The best lesbian films deserve a prominent place in the cinematic universe, yet they often remain in the shadow of more widely represented narratives. Finding lesbian films on Netflix can sometimes be a challenge, as their visibility remains limited. Yet these stories deserve to be celebrated and brought to light.
That is why we have taken the time to prepare an essential selection: the top 10 best lesbian films to watch on Netflix!
Between poignant stories, passionate romances, and light-hearted comedies, settle in: it is time to dive into women-to-women stories as varied as they are inspiring.
1. Anne +, the Film (2021): an intimate LGBT+ epic
- Film duration: 1h34
- Genre: drama, romance
- Casting: Hanna van Vliet, Jouman Fattal, Thorn Roos de Vries
- Recommendation: 16+
Set in Amsterdam, where Anne, a young queer writer, tries to finish her novel before joining her girlfriend Sara, recently transferred to Montreal. Her future seems mapped out, but an unexpected encounter with Lou, a non-binary drag artist, challenges her certainties and upends her plans. Between identity questions, complex love relationships, and dreams of independence, Anne +: the Film explores today’s queer life with finesse.
🎥 Discover the trailer for Anne + :
Similiqueer’s Take
We open this top of the best lesbian films with a Dutch gem signed by Valérie Bisscheroux. Directly following the series of the same name, this film plunges into a vibrant LGBTQ+ daily life, oscillating between the freedom of Amsterdam nights and the solitude of life transitions.
With a realistic, unvarnished approach, Anne + touches universal themes such as doubt, self-discovery, and the difficulty of balancing love with personal aspirations. An earnest directing, where every character rings true, carried by an intimate and contemporary atmosphere. A must-watch for those seeking authenticity and positive queer representation!
2. The Prom (2020) : a LGBT+ musical comedy on Netflix
- Film duration: 2h12
- Genre: musical, drama
- Casting: Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Jo Ellen Pellman
- Recommendation: 12+
In a small conservative town in Indiana, Emma Nolan, a lesbian high-school student, dreams of attending the prom with her girlfriend. But the PTA objects to this idea, cancelling the event to avoid any “controversy.” Then a group of Broadway stars seeking redemption steps in to turn her dream into a reality. Through glitter, songs, and empowered speeches, The Prom celebrates diversity and acceptance with infectious energy.
🎥 Discover the trailer for The Prom :
Similiqueer’s Take
Ryan Murphy signs here a vibrant Broadway-style musical that blends humor, emotion, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Between grand numbers and punchy dialogues, the film fervently defends the right to love freely.
If you love Broadway-style spectacles, The Prom is a real treat: electrifying choreography, flamboyant costumes, and a catchy soundtrack that makes you want to dance.
But beyond the show, it sensitively tackles the difficulty of coming out and self-acceptance, while highlighting the diverse reactions of loved ones to homosexuality.
A lesbian film that is both militant and festive, perfect for a feel-good night packed with emotion and glitter!
3. Duck Butter (2018) : a LGBT+ film that touches you at the core
- Film duration: 1h33
- Genre: drama, romance
- Casting: Alia Shawkat, Laia Costa, Mae Whitman
- Recommendation: 16+
Naima and Sergio, two young women disillusioned by traditional romantic relationships, make a bold bet: to live an entire relationship within 24 hours. No pretense, no superficial expectations, just a raw and sincere connection where they commit to sharing everything without sleep.
But this intense experience, between blazing passion and abrupt confrontations, will quickly test their ideals about love and commitment.
🎥 Discover the trailer for Duck Butter :
Similiqueer’s Take
Duck Butter is a lesbian film that steps off the beaten path and deconstructs the classic Hollywood romance tropes. Directed by Miguel Arteta, this claustrophobic, at once captivating and unsettling, plunges the viewer into an accelerated love experience, where every emotion is lived to the extreme.
The chemistry between Alia Shawkat and Laia Costa is striking, making every scene intensely realistic. The film delicately handles vulnerability, desire, and the fear of attachment, while highlighting the human contradictions in the face of love and intimacy. If you enjoy films that question relationships and push against conventions, Duck Butter is a unique and fascinating work not to miss. A sensory immersion that will make you feel the full complexity of a fleeting yet burning love.
4. A secret love (2020) : a romantic lesbian documentary on Netflix
- Film duration: 1h23
- Genre: documentary, romance
- Casting: Terry Donahue, Pat Henschel
- Recommendation: 12+
This poignant documentary tells the true story of Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel, two women who lived a secret love story for nearly 70 years. Met in the 1940s, at a time when homosexuality was taboo, they had to hide their relationship from the world, including their families.
Through archival footage, testimonials, and intimate moments captured on film, A Secret Love gently explores the strength of a clandestine love and the complexity of coming out at an older age.
🎥 Discover the trailer for A Secret Love :
Similiqueer’s Take
A Secret Love is a moving testimony about love and resilience. Directed by Chris Bolan, it traces with delicacy the story of these two women, marked by fear, sacrifice, but also immense tenderness.
This documentary provides a deep reflection on the evolution of LGBTQ+ rights and the weight of the silence imposed by a society that, for a long time, did not allow couples like Terry and Pat to live freely. The emotions are raw, sincere, and resonate far beyond their own story. If you are looking for an authentic lesbian film, imbued with history and powerful emotions, A Secret Love is a gem not to be missed. A poignant reminder that love, no matter the obstacles, always prevails.
5. Elisa et Marcela (2019) : the quintessential classic lesbian film
- Film duration: 1h58
- Genre: drama, romance, biopic
- Casting: Natalia de Molina, Greta Fernández, Tamar Novas
- Recommendation: 12+
Inspired by a true story, Elisa et Marcela tells the poignant tale of two Spanish women who, in 1901, dare to defy the norms of their era. Elisa and Marcela fall deeply in love, but in a profoundly conservative society, their relationship is seen as a scandal.
To bypass the prohibitions and officially unite, Elisa makes a bold decision: to pass as a man under the name Mario Sánchez and thus marry Marcela during the first registered same-sex marriage in Spain. A ruse that will soon be discovered, forcing them to flee and fight for their love.
🎥 Discover the trailer for Elisa et Marcela :
Similiqueer’s Take
Directed by Isabel Coixet, Elisa et Marcela is a moving cinematic tribute to one of the earliest lesbian couples who dared to challenge the institution of marriage at a time when love between women was a crime.
Shot in black and white, this film magnifies the forbidden passion between these two heroines and reinforces the raw emotion that emanates from their story. Natalia de Molina and Greta Fernández deliver intense performances, portraying with precision the pain, fear, and determination of Elisa and Marcela.
With its refined aesthetics and its engaged message, Elisa et Marcela is not merely a historical drama, but a symbol of resilience and courage for the LGBT+ community. A lesbian film not to be missed, still resounding today in the fight for equal rights.
6. Ride or Die (2021) : a passionate lesbian love
- Film duration: 2h22
- Genre: drama, romance, thriller
- Casting: Kiko Mizuhara, Honami Sato, Shunsuke Tanaka
- Recommendation: 16+
Rei has always been in love with Nanae, her childhood friend. When she learns that the latter is trapped in a violent marriage, she makes a radical decision: kill her husband to free her. From there, the two women embark on a desperate flight across Japan, teetering between freedom, passion, and chaos.
As the kilometers pass, their relationship evolves, moving between intense love and disillusionment, forcing each to confront her own demons.
🎥 Discover the trailer for Ride or Die :
Similiqueer’s Take
Ride or Die, directed by Ryûichi Hiroki, is a visceral drama that explores love and transgression with brutality and sensuality. This Japanese film, with a meticulous aesthetic, does not shy away from delving into the complexity of feelings, navigating between burning desire and pain.
The performances of Kiko Mizuhara and Honami Sato are captivating, embodying this electric relationship with perfection, between passion and destruction. With its raw scenes and immersive direction, Ride or Die is a powerful work that tackles sacrifice, control, and freedom without flinching.
If you’re looking for a lesbian film far from romantic clichés, with an intensity worthy of a psychological thriller, Ride or Die is a must-watch on Netflix.
7. Heart Shot : a short lesbian film on Netflix
- Film duration: 19 min
- Genre: drama, action, romance
- Casting: Elena Heuzé, Nia Sondaya
- Recommendation: 16+
Nikki and Samantha are two wildly in-love teenage girls who dream of building a future together. While their relationship seems idyllic, Nikki hides a troubled past she hoped to leave behind.
But when it resurfaces violently, everything changes, putting their love to the test in a spiral of secrets, action, and dilemmas.
🎥 Discover the trailer for Heart Shot :
Similiqueer’s Take
With Heart Shot, director Marielle Woods offers a powerful short film that blends queer romance and dramatic tension with a dash of action. In just 19 minutes, this film manages to captivate by deconstructing the image of the teen romance and injecting it with a darker, surprising energy.
The performances of Elena Heuzé and Nia Sondaya render the relationship between Nikki and Samantha credible and touching, making the story’s turn even more poignant. If you enjoy stories that push boundaries and you’re looking for a quick but emotionally rich lesbian film, Heart Shot is an excellent Netflix pick. Expect rising tension and a final twist that will not leave you indifferent!
8. My Big Fat Christmas Family, and Me (2020) : a Christmas romantic comedy
- Film duration: 1h42
- Genre: comedy, romance
- Casting: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Dan Levy
- Recommendation: 12+
Abby and Harper form a happy couple, and as Christmas approaches, Abby decides to seize the holiday dinner to propose to her girlfriend. But upon arriving at Harper’s family, she discovers that Harper has never come out to them.
Trapped in a web of pretense where she must pose as a simple roommate, Abby will have to navigate family traditions, secrets, and the heavy expectations of a stay that promises to be more eventful than expected…
🎥 Discover the trailer for My Big Fat Christmas Family, and Me :
Similiqueer’s Take
Looking for a comforting and humorous lesbian film to brighten the holiday season? My Big Fat Christmas Family, and Me, directed by Clea DuVall, is the ideal romantic comedy to watch curled up under a blanket with a hot chocolate. The Kristen Stewart – Mackenzie Davis duo works beautifully, and Dan Levy adds an irresistible touch of humor.
Between farces, emotional moments, and reflections on self-acceptance, this film treats coming out and family dynamics with warmth and lightness. A LGBT+ gem that promotes love and tolerance, while delivering a hearty dose of holiday spirit!
9. Firecracker (2022) : a story of love and acceptance
- Film duration: 15 min
- Genre: drama, romance
- Casting: Lydia Li, Faye Nightingale
- Recommendation: 12+
During Chinese New Year, young Lin, a Sino-American student, must face a party that promises to be particularly testing: she is about to introduce her girlfriend to her conservative family.
Between family traditions, parental expectations, and the desire to be true to oneself, Lin finds herself torn between the love she feels for her partner and the fear of rejection by her relatives. This festive night thus takes a much more intimate turn, revealing unspoken truths, exchanged glances, and a deep quest for truth.
🎥 Discover the trailer for Firecracker :
SimiliQueer :
Firecracker, directed by Caroline Guo, is a poignant short film that addresses with sensitivity the identity conflict that many young LGBTQ+ people from traditional cultures can experience.
Despite its short runtime, the film succeeds in capturing the full complexity of its heroine’s emotions, offering a sensitive portrayal of family and love dilemmas. The chemistry between the actresses is sincere, making tender moments as powerful as the tense silences. A gem to discover on Netflix!
10. Between Two Women (2004) : a devastating and suspenseful drama
- Film duration: 1h32
- Genre: drama
- Casting: Barbara Marten, Andrina Carroll, Andrew Dunn
- Recommendation: 13+
Ellen’s marriage spirals out of control and her husband leaves the house. At the same time, she befriends Kathy, the teacher of her son Victor. The young artist impresses the two women, who grow closer through him; Kathy moves in and writes letters to Ellen in which she confesses her feelings…
🎥 Discover the trailer for Between Two Women :
SimiliQueer :
Between Two Women, is a discreet and intimate drama that traces the birth of a romantic bond between two women in 1950s working-class England. The film stands out for its subtlety and sensitivity: emotions are read in glances and silences, offering a touching authenticity. However, its slow and reserved storytelling may feel too restrained for some viewers.
And there you have it, this top 10 of the best lesbian films to watch on Netflix comes to an end! We hope you enjoyed it and that it helped fill your watchlist with wonderful cinematic discoveries. Whether you are seeking a poignant romance, an intense drama, or a lighthearted comedy, these films offer a wonderful glimpse into the diversity of lesbian narratives.
We would love to hear your thoughts: which is your favorite among this selection? Do you have other gems to recommend? Share your suggestions in the comments!
And if you’re more into series than LGBT+ films, don’t miss our selection of LGBT+ series to watch on Netflix for even more beautiful stories to discover.
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