With pride month very much underway and the continued success of Heartstopper proving that representations of queer love can indeed move away from tragedy and instead have a much-deserved happy ending, viewers have been searching for romances like Nick and Charlie.
Heartstopper reignited conversations regarding LGBTQ+ representation and why it is always marred, with the heart-breaking history of the community, preventing queer love interests from ending up together. Whilst the film industry could continue to do much more for trans representation and the LGBTQ+ community, here are ten movies that showcase queer love and allow their love interests their deserved happy ending.
Imagine Me & You (2005)
Imagine Me & You is a somewhat underrated depiction of bisexuality, with many viewers avoiding it due to the fear it plays into the idea that those who identify as bisexual may be more likely to engage in an affair. Luce and Rachel showcase that love can happen at any time and that it doesn't look like one thing, their romance is a fun one that ignites their love for life, with many fans rooting for their happy ending.
The movie creates a dilemma that even viewers struggled to answer, but in the end, love prevails as Luce and Rachel kiss without worrying about being seen. The romantic flick excelled fans' expectations and even provided them with a post-credits clip that proved their romance existed way beyond the credits.
Shelter (2014)
Shelter tells the story of two men who bond over the summer as Shaun provides Shelter with the rocky chaos haunting Zach's life at the time they meet. The movie reimagines the way gay men are represented by detracting from the flamboyance commonly seen in queer characters and instead offers fans two men who embody masculinity, challenging the idea that being gay looks a certain way.
Shelter creates a healthy onscreen relationship that showcases the importance of communication and understanding within a relationship and even homes on those intimate moments in a non-sexualized way. The love story between Zach and Shaun is truly beautiful, but the couple's bit of peace soon looks like it's going to come to an end, but instead sees the couple go from a secret summer romance to an open loving family, giving fans exactly what they want.
Carol (2015)
Carol is one movie similar to the series Heartstopper that positively represents queer love through a chance encounter that opens up a sweet romance between two women whose chemistry gave many fans goosebumps. The movie proves that love does not come without risks when Carol's romance with Therese threatens her relationship with her daughter, with the movie, takes place in the 1950s.
Whilst the movie references the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, the story of Carol and Therese subverts the predictable heartbreaking plot by providing fans with a hopeful ending. Their love story drew fans in through intense eye contact, obvious chemistry, and a risk that paid off when fans are invited to the pair's final stare-off that hints their love story has only just begun!
Beautiful Thing (1996)
Beautiful Thing creates a believable and sweet romance between two unlikely characters whilst also capturing British culture with each character supporting one another through difficult periods in life. The movie tells the story of two boys as they navigate their sexuality, life on a council estate, and the attitudes held towards gay men following the AIDs crisis.
Beautiful Thing does create something beautiful as the boys slowly build a relationship that fans felt was going to be cut short due to public attitudes, but instead, the final scene replaces that magical kiss scene with something even more special: a public slow dance that draws more support than it does disgust and ultimately shows that love always wins.
The Kids Are All Right (2010)
Despite the movie being criminally underrated, The Kids Are All Right is among Julianne Moores's best movies, with her marriage to Annette Benning leaving fans excited over this perfect pairing. The movie is one of few that has a happy ending and also represents bisexuality which is underrepresented in LGBTQ+ movies.
This fun flick provides fans with a wholesome married couple whose kids are on the hunt for their biological dad, who later has a love affair with Jules. The movie's desire to ruin the fully-fledged representation of queer love didn't go unnoticed by fans, but luckily the pair understood that marriage isn't always perfect and saw them prioritize love over regret, giving viewers a somewhat dramatic love story not too dissimilar to real life.
The Way He Looks (2014)
The Way He Looks is a Brazilian coming-of-age flick that has been praised by many critics, due to its representation of queer love and disability. The movie somehow captures teen romance alongside a powerful story of acceptance and mutual understanding, with Leo and Gabriel providing each other not only with love but also a new view of the world around them.
Gabriel saw Leo before his disability and sought to remove those barriers that disable him, allowing Leo to grow and find newfound confidence. The love between the two mirrored that first love through a refreshing lens of empowerment and newfound freedom that saw the very start of what fans think will be a long love story even after the movie's final credits!
Saving Face (2004)
Saving Face is one of the best LGBTQ+ movies on Amazon Prime right now, with the movie changing the normal plot lines that appear in other queer love stories. The movie provides viewers with an openly queer character that is comfortable with her sexuality alongside cultural differences and her mum's inability to take her sexuality seriously.
The movie highlights different reactions queer Asian women face, with the contrasting relationship between Vivian, who openly discusses the queer side of her life with her mum. The movie's plot has multiple storylines, but Wils's inability to discuss her love life with her mum threatens the couple's happy ending until the final scene where the three are seen together, highlighting Wil's step in communicating openly in the name of love.
But I'm A Cheerleader (1999)
But I'm A Cheerleader continues to be a revolutionary flick today, with the movie capturing the moment Megan realizes she isn't just a cheerleader, but also, a lesbian. The movie pokes fun at conversion camps whilst also adding some light-hearted but vital social commentary on queer love.
The subtle romantic gestures between Graham and Megan had fans on the edge of their seats as their obvious love connection developed through hidden touches. Fans finally receive their unexpected but welcomed happy ending when the couple's love sees Megan's family attend a support group of their own, providing fans with the cherry on top of this witty movie.
Love, Simon (2018)
Love, Simon was somewhat of a groundbreaking addition to not only the queer love genre but also the film industry, with the movie being the first gay teen romance to be released by a major film company. The movie created an endearing drama that included a supportive family and friendship group who were highly accepting but Love, Simon almost didn't give fans the happy ending they wanted.
The movie's slow pace tests fans' patience to the limit as Simon sits awaiting the anonymous reveal. With fans slowly giving up hope, the movie finally allows the online love to take form with Simon and Bram sharing that famous fairytale smooch to the applaud of their peers who wanted a happy ever after just as much as fans.
Gods Own Country (2017)
God's Own Country threw viewers into a false sense of security, with many fans expecting the same heartbreaking end as most LGBTQ+ movies, but instead challenges several stereotypes, including ones against queer love. It follows Johnny and his growing friendship with Gheorghe, a Russian migrant worker who gives the brooding farmer a new lease on life and love.
The movie's poetic and somewhat moody vibe resulted in many viewers expecting a forbidden romance like Brokeback Mountain. However, viewers received a well-written love story of mutual understanding and a series of exchanged glances that left many fans with goosebumps, especially when the pair slowly gain family support, showcasing that love can conquer all.