10 great British gay films (2023)

  1. Watch and discover
  2. Features and reviews
  3. Lists
  4. 10 great British gay films
  1. < Lists
10 great British gay films (1)

Few countries can rival the UK when it comes to making great and diverse gay films. This may come as a surprise from a country where male homosexuality was illegal until as recently as 1967, and where gay marriage continues to ruffle right-wingers, swivel-eyed or otherwise. Yet despite their often taboo nature, films with gay characters have been around since the silentera.

So what key British gay films are out there? We’ve narrowed down the list to films easily available on DVD, although honourable mention must go to theüber-rareTwo Gentlemen Sharing(1969), a swinging slice of the 60s that hinted at interracial homosexuality. And if you likeVicious(millions seem to), you may get a perverse kick out ofStaircase(1969), a dreadful vehicle forRichard BurtonandRex Harrisonas two ageing queens in a perpetual state of mutual- andself-loathing.

Sign up to BFI Flare emails

Get the latest #BFIFlare news and ticket release updates.

Watch a selection of LGBT titles on BFI Player

This list should really be a Top 11 – the omission ofSunday Bloody Sunday(1971), the first British film to feature a gay kiss, is borderline inexcusable. Tom Shkolnik’s beautifully observedThe Comedian(2012), in which a possibly gay, possibly bi thirtysomething (Edward Hogg) tries to make it as a standup in the capital, also narrowly missedinclusion.

Borderline(1930)

Director:KennethMacpherson

10 great British gay films (2)

What’s the gayest British silent? A few coded homosexuals can be found inAlfred Hitchcock’s early work (check out the swishy dressmaker in 1925’sThe Pleasure Garden), whileIvor Novello’s films play up the flamboyant star’s androgyny, playing very odd, allegedly heterosexual men inThe Lodger(1926) andThe Man without Desire(1923).

But gayest of all remainsBorderline, a hotbed of sexual passions set around an interracial love triangle. The main trio may be straight, but the camera’s love ofPaul Robeson’s torso – the film was directed and produced by gay men – hints at an even more taboo love story. The male pianist’s longing gazes at a photo of Robeson tell their own tale. It was directed byKenneth Macpherson, the editor of the landmark film journalClose Up(1927-33) – sadly, following the poor critical reviews for Borderline, he did not directagain.

First a Girl(1935)

Director:VictorSaville

10 great British gay films (3)
I’ve been father, mother, sister and brother to that girl – and nothing more.

One of the first spottings of the GBF (Gay Best Friend), a creature maligned and adored in equal measure. Here it’sSonnie Haleserving up sardonic asides and platonic friendship toJessie Matthews’s down-on-her-luck showgirl. Although made at a time when homosexuality was unmentionable on screen, Hale’s gestures and waspish delivery clearly code the character as not the marryingkind.

In this zingy comedy, based on the 1933 German filmViktor und Viktoria, Matthews plays a woman who earns her coin pretending to be a man who masquerades as a female impersonator. Matthews is fantastic, but Hale matches her as her supportive mentor, himself a drag queen, who at last gets his moment in the spotlight in an unforgettable final number. The story was adapted again in 1982 asVictor Victoria, starringJulie Andrewsin thelead.

Watch First a Girl on BFI Player

Victim(1961)

Director:BasilDearden

10 great British gay films (4)

Dirk Bogarde, an actor who never acknowledged the rumours of his homosexuality during his lifetime, took a real career risk in playing a lawyer who, following a string of blackmail attempts against gay men, begins to realise his own sexuality. Made when gay sex was illegal in the UK, it could have been a career-ruiner, but instead saw him progress from matinee idol roles to meatier arthousefare.

Did this film help change the law?Victimwas released four years after the publication of the Wolfenden report, a paper which recommended that male homosexuality no longer be regarded as a criminal offence. It took another 10 years before partial decriminalisation took effect with the Sexual Offences act in 1967, which allowed homosexual acts, in private, between two men over the age of 21 – many feelBasil Dearden’s film helped liberalise attitudes and pave the way towards tolerance towards gaypeople.

Watch Victim on BFI Player

The Leather Boys(1964)

Director:Sidney J.Furie

10 great British gay films (5)

The British ‘kitchen sink’ dramas, focused around working-class lives, that prevailed in the late 50s and early 60s occasionally contained sympathetic gay characters, such asMurray Melvin’s student inA Taste of Honey(1961) andCicely Courtneidge’s ageing actor inThe L-shaped Room(1962). ButThe Leather Boyshas the most explicitstoryline.

A newlywed (Colin Campbell) having marriage problems finds escape through camaraderie with a biker gang – and doesn’t realise that his dynamic and faintly misogynist best friend (Dudley Sutton) is gay. The last scene, set in a gay bar, features a conga line of unlikable stereotypes, but at least Sutton comes across more sympathetically thanRita Tushingham, playing Campbell’s shrewish wife. Although the film is seldom discussed as much as its contemporaries, its iconic imagery of leather-clad bikers has never died, and was poached by The Smiths for the video of ‘Girlfriend in a Coma’ in1987.

Sebastiane(1976)

Directors:Derek Jarman and PaulHumfress

10 great British gay films (6)

Few films outside gay porn feature as much male flesh asSebastiane, the feature debut ofDerek Jarman(co-directed byPaul Humfress). It’s a queer reimagining of the last days of Saint Sebastian (Leonardo Treviglio), the Christian martyr tortured and executed by bow and arrow during hisbanishment.

While his fellow exiles fight, fuck and frolic naked in the desert, Sebastian resists such hedonism and instead recites poetry praising God, a predilection that leads to his violent death. It’s a real one-of-a-kind film, a potent clash of beauty and vulgarity, all told through Latin dialogue. Jarman would go on to become one of Britain’s most exciting filmmakers of the 70s and 80s, directingJubilee(1978),Caravaggio(1986) andThe Last ofEngland(1987).

Watch Sebastiane on BFI Player

Buy Sebastiane on BFI Blu-ray

Nighthawks(1978)

Director:RonPeck

10 great British gay films (7)

Britain’s first significant gay movie made by a gay director divided audiences. Some praised it for its realistic portrayal of a gay teacher unsuccessfully seeking a loving relationship in the newly sexually liberated clubs of London. Others found the main character to be a self-pitying sourpuss, who’d have more chance snagging a boyfriend if he smiled a bitmore.

NowNighthawkscan be re-evaluated as an invaluable time capsule of the late 1970s gay scene, in the liberated period between decriminalisation and the outbreak of AIDS.Ken Robertsonis very good as the antihero, especially in the film’sbest scene, when the teacher comes out to his homophobic class and confronts theirprejudices.

Watch Nighthawks on BFI Player

Buy Nighthawks on BFI DVD

10 great British gay films (8)

My Beautiful Laundrette(1985)

Director:StephenFrears

What could be more crowd-pleasing than a gay love story between a Pakistani immigrant and an ex-National Front member? Not much in 1985, as it turned out, asStephen Frears’s provocative drama proved to be a hit with both critics and cinemagoers, and helped launch the career ofDanielDay-Lewis.

Homosexuality is just one of the topics covered inHanif Kureishi’s ambitious, Oscar-nominated screenplay, which also takes on racism, culture clash, and the state of Thatcher’s Britain. Despite the prickly subject matter,My Beautiful Laundretteis testimony to the fact that audiences will respond to unorthodox subject matter as long as the quality’s there. Kureishi would explore race and homosexuality again in the TV seriesThe Buddha ofSuburbia(1993).

Young Soul Rebels(1991)

Director:IsaacJulien

10 great British gay films (9)

If My Beautiful Laundrette offered a snapshot of 80s Britain,Isaac Julientakes on the late 70s, a time when punk rebelled against the jubilee and right-wing extremism was on the rise. Julien, the director of a number of excellent short films, includingLooking for Langston(1989), stated his intention as creating a “black independent cinema which deals with questions of sexuality, gender and national identity”, all of which are explored inYoung Soul Rebels. The murder of a gay man triggers an avalanche of trouble for two black pirate radio DJs, one of whom starts a relationship with a white, gaypunk.

It’s not quite a BritishDo the Right Thing(1989), but it’s an energetic and atmospheric piece with strong performances and a marvellous soundtrack. Although it’s his only fiction feature, Julien has continued to make short films and documentaries, includingDerek(2008), a moving portrait of DerekJarman.

Watch Young Soul Rebels on BFI Player

Beautiful Thing(1996)

Director:HettieMacdonald

10 great British gay films (10)

This favourite remains one of the sweetest of all gay films, telling the story of two troubled boys – one bullied at school, the other at home – who find love in each other’s arms. Told against a Thamesmead estate backdrop, it’s gritty and witty, with a sparky script based on the stage play byJonathan Harvey, who went on to writeGimme Gimme Gimme(but don’t hold that against him). Every gay teen deserves a good gay teen film, and in the 1990s this wasit.

The film has received a lot of attention recently following the play’s successful resurrection to mark its 20th anniversary. It’s a super play, but the film just about trumps it, thanks especially to the performances –Glen Berryretired from acting,Scott Nealplayed another gay role inThe Bill, while the scene-stealingLinda Henrybecame a fixture onBadGirlsandEastEnders.

Watch Beautiful Thing on BFI Player

Weekend(2011)

Director:AndrewHaigh

10 great British gay films (11)

You knew this one was coming. Few gay-themed films, British or otherwise, have resonated with audiences quite as much asWeekend. It’s a simple tale of a one-night stand in Nottingham that turns into something more.Andrew Haigh’s debutGreek Pete(2009), a quasi-documentary about a London rent boy, was an engaging curio, but nothing in it suggested the sophistication and wit of hisfollow-up.

In a rare moment of sanity, writerBret Easton Ellistweeted that “it might be the greatest film about gay men ever made”. It’s certainly one of the classiest, with believable characters doing believable things, an anti-Richard Curtis romance with the most moving train station scene sinceBriefEncounter(1945).

Watch Weekend on BFI Player

10 great British gay films (12)

10 great British gay films (13)

Free for 14 days, then £4.99/month or £49/year.

Try for free

FAQs

What was the first movie with an openly gay character? ›

Brock Peters played one of the first expressly homosexual characters in an American film in The Pawnbroker in 1964.

What are some gay dramas? ›

This diverse collection of movies and shows celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer stories.
...
Released in the Past Year
  • The Imperfects.
  • First Kill.
  • Daughter From Another Mother.
  • Uncoupled.
  • Elite.
  • My Unorthodox Life.
  • Dead End: Paranormal Park.
  • Merlí. Sapere Aude.

Are there any gay movies in India? ›

Onir's My Brother Nikhil is perhaps the second most well-known Indian film about homosexuality (after Fire.) Based on the life of Dominic D'Souza, this film is set in Goa and features Sanjay Suri, Juhi Chawla, Victor Banerjee, Lilette Dubey, and Purab Kohli, among others.

What should I watch if im gay? ›

LGBTQ Movies
  • More the Merrier.
  • Dancing Queens.
  • Disobedience.
  • Bruised.
  • Brokeback Mountain.
  • Anne+: The Film.
  • Fear Street Part 1: 1994.
  • Edge of Seventeen.

Who is Disney's first gay character? ›

Strange World, which was released on November 23, 2022, features Ethan Clade, who is the first gay lead character in a Disney animated film. Ethan Clade is voiced by gay comedian Jaboukie Young-White.

Is there a gay kiss in Lightyear? ›

“Lightyear,” a spinoff of the beloved “Toy Story” franchise, tells the origin story of the legendary space ranger Buzz Lightyear, who inspired the toy in the original films. That the film features a same-sex kiss is notable for Disney, which has long shied away from portraying explicitly LGBTQ+ characters.

Who is a famous gay actor? ›

Gay Hollywood: 45 Out and Proud LGBT Stars (Photos)
  • Jodie Foster, Oscar-winning actress and director.
  • Zachary Quinto, actor and producer ("Star Trek")
  • Neil Patrick Harris, former "How I Met Your Mother" actor.
  • Robin Roberts, "Good Morning America" anchor.
  • Jane Lynch, former "Glee" actress and "Hollywood Game Night" host.
Oct 10, 2022

What do gay people watch on Netflix? ›

This diverse collection of movies and shows celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer stories.
...
Released in the Past Year
  • First Kill.
  • Heartstopper.
  • Uncoupled.
  • My Unorthodox Life.
  • Smiley.
  • Elite.
  • Dead End: Paranormal Park.
  • Young Royals.

Who did the first kissing scene in Bollywood? ›

Yes, it was a four minute long sequence starring Devika Rani and Himanshu Rai in a film called Karma which started shooting in 1929 and was released in 1933. Though it's not an intense kiss, it still counts as the first kissing sequence in Bollywood. Devika Rani was also called as the first lady of Indian cinema.

What is the most inappropriate Indian movie? ›

The 15 Most Controversial Films in Indian Cinema
  • Aandhi (1975) This political drama centres around a woman politician whose appearance was uncannily similar to that of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. ...
  • Bandit Queen (1994) ...
  • Fire (1996) ...
  • Kama Sutra: A Tale Of Love (1996) ...
  • Water (2005) ...
  • Inshallah, Football (2010) ...
  • Padmavati (2017)
Jan 19, 2018

Where can I watch gay movies? ›

Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Paramount Plus, and Peacock are the best mainstream platforms for LGBTQ titles.

Does Netflix have gay movies? ›

Single All the Way (2021)

The recent renaissance of queer Christmas romances has been a long time coming. Single All the Way is the first gay holiday original film by Netflix and it includes all the hallmarks of a…Hallmark classic.

Does HBO have gay movies? ›

In celebration of Pride month, we've compiled a list of the best Fresh LGBTQ+ movies you can find on HBO Max right now. You'll find hit classic dramas (Desert Hearts), feel-good comedies (In & Out), and international affairs (Bad Education).

Are there any gay movies on HBO Max? ›

HBO Max has the classic queer films!

HBO Max has some of the best selection of movies on any streaming platform right now, and that includes LGBTQ+ titles! The streamer has a wide range of queer films that spans genres from sci-fi to comedy, to romance and biopics.

Is Loki a gay? ›

It's finally canon: the third episode of Loki confirmed that its titular character is bisexual, making him Marvel's first canonically queer lead character.

Who was the first gay person in the NFL? ›

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed outside linebacker Carl Nassib, who became the NFL's first active player to come out as gay in 2021, reuniting him with the team he played for in 2018 and 2019.

Why does Lightyear have a gay scene? ›

It features a character named Alisha Hawthorne, voiced by Uzo Aduba, who is in a relationship with another woman. As a result of its LGBTQ+ content, the movie has been banned or censored in several countries across the globe.

Who is gay in Thor love and Thunder? ›

“The audiences were crying out for more of Tessa's character being openly out and identifying as queer,” Waititi reflected to Out magazine earlier this month.

What does the in Lgbtqia+ stand for? ›

Who is the famous gay singer? ›

Freddie Mercury

His talent for songwriting was unmistakable – with hits such as 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'We Are the Champions' and 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' all making it to the top 10 of the UK chart.

Who was the first openly gay actor in Hollywood? ›

In 1930, the wisecracking matinee idol William "Billy" Haines was America's top box office star — and openly gay. The Show People star regularly hit the town, including Hollywood premieres and parties, with his live-in partner, Jimmie Shields.

Who is the most handsome actor? ›

Top 10 Most Handsome Men
  • #1. Robert Pattinson. Most people know Robert Pattinson best for his role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight film series, yet, he is one of Hollywood's most diverse performers. ...
  • #2. Hritik Roshan. ...
  • #3. Kim Tae-Hyung. ...
  • #4. Tom Holland. ...
  • #5. David Beckham. ...
  • #6. Idris Elba. ...
  • #7. Justin Trudeau. ...
  • #8. Bradley Cooper.
Jan 16, 2023

Are there any gay movies on Hulu? ›

Recent Hulu originals like “Fire Island” and “Love, Victor” of course deserve singling out, but so do their forebears, such as old school classics like “Saving Face” (2004) and “Boys on The Side” (1995). Whether its film or TV, funny or tearjerker, Hulu has you covered with some of the best queer stories around.

Is chip and potato lgbt? ›

Chip and Potato, a preschool series features a gay family named the Razzles, Ray Razzle, his husband Roy Razzle, and their baby twins Ron and Ruby Razzle appeared in the November 2019 episode "Chip's First Piano Exam".

What is the hottest thing on Netflix? ›

Popular on NetflixExplore more
  • Lady Chatterley's Lover.
  • Closer.
  • No Limit.
  • The Next 365 Days.
  • Deadly Illusions.
  • 365 Days.
  • MILF.
  • 365 Days: This Day.

What is the best BL of all time? ›

List of Best BL Series and Dramas
  • Eternal Yesterday (2022)
  • More Than Words (2022)
  • Old Fashion Cupcake (2022)
  • Plus & Minus (2022)
  • Semantic Error (2022)
  • The Eclipse (2022)
  • To My Star 2 (2022)
  • Triage (2022)

What is the most watched BL drama? ›

The storyline and the flow are tight and you will soon find yourself obsessed with this amazing show.
  • Not Me. This show is headlined by one of the most successful Thai Bls on-screen couples commonly known as OffGun. ...
  • Bad Buddy. ...
  • Cutiepie. ...
  • Tharntype. ...
  • Manner of Death. ...
  • 2gether The Series. ...
  • Until We Meet Again.
Jul 11, 2022

What is the name of the gay TV channel? ›

Logo TV (often shortened to Logo, and stylized as Logo.) is an American basic cable channel owned by Paramount Media Networks, a division of Paramount Global. Launched in 2005, Logo was originally dedicated to lifestyle and entertainment programming targeting LGBT audiences.

Which movie has the best kissing scene? ›

24 best movie kisses, ranked
  1. Pretty Woman (1990) “No kissing.
  2. Titanic (1997) ...
  3. The Notebook (2004) ...
  4. Gone with the Wind (1939) ...
  5. Sixteen Candles (1984) ...
  6. Ghost (1990) ...
  7. Spider-Man (2002) ...
  8. Brokeback Mountain (2005) ...
Feb 10, 2022

What is the longest kiss world record? ›

Guinness World Record for longest kiss: Ekkachai Tiranarat and Laksana, of Thailand, hold the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous kiss that lasted a total of, 58 hours 35 minutes and 58 seconds.

Who invented first lip kiss? ›

While the true origin of kissing remains a mystery, historians have found in India the earliest references to the practice. Four major texts in the Vedic Sanskrit literature suggest an early form of kissing. Dating from 1500 B.C., they describe the custom of rubbing and pressing noses together.

What is the most profane movie ever? ›

Scorsese's “The World of Wall Street,” which stars both Hill and DiCaprio, beat the likes of Tarantino's “Pulp Fiction” to be named the film with the most curse words with 715 swear words. The Safdie Brothers' Adam Sandler-starring drama “Uncut Gems” ranked second with 646 curse words.

Is there kissing scenes in Bollywood? ›

14, 2021. Bollywood is known for its dramatic musical singalongs but no kissing scenes, at least for the most part.

Do Indian movies have kissing scenes? ›

There is no legal prohibition on kissing in Indian cinema but it largely vanished from the 1940s until it reappeared in several films in the 1990s, perhaps the most famous being Aamir Khan and Karisma's long smooch in Raja Hindustani (dir. Dharmesh Darshan 1996).

Is there a gay game? ›

The Gay Games is a worldwide sport and cultural event that promotes acceptance of sexual diversity, featuring lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) athletes, artists and other individuals.

Is there a gay movie app? ›

Dekkoo boasts the largest collection of gay entertainment anywhere. For just $9.99 a month after a 3-day free trial, you gain access to an unlimited gay streaming app stocked with a collection of gay films and shows tailored specifically to gay men. They even have a collection of frequently updated Dekkoo originals.

Who was the first gay superhero? ›

As the first major, openly gay character created by Marvel Comics, Northstar generated significant publicity in the mainstream press, and Alpha Flight #106 sold out in a week, although the series was not a very popular title. It is the only comic book issue to have been inducted into the Gaylactic Hall of Fame.

Is Luca Pixar's first gay movie? ›

Casarosa has explicitly said that the film is not a queer story, that it is all “platonic” and determinedly “pre-pubescent.” That suggests a limited understanding of gay growing up, particularly of when our feelings of affection and special closeness and difference can first develop.

When was the first gay superhero created? ›

Northstar was introduced in 1979 as the first gay character in the superhero genre. Unfortunately, the Comics Code Authority censored scripts that were explicit on the matter of his sexuality.

Who was the first openly gay knight? ›

STAGE : Sir Ian's Crusade : McKellen, hailed for his portrayal of Richard III, discusses his craft and his views as 'the first openly gay man to be knighted' Sir Ian McKellen is Shakespeare's demonic “Richard III.”

Who was the first gay NFL player? ›

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed outside linebacker Carl Nassib, who became the NFL's first active player to come out as gay in 2021, reuniting him with the team he played for in 2018 and 2019.

Is there a gay character in Marvel? ›

This Friday, the first Marvel Cinematic Universe movie to include a LGBTQ hero will hit theaters. “Eternals” introduces audiences to a new team of heroes, including the brilliant Phastos, an unmatched genius and inventor, as well as a loving husband to Ben and father to their son Jack.

Why is turning red controversial? ›

Portrayals of Puberty and Teenage Realism

One of the biggest controversies comes from viewers seeing the movie as too mature, or inappropriate. Namely, this comes when Mei first transforms into the red panda, and her mom assumes she started her period – though the word is never actually spoken.

What is the deeper meaning of Luca? ›

Luca balances the human and sea monster facets of his identity and learns not to let his fears prevent him from exploring the human world. The themes Luca demonstrates relay messages that resonate with all audiences. The film emphasizes the common societal fear of struggling to fit in and discovering oneself.

What does Silencio Bruno mean in Luca? ›

This is when Alberto tells him, "Silenzio, Bruno." Meaning Behind "Silenzio, Bruno" This phrase is meant to silence your own inner naysayer and support you to make the decision that makes your heart happy.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Trent Wehner

Last Updated: 05/12/2023

Views: 6119

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Trent Wehner

Birthday: 1993-03-14

Address: 872 Kevin Squares, New Codyville, AK 01785-0416

Phone: +18698800304764

Job: Senior Farming Developer

Hobby: Paintball, Calligraphy, Hunting, Flying disc, Lapidary, Rafting, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.