The best LGBTQ movies on Amazon Prime Video right now

The late Patrick Swayze stars opposite Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo in the game-changing comedy To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. The film follows three drag queens — Vida, Noxeema, and Chi-Chi —  as they embark on a road trip to Los Angeles, becoming stranded in a small town and bonding with the people. Widely considered among the first mainstream depictions of drag queens on the big screen, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar is an ode to life, beauty, and fantasy. Elevated by three spectacular and vibrant performances from its leading trio, the film acts as a love letter to freedom and identity. It is very much a product of its time, but the themes remain poignant and compelling, not to mention hilarious.

Shot with three iPhone 5S smartphones, Tangerine is among the most important and impactful LGBTQ+ films of the last decade. This comedy-drama follows Sin-Dee Rella, a transgender sex worker who has recently finished a short stint in jail. After meeting her friend, Alexandra, Sin-Dee learns her boyfriend and pimp was unfaithful while she was away. Determined to learn the truth, Sin-Dee and Alexandra journey across Los Angeles and its many subcultures. Although far from an easy watch, Tangerine is a worthwhile, rewarding, and intimate look into the transgender experience and the enduring nature of real friendship in the face of betrayal. It’s stylized, dynamic, and wholly unforgettable, a crucial film to understand the modern state of LGBTQ+ cinema. 

The ever-underappreciated Jonathan Groff leads the offbeat LGBTQ+ dramedy C.O.G., which stands for “Child of God.” The plot follows David, a recent Yale graduate who travels to Oregon to work at an apple factory, determined to earn some life experience outside of his privileged upbringing, eventually finding religion. C.O.G. is witty but sharp, unafraid to explore dark issues through a comedic lens. Groff’s anxious energy is expertly matched by a brilliant supporting cast, including Denis O’Hare, Casey Wilson, and a sinister and scene-stealing Corey Stoll. 

Rebecca Hall and Dan Stevens are two of the most underrated actors working today. They shared the screen in the 2018 dramedy Permission, playing Anna and Will, a couple on the verge of marriage who decide to explore their relationship’s boundaries. Morgan Spector and David Joseph Craig co-star as a gay couple who are also testing their bond when they struggle with the decision to become parents. Permission offers enough clever observations into relationship dynamics to become a worthy film about love and connection. What really works here are the performances of a brilliant cast, especially Hall, Stevens, Spector, and the ever-reliable Gina Gershon. 

Based on the eponymous 2012 novel by Bethan Roberts, My Policeman stars Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, and David Dawson. The plot follows Tom, a policeman in 1950s Britain, who falls in love with a schoolteacher before beginning a torrid same-sex affair with a museum curator. My Policeman is not perfect—the plot meanders, and the message isn’t as impactful as it could be. However, strong work from Corrin and Dawson elevates the material. For his part, Styles does his best, particularly thanks to his chemistry with Dawson, and it’s just enough to keep the film afloat. 

Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez star in Prime Video’s rom-com Red, White & Royal Blue. Based on the bestselling novel, the film chronicles the romance between a British prince and the son of the president of the United States. Sweet, funny, and surprisingly steamy, Red, White & Royal Blue is a throwback to the classic romantic comedies of the 1980s and ’90s. The charming leads and supporting cast of familiar faces make Red, White & Royal Blue a perfect film for a satisfying afternoon at home.  

The Prime Video original My Fake Boyfriend stars Keiynan Lonsdale, Dylan Sprouse, and Sarah Hyland. The plot revolves around Andrew, a young man dealing with a toxic relationship. His meddling friends create a fake boyfriend to help him get over the mess, but things get complicated when Andrew meets a guy he’s actually interested in, only to find himself trapped in a relationship with a fictional man. With a decent premise elevated by a trio of charismatic performers, My Fake Boyfriend is a solidly entertaining rom-com and another worthy entry in Prime Video’s ever-expanding LGBTQ+ catalog. 

Set in the elite world of the Upper East Side, Those People centers on Charlie, a young gay painter in love with his best friend, Sebastian. Charlie provides emotional support while Sebastian deals with a high-profile family scandal. When a handsome pianist catches his eye, Charlie must balance his blossoming relationship while dealing with the true nature of his feelings for Sebastian.

Boy Meets Girl follows Ricky, a 21-year-old trans woman living in a small Kentucky town while dreaming of going to New York to study fashion. Her only companion is Robby, her lifelong best friend. However, her life changes with the sudden arrival of Francesca, as the two women form an intimate bond that makes Ricky question her feelings for Robby and the way she wants to live her life.