The 25 Best Teenage Gay Movies

Stories about queer teenagers show how identity, friendship, and family can shape those early years. These films follow high school crushes, first loves, and coming out moments across different countries and cultures. Many are adapted from books, while others are original stories grounded in real places and histories. Together they map the many ways teens find language for who they are and where they belong.

‘Love, Simon’ (2018)

‘Love, Simon’ follows a closeted high schooler who starts an anonymous email romance with a classmate. The film is directed by Greg Berlanti and is adapted from Becky Albertalli’s novel ‘Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda’. It was produced by a major studio and reached wide theatrical release. The story is set around suburban school life and uses email exchanges as a key narrative device.

‘Call Me by Your Name’ (2017)

‘Call Me by Your Name’ centers on a teenager spending the summer with his family when he meets an older graduate student. Luca Guadagnino directed the film and James Ivory wrote the screenplay. It is adapted from André Aciman’s novel of the same name. The production was filmed in northern Italy and features multiple languages in dialogue.

‘Moonlight’ (2016)

‘Moonlight’ traces one boy’s life in three chapters that include his teenage years. Barry Jenkins directed the film based on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play ‘In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue’. The Miami setting shapes school experiences and neighborhood pressures. Music and quiet scenes frame his evolving friendships and first love.

‘The Way He Looks’ (2014)

‘The Way He Looks’ follows a blind teenager who seeks independence as a new student joins his class. The film expands a short by the same director Daniel Ribeiro. It was produced in Brazil and uses Portuguese with English subtitles in most releases. The story focuses on school routines, routes home, and a friendship that grows into something more.

‘Beautiful Thing’ (1996)

‘Beautiful Thing’ adapts Jonathan Harvey’s stage play and is set on a London housing estate. The film follows two schoolboys who live next door and find support from a small circle of neighbors. Music by The Mamas and the Papas runs through key scenes. Many interiors were shot on location to preserve the look of the estate.

‘Get Real’ (1998)

‘Get Real’ is set in an English town and centers on a secret relationship between a school athlete and a classmate. The script is adapted from the play ‘What’s Wrong with Angry’ by Patrick Wilde. It examines school culture, locker room dynamics, and the student press. The film was an early title in modern British queer cinema for teens.

‘Edge of Seventeen’ (1998)

‘Edge of Seventeen’ takes place in Ohio and follows a high school student working a summer job at an amusement park. The film uses period music to ground the setting. It explores friendships, first jobs, and the search for clothes and spaces that feel right. The cast includes rising actors who went on to steady careers in independent film.

‘Boy Erased’ (2018)

‘Boy Erased’ adapts Garrard Conley’s memoir about a teen sent to a conversion program. Joel Edgerton directed the film and appears in a supporting role. The story follows intake sessions, family meetings, and the rules imposed by the facility. Major cast members include Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, and Russell Crowe.

‘Alex Strangelove’ (2018)

‘Alex Strangelove’ follows a high school senior who plans his first time with his girlfriend while developing feelings for another boy. The film is set around school parties, group chats, and a prom timeline. Director Craig Johnson uses text messages and social media as on screen elements. It premiered on a streaming platform for a global audience.

‘Handsome Devil’ (2016)

‘Handsome Devil’ is set at an Irish boarding school with a strong rugby culture. The plot pairs a music loving student with the school’s new rugby star as roommates. Writer director John Butler uses classroom scenes and essay assignments to frame the story. The film features Andrew Scott as a supportive English teacher.

‘Beach Rats’ (2017)

‘Beach Rats’ follows a Brooklyn teen who spends nights on the boardwalk and online. Director Eliza Hittman focuses on small gestures, home life, and neighborhood rituals. The film explores group dynamics among friends and the tension between privacy and exposure. It was shot with a mix of natural light and handheld camerawork.

‘Giant Little Ones’ (2018)

‘Giant Little Ones’ centers on two best friends whose bond shifts after a birthday party. The Canadian production is set around swim team practices and family dinners. Writer director Keith Behrman looks at labels that students place on each other. The ensemble cast includes Maria Bello and Kyle MacLachlan as parents.

‘Geography Club’ (2013)

‘Geography Club’ adapts Brent Hartinger’s novel about students who hide a support group behind a fake club name. The story takes place across classrooms, locker rooms, and a football field. It looks at how secret meetings become a lifeline for different kids. The film features an ensemble of young actors from television and film.

‘North Sea Texas’ (2011)

‘North Sea Texas’ is a Belgian film about a boy in a coastal town who navigates first love and family changes. It is based on the novel ‘Nooit gaat dit over’ by André Sollie. The setting features dunes, small homes, and a traveling fair. The film uses quiet scenes and music lessons to build its world.

‘Boys’ (2014)

‘Boys’ is a Dutch film titled ‘Jongens’ in its original release. It follows a track relay team where two runners develop feelings during training sessions. The production uses rivers and fields as recurring locations. The story unfolds over practices, a camp trip, and a championship meet.

‘Closet Monster’ (2015)

‘Closet Monster’ follows a creative teen who processes trauma through makeup effects and fantasy images. The Canadian setting includes part time work in a big box store and home projects in a basement room. Writer director Stephen Dunn uses practical effects for the character’s art. The film premiered at a major festival and won awards on the circuit.

‘Summer of 85’ (2020)

‘Summer of 85’ is a French film by François Ozon about two boys who meet after a boating accident. The story uses seaside locations, clubs, and a small town shop to trace their connection. It adapts the novel ‘Dance on My Grave’ by Aidan Chambers. The film features a police inquiry structure that looks back on the summer.

‘Seashore’ (2015)

‘Seashore’ is a Brazilian film about two friends who travel to a coastal town to settle a family matter. The narrative focuses on long walks, abandoned houses, and quiet beaches. It looks at how time away from school can shift a friendship. The dialogue blends silence with natural conversation between the boys.

‘C.R.A.Z.Y.’ (2005)

‘C.R.A.Z.Y.’ follows a boy growing up in a large Quebec family and tracks his teenage years closely. The soundtrack features classic rock that the father loves. Holidays, church events, and family gatherings drive many key scenes. The production design recreates period homes and city streets with detail.

‘The Miseducation of Cameron Post’ (2018)

‘The Miseducation of Cameron Post’ adapts Emily M Danforth’s novel about a teen sent to a religious conversion center. The film follows dorm life, counseling sessions, and secret friendships. Chloë Grace Moretz leads a cast of young actors who portray the residents. The story documents rules, punishments, and small acts of resistance.

‘The Half of It’ (2020)

‘The Half of It’ reimagines a Cyrano story set in a small town high school. Director Alice Wu centers a friendship between a shy student and a kind athlete who asks for help with a love letter. The film uses library stacks, trains, and family businesses as recurring spaces. It premiered on a streaming platform and reached a broad teen audience.

‘The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love’ (1995)

‘The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love’ follows two students from different backgrounds who navigate first love. The film uses convenience store shifts, homework sessions, and family visits to build its world. Writer director Maria Maggenti shot on a small budget with a lively ensemble. The story plays out across homes that reflect each girl’s life.

‘You Are Not Alone’ (1978)

‘You Are Not Alone’ is a Danish film set at a boarding school where two boys grow close. The production uses classrooms, dormitories, and school celebrations to track their days. It became known for its frank look at student life. The film remains a reference point for early European teen queer cinema.

‘Mysterious Skin’ (2004)

‘Mysterious Skin’ follows two boys from the same town whose lives remain linked after a shared childhood event. Greg Araki directed the film based on Scott Heim’s novel. The story moves between part time jobs, late night hangouts, and a search for answers. It features early performances by Joseph Gordon Levitt and Brady Corbet.

‘Naz & Maalik’ (2015)

‘Naz & Maalik’ is set in Brooklyn and follows two Muslim teens over one afternoon. The film uses small shops, street corners, and transit rides to map their route. It also includes an FBI subplot that intersects with their private lives. Director Jay Dockendorf shot with a naturalistic style on location.

Share your favorite teenage gay films in the comments and tell us which ones we should add next.