Pride Month Overview: Best Movies Coming in June and Beyond

Celebrate Pride Month with these great LGBTQ+ films coming to theaters and streaming.

It's Pride Month! While it's ideally a month for political action, hearkening back to the Stonewall riots from whence it emerged, it's probably most commonly associated with parades, block parties, and movies (along with countless people reminding you that they're allies). LGBTQ+ cinema has existed for a century, and beginning in the late 2000s, has experienced somewhat of a golden age.

Recently, though, there has been a reactionary, theocratic attack against any LGBTQ+ progress made in recent decades. It's hard to say if queer cinema can have much of an impact against this pendulum-like pushback, but at the very least, it should provide solace to the many people who feel under attack by ideologues.

Fortunately, there are a handful of very exciting films throughout June and beyond which will celebrate LGBTQ+ icons, explore queer experiences, and tell deeply human stories. Read on to learn more about some of the exciting movies to watch for Pride Month and throughout the rest of the year.

First and foremost, while this doesn't concern new films, the best streaming service to celebrate Pride Month (or really cinema in general) is The Criterion Channel. There are a few really cool hubs to celebrate LGBTQ+ cinema (and reevaluate earlier classics through a queer lens). "LGBTQ+ Favorites" covers absolute classics — Je tu il elle (1975), Jubilee (1978), Querelle (1982), Desert Hearts (1985), Tongues Untied (1989), Paris Is Burning (1990), Weekend (2011.

"Masc" explores the idea of masculinity outside its traditional definitions and features the films Vera (1986), Shinjuku Boys (1995), By Hook or By Crook (2001), Lifetime Guarantee: Phranc's Adventure in Plastic (2001), Southern Comfort (2001), The Aggressives (2005), Tomboy (2011), Stud Life (2012), Chavela (2017), and No Ordinary Man (2021). Plus there's a variety of great LGBTQ+ short films, three movies by Gregg Araki, and amazing documentaries like Portrait of Jason, Loving Highsmith, Burroughs: The Movie, and Audience.

Related: Here's What Makes the Criterion Channel One of the Best Streaming Service For Movie Lovers

Finally, and one of the most interesting, is the "Queersighted" series which deconstructs the "gay friend" trope throughout cinematic history with films like Easy Living (1937), Adam's Rib (1949), The Strange One (1957), A Taste of Honey (1961), Rachel, Rachel (1968), Knightriders (1981), The Fisher King (1991), Single White Female (1992), Six Degrees of Separation (1993), and Irma Vep (1996).

The directorial debut from Georgia Oakley, Blue Jean explores the devastating effects of Thatcherism among not just working class British citizens but especially LGBTQ+ individuals. The film is set in 1988 on the eve of a law being passed that stigmatizes gays and lesbians, forcing Jean (Rosy McEwen), a gym teacher, to live a double life.

A new Netflix documentary, Eldorado: Everything the Nazis Hate explores one of the most fascinating and momentarily joyful moments in LGBTQ+ culture — 1920s Berlin. From interviews and archival footage, to extremely vibrant and gorgeous dramatizations and recreations, the film dives into the culture of the Eldorado nightclub and the city where homosexuality was almost decriminalized (in 1929), it was so popular and nearly accepted. The Nazis burned it all down, but the film reveals a culture which would've led to a very different world if they hadn't.

Every Body is surprisingly anticipated, which is a wonderful sign; the trailer has garnered a massive amount of views (over four million at time of writing), and in this political climate, that's a tiny miracle. The film investigates the lives of intersex people, using three specific people and their stories to provide perspective on the LGBTQ+ community as a whole.

A really exciting Netflix Original Film (that almost didn't happen), Nimona follows a shapeshifting teenager targeted by a knight for assassination. However, when the assassination is complicated by the knight being accused of a major crime, Nimona realizes she may be the only person to exonerate her own attempted murderer. What looks like an inspiring queer allegory, Nimona is set to be a visually delightful hit with amazing vocal performances (Chloë Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed).

A visually invenvite documentary, Kokomo City is the feature directorial debut of songwriter and producer D. Smith, who made history as the first trans woman cast on a primetime unscripted TV show. Smith also shot and edited this raw documentary that gives agency to four Black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City. Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell, and Dominique Silver hold nothing back while breaking down the walls of their profession.

The majorly successful YA novel is being turned into a Prime Video film with Red, White & Royal Blue, a cute and predictable story, but is set to be a major feel-good comfort watch. The film follows the U.S. President's son and the UK's prince who actually hate each other but are forced to play nice and form a truce after an international incident. Of course, the enemies turn to friends, as two powerful but lonely people are able to finally connect with someone who understands.

Related: Red, White, & Royal Blue: Moments We Hope to See From the Book

Rachel Sennott and director Emma Seligman reunite after their indie hit, Shiva Baby, with the highly anticipated Bottoms. The film follows a ludicrous 'fight club' set up by two high school girls as a way to hook up with cheerleaders, and the result is likely as raunchy and wild as you'd imagine. Ayo Edebiri also stars in her third movie of the Summer alongside Theater Camp and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

Roger Ross Williams turns from great documentaries (The Apollo, Life Animated, Love to Love You, Donna Summer) to a biographical drama with what will surely be an awards-nominated performance from Gael García Bernal. Cassandro follows the lucha libre wrestler Saúl Armendáriz as he transforms into the legendary luchador in drag. After Cassandro's incredible Sundance premiere, set to be released on Prime Video.

Managing Editor and critic for MovieWeb. Lover of film, philosophy, and theology. Amateur human. Contact him at [email protected]