With Auld Lang Syne coming up, it’s hard to shake the habit of updating bucket lists and New Year’s resolutions as the year ends. Making sure you haven’t missed the best queer-friendly films of 2024 is a must. It’s been a bumper year for LGBTQ+ movies. Acclaimed “traditional” filmmakers have started exploring queer and queer-adjacent stories. The result is a dynamic mix of stories on the big screen. It seems that, finally, there’s less angst in queer entertainment and more A-listers on the circuit.

But before we start, you may not have anything to hide, yet a virtual private network (VPN) will improve your online privacy by masking your IP address. It’s also a great help to bypass geo-restrictions so you can watch content that’s unavailable in your region. For example, one of our featured movies, Layla (see below), or the contentious Viet and Nam, is still unavailable online.

Also, websites track your online activity to gather information about your habits and target you with ads. Fortunately, some premium VPNs have a built-in ad blocker to prevent ads from loading at inconvenient times. You have just enough time to catch these comedies, crime thrillers, and heart-warming tales before 2025.

The Big Buzz Productions

Wicked (Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum)

The Wicked film adaptation finally arrived with quite a splash of controversy. It’s part one of the epic two-part prequel to the timeless classic The Wizard of Oz. Wicked focuses on Elphaba’s transformation from a gifted student of magic to the Wicked Witch of the West. Queer icons stack the cast. There’s Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), Ariana Grande (Glinda), and Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero). Plus, there are some other familiar faces. Part two of the saga is set for launch in November 2025. It’s in theatres now.

Queer (Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Lesley Manville)

Lee (Daniel Craig) is on the run from a drug bust in New Orleans and living a quiet, solitary life in a small American expat community in New Mexico. However, the arrival of Eugene (Drew Starkey) changes everything. Something about the young ex-serviceman stirs something deep in William. His obsession grows as they travel from 1940s Mexico City to the Amazon in search of ayahuasca-fuelled fantasies. Limited release in theatres from 27 November 2024 (expected to stream on HBO Max in 2025).

RomComs and Dramedies

Cora Bora (Megan Stalter, Jojo T. Gibbs, Manny Jacinto, Ayden Mayeri)

Cora (Megan Stalter with her signature deadpan comedy face) is a relatable “messy millennial” and a struggling musician. After a rough patch in an important relationship, she goes home to Portland to win her girlfriend back. But things get complicated. Rebuilding her love life proves to be far more complicated than she expected. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango, Spectrum, Hoopla.

Drive-Away Dolls (Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein)

Ethan Coen brings his dark humour and love of quirky characters to this unapologetically lesbian road trip comedy. A quirky, free-spirited Jamie (Margaret Qualley) takes a spontaneous road trip. She pauses her romp only to sweep her cautious friend, Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan), along for the ride. Their road to Tallahassee leads via encounters with a group of bungling criminals. Supporting performances include Pedro Pascal, Booksmart star Beanie Feldstein, and Matt Damon. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, Sky, Rakuten.

Love Lies Bleeding (Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Ed Harris)

In Love Lies Bleeding, Kristen Stewart plays a reclusive small-town gym manager, Lou. She falls in love with Jackie (Katy O’Brian), a bodybuilder with her eyes fixed on a dazzling future in Las Vegas. Their bond soon pulls them into the orbit of Lou’s criminal family. Their escape from family turmoil is intense, funny, violent, and erotic. Streaming on Hoopla, MAX.

Challengers (Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist, Jake Jensen)

Challengers is a romantic sports dramedy directed by Luca Guadagnino. It has been described as one of the best movies of 2024. Zendaya plays Tashi, a tennis player turned coach to her husband, Art (Mike Faist), a world champion. After a losing streak, Tashi convinces Art to play a “challenger” event against his rival and former bestie, Patrick. As if that weren’t complicated enough, Patrick also happens to be her ex-boyfriend. The film explores a complex rekindling of sexual tension and love between the three (and yes, there is a threesome!) against a backdrop of rivalry in world-class competitive sports.mStreaming on Prime Video, Fubo, EPIX NOW.

Hard-to-Find, Intense Watching

Layla (Bilal Hasna, Louis Greatorex, Safiyya Ingar)

Bilal Hasna is Layla, a London-based marketing pro with a secret life as a drag entertainer. They hide their career and non-binary identity from their Palestinian family. After causing a scene at a corporate Pride event, Layla falls for a marketing exec, Max (Louis Greatorex). This robust romantic drama features singer-songwriter Self Esteem and Drag Race UK star Baby. The release date is unconfirmed, but the trailer is available on YouTube. Tipped to stream on the UK’s Channel 4.

Ponyboi (River Gallo, Dylan O’Brien, Victoria Pedretti, Indya Moore)

This 19-minute film tells the story of an intersex worker trying to leave their working-class neighborhood in New Jersey. A dramatic snippet of his life unfolds on Valentine’s Day in New Jersey. He escapes from a mob after a botched drug deal. Now, he must confront his past, or his struggles will be in vain. Available on YouTube.

Transitioning and Identity

Emilia Pérez (Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, Edgar Ramírez)

Saldana plays Rita, a lawyer. She helps an escaped cartel leader, Gascón, undergo sex reassignment surgery. This surgery is an attempt to hide Gascon’s identity as a crime boss from law enforcement. It also emphasizes her authoritative role in a Mexican drug cartel. Streaming on Netflix.

Will & Harper (Will Ferrell, Harper Steele)

A documentary with heart. It follows actor/comedian Will Ferrell and his close friend of 30 years, Harper Steele after she comes out as a trans woman. This road trip film explores the trans experience and addresses important issues of identity in a changing society. We can hope that Will Ferrell’s stature will make this film accessible to a broader audience. Streaming on Netflix.

Documentaries

Elton John: Never Too Late Now (Elton John)

This documentary about the iconic Sir Elton John is directed by R. J. Cutler and David Furnish. The film features never-before-seen footage of his life and career. It also contains interviews, handwritten journals, and fresh peeks into Elton John‘s family life. The documentary celebrates Elton‘s farewell tour. Streaming on DisneyPlus.

2025 is Around the Corner

Immerse yourself this December in an ever-growing variety of movies that celebrate queer culture. Each viewing is, in its own way, a small contribution to LGBTQ+ narratives in contemporary cinema. And then, get ready for more—2025 promises a brave new batch of relatable movies and entertainment.