There’s a reason for the phrase “bury your gays.” Most LGBTQ+ characters don’t have happy endings, with many of them dying or returning to the closet. LGBTQ+ couples frequently end their relationships for safety reasons. LGBTQ+ love and experience aren’t always doomed, though.
This list of LGBTQ+ films released since 2016 end with joy. That does not mean that the characters do not face serious subjects, such as coming out to family and friends or facing societal pressure and homophobia.
Still, more and more LGBTQ+ with happy endings are being released each year, allowing LGBTQ+ folks to see themselves on screen without the trauma and tragedy. Happiest Season (2020) was a huge step forward for happy queer films, and hopefully, it’s just the beginning.
These uplifting films would make great additions to your library's LGBTQ+ film collection.
Boy Meets Girl (2014)
Boy Meets Girl is a rom-com starring Michael Welch as Robby Riley and Michelle Hendley as Ricky Jones. Ricky, a transgender woman, lives in small-town Kentucky and works as a barista. She has her best friend Robby and a dream to move to New York City. Then, Francesca (Alexandra Turshen) comes to town, sparking romance.
It’s hard enough to find an LGBTQ+ romcom, let alone a rom-com with transgender characters. This film is a beautiful look at life for queer people in rural areas and the American South, a perspective that often ends in tragedy, rather than love.
By flipping the script on the rural LGBTQ+ genre, Boy Meets Girl is the perfect film to watch your special someone or a rom-com night.
Read our Boy Meets Girl review
Get your copy of the Boy Meets Girl DVD by clicking here.
Handsome Devil (2016)
The film follows Ned Roche (Fionn O’Shea), a gay teenager at an Irish boarding school obsessed with rugby. When he’s assigned rugby star roommate Conor Masters (Nicholas Galitzine), he’s wary and walls himself in, making himself small in preparation to get bullied—which is how many of the school’s other students treat him.
Set in the gorgeous Irish countryside and co-starring Andrew Scott as the school’s lovable English teacher, this film is incredibly charming. Although Handsome Devil deals with difficult topics, specifically homophobia, it treats the story with care.
It’s also not a romance — this is truly a story about two friends and their community coming together for the good of each other.
Read our Handsome Devil review
Get your copy of the Handsome Devil DVD by clicking here.
Moonlight (2016)
Academy Award Best Picture winner Moonlight is one of the best films released in the past ten years. The movie follows Chiron (Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, Trevonte Rhodes) as he grows up both Black and gay. He receives guidance from Juan (Mashershala Ali) and forms a relationship with classmate and friend Kevin (Jaden Piner, Jharrel Jerome, André Holland).
Again, this film deals with serious, difficult topics, but it does result in a happy ending with Chiron able to find himself and experience joy.
Writer and director Barry Jenkins is like no other in the industry. This film is beautifully shot and acted—a definite must-watch for anyone wanting to expand their repertoire of LGBTQ+ films with happy endings.
Read our Moonlight review
Get your copy of the Moonlight 4K Blu-ray by clicking here.
Straight Up (2019)
Another friendship film Straight Up is the story of Todd (James Sweeney) and Rory (Katie Findlay). Todd, a gay man, decides to start dating women after having difficulty in his relationships with men. When he meets Rory, the two hit it off. Through their ups and downs, Todd and Rory have to navigate their relationship and figure out what it really means.
This lighthearted film touches on mental health and its treatment and platonic relationships. With a hilarious script written by James Sweeney, Straight Up offers something new in the canon of LGBTQ+ movies with happy endings.
Get your copy of the Straight Up DVD by clicking here.
Shiva Baby (2020)
Shiva Baby was a critical darling upon its release, described as something between Uncut Gems and a David Lynch project. The film touches on themes of Jewish religion and culture, sexuality, and millennial life.
Danielle (Rachel Sennot) attends a shiva with her parents, only to see both her sugar daddy and ex-girlfriend Maya (Molly Gordon) in attendance. Director Emma Seligman excels in creating a claustrophobic, uncomfortable atmosphere throughout the film, which allows audiences to experience Danielle’s anxiety alongside her.
It may sound stressful, but the film does have a happy ending. As Danielle navigates the shiva, she learns about herself and begins to reconnect with her ex-girlfriend. While it may take Danielle some time to work through her secrets, she is able to be herself by the time the credits roll.
Read our Shiva Baby review
Get your copy of the Shiva Baby Blu-ray DVD by clicking here.
Check out our list of LGBTQ period films