Lesbians, we love em’. LGBTQ+ stories have existed throughout film history, and films centering lesbians are some of the most overlooked in this genre. Although they are the first mentioned in the acronym their inclusion in media is often cast aside. Here, I’ll present to you some of the most popular films in the genre and show you why lesbian stories should be told. From comedies, to documentaries, to dramas, this list provides you with an essential watchlist of many classic lesbian stories told through film. This is just a dip into the ocean that is lesbian cinema, but are ones you should definitely have on your watchlist — cult classics that have been mentioned and referenced time and time again and will always reign in the genre. Here are some of my top picks:
- But I’m a Cheerleader
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How can I not start this list with a cult classic? But I’m a Cheerleader follows Megan, a high-school cheerleader, who is sent to a conversion therapy center to get rid of her feelings for other women. Stay with me here, it’s not as dark as it sounds. As she tries to survive her days at this camp, she meets Graham, another girl at the school who doesn’t believe what they are teaching them and encourages Megan to be herself. This colorful campy cult classic is a more lighthearted take on a very dark subject matter. There’s also RuPaul playing a straight man, who wouldn’t want to see that?
- Mulholland Drive
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What once started as a TV pilot is now regarded as one of the best films of the 21st century. In this David Lynch classic, we follow Betty and Rita as they try to uncover the truth of Rita’s identity after a car accident left her with a bout of amnesia. As their relationship turns romantic, we start to uncover Rita’s truth and what is really going on between these two women. This psychosexual thriller will leave you scratching your head and mesmerized by its visuals and brilliant performances.
- The Watermelon Woman
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For a more documentary style of filmmaking, look to The Watermelon Woman to guide you. Cheryl Dunye is the director and protagonist of this film. In it, she tries to uncover the story of a black actress from the 1930s who played a mammy on screen and was only credited as The Watermelon Woman. In her quest to explore the life of this actress, Cheryl discovers things about herself as a woman and as a lesbian, that make her question what the lesbian experience is through the lens of intersectionality. The mix of documentary footage, talking heads, and shots of Cheryl navigating her personal life, make this film a true look into the lesbian experience through different periods of time.
- Bound
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A crime thriller where two women fight to steal from the mob and fall in love along the way? Sign me up! This ‘90s neo-noir follows Violet and Corky as they devise a plan to steal 2 million dollars from the mob and frame it on Violet’s gangster boyfriend. As they plan this heist, the women begin an affair and fall in love. A gritty movie that will have you falling in love with the masc lesbian of everyone’s dreams (Corky), and wishing you could see more of their story as mob fighting lovers. A lesbian crime movie with a happy ending, what else can we ask for?
- Carol
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Who doesn’t love a Christmas movie? This film set in the 1950s follows Therese, an aspiring photographer, and Carol, an older woman shopping in the department store Therese works at. The sparks are instant when these women meet each other, and they embark on a romance that faces opposition from both women’s male romantic partners. As Carol tries to fight for the custody of her daughter, she must decide what’s most important to her and the people around her. This holiday period piece deals with the tense times of the ‘50s as these women try to understand each other through their budding romance. Its ambiance and palpable tension makes for a great holiday watch when you want to step away from the comedy-filled holiday classics.
- Bottoms
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I’ve been giving you ‘90s classic and period pieces, but let me set you up with something closer to this decade. Best friends PJ and Josie start a fight club, heavily injure an entire high school football team, and find love, in no particular order. This action-packed comedy follows these two best friends as they start a fight club in their high school to try to get the attention of the popular cheerleaders they have feelings for. Through their antics, they find love and rediscover what it is to be friends along the way. This comedy, that will one day be seen as a classic in the genre, centers lesbian relationships, whether they be platonic or romantic. A 90-minute comedy thrill ride that will leave you wanting to rewatch it over and over.
Lesbian stories have oftentimes been omitted when talking about LGBTQ+ media. These films are a gateway into discovering the world of lesbians the media seems to dismiss. From stories of anguish to happiness, lesbian voices and experiences should be heard. Giving more attention to this side of queer cinema is integral to the survival of it. We can’t let lesbians be forgotten! Don’t stop at these six I’ve listed above, go on to look for more of these films and build your lesbian cinema watchlist!