20 Best Lesbian Movies of All Time

Cinema has long served as a mirror to society—but for lesbian stories, that mirror was foggy or broken for far too long. In recent decades, however, filmmakers have carved space for deeply personal, daring, and beautiful narratives that center lesbian love, struggle, and self-discovery. Whether through indie darlings or sweeping romances, these films have helped audiences see themselves, understand others, and embrace the full spectrum of human connection.

Here are 20 of the best lesbian movies of all time—spanning genres, generations, and cultures—that have made a lasting impact on viewers and queer cinema alike.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Genre: Historical Romance, Drama
Rating: 8.1/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Hulu

A painter is commissioned to secretly paint the portrait of a bride-to-be on a remote French island. What begins as observation turns into an electric, forbidden romance between two women caught in the confines of 18th-century society. This visually stunning film is praised for its emotional restraint, feminist gaze, and timeless longing. A modern classic.

Carol (2015)

Genre: Romance, Drama
Rating: 7.2/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Netflix, Prime Video

Set in 1950s New York, Carol follows a wealthy housewife and a young shopgirl whose chance meeting sparks a quiet but powerful romance. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara deliver captivating performances. The film’s elegance and restraint highlight the quiet intensity of hidden love, and it earned six Oscar nominations.

The Handmaiden (2016)

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Romance
Rating: 8.1/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Prime Video

A bold Korean reimagining of Sarah Waters’ Fingersmith, this sensual and suspenseful thriller follows a con woman and a noblewoman entangled in deceit—and eventually, love. Directed by Park Chan-wook, the film’s layered plot and erotic intensity make it unforgettable. It’s a landmark in queer Asian cinema.

Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)

Genre: Romance, Coming-of-Age
Rating: 7.7/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Hulu, Criterion Channel

This Palme d’Or winner charts the passionate and tumultuous relationship between two young women. It sparked both acclaim and controversy for its explicit sex scenes and emotional depth. Regardless, it brought global attention to lesbian narratives and inspired widespread discussion on representation.

But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)

Genre: Satire, Comedy
Rating: 6.8/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Peacock

A cult classic that brilliantly satirizes conversion therapy camps through pastel aesthetics and campy humor. Natasha Lyonne stars as a cheerleader sent to be “cured” of her lesbianism, only to fall for another girl. It’s quirky, subversive, and beloved for its joyful defiance of heteronormativity.

Desert Hearts (1985)

Genre: Romance, Drama
Rating: 7.0/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Criterion Channel

Set in 1950s Nevada, a conservative English professor falls for a free-spirited ranch worker during her divorce. As one of the first lesbian films to offer a happy ending, Desert Hearts remains a landmark of queer cinema for its tenderness and unapologetic romance.

Ammonite (2020)

Genre: Historical Drama, Romance
Rating: 6.5/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Hulu, Prime Video

Kate Winslet plays fossil hunter Mary Anning, who embarks on a slow-burning romance with a grieving young woman. Though fictionalized, the film explores queerness in a repressed Victorian society with subtlety and grace. It adds to the growing canon of period lesbian romances.

Bound (1996)

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Neo-noir
Rating: 7.3/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Tubi, Pluto TV

Before The Matrix, the Wachowski sisters gave us this slick, stylish heist film with a sizzling lesbian romance at its core. Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly play lovers who plot to steal mob money. It’s sexy, suspenseful, and revolutionary for centering a queer couple in a genre film.

Pariah (2011)

Genre: Coming-of-Age, Drama
Rating: 7.2/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Max

This deeply personal indie follows Alike, a Black teen poet in Brooklyn coming to terms with her sexuality and identity while navigating a conservative household. Dee Rees’ debut is raw, lyrical, and vital in its portrayal of intersectional queer identity.

Imagine Me & You (2005)

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Rating: 6.8/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Prime Video

A lighthearted rom-com in which a bride falls for her wedding florist. It’s sweet, charming, and refreshingly devoid of tragedy—something rare in early 2000s lesbian films. With great chemistry between Lena Headey and Piper Perabo, it remains a fan favorite.

Summerland (2020)

Genre: Historical, War Drama
Rating: 7.0/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Prime Video

Set during WWII, a reclusive writer (Gemma Arterton) forms an unexpected bond with a young evacuee—and through flashbacks, we uncover her once-passionate relationship with a woman. It’s touching and hopeful, celebrating second chances and lesbian love across time.

The Watermelon Woman (1996)

Genre: Comedy, Mockumentary
Rating: 6.6/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Criterion Channel

Directed by and starring Cheryl Dunye, this groundbreaking film is the first feature by an out Black lesbian. It blends fiction and documentary as Dunye investigates a forgotten Black actress rumored to have been in a lesbian relationship. A radical piece of self-representation.

Elisa & Marcela (2019)

Genre: Biographical Drama
Rating: 6.6/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Netflix

Based on a true story, this Spanish film follows two women who defied early 20th-century Catholic norms by marrying—after one of them assumed a male identity. It’s a visually rich, emotionally resonant look at love and rebellion in a hostile society.

Lost and Delirious (2001)

Genre: Teen Drama
Rating: 6.8/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Tubi

Set in a girls’ boarding school, this intense teen drama explores forbidden love and emotional upheaval. While melodramatic, it struck a chord with young queer women for its passionate portrayal of same-sex attraction in youth.

D.E.B.S. (2004)

Genre: Action-Comedy, Teen
Rating: 5.4/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Crackle

This campy cult favorite turns spy movies on their head when a secret-agent schoolgirl falls for a criminal mastermind—who happens to be a woman. It’s goofy, stylish, and gloriously queer, providing a light, fun take on lesbian romance.

Rafiki (2018)

Genre: Drama, Romance
Rating: 6.9/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Prime Video

This Kenyan film made headlines for being banned in its home country due to its lesbian storyline. Despite the controversy, it’s a beautiful, hopeful love story between two girls from rival political families. Its global acclaim helped spotlight African queer cinema.

The Feels (2017)

Genre: Comedy, Romance
Rating: 5.2/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Netflix

A group of friends gather for a lesbian bachelorette weekend where secrets and revelations unfold. This quirky indie film is packed with authenticity and comedic charm, and stars real-life couple Constance Wu and Angela Trimbur.

Disobedience (2017)

Genre: Drama, Romance
Rating: 6.6/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Hulu

Set in London’s Orthodox Jewish community, two childhood friends (Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams) reconnect and rekindle a forbidden love. The film delicately explores the tension between faith, desire, and personal freedom. A powerful and emotionally layered narrative.

My Summer of Love (2004)

Genre: Psychological Drama
Rating: 6.7/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Prime Video

In a Yorkshire summer, a working-class girl falls for a wealthy, enigmatic teen. Their romance unfolds with intimacy and eventual tension. The film blends class commentary with adolescent desire and introduced many to Emily Blunt in a breakout role.

All About E (2015)

Genre: Drama, Road Movie
Rating: 5.8/10 (IMDb)
Where to Watch: Tubi, Apple TV

A closeted DJ in Sydney finds herself on the run after discovering a bag of cash—and reconnects with an ex-lover on the journey. With humor, heart, and queer representation in Australian cinema, All About E is a hidden gem worth the ride.

These 20 films showcase just how expansive, emotional, and dynamic lesbian stories can be. From sweeping period romances to gritty coming-of-age tales and joyful comedies, each film captures a different shade of queer life. They don’t just entertain—they validate, challenge, and uplift.

As representation grows, so does understanding. These stories create empathy, offer mirrors for those who need them, and windows for those seeking to learn. In a world where queer identities still face erasure and opposition, lesbian cinema matters—now more than ever.

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