Best lesbian movies since the creation of the genre by Girls in Uniform have evolved into a genre that even heteros enjoy.
Although at the very core of lesbian films lie the representation of the minority. The best lesbian films go far into the discussion of the death penalty like in the My Days of Mercy, to what Hollywood does to your psyche in Mulholland Drive, to show a young girl falling in love with her teacher in Girls in Uniform.
The topics and the range they cover are not limited by their representation. This is why thinking lesbians movies are only for the LGBTQ community would be absolutely wrong. So, is thinking the hot lesbian movies exist to please the male gaze.
Lesbian movies list here come from all across the globe from Korea to Germany, from France to Hollywood. While some of them cover lesbianism, some tell us of its historical stance and how hard it has always been.
Yet, every single one of them has the best kind of acting, touching story, and a deep understanding of love. Whichever form it might come.
If you want to watch lesbian movie. This piece has it all. From teen lesbian movies to hottest lesbian movies with some new lesbian movies thrown in for good measure.
The lesbian movies list starts off with the first lesbian film in history. And develops from there just like the rhythm of a good song. Ends it with a bang by audacious production of Watermelon Woman.
Top Lesbian Films: Madchen in Uniform (Girls in Uniform)
Director: Leontine Sagan, Carl Froelich
Writers: Christa Winsloe (screenplay), Friedrich Dammann (screenplay) (as F.D. Andam)
Stars: Dorothea Wieck, Hertha Thiele, Emilia Unda
Leontine Sagan and Carl Froelich directed the Girls in Uniform one of the classic lesbian movies of all time. Even boomers would have a hard time knowing who these two directors were. If you also don’t, Carl Froelich was a pioneer of German filmmaking in the 19th century.
While Leontine Sagan directed a few movies of her own before. Girls in Uniform was the first one of the best lesbian movies, and earlier showcases of homosexuality. Christa Winsloe and Fridrich Dammann wrote the screenplay that features Dorothea Wieck, Hertha Thiele, Emilia Unda.
A sensitive young girl goes to the boarding school, where she develops romantic feelings towards one of her teachers.
A tender and rare beauty of masterful filmmaking and natural acting. Girls in Uniform has this naivete, the sensitivity, and sentimentality that even animals watching this movie would develop feelings for this movie.
This is a movie from 1931 which people still watch and review. And that should in fact say a lot about the movie. Perhaps, it was the personal importance of this movie or the beautiful filmmaking that made it a classic lesbian movie.
Whatever the case, this movie is here to stay for quite a while. Not only in the list of the best lesbian movies but as a masterpiece, a rare masterpiece.
Top Lesbian Movies: Je, Tu, Il, Elle
Director: Chantal Akerman
Writers: Chantal Akerman, Eric De Kuyper
Stars: Chantal Akerman, Niels Arestrup, Claire Wauthion
Chantal Akerman directed and wrote the “Je, Tu, Il, Elle” and also acted in it just like Cheryl Dunye. Except this movie was made in 1974. There is a co-writer Eric De Kuyper and actors like Niels Arestrup and Claire Wauthion.
The similarities start with Chantel doing most of the heavy lifting as did Cheryl Dunye. Both movies are about lesbians films, and the similarities end right there. Also, this is an openly LGBTQ movie and positions itself within the genre.
The plot is very simple, it is about a woman. The name of the movie tells about all the characters in the movie and basically everything that happens in it.
“Je” is her. “Tu” is the script or the writing. “Il” is the truck driver she meets. While “Elle” is the girlfriend.
This is a very meditative movie. In a way, it is a strange movie. But once you catch its vibe you will never forget it. What makes this classic lesbian movie is that it’s open, very open. Yet doesn’t shy away from it.
However, this movie is not just about LGBTQ and the woman facing difficulties. It is fundamentally how being alive is hard. Living in and of itself sometimes is difficult. It is even more difficult when you are alone.
The way it just presents this understanding is something that everyone can relate to. It is one of the best lesbian movies. The first 20 mins of the movie: limiting it is this room. When the movie ventures further out of this boxed world with its identity remaining tact.
Best Lesbian Films: Carol
Director: Todd Haynes
Writers: Phyllis Nagy (screenplay), Patricia Highsmith (novel)
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson
Another one of Todd Haynes’s new lesbian movies. Carol is a romance drama movie which is written by Phyllis Nagy. And it features stars like Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson. The central point of the movie is the topic of our article, the forbidden love, and a lesbian movie.
An aspiring photographer Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) develops an intimate relationship with an older woman Carol whom she meets at her work.
The experience you get from the movie is like understanding how sweet forbidden fruit tastes like. The subtle and submissive nature of the movie punches heavy and hard without raising its fists. It is not just enough to call it one of the best lesbian movies of recent history. Because it is a masterpiece with a holiday theme and a noir-ish bit of detective and criminal elements to it.
The period and the milieu of the characters are captured perfectly. Design, costumes cinematography, work together to bring the 50s back to life. In fact, so perfect when a naked scene comes. You won’t look at it as a naked scene but more like a scene with the absence of clothes. And those two things are vastly different.
This is one of the best lesbian movies that went mainstream: for all the extra elements that it included along with the main plot.
This article of the best lesbian movies wouldn’t be complete without mentioning its phenomenal acting. Cate Blanchett does so much with just her facial expressions while Rooney Mara equals her level with hers alone. This is the kind of acting that makes everyone love their characters.
Great Lesbian Movies: Blue is the Warmest Color
Director: Abdellatif Kechiche
Writers: Abdellatif Kechiche , Ghalya Lacroix
Stars: Léa Seydoux, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Salim Kechiouche
Blue is the Warmest Color is another romance drama that is directed and written by Abdellatif Kechiche. Features stars like Lea Seydoux, Adele Exarchopoulos, Salim Kechiouche. Hot lesbian movies’ central point represents a love story.
In short, the plot of the movie is simply the coming-of-age story told through male eyes for lesbian audiences. Whereas teen experiments with an older lesbian girl to find herself. And the realization of who she is, which she does eventually achieve.
One of the best lesbian movies with passionate and sensual themes and scenes. It is this movie that all the men were talking about, with hot and dazzlingly sensual sex scenes that turn anyone on. I could definitely relate to that as a straight male.
Although, the movie doesn’t just excel in its explicitness but in its deep emotional love story. Running a bit too long, it overstays its welcome. B ut uses this time to go even deeper into the already highly tense emotional scenes and script.
I personally loved the realism and the naturality of this movie. Plus the excellent acting is like the icing on the top. Which makes already realistic shots and scenes even more so that you feel like you are there living with them. There isn’t a single forced joke, scene or word, because it was highly improvised.
My personal impressions were as positive as they can be attained from long lesbian movies. If you want to watch lesbian movie. Blue is the Warmest Color should come in first in the list of the best lesbian movies.
For me, this is how hot lesbian movies should be. There is no better way to put it.
Popular Lesbian Movies: The Handmaiden
Director: Chan-wook Park
Writers: Sarah Waters (inspired by the novel “Fingersmith” by), Seo-kyeong Jeong (screenplay) |
Stars: Kim Min-hee, Jung-woo Ha, Cho Jin-woong
Mostly known for Old Boy in the west, Chan-Wook Park directed The Handmaiden which is a romance drama flick with thriller elements. The screenplay was written by Seo-Kyong Jeong based on the novel “Fingersmith” by Sarah Waters. It is about con artists trying to underhandedly snatch the inheritance of a wealthy family.
A Korean con-artist draws a plan to bilk a rich woman off her inheritance with the help of a pickpocket. Things go sideways when something unexpected happens. This is not a classic lesbian movie. But among the hot lesbian movies, if you want to watch a lesbian movie. This is the one to watch out for.
The Handmaiden doesn’t start off as some of the best lesbian movies but in its central core. It is still a lesbian movie. Tense storytelling engages you unraveling at every scene, yet raveling you deep inside the thread of schemes.
A mind-breaking script acculturated in the most proper of ways within the most proper culture couldn’t have been told in a better way, had it remained true to its Victorian Britain where the novel was based.
Voyeurism and eroticism are unapologetically open which is what makes it one of the top lesbian movies. What could make hot lesbian movies better than scenes with some hot couplings?😜.
I can’t think of anything that is remotely negative about this movie. It is NSFW progressive, which might not be for everyone. But if you are reading this article, considering you are tolerant person, you wouldn’t mind a bit of artistic outcry.
Lesbian Films: Mulholland Drive
Director: David Lynch
Writers: David Lynch
Stars: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux
Mulholland Drive is a mystery thriller flick directed and written by David Lynch. This is undoubtedly the best film of his career. Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, and Justin Theroux star in this movie. The two women try to find clues to what happened.
The plot revolves around two women searching for clues in the supposedly the most mysterious and dangerous part of Los Angeles.
The most influential and the most prodigious work of cinema and the best 21st century has produced, Mulholland tops the BBC survey of the greatest movies of this century.
Considering that the best cinema in this century is a lesbian movie. I now am going to watch only the best lesbian movies.
No, really, most of these movies are not just the best lesbian movies. They are just great movies with some hot scenes involving two women. Plus, the script and the writing is incredible for all the wrong reasons.
It doesn’t make any sense. Yet, every word from the dialogue seems to carry with it, the heaviness of a monolog or a whole speech.
Mulholland Drive is multiple viewing-worth movies. Upon the first watch, if you don’t understand, don’t judge it straight away. Watch it again, and again until your judgment results positively.
My personal favorite interpretation is how Hollywood changes people or has changed the subconscious minds of many people. Maybe, including you and me. But what is even more interesting is that it won’t force you its own answer. Mulholland leaves it out on the air for the audience to decide. Isn’t this the best kind of movie?
Great Lesbian Movies: My Days of Mercy
Director: Tali Shalom-Ezer
Writers: Joe Barton (screenplay by)
Stars: Elliot Page, Kate Mara, Amy Seimetz
My Days of Mercy was directed by Tali Shalom-Ezer and written by Joe Barton. And it features stars like Elliot Page, Kate Mara, and Amy Seimetz. At its core, it is a simple love story, just involving two women rather than hetero gender.
It is about two women who meet each other at a protest. Although they stand at the opposite ends of the fences they fall in love.
Moving forward we all know cinema is personal and subjective. I might think My Days of Mercy is one of the best lesbian movies. But for you might just be a great lesbian movie but not the best.
For me why it is the best is because it has two of my favorite female actors. Including some scenes 😉, you definitely know what kind. I couldn’t have asked for more from a movie.
I could literally watch these two talk about ants or about pyramids or even math. And I don’t care about pyramids.
If we are to be serious. The chemistry between the two main characters is undeniable what moves lesbo movies in general, but this one in particular. I have a conspiratorial suspicion as to why the kissing scenes seemed so authentic and perfect.
Again, leaving all other unproved thoughts aside, the fact remains the same that it works.
Now back to my conspiracy which is that Elliot Page is a trans. So, she probably enjoyed those kissing scenes more than her counterpart Kate. Regardless of who enjoyed what more. Those scenes alone are enough to make this movie one of the best lesbian movies.
Popular Lesbian Movies: Portrait Of A Lady On Fire
Writers: Céline Sciamma
Stars: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami
Turns out there are quite a lot of French lesbian movies to watch. And another French film “Portrait of a lady on fire” comes from Celine Sciamma including stars like Noemie Merlant, Adele Haenel, Luana Bajrami.
In the 18th century France, a painter is commissioned to paint a young lady’s portrait. The young lady doesn’t want to be painted. The portrait is meant to be sent for her future husband whom she is arranged to be married to.
Lost for words to describe the magnificence of this movie. Every scene is a painting in and of itself. Every word is carefully picked before being voiced. And the meticulous acting makes everyone care about its characters and the predicament they find themselves in.
This is definitely not just one of the best lesbian movies of the year but the best in fact. I love how she took this noble path of showing lesbian love affair in a different direction. That is not at all what people usually assume, open, and lewd. But it is everything that people assume the opposite of, pure and beautiful, and most importantly, passionate.
I love how slow burn it is, too. This movie takes its time and explores each character deep down. Because it knows if you don’t care for characters, you don’t care for the movie. Whether it is the best lesbian movies or an action blockbuster.
To make an outstanding piece of cinema: You need outstanding characters and equally remarkable actors. The performances should match every other great element in your movie. And all of those decisions have been made in the most right way possible.
Lesbian films: Professor Marston And The Wonder Woman
Director: Angela Robinson
Writers: Angela Robinson
Stars: Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall, Bella Heathcote
Angela Robinson Wrote and directed Professor Marston and The Wonder Woman based on more or less a true story. This hot lesbian movies cast include stars like Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall, Bella Heathcote.
A professor of Psychology creates a comic book character inspired by his personal life and love affairs. This is another one of the best lesbian movies. And it is an origin story to the origin story of Wonder Woman.
This is a biopic that is based on real-life events and partly on the life of Professor Marston. However, if you haven’t still watched it. You shouldn’t expect a documentary but a full-fledged movie with great design and script.
There is a lot of role-playing and BDSM and hot scenes that now might seem a bit normalized. But surely wasn’t back when it really happened. It is more than just one of the best lesbian movies, or movies with lesbians. It delves deeper into the female activism of the previous century. And how intolerance of that time left little space for tolerance.
The only drawback from my point of view is its music score. It is incredible and very fitting the tone, but at times it can seem on the nose. And when everything comes together so perfectly even the tiniest bit of mistake or cliche makes it not that full-fledged.
The fact that it brought the unconventional love to the big screen is alone a praiseworthy act. One that puts it among the best lesbian movies with such great performances from the lead characters.
Best Lesbian Movies: Watermelon Woman
Director: Cheryl Dunye
Writers: Cheryl Dunye
Stars: Cheryl Dunye, Guinevere Turner, Valarie Walker
Cheryl Dunye both directed and wrote the Watermelon Woman in a comedy-drama/drama way. Even acted in it as one of the protagonists alongside Guinevere Turner and Valerie Walker.
An aspiring filmmaker who is black and lesbian tries to make a documentary about black actors of the 1940s.
At this point, I have a handful of wrench movies and an excellent example of Korean filmography. It is only fair that I include something from the black culture. And no other movie could have been a better representative of black arts, especially of those who are LGBTQ.
Because Cheryl Dunye is one of the first open black lesbians to make one of the best lesbian movies on this very subject of minority representation and how they have it harder than most others.
In terms of the best lesbians movies list, Watermelon Woman made it for a number of reasons. First of which is that it is raw, original, and very fresh. It’s like a refreshing lesbian flick to an already populated and mainstreamed genre.
It is a historically important movie. But the way it approaches the serious issues with a lighthearted comedic tone makes the whole watching experience very delightful. Although a bit playful it never misses a punch and every political or cultural issue subtly raised doesn’t go unnoticed.
A minor slip up is that its shoestring budget is easily noticeable. There are movies with the same budget or less that were able to accomplish something way better. But you forgive all other aspects for the good intentions of the filmmakers. And how she was able to speak up and be heard.
All Things Considered
Best lesbian movies collected from every corner of the world to recommend you only the best and the best only. The majority of the flicks from the lesbian movies list are romance and drama, which you might find too heavy.
Best comedy movies could lighten the load a bit if you mix it up in between. Perhaps, best 90s cartoons would fit right in. If you can’t find comfort in any of those reads. I am sure OnreplayTV has a lot you can check out.
By now you know that the first lesbian movie was Girls in Uniform made in 1931 or the fact that Wonder Woman’s character was based on the sexual adventures of its creator.
All things considered, best lesbians films should be the first genre for you to turn to if you feel misunderstood or feel like you are the only one that is different. And it’s not only the LGBTQ community that sometimes feels ostracized from society.
