There is something about the scrappy DIY aesthetic that will always be essentially queer - and the films below reflect a notable shift in the ambition and scope of contemporary queer films. No longer limited by low budgets, films with gay and lesbian stories have flourished in the first two decades of the 21st century. This has been more than a long time coming: The New Queer Cinema was a major influence on the indie film boom of the ’90s, and set the bar high for the many queer films to follow.
The last few years have not only brought LGBTQ films and stories further into the mainstream, but queer films have dominated awards seasons and found commercial success in unlikely places.
It was first published on August 25, 2017. This list was updated on Jin celebration of this year’s Pride month.
