Black LGBTQIA+ stories have long been pushed to the margins, too often overshadowed or overlooked in mainstream cinema. While landmark films and series like Moonlight and Pose have broken through, countless powerful documentaries and transformative dramas remain underappreciated. In this list, we celebrate some of the most essential Black LGBTQIA+ films of all time, each a vital contribution to both queer and Black storytelling.

The Inspection (2022)

In one of 2022’s most compelling and raw performances, Jeremy Pope stars in The Inspection as a Black gay man who becomes homeless after his homophobic mother (played to perfection by Gabrielle Union) disowns him. Based on the real-life experiences of writer and director Elegance Bratton, who makes his feature-length directorial debut, the film follows Ellis, who is forced to enlist in the Marines and conceal his sexuality during a time when the military was still governed by Clinton’s outdated “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. While the narrative may feel familiar—of a troubled individual entering the military, facing cruelty from a senior soldier, contemplating leaving, but ultimately persevering and emerging stronger—The Inspection sets itself apart with its focus on the Black LGBTQIA+ experience and the years of institutionalised homophobia within the military. Pope’s remarkable performance earned him his first Golden Globe nomination.

Moonlight (2016)

This groundbreaking coming-of-age film traces the life of Chiron (Trevante Rhodes), a disenfranchised African-American man, through three pivotal chapters. Little follows nine-year-old Chiron as he grows up with a drug-addicted mother in a rough Miami neighborhood; Chiron captures his awkward and painful teenage years, including the bullying he endures at school; and finally, Black depicts his development into a fully grown man, grappling with the internalization of his sexuality. Moonlight was rewarded for its brilliance with three Oscars in 2017, including Best Picture. It’s an emotional rollercoaster for any viewer, but especially for those who’ve struggled to accept themselves for who they truly are. Most importantly, it provided a rare opportunity for Black gay men to see themselves reflected on screen.