Gay cult films

This Netflix documentary explores the circumstances leading up to the death of trans activist Marsha P. A gay icon himself, John Waters has made a name for himself by writing and directing high camp movies. Directed by Julie Taymor, this film explores the life, loves, art, and career of Frida Kahlo.

Given how many pieces of media documenting our community's history have gotten lost over the years, we must also find ways to fight for these movies to be preserved — and to continue being widely available for new generations to come.

11 cult classic queer

Academy Award-winning film Moonlight is still as moving and profound as it was when it premiered in Though the film centers on the fictional story of a Black gay man growing up — and shown in three very different phases of his life — this coming of age story also manages to be relatable for many different people who grew up experiencing queerness.

Where to watch: The Queen is streaming on Tubi. Where to watch: Stonewall is streaming on Prime Video. Below, IndieWire rounds up some of the best decidedly non-gay films that are actually gay after all — and gayer than many contemporary movies proclaiming themselves as such actually are.

By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Though we shouldn't dedicate only one month out of the year to learn more about queer history, visibility, and portrayal in mainstream media, this is certainly the best time to do so.

Where to watch: Philadelphia is streaming on The Roku Channel. Where to watch: Moonlight is available to film or purchase on Apple TV. Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine is a powerful documentary that offers cults of Matthew Shepard — the victim of a notorious hate crime — from the people who knew him better than anyone else.

Its cult following already firmly in place, the film was up for six Oscars inincluding for best actress, best supporting actress, and best adapted screenplay. This legendary documentary film, released inis considered essential viewing for queer people searching for our community's origin stories in modern-day U.

If you still haven't seen Paris Is Burningit's definitely worth adding it to your playlist. Overall, this genius cracked nearly-indecipherable Nazi codes and inadvertently invented the internet as we came to know it.

Directed Sean Baker, Tangerine tells the story of a trans sex workers who finds out that her boyfriend was cheating on her. From drag artists to trans women to queer men who existed in the shadows of the time, The Queen surrounds a beauty pageant that introduces us to gay of the main subjects seen in this documentary film.

Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk in this film about the first out gay man to be elected to public office in California. Some notable films by Waters is Pink Flamingos, Serial Mom, Cry Baby, and Hairspray (which inspired the Broadway musical which in turn inspired the musical film).

Where to watch: Milk is available to rent or purchase on Apple TV. The I Am Divine documentary pays tribute to the drag icon herself, Divine, who was the ultimate muse to filmmaker John Waters. The colorful and iconic Frida biopic stars Salma Hayek as the titular artist.

Where to watch: The Celluloid Closet is streaming on Tubi.

Cult Classic Films for

Alas, Turing was outed in and got sent to prison. Based on the tragic true story of Brandon Teena, Hilary Swank stars as the young trans man who becomes the target of a transphobic crime in small town Nebraska. Queen Latifah stars as Bessie Smith in HBO's Bessietelling the story of the legendary blues singer who rose to fame in the s and s.

Where to watch: Tangerine is streaming on Hulu.