Top 10 Most Touching LGBT Films of All Time

In the world of Asian cinema, director Chan-wook Park, famous for Oldboy, brings us the LGBT-themed masterpiece The Handmaiden (original title: Ah-ga-ssi). The story revolves around a Korean maid, Sook-Hee, who is assigned to serve a Japanese heiress, Hideko. Both women are caught in the schemes of others, yet they form a bond and hatch a plan to deceive their manipulators. Much like Oldboy, The Handmaiden is known for its explicit content, including sex and violence, which led to its 'hardcore' reputation.

The Handmaiden won an award for Best Set Design and was nominated for the prestigious Palme d'Or and the Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, it took home the Best Film award at the BAFTA, often regarded as the British equivalent of the Oscars.

In terms of Asian LGBT cinema, the 1993 film Farewell My Concubine (Bá Vương Biệt Cơ), which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and was nominated for two Oscars, could have been a contender, but due to a lack of Meta Critics score, it couldn't be included in the Top LGBT Films of All Time.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2016
Country: South Korea
Director: Chan-wook Park
Cast: Min-hee Kim, Jung-woo Ha, Jin-Woong Cho
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

While most LGBT films tend to focus on gay male couples, Carol takes a different path by exploring the romance between two women. Adapted from the novel *The Price of Salt*, the film tells the story of Carol Aird, a sophisticated older woman, and Therese Belivet, a young photographer. Their love story begins in New York during Christmas, but their relationship faces numerous obstacles due to societal prejudices. The film received critical acclaim for the stunning performances of Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.

Despite not winning any Oscars out of the six nominations, including Best Picture, Carol triumphed at international film festivals. It won two awards at Cannes, including the prestigious Queer Palm, which recognizes the best LGBT film of the year.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2015
Country: USA
Director: Todd Haynes
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson
IMDb Rating: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

The final entry in the Top LGBT Films of All Time is The Danish Girl. Directed by the renowned Tom Hooper and starring Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, this film is based on the true story of Lili Elbe, the first person to undergo gender reassignment surgery. Born as a man, Lili identifies as a woman and embarks on a courageous journey to become her true self, facing intense societal judgment and prejudice along the way.

The Danish Girl won one Oscar from four nominations and received numerous accolades from prestigious award bodies like the BAFTA, Golden Globes, and Venice Film Festival. It also earned the Queer Lion Award at Venice for Best LGBT Film.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2015
Country: USA
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Amber Heard
IMDb Rating: 7.1
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%

In terms of prestigious awards, Blue is the Warmest Colour (original title: *La vie d'Adèle*) holds its own alongside *Moonlight*, having won the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes, which is considered the highest honor of the festival and comparable to the Best Picture award at the Oscars.

Released before *Carol*, *Blue is the Warmest Colour* explores the love story between two women. It depicts the passionate and emotional journey of a young girl who falls in love with an older art student, only for their relationship to fall apart. The film, with its raw European cinematic style, is intense with emotional and explicit scenes, but it’s the authenticity and romantic depth of the love story that led to its Palme d'Or victory. *Blue is the Warmest Colour* is a must-see in the *Top LGBT Films of All Time*.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2013
Country: France
Director: Abdellatif Kechiche
Cast: Léa Seydoux, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Salim Kechiouche
IMDb Rating: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

Milk is a biographical film about Harvey Milk, a pioneering American politician. Coming out as openly gay, Harvey Milk’s decision to enter politics sparked a wave of controversy. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, he eventually became "the first openly gay person elected to public office in California" when he secured a position on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. During his time in office, Harvey Milk advocated for numerous laws supporting the LGBT community. Tragically, his groundbreaking work was cut short when he was assassinated, but he remains a martyr and a symbol of LGBT rights.

The film Milk won two Academy Awards and was also nominated for Best Picture of the Year.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2008
Country: USA
Director: Gus Van Sant
Cast: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

My Own Private Idaho is a low-budget indie film directed by Gus Van Sant, featuring a young Keanu Reeves in one of his early roles. The movie follows two drifters, Mike and Scott, who make a living through sex work. Scott comes from a wealthy family but wants to escape his father’s control, while Mike, abandoned by his mother, is a lost soul searching for meaning. Mike falls in love with Scott, but Scott, although caring deeply for Mike, remains straight and doesn't reciprocate the feelings. As they journey to Italy in search of Mike’s mother, Scott falls for a woman and starts a new life with her, leaving Mike to wander alone in a world full of uncertainty.

The film won awards at two major film festivals, Toronto and Venice, and although it didn’t win any major awards like the Oscars or Cannes, My Own Private Idaho earned a solid 77/100 score on Meta Critic, securing its place in the list of Top LGBT films of all time.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 1991
Country: USA
Director: Gus Van Sant
Cast: Keanu Reeves, River Phoenix, James Russo
IMDb Rating: 7.0
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%

In 2017, the film A Fantastic Woman (original title: Una Mujer Fantástica) made a significant impact, marking a milestone in Latin American cinema. This Chilean film tells the story of Marina Vidal, a transgender woman, who, despite enduring prejudice and discrimination in modern society, radiates inner strength and beauty. Throughout the film, Marina faces multiple challenges, yet her dignity and determination as a woman shine through.

A Fantastic Woman won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, the highest honor for international cinema at the Oscars. The film also received several accolades and nominations from prestigious film festivals such as Toronto, Berlin, Chicago, Melbourne, and San Sebastian.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2017
Country: Chile
Director: Sebastián Lelio
Cast: Daniela Vega, Francisco Reyes, Luis Gnecco
IMDb Rating: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%