The 30 Best LGBTQ Movies on Netflix Right Now

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: This film celebrates Armistead Maupin, one of the world's most beloved storytellers, following his evolution from a conservative son of the Old South into a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Armistead Maupin

Directed By: Jennifer M. Kroot

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: A former Marine and record-breaking powerlifter faces his most challenging test of strength yet -- transitioning from male to female.

Starring: Janae Marie Kroczaleski

Directed By: Michael Del Monte

Critics Consensus: I Am Michael takes a determinedly balanced approach to its complex subject, and although the results don't always add up, they're anchored by strong work from James Franco.

Synopsis: Based on the fascinating, true-life story of Michael Glatze (James Franco), a gay activist who becomes an anti-gay Christian pastor.

Starring: James Franco, Zachary Quinto, Emma Roberts, Charlie Carver

Directed By: Justin Kelly

Critics Consensus: The Danish Girl serves as another showcase for Eddie Redmayne's talent -- and poignantly explores thought-provoking themes with a beautifully filmed biopic drama.

Synopsis: With support from his loving wife Gerda (Alicia Vikander), artist Einar Wegener (Eddie Redmayne) prepares to undergo one of the first sex-change operations.

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Ben Whishaw, Sebastian Koch

Directed By: Tom Hooper

Critics Consensus: Led by a pair of compelling performances, The Perfection is a smart, gripping thriller that barbs its wild twists with cutting wit.

Synopsis: A troubled musical prodigy and a new star pupil embark down a sinister path.

Starring: Allison Williams, Logan Browning, Steven Weber, Alaina Huffman

Directed By: Richard Shepard

Critics Consensus: A time capsule assembled with honesty and sensitivity, Edge of Seventeen overcomes youthful fumbles to capture a time of life -- and an era.

Synopsis: Set in 1984 in Sandusky, Ohio, it follows the coming-out of a naive 17-year-old at exactly the moment when gender-bending pop stars like Boy George... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Stafford, Tina Holmes, Andersen Gabrych, Stephanie McVay

Directed By: David Moreton

Critics Consensus: Alex Strangelove offers a refreshingly insightful -- and fittingly adult -- take on teen sexuality enlivened by smart humor and a fearlessly progressive approach.

Synopsis: A high school senior plans on losing his virginity to his girlfriend. Things get complicated when he meets a handsome and charming gay kid from... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daniel Doheny, Madeline Weinstein, Antonio Marziale, Joanna P. Adler

Directed By: Craig Johnson

Critics Consensus: Heart-wrenching performances center Holding the Man, an achingly beautiful portrayal of love and death that may be too real for some.

Synopsis: In the 1970s, two teen boys in Australia fight all obstacles thrown their way and refuse to renounce the love they feel for each other.

Starring: Sarah Snook, Guy Pearce, Geoffrey Rush, Anthony LaPaglia

Directed By: Neil Armfield

Critics Consensus: Comfortably cliché, Let It Snow wears its influences on its sleeve, but works anyway thanks an excellent ensemble and just the right amount of holiday cheer.

Synopsis: A snowstorm brings a group of young people together.

Starring: Isabela Merced, Shameik Moore, Kiernan Shipka, Odeya Rush

Directed By: Luke Snellin

Critics Consensus: Wise, well-acted, and emotionally resonant, Lovesong explores emotionally resonant themes through the ups and downs of the bond between two women.

Synopsis: Neglected by her husband, Sarah (Riley Keough) embarks on an impromptu road trip with her young daughter and her best friend, Mindy (Jena Malone). Along... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jena Malone, Riley Keough, Brooklyn Decker, Ryan Eggold

Directed By: So-yong Kim

Critics Consensus: Handsome Devil offers a charming, well-acted variation on the coming-of-age story with a few fresh topical twists.

Synopsis: Two opposites, a loner and the top athlete at a rugby-obsessed boarding school become friends, and the authorities test their friendship.

Starring: Fionn O'Shea, Nicholas Galitzine, Andrew Scott, Moe Dunford

Directed By: John Butler

Critics Consensus: Smart, stylish, and well-acted, What Keeps You Alive proves it's still possible to spin an engrossing horror yarn without fundamentally altering established formula.

Synopsis: Jackie and Jules are a couple celebrating their first anniversary at a secluded cabin in the woods belonging to Jackie's family. From the moment they... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Hannah Emily Anderson, Brittany Allen, Martha MacIsaac, Joey Klein

Directed By: Colin Minihan

Critics Consensus: The Boys in the Band brings the classic stage play back to the screen with a well-acted adaptation containing surprising -- and poignant -- modern relevance.

Synopsis: A visitor turns an evening upside down when he interrupts a gathering of gay men in New York City in 1968.

Starring: Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells

Directed By: Joe Mantello

Critics Consensus: Other People resists easy melodrama, rewarding viewers with a smart, subtle look at family dynamics with a talented cast and a finely calibrated blend of funny and serious moments.

Synopsis: A struggling comedy writer, fresh from breaking up with his boyfriend, moves to Sacramento to help his sick mother. Living with his conservative father and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jesse Plemons, Molly Shannon, Bradley Whitford, Maude Apatow

Directed By: Chris Kelly

Critics Consensus: Girl uses one aspiring dancer's story as the framework for a poignant drama that approaches its difficult themes with fittingly alluring grace.

Synopsis: Lara, a 15-year-old girl who was born in a boy's body, is committed to becoming a professional ballerina.

Starring: Victor Polster, Arieh Worthalter, Oliver Bodart, Katelijne Damen

Directed By: Lukas Dhont

Critics Consensus: A searing swipe at late-stage capitalism, I Care A Lot is an exhilarating pitch black comedy with a wicked performance from Rosamund Pike.

Synopsis: Poised with sharklike self-assurance, Marla Grayson (Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike) is a professional, court-appointed guardian for dozens of elderly wards whose assets she seizes... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, Dianne Wiest

Directed By: J Blakeson

Critics Consensus: Lingua Franca brings warmth and humanity to its social issue-driven plot with sensitive performances and writer-director Isabel Sandoval's gently empathetic touch.

Synopsis: An undocumented trans Filipino caregiver pursues a marriage to obtain a green card.

Starring: Eamon Farren, Lev Gorn, Mark Nelson, Lynn Cohen

Directed By: Isabel Sandoval

Critics Consensus: Though the costumes are beautiful and the art direction impeccable, what stands out most from this debut by fashion designer Tom Ford is the leading performance by Colin Firth.

Synopsis: George (Colin Firth) is a college professor who recently lost his lover, Jim, in a car accident. Terribly grief-stricken, George plans to commit suicide. As... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Matthew Goode

Directed By: Tom Ford

Critics Consensus: Well-acted and sharply written, Straight Up serves as an effervescent calling card for writer/director/star James Sweeney.

Synopsis: Intellectual soul mates bond.

Starring: Randall Park, Katie Findlay, Betsy Brandt, Tracie Thoms

Directed By: James Sweeney

Critics Consensus: A beautiful, epic Western, Brokeback Mountain's love story is imbued with heartbreaking universality thanks to moving performances by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Synopsis: In 1963, rodeo cowboy Jack Twist and ranch hand Ennis Del Mar are hired by rancher Joe Aguirre as sheep herders in Wyoming. One night... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Linda Cardellini, Anna Faris

Directed By: Ang Lee

Critics Consensus: The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson uses its belated investigation into an activist's murder as the framework for a sobering look at the ongoing battle for equal rights.

Synopsis: Filmmakers re-examine the 1992 death of transgender legend Marsha P. Johnson, who was found floating in the Hudson River. Originally ruled a suicide, many in... View Full Synopsis

Starring: James Abreu, Victoria Cruz, Karla Jay, Agosto Machado

Directed By: David France

Critics Consensus: With warmth and affection, I Am Divine offers an engaging portrait of the complex personality behind a trailblazing cinematic figure.

Synopsis: The life and work of cultural icon, recording artist and actor Divine.

Starring: Divine, Mark Payne, Greg Gorman, Mink Stole

Directed By: Jeffrey Schwarz

Critics Consensus: Celebrating its subjects without ever losing sight of their story, The Queen is a fascinating time capsule that has only gained resonance since its release.

Synopsis: In 1967, New York City is host to the Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant. This documentary from Frank Simon takes a look behind the scenes,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jack Doroshow, Andy Warhol

Directed By: Francis Simon

Critics Consensus: Pulsing with authenticity and led by a stirring lead performance from Adepero Oduye, Pariah is a powerful coming out/coming-of-age film that signals the arrival of a fresh new talent in writer/director Dee Rees.

Synopsis: Teenage Alike (Adepero Oduye) lives in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood with her parents (Charles Parnell, Kim Wayans) and younger sister (Sahra Mellesse). A lesbian, Alike... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Charles Parnell

Directed By: Dee Rees

Critics Consensus: Disclosure engrossingly illuminates the history and effects of the way transgender lives are depicted onscreen -- and outlines how much progress still needs to be made.

Synopsis: A look at Hollywood's depiction of transgender people and the impact of this on American culture.

Starring: Laverne Cox, Bianca Leigh, Jen Richards, Alexandra Billings

Directed By: Sam Feder

Critics Consensus: Like the cheekily named store at this documentary's center, Circus of Books proves there are countless stories below the surface if we're only willing to look.

Synopsis: In 1976 a couple take over an adult book store, and the store becomes the biggest distributor of gay porn in the United States.

Starring: Karen Mason, Rachel Mason, Larry Flynt, Jeff Stryker

Directed By: Rachel Mason

Critics Consensus: For viewers in search of an uncommonly smart, tender, and funny coming-of-age story, The Half of It has everything.

Synopsis: A shy, introverted student helps the school jock woo a girl whom, secretly, they both want.

Starring: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire, Enrique Murciano

Directed By: Alice Wu

Critics Consensus: In telling one couple's story, A Secret Love pays understated yet powerful tribute to a lifetime of choices and sacrifices made in the name of enduring devotion.

Synopsis: A former baseball player keeps her lesbian relationship a secret from her family for seven decades.

Starring: Pat Henschel

Directed By: Chris Bolan

Critics Consensus: An absorbing and affectionate tribute to a unique individual, Mucho Mucho Amor should prove fascinating for Walter Mercado fans as well as first-timers.

Synopsis: Puerto Rican astrologer and psychic Walter Mercado discusses his life, career and post-fame seclusion.

Starring: Walter Mercado

Directed By: Kareem Tabsch, Cristina Costantini

Critics Consensus: Anchored by Sean Penn's powerhouse performance, Milk is a triumphant account of America's first openly gay man elected to public office.

Synopsis: In 1972, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) and his then-lover Scott Smith leave New York for San Francisco, with Milk determined to accomplish something meaningful in... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna

Directed By: Gus Van Sant