7 Secretly Lesbian '90s Movies That Ignited Our Sexual Awakening

Technically, none of these movies fall within the lesbian film genre, but the queer subtext is so thick you could slice it and use it to make a sandwich. You always loved The Craft. Now you know why.

The Craft

Historically, the word “witch” has largely been reserved for those who shun heteronormativity/patriarchy/institutionalized religion and embrace “dark magic,” a.k.a. the weird/the strange/the nonreligious/taboo/nature worship/everything cool and occasionally kickass lesbians and queer women known for causing general havoc and undermining the establishment. In The Craft a group of teen “witches” come together to form an unstoppable coven of “dark magic.” YOU DO THE MATH.

Practical Magic

Practical Magic is possibly the foundational '90s witch movie, or the cornerstone upon which all subsequent secretly lesbian witch movies of the '90s were created. It’s also one of the most blatantly but secretly lesbian movies OF ALL TIME. Living in a tiny house with two quirky aunts who are witches and maybe lesbians and dress like Stevie Nicks + midnight margaritas on the regular = LIFE GOALS.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes’ obvious queer subtext is a real and officially documented thing, just like the very real beauty of the food fight scene.

Little Women

A heartwarming story about a family of basic sisters in bonnets and their totally rad, probably queer sister, Jo. In the book, Jo is described as an outlier who’d rather swag around the house writing plays and choreographing swordfights than, like, sit by the fire sewing buttons onto her dad’s long underwear or something because OBVIOUSLY she was way cool and the most human, believable character in the story. Jo rules and everyone else drools. Winona Ryder in the '94 version with a painted-on-mustache is everything that is good in the world.

Beetlejuice

Winona Ryder, national treasure of the '90s, is being perfect AGAIN in a movie that might not seem secretly lesbian to the untrained eye but upon closer inspection  would appear to be a story about an artsy, queer teen with an alternative lifestyle haircut.

Tank Girl

To do: laundry, dishes, clean room, and BE TANK GIRL.

A League of Their Own

A League of Their Own is a secretly lesbian movie based on an openly lesbian and very real story, AND the inspiration driving every Little League softball player EVER. Geena Davis as Dottie Hinson is AN ANGEL, but Marla Hooch will ALWAYS be the real star of this movie.