These five movies are some of my favorite LGBTQ+ romantic comedies of all time. In a world where representation of women loving women (WLW) is often censored in international markets and feels too risky to a lot of major companies to produce, these movies are filling the gaps in representation and are each such a fun watch in their own way.
- “The Half of It” (Netflix)
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Featuring breathtaking shots, heartbreaking moments, and smart dialogue, Alice Wu’s 2020 film “The Half of It” is thought-provoking and well produced. The movie is a modern, queer take on the classic story of Cyrano De Bergerac. Ellie Chu is paid by a boy in her class to write letters to his crush to make her like him. She at first refuses, knowing it would be too painful since she likes the same girl, but eventually gives in because she needs money to support her family’s struggling financial situation. Ellie is an observant, introspective character and I really relate to her deep feelings and desire for a better life. I’m a sucker for a feel-good movie, and personally would’ve wanted an ending that was less open for interpretation than the one the audienced was given . That’s really my only complaint, though, and because of its calming cinematography I always find myself reaching for the remote and turning on “The Half of It” when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
- “Crush” (Hulu)
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“Crush” is one of my favorite movies of all time. The movie follows Paige, a lesbian who joins the track team to be near her crush but ends up falling for someone entirely different. Happy endings can be hard to come by in lesbian-centered films, but this movie does such a great job at providing queer happiness in a genre that doesn’t see it enough. A funny and heartwarming movie starring two LGBTQ actresses, “Crush” has many beautiful moments even in its formulaic sections. I will always be a sucker for such a simple, sweet movie like this. It also stars probably my longest-standing celebrity crush, Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana back in 2016 and has been so passionate about her role in this movie and about her place as a queer woman in the film industry (go see her as Janis in the upcoming “Mean Girls” movie!).
- “Booksmart” (Hulu)
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“Booksmart” is a classic for a reason. The film stars two “nerds” who want to go to a party for the first time as one final hurrah after finishing their senior year of high school. This movie is hilarious and witty and gives representation to the little gay nerds who never actually did anything fun or don’t feel like they had the proper “high school experience.” I think the friendship between its two main characters, Amy and Molly, is the best part about the movie and really made me feel grateful for the friendships I have in my life.
- “Shiva Baby” (HBO Max)
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This movie dares to answer the question: what’s it like to be increasingly more stressed out every minute for an hour and 17 minutes straight? Directed by Emma Seligman (who just released the recent film “Bottoms”), this movie also stars one of the same actresses: Rachel Sennot. “Shiva Baby” stars Danielle, a bisexual woman who ends up at the same gathering as her sugar daddy (who she did not know was married), the wife of her sugar daddy, and her own ex-girlfriend. Problems continue to arise as the movie continues, and the setting gets louder and louder, reflecting Danielle’s own feelings of turmoil. This is also one of the rare films about queer women with a happy ending. It is so hilarious, and even through the stress, it is so much fun to watch.
- “Bottoms”
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This movie was just released in August of this year, and it’s already found its place as one of my new favorites (if not my favorite movie) of all time. “Bottoms” follows PJ and Josie, who organize a women’s fight club as a plot to avoid suspension and get the girls of their dreams. This movie gives representation to the queer women who just so happen to also be “losers”. “Bottoms” is hilarious and smart, and I felt like I was laughing every five seconds watching it in the theater. Seeing director Emma Seligman grow in popularity and influence has been so amazing and deserved. If you’re going to watch any movie in theaters or at home this year, let it be this one.
If you have any other wlw movie suggestions, message me or let me know because I am always looking for more. I hope that you enjoy these if you end up watching any of them!