queermovierecs

[queermovierecs]

Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss (1998)

Billy is a gay, Los Angeles photographer working on a series of queer reimaginings of famous Hollywood screen kisses. He finds the perfect model in Gabriel, the cute (but possibly straight) waiter at the local cafe. As the two of them become closer, Billy still can't tell if his feelings are returned, and struggles not to let his attraction interfere with the shoot—or their friendship. Funny, quirky, and utterly charming, Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss is relatable without ever feeling rote.

Director: Tommy O'Haver

Runtime: 1h 32m

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Watch if you like: The Sum of Us (1994), Shelter (2007)

Ray's rating: 8/10

[queermovierecs]

The Sum of Us (1994)

The Sum of Us follows Harry, a middle-aged widower, and Jeff, his gay, twenty-something son, as they each embark on a quest for love. More like best friends than father and son, Harry and Jeff support each other through their respective romantic misadventures—and everything else life throws at them. With the two leads speaking directly to the audience through frequent fourth-wall breaks, The Sum of Us draws you right into the story as a confidant. This intimate, insightful comedy drama will make you laugh and cry—more than once, if you're anything like this reviewer.

Directors: Geoff Burton and Kevin Dowling

Runtime: 1h 40m

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Watch if you like: Big Eden (2000)

Ray's rating: 8/10

[queermovierecs]

Were the World Mine (2008)

Inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, this wonderfully wacky musical tells the story of Timothy, the only openly gay student at an all boys school. Sick of being bullied for his sexuality, Timothy brews a love potion and uses it to turn everyone in his homophobic small town gay—including his straight, jock crush. Although I was skeptical of this film before watching it, I have never been so happy to be proven wrong. Were the World Mine delights with its comedic and touching moments alike, as well as its toe-tapping musical numbers. This unapologetically weird, queer, and earnest film is more than worth taking a chance on.

Director: Tom Gustafson

Runtime: 1h 35m

Genres: Musical, Romance, Fantasy

Watch if you like: In & Out (1997), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

Ray's rating: 8/10

[queermovierecs]

Hi all! I'm celebrating 50 reviews posted on this blog, so I thought I'd share some great queer movies that you can stream for free. And legally! This list is accurate as of February 19, 2025—at least in Canada. Happy watching :-)

Romantic Drama

Moonlight (2016), available on CBC Gem (Canada only)

God's Own Country (2017), available on CBC Gem (Canada only)

Rafiki (2018), available on Tubi

Hawaii (2013), available on Tubi

Paris 05:59: Théo & Hugo (2016), available on Tubi

Silent Youth (2012), available on Tubi

You and I (2014), available on Tubi

Luz (2021), available on Tubi

Esteros (2016), available on Tubi

The Strong Ones (2019), available on YouTube

Shortbus (2006), available on Plex

The Falls (2012), available on Tubi

Latter Days (2003), available on Tubi

Call Me by Your Name (2016), available on CBC Gem (Canada only)

Lie With Me (2022), available on Tubi

Historical Romance

Maurice (1987), available on Tubi

Carol (2015), available on Tubi

Sport

Mario (2018), available on Tubi

And Then We Danced (2018), available on Tubi

Coming-of-Age

Heartstone (2016), available on Tubi

Seashore (2015), available on Tubi

My Best Friend (2018), available on Tubi

Screwed (2017), available on Tubi

Sublime (2022), available on Tubi

Horror

What Keeps You Alive (2018), available on CBC Gem (Canada only)

Sci-fi/Distopia

Born in Flames (1983), available on the Internet Archive

Romantic Comedy

Signature Move (2017), available on Tubi

Just Friends (2018), available on Tubi

The Watermelon Woman (1996), available on the Internet Archive

But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), available on Tubi

Big Eden (2000), available on Tubi

Comedy

Shiva Baby (2020), available on CBC Gem (Canada only)

La Cage aux Folles (1978), available on Tubi

Booksmart (2019), available on CBC Gem (Canada only)

[queermovierecs]

Rafiki (2018)

Set in Nairobi, Rafiki follows Kena, the daughter of a local politician, as she forms a tentative relationship with Ziki, the daughter of her father's political rival. In a country where homosexuality is illegal, the two young women must conceal the true nature of their relationship from their families, friends, and community—or risk losing everything. Rafiki is an important story about the ongoing oppression faced by queer people in Kenya and many other countries around the globe. With an undercurrent of hope throughout, Rafiki will break your heart before it starts to piece it back together.

Director: Wanuri Kahiu

Runtime: 1h 22m

Genres: Drama, Romance

Watch if you like: And Then We Danced (2019), Moonlight (2016)

Ray's rating: 8/10

[queermovierecs]

C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)

Set in Quebec in the 60s and 70s, C.R.A.Z.Y. follows Zac, the fourth of five sons, as he clashes with his conservative father and his rebellious eldest brother. When his family discovers he is gay, those already tumultuous relationships become strained to the point of snapping. For the first twenty-five minutes of its two hour runtime, C.R.A.Z.Y is one of the finest queer films I have seen in recent years; from its aesthetics to its unique story-telling, I was completely drawn in. Unfortunately, the movie soon lost me with unlikable characters, a meandering plot, and incestuous undertones. For me, the film's only redeeming features are the soundtrack, the cinematography, and those first twenty-five minutes.

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée

Runtime: 2h 7m

Genres: Drama, Comedy, Coming-of-age

Watch if you like: Get Real (1998)

Ray's rating: 6/10

[queermovierecs]

The Half of It (2020)

Ellie Chu is a brainy high school senior with a hustle writing essays for cash and an enormous crush on the popular Aster Flores. When football jock Paul Munsky hires her to ghostwrite a love letter to Aster, Ellie knows it's a bad idea...but that doesn't stop her. With lots of heart, its fair share of laughs, and a greater depth of emotion than usually seen in films of the genre, The Half of It is a pleasant surprise at every turn.

Director: Alice Wu

Runtime: 1h 44m

Genres: Comedy, Coming-of-age

Watch if you like: Golden Delicious (2022)

Ray's rating: 8/10

[queermovierecs]

Seashore (2015)

While Martin attends to some difficult family business on the Brazilian coast, his friend, Tomaz, tries to support him however he can. Although their friendship isn't what it used to be, old feelings resurface over the course of their trip—as well as some new ones. Seashore might alienate some viewers with its slow pace and sparse action. However, if you are interested in a meditative, character-driven piece with realistic friendships, complex family dynamics, and a tentative romance you will feel in your chest, Seashore is more than worth a try.

Directors: Filipe Matzembacher and Marcio Reolon

Runtime: 1h 23m

Genres: Coming-of-age, Drama

Watch if you like: Hawaii (2013), You and I (2014)

Ray's rating: 7/10

[queermovierecs]

Shiva Baby (2020)

Danielle is stuck at a shiva for a woman she barely knew, in a room with her ex-girlfriend, her sugar daddy, his wife, and their wailing baby. And she is coming apart at the seams. Shiva Baby is a dark comedy that, in less than 90 minutes, manages to convey a feeling of anxiety and claustrophobia so realistic that it borders on unwatchable.

Director: Emma Seligman

Runtime: 1h 18m

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Watch if you like: Bottoms (2023)

Ray's rating: 7/10

[queermovierecs]

Billy Elliot (2000)

In a small town in North East England, during the miner's strike of 1984, eleven-year-old Billy Elliot decides to sit in on a ballet class. He soon falls in love with dance, and starts taking lessons in secret, sure his father and brother wouldn't understand. Billy Elliot is a classic, and for good reason; this heartwarming story about family, community, and following your dreams is sure to leave you smiling.

Director: Stephen Daldry

Runtime: 1h 50m

Genres: Coming of Age, Drama

Watch if you like: Pride (2014), And Then We Danced (2019)

Ray's rating: 9/10

[queermovierecs]

My Best Friend (2018)

Lorenzo's life is upturned when Caíto, the son of his father's friend, moves in with them to escape some trouble at home. As the two boys get to know each other and grow closer, Lorenzo finds that friendship might not be all that he feels for the troubled Caíto. My Best Friend is a well-done (if bittersweet) coming-of-age story set in the beautiful Patagonia.

Director: Martín Deus

Runtime: 1h 31m

Genres: Coming of Age, Drama

Watch if you like: Sublime (2022), Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2023)

Ray's rating: 7/10

[queermovierecs]

Screwed (2017)

When Miku's parents come home early to discover that their son has thrown a rager in their absence, he knows he's pretty much screwed. He is sentenced to spend the summer with them in their remote cottage with no phone and nothing to do—at least until he meets Elias, the cute guy living a few cabins over. Screwed is a well-shot, well-acted Finnish coming-of-age drama that manages to steer clear of the genre's clichés.

Director: Nils-Erik Ekblom

Runtime: 1h 40m

Genres: Drama, Coming of Age, Romance

Watch if you like: Just Friends (2018), You and I (2014)

Ray's rating: 8/10

[queermovierecs]

I think the film handsome devil is quite good, mlm coming of age film

Yes, Handsome Devil is a good one! I watched it once years ago, but I’ve been meaning to rewatch it. All I remember was that Andrew Scott was great in it :-)

I’ll add it to my “to review” list. Thanks for the recommendation!

[queermovierecs]

I Saw the TV Glow (2022)

Set in the late 1990s, I Saw the TV Glow follows Owen and Maddy, two lonely kids in the suburbs. They are brought together by a shared love of a late night TV show called The Pink Opaque, which soon becomes the most important thing in each of their lives—until, one day, the show is cancelled and Maddy disappears. Years later, she resurfaces to reveal to Owen the mysterious truth about their favourite childhood TV show. I Saw the TV Glow is a movie that reaches out to you—that grips your chin and looks you in the eyes as it delivers its desperate and earnest message. One of the most refreshingly new stories to have come out in recent years, this film is an instant classic.

Director: Jane Schoenbrun

Runtime: 1h 40m

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Drama

Watch if you like: We're All Going to the World's Fair (2021), All of Us Strangers (2023), Mulholland Drive (2001)

Ray's rating: 9/10

[queermovierecs]

Golden Delicious (2022)

As his final year of high school begins, Jake tries to balance his feelings for his longtime girlfriend, Valerie, with his attraction to Aleks, the cute new kid and literal boy next door. Things are no less complicated at home, where tensions between his mother and father are becoming unbearable. With the added pressures of school, basketball, and social media, Jake finally reaches a breaking point. Golden Delicious is an eager and earnest film, and one I really wanted to like. Unfortunately, the amateur acting, clunky dialogue, and messy plot made this movie a hard watch. That being said, I am no longer the target audience for this film—perhaps tweens and young teens will get something out of it.

Director: Jason Karman

Runtime: 1h 59m

Genres: Coming of Age, Drama, Sports

Watch if you like: The Half of It (2020), Love, Simon (2018)

Ray's rating: 4/10

[queermovierecs]

Mario (2018)

Mario and Leon are professional soccer players on a fifth-tier Swiss team, but they both have aspirations of joining a 1st League team next season. When the two of them are thrown together on the field and in the player accommodations, their friendship soon develops into a romance—one they are forced to keep hidden if either of them wants a chance of advancing to 1st League. Mario is a poignant (if tragic) portrayal of homophobia in professional sports, with strong performances and a genuine romance.

Director: Marcel Gisler

Runtime: 2h 4m

Genres: Drama, Sports

Watch if you like: Summer Storm (2004), And Then We Danced (2019)

Ray's rating: 8/10

[queermovierecs]

La Cage aux Folles (1978)

Drag club owner Renato and Albin, his longtime partner and star performer, are put in a difficult position when their son announces that he is engaged to be married to the daughter of a prominent conservative politician. The couple scrambles to straighten up their home—and themselves—before a dinner with their new in-laws. Much like The Birdcage, its later American adaptation, La Cage aux Folles is a fun-loving farce that is guaranteed to make you laugh. Although I feel like the remake ultimately has both more humour and more heart, I enjoyed seeing the first film adaptation of this iconic French play.

Director: Édouard Molinaro

Runtime: 1h 31m

Genres: Comedy

Watch if you like: The Birdcage (1996)

Ray's rating: 7/10