Depending on the season, we sometimes spend more time in front of the television than other times. But we do love our occasional movie night, snuggled up close together on the couch sipping on some red wine (for me) Inge loves her beer 🙂 We do however often have a hard time choosing which movie we want to see. That’s how I came up with the idea of researching the very best lesbian movies. Romantic or dramatic, current or a little more classic… These are just the best lesbian films that are worth to watch.
So, have a look at this round-up of the very best lesbian romance movies. Watch the trailer if you like or read the short description underneath. Some stories are biographical others are pure fiction. Some tales take you back in time and are full of dark humour and nasty fun, where others are more romantic, creepy or have explicit lesbian love scenes. But they all have one thing in common: a lesbian protagonist!
Top lesbian movies of 2020
Ammonite (2020)
In Ammonite, Kate Winslet plays the role of a fossil seeker in 1840’s England.
She enjoys her hermit-like lifestyle in a rugged region at the English Southern coastline. But then an apprentice comes along. She can’t refuse the good pay and takes the woman in het house to teach her about her work.
Watch how an intense connection grows between the 2 women.
Starring: Kate Winslet – Saoirse Ronan
Genre: Biography – Romance
Happiest Season (2020)
For Kristen Stewart fans, 2020 brings another one to watch!
Happiest Season is a holiday story of a girl taking her lover to meet the parents for the very first time. Except, nobody told the parents that their daughter is gay. Kristen Stewart gets to be an ‘orphan’ friend instead of a partner for the sake of keeping a secret.
Starring: Kristen Stewart – Mackenzie Davis
Genre: Comedy – Romance
Best lesbian movies of the past decade
Vita and Virginia (2019)
London 1920.
Famous novelist Virginia Woolf and poet Vita Sackville-West fall in love with each other despite both of them are married. This forbidden romantic liaison can only lead to heartbreak. The movie is based on the real love letters written between Vita and Virginia and the affair was the inspiration of Woolf’s famous novel “Orlando”.
Starring: Gemma Arterton & Elizabeth Debicki
Genre: Lesbian romance – Drama – Biography
Tell it to the bees (2018)
Based on a novel by Fiona Shaw, Tell it to the bees portrays the story of Lydia and Jean. Lydia gets abandoned by her husband and evicted from her house together with her son Charlie. Jean is the town doctor and gets to know Lydia after treating Charlie. Jean and Lydia fall in love but conservative Scotland in the 1950s isn’t ready for their secret relationship.
Starring: Anna Paquin & Holliday Grainger
Genre: Drama – Lesbian romance
Colette (2018)
Imagine Paris in the “Belle Epoque”. Willy is a writer who craves the luxurious lifestyle of the rich and famous. He convinces his wife Colette to ghostwrite his next novel for him. “Claudine à l’école” becomes a big sensation that will change their lives forever.
Starring: Keira Knightley – Eleanor Tomlinson – Dominic West
Genre: Drama – Biography
The miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)
America 1993.
Cameron gets caught having sex with a girl in a car at her prom night. This is a no-go, and she gets sent to a Catholic Conversion Camp. Follow Camerons coming of age story and her fight to be who she is.
Winner of the U.S. Grand Jury Prize – Sundance Film Festival 2018
Winner of the U.S. Grand Jury Prize – Sundance Film Festival 2018
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz – Quinn Shephard
Genre: Drama
Rafiki (2018)
In Rafiki you follow the story of Kena and Ziki, two girls from Kenya who fall in love with each other. They want to choose their happiness above the values of their families and the community they live in. Are they still safe in conservative Kenya? And does love conquer all?
Starring Samantha Mugatsia – Sheila Munyiva
Genre: Drama – Lesbian Romance
Snapshots (2018)
Snapshots portrays the story of three generations of women, all with their emotional baggage. Grandma remembers her past love affair with a female friend when a lost film roll is discovered by her grandchild. Reminiscing over these old photographs of the 1960s memories come back alive and forgotten feelings revive.
Starring: Piper Laurie – Brooke Adams – Emily Goss
Genre: Drama
Lez bomb (2018)
Lez Bomb tells the story of Lauren. She thinks a perfect way to come out to her family is at Thanksgiving. Yeah right! That’s the plan anyway. But when Lauren brings her “secret” girlfriend to the family party her male roommate shows up unexpectedly. Will this be one heck of a family get together or what?
Starring: Jenna Laurenzo – Caitlin Mehner
Genre: Rom Com
Eva & Candela (2018)
Follow the love story of Eva and Candela, two ambitious women fall in love and enjoy their sensual and passionate relationship. But then life happens. Passion burns out and routine sets in. Is this what they want from life and are they truly happy?
Starring: Silvia Varon – Alejandra Lara
Genre: Drama
Nina (2018)
What if you desperately want to become a mother but nature decides otherwise? Nina and her husband want to find a surrogate mother to fulfil their dream. They seem to have found the perfect candidate but then Nina starts to fall for her.
Starring: Julia Kijowska – Eliza Rycembel
Genre: Romance – Drama
Lizzie (2018)
Welcome to the infamous Borden family! In 1892, they welcome the new Irish housemaid Bridget into their home. Bridget befriends the daughter of the house Lizzie and soon their relationship evolves to something more. At the same time, the relationship between Lizzie and her family becomes darker.
Starring: Kristen Stewart – Chloë Sevigny
Genre: Thriller – Biography
The favourite (2018)
18th Century England at war with France. Queen Anne who rules England is in a rather fragile state. Her companion and close friend Lady Sarah rules in her stead. The arrival of the new maid Abigail mixes things up. A clash between cousins Sarah and Abigail seems inevitable in the favourite.
Starring: Olivia Colman – Emma Stone – Rachel Weisz
Genre: Black Comedy
Carmen y Lola (2018)
Carmen is a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who lives with her family in the suburbs of Madrid. She is destined to be the wife of Rafa, get married and have a lot of children. This is the way of life in the Gypsy community for as long as anyone can remember. One day, Carmen meets free spirit Lola. She has totally different goals than her Gypsy family. And above that: she loves girls. Carmen y Lola is a lesbian romance movie!
Starring: Rosy Rodriguez – Zaira Romero
Genre: Romance – Drama
The Heiresses (2018)
In the film The Heiresses, Chela and Chiquita are used to a life of wealth and comfort in Asuncion. But a change in their financial situation forces them to sell their family heritage. Chela’s life gets turned upside-down when Chiquita gets imprisoned for fraud. Slowly Chela starts to find herself in this new life. And then Angy comes along.
Starring: Ana Brun – Ana Ivanova – Margarita Irun
Genre: Drama
My days of Mercy (2017)
My days of Mercy tells the story of a man on death row and his daughter Lucy fighting for his redemption. During Lucy’s struggle, the unthinkable happens, and she falls in love with Mercy, a woman of the rival side. A heartbreaking story about justice and love.
Starring: Elliot Page – Kate Mara
Genre: Drama – Romance
Princess Cyd (2017)
16 Year old Cyd spends her summer with her aunt in Chicago. She is on a journey to discover life, love and to tighten family bonds. With her open mind and curious character, she captures the attention of more than one potential lover. One of them is Kate, a barista in her aunt’s neighbourhood.
Starring: Jessie Pinnick – Malic White – Rebecca Spence
Genre: Romance
Disobedience (2017)
In Disobedience we follow Ronit who is a photographer enjoying her life in New York City, until she gets a phone call from London. Her father, a rabbi, died. Ronit returns home to face the family who is part of an Orthodox Jewish community. Her reappearance in this world where she wasn’t accepted for who she was disturbs the frail balance between members of the family and the community.
When in doubt, have a look at the trailer!
Starring: Rachel Weisz – Rachel McAdams – Alessandro Nivola
Genre: Drama – Romance
Below her mouth (2016)
In Below Her Mouth, Jasmine is about to get married to her boyfriend Rile. When she meets hot roofer girl Dallas, the two of them get entangled in a passionate love affair. A movie about love, gender identity and a lot of sex.
Starring: Erika Linder – Natalie Krill
Genre: Romance
Freeheld (2015)
Laurel is a respected police officer who lives together with her lesbian life partner Stacie. Unfortunately, Laurel gets diagnosed with cancer. When they realize Stacie will not have the right to Laurel’s pension benefits, they start a battle to change the law. Freeheld is a movie about love, death, grieve and the unequal rights for the LGBT+ community.
Starring: Elliot Page – Julianne Moore
Genre: Drama
Jenny’s Wedding (2015)
Jenny has always been open about her lesbian relationship with Kitty, except to her family, who think Kitty is her roommate. When Jenny and Kitty decide to take the leap and get married Jenny has to confront her family.
Starring: Katherine Heigl – Alexis Bledel
Genre: Rom Com
Carol (2015)
Based on the novel “The price of salt” by Patricia Highsmith, Carol tells the story of 2 women in New York. One is a bit older and trapped in a loveless marriage and the other one is young and looking for meaning in her life. A tale about forbidden love in the 1950s.
Starring: Cate Blanchett – Rooney Mara
Genre: Romance – Drama
Summertime (2015)
Delphine is the daughter of a farmer’s couple studying in Paris, where she falls in love with Carole. After Delphine’s father falls ill, she returns home to help her family. Carole decides to leave Paris and go with her to the farm. Does their relationship have a chance in rural France in the summertime of 1970?
Starring: Cécile de France – Izïa Higelin
Genre: Romance – Drama
The summer of Sangaile (2015)
Sangaile is a troubled 17-year-old girl who has a passion for stunt planes. During an air show she meets Auste and the two girls get to know each other better over the summer. As their relationship deepens, Sangaile opens up to Auste, the only person who truly inspires her to enjoy her life and fly freely.
Starring: Julija Steponaityte – Aiste Dirziute
Genre: Drama – Romance
Blue is the warmest colour (2013)
Adèle is a young woman who doesn’t really fit in. Her life changes completely when she meets Emma, a twenty-something art student with blue hair. Adèle and Emma fall deeply in love with each other which results in a relationship that will impact these women for the rest of their lives. Blue is the warmest colour is the winner of the Palme d’Or award on the Cannes Film Festival of 2013.
Starring: Lea Seydoux – Adèle Exarchopoulus
Genre: Drama – Romance
La Luciernaga - The Firefly (2013)
La Luciernaga portrays the story of Lucia and Mariana. Lucia is shocked when she hears her brother Andres has died in a car accident. He was about to get married to Mariana that day. Mariana lost her future husband and best friend. In her grieve over Andres, Lucia and Mariana comfort each other and their relationship evolves in love. Where can they go from here?
Starring: Carolina Guerra – Olga Segura
Genre: Drama – Romance
Kiss me (2011)
Kiss me is a Swedish film, released in 2011. It tells the love story of 2 women, one of which is engaged to a man. Besides enjoying the romantic vibes in this film, you also get to enjoy the beautiful Swedish landscape!
Starring: Ruth Vega Fernandez – Liv Mjönes – Krister Henriksson
Genre: Drama – Romance
Room in Rome (2010)
Room in Rome is set in, you’ll never guess, the beautiful city of Rome. The setting provides a romantic feeling right from the beginning.
This movie covers the timespan of one night in a hotel room in Rome. You see a clear evolution in the connection between Alba and Natasha. This film has quite a spicy character, you’ve been warned!
Starring: Elena Anaya – Natasha Yarovenko
Genre: Romantic drama
Classic must-see lesbian movies
If these walls could talk 2 (2000)
This iconic lesbian film tells the tale of 3 generations of lesbian couples, each living their own era. The movie is iconic because it used to be go-to film for people of my generation (uhuh). On top of that, it features movie stars like MichelleWilliams and Ellen De Generes.
There’s also a If these walls could talk (1) and it’s about the abortion issue.
Starring: Michelle Williams – Chloë Sevigny – Vanesse Redgrave – …
Genre: Romance – Drama
Aimee and Jaguar (1999)
Aimee and Jaguar is a German film. It’s set in Berlin and based on a true story. So, it’s not the perfect movie for a light evening. This story has some tragedy in it!
This lesbian film depicts the love affair of a married Nazi housewife and an undercover jewish woman.
Aimee and Jaguar is a beautiful film that will sweep you of your feet.
Starring: Maria Schrader – Juliane Köhler – Johanna Wokalek
Genre: Drama – Biography
High Art (1998)
The 2 lovely ladies in High Art are photographers, one has been for some time, while the other is an aspiring talent. Syd is in a relationship with her boyfriend. Lucy has a relationship with a troubled girlfriend. The physical attraction between these women is just too obvious. They have to give into each other!
High Art is definitely a classic lesbian movie to add to your watch list!
Starring: Radha Mitchell – Ally Sheedy – Patricia Clarkson
Genre: Romance – Drama
Gia (1998)
Gia is an intense movie about the turbulent life of Gia Carangi, a stunning model who made it in the 80s. After arriving in New York, Gia starts a career as a model and makes it to the cover of the greatest magazines in history.
Watch Angelina Jolie in her younger years, playing a compelling character in Gia.
Starring: Angelina Jolie – Faye Dunaway – Elisabeth Mitchell
Genre: Biography – Drama
Bound (1996)
Bound is one of these must-have-seen movies for every LGBTQ+ movie lover. This film has a lot of drama, crime, and some maffia feel to it. Violet and Corky are 2 women, getting intimate under weird circumstances. Corky will help Violet to break free from het husband, who tends to be violent.
Corky is played by Gina Gershon and fully deployed her status as a lesbian / gay icon in film.
Starring: Jennifer Tilly – Gina Gershon – Joe Pantoliano
Genre: Crime – Thriller
Did you like our list of lesbian romantic movies?
I hope you’ve found some movies that made you curious for more, especially after watching the official trailer! We didn’t have the time to see all of them yet but some of them are high on our want-to-see-real-soon list. The movies that sparked our interest the most are Colette, The Favourite, and Firefly. Maybe we dare to watch Lizzie on a brave evening. 🙂
Don’t be shy to let us know what your favourite lesbian movies are. Of this list or any other for the matter of fact. We always love to hear from you!
Check out these amazing lesbian books for a quiet night on the couch.
Enjoy your movie night!
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Hi, please change the actor’s name in Freeheld to his true name: Elliot Page.
Thank you. Elliot is actually starring in two films on this list. Changed it. Thanks again for letting us know!
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