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Movies with authentic LGBTQIA+ stories at the forefront were once a rarity in the entertainment industry. While the big screen is still largely dominated by straight narratives, more films than ever are embracing queer stories — and telling tales that aren’t solely about death and despair. What! A! Concept! 

Like our extensive listicle of Netflix’s LGBTQIA+ shows, we’ve rounded up some of the best queer movies available to stream right now in the UK, from the documentary stylings of Circus of Books and Disclosure to romances like Love Lies Bleeding and Unicorns.

The Boys in the Band (2020)

Directed by Joe Mantello and produced by Ryan Murphy, The Boys in the Band is based on the 1968 off-Broadway play of the same name by Mart Crowley. Though set in 1968, the story still feels strikingly relevant as its characters grapple with issues that continue to affect the LGBTQIA+ community today — from shame and self-hatred to internalised homophobia. The 2020 adaptation follows a group of gay men at a low-key house party whose evening is thrown into turmoil by the arrival of an unexpected guest. Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Charlie Carver, Brian Hutchison, Michael Benjamin Washington, Robin de Jesús and Tuc Watkins reprise their roles from the 2018 Broadway revival.

Circus of Books (2020)

In Circus of Books, director Rachel Mason tells the story of her conservative Jewish parents, who operated one of the most prolific gay porn empires in the United States for more than 30 years. The documentary explores how the Masons came to terms with their son coming out as gay, while also highlighting how their Los Angeles store became a vital safe space for the city’s LGBTQIA+ community to socialise and celebrate their queerness without judgement.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)

The story of Marsha P. Johnson — one of the prominent figures of the 1969 Stonewall uprising — is explored in David France’s documentary, as retired domestic violence counsellor Victoria Cruz investigates the circumstances surrounding her mysterious death. A founding member of the Gay Liberation Front, Marsha devoted her life to advocating for trans people of colour and co-founded STAR (Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries) with fellow activist Sylvia Rivera. In 1992, at the age of 46, Marsha’s body was found in the Hudson River. While police ruled her death a suicide, Marsha’s loved ones believe she was murdered.