figuring themselves out, and that’s why Good Grief stands out from the crowd. Written and directed by Dan Levy, it is a film about grief, friendship and finding your way again, all told through a queer perspective without falling into the usual traps that a lot of stories about loss can. We meet Marc Dreyfus, whose life is turned upside down after the sudden death of his husband, Oliver. Struggling to come to terms with what’s happened, Marc heads off to Paris with his two closest friends, Sophie and Thomas, hoping a change of scenery might help him get his head straight. Instead, the trip ends up forcing him to face some uncomfortable truths about his marriage and what he actually wants.
What really makes the film work is that Marc’s sexuality is part of who he is, but it’s not the only thing that defines him. That’s a big part of what Pride Month’s all about… celebrating queer lives in all their different forms. Good Grief gets that spot on, giving us a character who feels human. If you are after something a bit more realistic this Pride Month, this one is definitely worth a watch.
I Care a Lot (J Blakeson, 2020)
Now then, finishing this list with I Care a Lot might seem a wee bit unexpected, but that’s exactly why it’s such a good shout. If you have spent most of Pride Month watching romances, this one goes in a completely different direction. The film follows Marla Grayson, a professional legal guardian who has made a pretty tidy living out of taking advantage of vulnerable older folk and getting control of their money and assets. She’s confident and sharp as anything and always seems to be three steps ahead of everybody else. So when she spots wealthy retiree Jennifer Peterson, Marla reckons she has found another easy win.
Aye… not quite. Marla discovers Jennifer is connected to people far more dangerous than she ever expected. Before long, it becomes a tense game of manipulation and survival, with neither side willing to back down. That’s part of what makes I Care a Lot such an interesting Pride Month watch. A lot of LGBTQ+ films focus on acceptance or identity, but this one does something completely different. Marla isn’t a hero. But that’s the point. Representation isn’t just about seeing good people on screen but about seeing queer characters get the chance to be complicated and flawed. I Care a Lot is the one to stick with if you are in the mood for something a wee bit darker.