Proper representation’s importance in the media landscape has never been more vital, and content producers are thankfully beginning to recognize it. Whether that representation cuts across racial, ethnic, gender, or other lines, we all want to watch stories where we can see ourselves. Amazon Prime is still building out its library of LGBTQ films, but it has made strides over the years in making sure it addresses its previous lack in the area. We’ve gone through the streaming platform’s selection to pull out the best LGBTQ movies on Amazon Prime, from marvelous musicals to essential documentaries.
When you’re done going through this list, check out the best LGBTQ movies on Netflix as well as the best LGBTQ films to stream right now on multiple services.
Recently added to Amazon Prime Video
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Mayor Pete2021 -
Gays in Prison2015
Mayor Pete (2021) new
96m
Genre
Documentary
Stars
Pete Buttigieg, Chasten Buttigieg, Mike Schmuhl
Directed by
Jesse Moss
Pete Buttigieg took a shot at the presidency. He didn’t win the nomination that ultimately went to Joe Biden, but he did become the most prominent member of the LGBTQ community to run for president and is now the first openly LGBTQ Cabinet member in United States history. The documentary charts Buttigieg’s recent career successes, from serving as the mayor of South Bend to winning the Iowa caucus, up to his appointment as the country’s Transportation Secretary. The documentary also provides insight into his personal life with husband Chasten, although more depth could’ve been provided to that aspect of Buttigieg’s life. Nevertheless, the documentary resonates and provides a symbol for the LGBTQ community that those who don’t identify as heterosexual or cisgender still belong in the pantheons of power.
Gays in Prison (2015) new
60m
Genre
Documentary
Directed by
Christopher Hines
An issue not discussed often enough is how gender and sexuality can play into life in prison, where inmates and the system can be even less sympathetic than the outside world. This documentary explores the issue through the eyes of Latrice Royale, a former star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison after a probation violation linked to felony possession of marijuana and Klonopin. The documentary shows that the difficulties faced by gay prisoners include violence and discrimination, making stints in jail even more dangerous than they already are. Still, there is hope for the men pictured in the movie to get their lives back on track after they get out.
When I'm Sixty-Four (2004)
87m
Genre
Drama, TV Movie
Stars
Paul Freeman, Alun Armstrong, Tamzin Outhwaite
Directed by
Jon Jones
In this touching television film from BBC2, two older gentlemen strike up a friendship as they navigate difficult portions of their life. Jim is retiring from his life as a public school teacher and trying to break out of his shell. Ray is a lonely widower coping with the terminal illness of a dear friend. Together, the two strike up a friendship that becomes something more, shocking them both. This film takes on the topic of discovering one’s sexuality in a very gentle matter. It also incorporates a storyline of two older men becoming romantic, a topic even less portrayed in 2004 when the film came out, as many LGBTQ narratives focus on younger generations.
My Name Is Pauli Murray (2021)
91m
Genre
Documentary
Stars
Patricia Bell-Scott, Dolores Chandler, Brittney Cooper
Directed by
Julie Cohen, Betsy West
Julie Cohen and Betsy West weren’t looking to find an unsung hero of the civil rights struggle when they first came upon Pauli Murray’s name. Instead, they were delving into the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for the 2018 documentary RBG, and the name of this relatively unknown lawyer and activist kept popping up as one of Ginsburg’s biggest influences. As early as the 1940s, Pauli Murray was fighting for women’s rights and ultimately proved instrumental in adding the Equal Protection Clause to the 14th Amendment. Through archival footage and the extensive recordings Murray left behind when she passed away in 1985, My Name Is Pauli Murray paints an intimate portrait not only of an influential activist whose name has gone unspoken on too many tongues for too long but someone with a surprisingly contemporary understanding of gender that many today are still struggling to wrap their heads around.
Everybody's Talking About Jamie (2021)
115m
Genre
Drama, Comedy
Stars
Max Harwood, Sarah Lancashire, Lauren Patel
Directed by
Jonathan Butterell
Jamie Campbell came out as the drag queen Fifi at a high school prom. The BBC reported on his story with the 2011 documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, which inspired the stage musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Four years after the premiere of the musical, the story was adapted to film with Max Harwood in the eponymous role. Jamie, a lot of critics will tell you, does not break new ground. The film is a story we’ve heard before and are likely to hear again. Regardless, it proves to be a fun and heartwarming musical, with Harwood’s inherent magnetism making up for any narrative shortcomings.
Just Friends (2018)
80m
Genre
Comedy, Romance, Drama
Stars
Majd Mardo, Josha Stradowski, Jenny Arean
Directed by
Annemarie van de Mond
Joris’ father died almost a decade ago, and while continuing to try and come to terms with the loss, a young Syrian refugee named Yad arrives in his life, working for his grandmother. Despite Joris’ conservative upbringing, he can’t deny the spark that exists between him and Yad, who quickly realizes that they aren’t “just friends” but share a much deeper — and romantic — bond. The hidden gem Dutch romantic comedy is part coming-of-age and part story of love that must defy the odds, familial pressures, and coming to terms with one’s true self.
Uncle Frank (2020)
95m
Genre
Drama
Stars
Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis, Peter Macdissi
Directed by
Alan Ball
In Amazon Prime’s original film Uncle Frank, Paul Bettany plays Frank Bledsoe — a man about to learn that the secrets we keep from our families can be both more and less important than we ever imagined. Set in the early ’70s, Uncle Frank finds its titular lead living with his lover, Walid (Peter Macdissi). Frank’s pretty sure no one in his South Carolinian family knows he’s gay, but that changes when his young niece, Beth (Sophia Lillis), pays him a surprise visit in New York and discovers her uncle’s true life. Matters are further complicated when news of the death of the family patriarch arrives. Frank and Beth set out on their own to South Carolina for the services, leaving Walid behind because Frank doesn’t want the rest of his family to discover his secret. Walid follows anyway, and the trio has a touching, funny journey to the funeral, where some shocking surprises await them.
Pride (2014)
122m
Genre
Drama, Comedy
Stars
Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West
Directed by
Matthew Warchus
This historical comedy-drama is based on the true story of a group of lesbian and gay activists who banded together to raise money for families impacted by the British miners strike of 1984. The event eventually became known as the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners campaign. While the help was initially unwelcome, the group addressed the homophobia head on to dispel myths and preconceived notions, finding unlikely allies in the small-town miners and their families. Nominated for a Golden Globe, the film has been universally praised and referred to as a “joyous crowd-pleaser.”
My Best Friend (2018)
91m
Genre
Drama
Stars
Angelo Mutti Spinetta, Lautaro Rodríguez, Guillermo Pfening
Directed by
Martín Deus
Also known as Mi mejor amigo, this Spanish-language Argentinian film is a coming-of-age movie about Lorenzo, a 16-year-old boy in Patagonia discovering his sexuality, with the help and friendship of Caito, a 17-year-old who has been taken in by Lorenzo’s parents. The film beautifully presents the idea of a young man struggling to understand his feelings and attractions as well as his emotional connections with others. It has been praised for its subtleties and believable performances about two young men simply trying to find themselves.
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