The Best Black LGBTQ+ Movies
The best black LGBTQ+ films explore and deconstruct a character’s experience. The cinema provides a spectator the opportunity to witness lives that are different from their own. The big screen allows us to travel to the moon, see what it’s like to live in other countries, and even go forward in time 200 years. This list of black LGBTQ+ movies is a cultural roadmap for storytellers and spectators to share on the pathway to enlightenment.
Barry Jenkins’ 2016 film Moonlight reads like a poem, a coming of age story told in three parts, of a man’s journey to find his sexual identity. The low-budget film shocked the world by winning the Best Picture Oscar in 2017 over the big-budget darling La La Land. The victory was even more momentous because Moonlight became the first movie with an all-black cast and first gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning people film to win Hollywood’s most prestigious award.
Although Moonlight is clearly among the best black LGBTQ+ movies, is it the greatest? That’s for you to decide. Vote up the top black LGBTQ+ movies.
- 1Mahershala Ali, Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders
- Released: 2016
- Directed by: Barry Jenkins
A look at three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami. His epic journey to manhood is guided by the kindness, support and love of the community that helps ...more - 2André Christian, Freddie Pendavis, Willi Ninja
- Released: 1990
- Directed by: Jennie Livingston
This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. ...moreAvailable On:
- 3Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery
- 4Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, Karren Karagulian
- Released: 2015
- Directed by: Sean Baker
After hearing that her boyfriend/pimp cheated on her while she was in jail, a transgender sex worker and her best friend set out to find him and teach him and his new lover a lesson.Available On:
- 5Wilson Cruz, Jussie Smollett, Shanika Warren-Markland
- Released: 2012
- Directed by: Patrik-Ian Polk
The Skinny is a 2012 American romantic comedy-drama film from the creator of the LOGO television series, Noah's Arc. It was released on April 6, 2012 in select theaters.Available On:
- 6Ving Rhames, Alfre Woodard, Jesika Quynn Reynolds
- Released: 2000
- Directed by: Robert Townsend
After losing his police officer lover, Christian drag queen Holiday Heart (Ving Rhames) meets 12-year-old Niki (Jessika Quynn Reynolds) and her drug-addicted mother, Wanda (Alfre Woodard). Heart ...moreAvailable On:
