25 Best Lesbian Movies of All Time (Updated 2025)

Check out our list of the 25 Best Lesbian Movies. Even though we’ve given them numbers, they’re listed in a fairly random order. Whether a title is number 1 or number 18, it’s a queer movie you’ll want to check out. Did we include your favorite lesbian movie?

When it comes to lesbian movies, the landscape has changed dramatically over the years. What used to be rare and often coded representation has now become a much more visible and even celebrated part of cinema.

From groundbreaking indie films to Hollywood dramas and international gems, lesbian love stories have been told in many powerful ways.

These movies don’t just resonate with LGBTQ+ audiences—they stand as unforgettable works of art that explore love, identity, desire, and resilience.

In this updated 2025 list, we’ve gathered 25 of the best lesbian movies of all time. Some are romantic, some are heartbreaking, and others are bold explorations of queer life through different lenses.

Whether you’re looking for an emotional classic, a stylish period drama, or a modern favorite that pushes boundaries, this list has something for everyone.

1. Carol (2015)

Todd Haynes’ gorgeous adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Price of Salt is one of the most iconic lesbian romances of all time. Starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, it’s a sweeping love story set in 1950s New York, balancing restraint with breathtaking intimacy.

2. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

This French masterpiece by Céline Sciamma is a slow-burn romance between an artist and her subject. With stunning cinematography and raw emotion, it has become a modern queer classic.

3. Bound (1996)

The Wachowskis’ neo-noir thriller is a stylish, gritty tale of passion, crime, and betrayal. Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly light up the screen with electric chemistry.

4. Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)

Winner of the Palme d’Or, Abdellatif Kechiche’s coming-of-age drama is known for its intensity and emotional depth. Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos deliver unforgettable performances.

5. The Handmaiden (2016)

Park Chan-wook’s erotic psychological thriller, inspired by Sarah Waters’ novel Fingersmith, is a dazzling and twist-filled exploration of desire, deception, and empowerment.

6. Imagine Me & You (2005)

A charming British rom-com about love at first sight—literally—when a bride falls for a woman she meets at her own wedding. Sweet, funny, and full of heart.

7. Desert Hearts (1985)

Often hailed as the first positive lesbian romance in American cinema, Donna Deitch’s film is a heartfelt and hopeful love story set in 1950s Nevada.

8. Pariah (2011)

Dee Rees’ semi-autobiographical film is a moving coming-of-age story about a young Black lesbian navigating family, friendship, and identity.

9. Elena Undone (2010)

This indie romance is known for featuring one of the longest on-screen kisses in film history—a heartfelt love story between two women from very different worlds.

10. Disobedience (2017)

Starring Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams, this film explores forbidden love within an Orthodox Jewish community, blending passion with themes of faith and freedom.

11. Ammonite (2020)

Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan bring quiet intensity to this 19th-century romance inspired by the life of paleontologist Mary Anning.

12. But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)

A satirical cult favorite starring Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall. Bright, campy, and bold, it tackles conversion therapy with humor and heart.

13. Happiest Season (2020)

A holiday rom-com that struck a chord with audiences everywhere. Starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis, it blends Christmas cheer with a heartfelt coming-out story.

14. Summertime (2020)

This French drama is a tender story about two women who fall in love in 1970s Paris against a backdrop of political change.

15. Water Lilies (2007)

Céline Sciamma’s debut feature is a coming-of-age drama exploring first love, sexuality, and self-discovery among teenage girls.

16. Saving Face (2004)

A romantic comedy that blends cultural identity with queer love, following a Chinese-American surgeon navigating her relationship with a female dancer.

17. The Kids Are All Right (2010)

This Oscar-nominated dramedy centers on a lesbian couple raising two teenagers, exploring family, love, and identity with warmth and humor. Starring Annette Bening and Julianne Moore.

18. Rafiki (2018)

Banned in its home country of Kenya upon release, this vibrant film tells the story of two young women falling in love despite societal pressures.

19. Wild Nights with Emily (2018)

A witty reimagining of poet Emily Dickinson’s life and her hidden romance with her brother’s wife. Sharp, funny, and feminist.

20. Margarita with a Straw (2014)

This Indian drama follows a bisexual woman with cerebral palsy as she explores love, independence, and self-acceptance.

21. Kyss Mig (Kiss Me) (2011)

A Swedish romance about forbidden love between two soon-to-be stepsisters. Beautifully shot and emotionally gripping. Perfect for fans of our #6 on the list: Imagine Me & You.

22. The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)

Set in the 1990s, this drama follows a teenage girl sent to conversion therapy after being caught with her girlfriend. Thoughtful and moving.

23. My Summer of Love (2004)

Emily Blunt stars in this British drama about two young women from different backgrounds who develop an intense and complex relationship.

24. Mulholland Drive (2001)

David Lynch’s surreal mystery includes a passionate and unforgettable lesbian romance at its core. Dreamlike, strange, and deeply affecting.

25. Heavenly Creatures (1994)

Based on a true story, this psychological drama starring Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey explores obsession, love, and tragedy.