13 best movies from lesbian directors — and where to watch them
| 04/26/25
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From left: 'Shiva Baby,' 'But I'm a Cheerleader,' and 'Pariah.'Ignite; Focus FeaturesFor most of film history, it was impossible to find a movie directed by a woman, let alone a lesbian. Although we still have a long way to go to get to parity, now there are a handful of extremely talented lesbian directors who are making movie magic.
The pickings are still a little slim, but now we have rom-coms, tragic love stories, campy comedies, and touching coming-of-age stories being made by sapphic women. These movies were not just directed by lesbians, but are all excellent films that can stand on their own.
So here are the 13 best films ever made by lesbians (according to us)!
'Watermelon Woman' directed by Cheryl Dunye
Watermelon Woman
Criterion Collection
The Watermelon Woman, which follow the story of a twenty something black lesbian making a documentary about an elusive 1930s film actress known as the Watermelon Woman, is consider to be the first feature-length film written and directed by a Black lesbian. Not only is it an exploration of film history, but it’s also a beautiful rom-com, and the grainy VHS aesthetic will have you nostalgic for the ‘90s.
Where to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime
‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ directed by Jamie Babbit
But I’m a Cheerleader
Ignite
Jamie Babbit’s cult classic But I’m a Cheerleader remains a funny, campy, and heartfelt take on a naive teen girl (Natasha Lyonne) being sent to a gay conversion camp by her parents. This one is a cult classic for a reason, it’s full of slapstick comedy, John Waters’ style (minus some of the delightfully ruder elements), and also stars fellow lesbian filmmaker Clea DuVall as the best friend.
Where to watch:Plex, Fandango at Home
‘Pariah' directed by Dee Rees
Pariah
Focus Features
Pariah, directed by Dee Rees, is a semi-autobiographical look at a young lesbian's life as she navigates life with her family and looks for her first love. The film does a beautiful job of portraying the 17-year-old Alike (Adepero Oduye) in this coming-of-age story that explores the struggles of a Black lesbian coming into her own and exploring her newly discovered identity.
Where to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime
‘Paris is Burning’ directed by Jennie Livingston
Paris is Burning
Alamy
The documentary Paris is Burning is a seminal piece of queer cinema. Released in 1991, during the height of the AIDS crisis, the landmark film focuses on drag queens and the ballroom culture in New York City. This is one of those films that everyone needs to see at least once. Not only does it give you a window into an important part of queer history, but it also explore issues around poverty, race, sex work, and the people you meet in the film will have you riveted to the screen.
Where to watch:Max
‘Desert Hearts' directed by Donna Deitch
Desert Hearts
Janus Films
Desert Hearts may be set in the 1950s, and made in 1986, but the passionate affair between the two main characters (Patricia Charbonneau and Helen Shaver) is so steamy you’d think it was a modern film. Donna Deitch’s film is a sapphic classic for a reason: the chemistry of the two leads is off the charts, the sex scene in the hotel is one of the sexiest ever filmed (trust us), and it has a happy ending, which was unusual for a queer movie back then.
Where to watch:Max
‘Professor Marston and the Wonder Women’ directed by Angela Robinson
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women has everything you could want in a period piece: bondage, polyamory, a sweet love story, and is based on a true story. The film follows the story of William Marston (Luke Evans), who created Wonder Woman, his brilliant wife Elizabeth (Rebecca Hall), and university student Olive Byrne (Bella Heathcote) as they discover that they are all in love with each other. Director Angela Robinson is also responsible for the campy teen classic D.E.B.S., which should also be on your “must-watch” list.
Where to watch:Pluto TV, Prime Video, Plex, and Fandango at Home
‘Home for the Holidays’ directed by Jodie Foster
Home for the Holidays
Everett Collection
Lesbian icon Jodie Foster directed this holiday movie about a Claudia (Holly Hunter) who goes home for Thanksgiving with her oddball family, including her unapologetically gay brother Tommy (Robert Downey Jr.). The film is darkly funny, has an amazing ensemble cast, and is about a messy family that will feel relatable to most people.
Where to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime
‘Dance, Girl, Dance’ directed by Dorothy Arzner
Dance, Girl, Dance
Criterion Collection
Dorothy Arzner was one of the only female filmmakers to consistently work in the male-dominated Hollywood system throughout the ‘1930s and ‘40s after making her debut with the movie Fashions for Women in 1927. She was the first woman to be accepted into the Directors Guild of America, and was also a lesbian who lived openly with her partner, Marion Morgan, at a time when it was dangerous to do so. Her film Dance, Girl, Dance stars Lucille Ball as a bawdy entertainer and Maureen O’Hara as an aspiring ballerina, who are struggling to survive and find love. Even if you're not a lover of black and white movies, this musical comedy is worth checking out.
Where to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, MGM+
‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ directed by Céline Sciamma
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Neon
In 18th century France, Marianne (Noémie Merlant) arrives to paint a wedding portrait of Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), the daughter of a wealthy Italian countess (Valeria Golino), in this beautiful period piece by director Céline Sciamma. Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a sapphic romance for the ages, and while it’s definitely a tearjerker, it’s also touchingly beautiful and doesn’t just explore love and passion, but class and expressions of femininity too.
Where to watch:Max
‘Saving Face’ directed by Alice Wu
Saving Face
Photo 12
Another lesbian film about messy families (relatable!), Alice Wu’s film about young lesbian Wil (Michelle Krusiec) who feels like she can’t tell her widowed mom (Joan Chen) about her sexuality, but is then shocked when she finds out her mom is keeping a secret too, she’s pregnant. Not only is the plot funny and sweet, but it explored Chinese immigrant culture and and is one of the few comedies directed by a lesbian of color.
Where to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime
‘Shiva Baby' directed by Emma Seligman
Shiva Baby
Utopia
Starring Rachel Sennott, Shiva Baby is about a sugar baby who runs into both her sugar daddy (Danny Deferrari) and her ex-girlfriend (Molly Gordon) while sitting shiva with her parents. This may be a comedy but it’s shot like a horror movie and is likely to cause as much anxiety as it does laughs. The film is funny, messy, and a heartfelt portrayal of a young queer person trying to figure out life.
Where to watch:Netflix
‘Mama Mia!’ directed by Phyllida Lloyd
Mama Mia!
Universal
Mama Mia! may be all about straight relationships, but it’s also a campy musical starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried and features songs by ABBA, which let’s be honest, makes it a little bit gay. This sun-drenched, low-stakes movie is perfect for a day when you’re feeling low and need a little pick-me-up. Before you know it, you’ll be bopping along to the music and trying to figure out who Sophie’s real dad is right along with her.
Where to watch:Max
‘Happiest Season’ directed by Clea Duvall
Happiest Season
Hulu
Directed by Clea DuVall, and starring Kristen Stewart as Abby and Mackenzie Davis as Harper, Happiest Season follows a young woman who plans to propose to her girlfriend while at her family's holiday party only to discover her partner hasn't yet come out to her conservative parents. This movie is somewhat divisive (some people hate Harper), but we love the ensemble cast (Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie, and Dan Levy also star), the romcom-but-make-it-gay vibes, and the clever dialogue. Plus, we all need a little lesbian love around the holidays!
Where to watch: Hulu
