The world of cinema is an eclectic one, with endless options to keep you entertained. But sometimes, all you want is to feel seen on screen, and that has not always been possible for LGBTQ+ people. While good representation can be hard to find, fret not, as the films below feature excellent storylines that are sure to resonate with lesbian and women-loving-women audiences.

So grab your popcorn, and let’s dive in!

Imagine Me & You (2005)
Let’s start this list of films with unforgettable lesbian storylines with a rom-com! In Imagine Me & You, a new bride becomes infatuated with a woman she spotted at her wedding. Despite her seemingly happy marriage, she can’t help but feel like she’s falling for someone else.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Just in case you haven’t seen it yet, this film centres on a love affair between an aristocrat and an artist commissioned to paint her portrait. While their connection is undeniable, it’s not easy to maintain the relationship in 18th-century France.

The Handmaiden (2016)
Set in 1930s Korea, The Handmaiden follows a young woman tasked with swindling a Japanese heiress and stealing her fortune. While all appears to be going according to plan, things become complicated when the pair form a deeper connection. Full of twists and turns, this psychological thriller will have you on the edge of your seat.

Pariah (2011)
In Pariah, a Brooklyn teenager juggles conflicting identities and risks losing friends and family as she desperately searches for sexual expression. The feature debut of Dee Rees, the film is lauded as a deeply human drama.

Sally (2025)
This documentary recounts Sally Ride’s groundbreaking story as the first American woman in space. What makes it so special is that it’s told by her partner Tam O’Shaughnessy, with whom she shared a secret 27-year relationship. If you’re looking for a film with an unforgettable lesbian storyline, this one is surely it.

Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
This list wouldn’t be complete without an appearance from Kristen Stewart! Love Lies Bleeding is a wild ride. In it, Stewart plays a reclusive gym manager who falls hard for an ambitious bodybuilder. However, their romance soon descends into violence, as the pair get caught up in a web of crime.

Bottoms (2023)
Starring the hilarious tag team of Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri, Bottoms follows two high school girls who set up a fight club as a way to lose their virginities to cheerleaders. One of the most highly anticipated queer films in recent years, this chaotic comedy is not one to miss.

Drive-Away Dolls (2024)
The first instalment in Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke’s planned lesbian B-movie trilogy, this film follows two women as they embark on a road trip to Tallahassee. Before long, they find themselves in conflict with some clumsy criminals, and it’s a somewhat absurd story. You’ll have to watch to find out why!

Honey Don’t! (2025)
The second film in Coen and Cooke’s trilogy, Honey Don’t! once again stars Margaret Qualley, this time as a small-town private investigator probing a series of deaths tied to a mysterious church. Through her work, she meets MG, a policewoman played by Aubrey Plaza. The two share a steamy connection, but what happens when they get to know each other better?

Summertime (2015)
This romantic drama follows a young woman who moves to Paris and falls in love with a powerful feminist leader. Set in 1971, their relationship is not well-received when they return to rural France.

The Watermelon Woman (1996)
From the legend that is Cheryl Dunye, The Watermelon Woman follows a young Black filmmaker as she researches the life of a 1930s actress. A classic in sapphic cinema, it is known as the first feature film directed by a Black lesbian.

The Aggressives (2005)
In this documentary, director Daniel Peddle follows a group of masculine-presenting people of colour in New York City. Filmed across five years, there was a follow-up released in 2023 called Beyond the Aggressives: 25 Years Later, which showed how their lives and identities had evolved.

Hot Milk (2025)
This evocative adaptation of Deborah Levy’s novel follows a mother and daughter who travel to the Spanish coast in an attempt to find a cure for the former’s strange illness. With a queer awakening intertwined, the film also stars Irish lesbian icon Fiona Shaw.

But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
Starring Natasha Lyonne, But I’m a Cheerleader is a cult classic. It follows a teenage girl who is sent to a ‘conversion therapy’ camp by her family because they suspect she is a lesbian. Although that might sound heavy, the film is actually a comedy and pokes fun at the absurdity behind such programmes.

Bound (1996)
Bound was the feature film directorial debut of the iconic Wachowski sisters. The neo-noir erotic crime thriller follows the mistress of a notorious gangster as she sparks a love affair with an ex-con. Together, they conduct a scheme to steal millions of mob money and pin the blame on the former’s boyfriend.

Desert Hearts (1985)
This groundbreaking film tells the story of a soon-to-be divorcée who finds herself through a relationship with another, more confident woman. Regarded as the first feature film to “de-sensationalise lesbianism”, this is essential viewing for all sapphic film fans.

Sweatheart (2021)
When a teenager is dragged to a coastal holiday park by her family, she unexpectedly becomes captivated by one of the lifeguards. Through the ups and downs, this British coming-of-age film is ultimately a charming and heartwarming watch.

My First Summer (2020)
Another tale of summer romance, this film follows Claudia, who isolates herself on a remote property following her mother’s death. When another teenager appears in her garden, the pair build a connection they both need.

The Half of It (2020)
Ellie Chu is an introverted teenager who agrees to write love letters to one of her schoolmates’ crushes. While helping her friend get the girl, she unexpectedly develops feelings of her own.

Carol (2015)
In this historical drama, Cate Blanchett plays a glamorous married woman who embarks on a passionate but forbidden romance with an aspiring photographer. Although known as somewhat of a Christmas classic, there’s never a bad time to watch Carol!

Tár (2022)
With Cate Blanchett once again in a leading lesbian role, this Oscar-nominated production centres on a renowned composer-conductor facing accusations of misconduct. The film brings audiences through her rise and fall in an incredibly tense psychological drama.

Dating Amber (2020)
Set in Ireland in the mid-’90s, this film follows two queer students who stage a straight relationship to avoid speculation about their sexuality. Together, they embark on journeys of self-discovery, resulting in an incredibly sweet coming-of-age comedy.

Bodies Bodies Bodies (2020)
If you’re searching for something spookier, we’ve got you covered. This comedy-horror follows a group of friends (including a lesbian couple) who get stuck in a remote mansion during a hurricane. A party game gone very, very wrong leaves a dead body and a killer among them, and it appears that no one can be trusted.

Booksmart (2019)
Booksmart tells the story of two friends and overachievers who try to let loose on the eve of their graduation. From tripping on drugs to hooking up with girls for the first time, watch as the pair cram four years of fun into one crazy night.

Ahead of the Curve (2020)
Another documentary for the list! Watch and discover the story of Franco Stevens, founder of Curve magazine, a bestselling lesbian publication.

Blue Jean (2022)
Set in 1988, as Section 28 is about to pass in the UK prohibiting the “promotion of homosexuality”, a closeted teacher is forced to live a double life. However, the arrival of a new student threatens to expose her sexuality, leaving both Jean’s reputation and integrity at stake.

The Favourite (2018)
From director Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Olivia Coleman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, The Favourite is a film for those seeking a somewhat deranged lesbian storyline. The dark comedy is set in 18th-century England, and follows two women as they compete for attention from a frail and ailing Queen Anne.

Kajilionaire (2020)
With money tight, the daughter of two scam artists hatches a plan to help them pay rent. However, when her parents invite a stranger to join them in their scheme, the girl’s world turns in unexpected ways.

Outitude (2018)
Last but certainly not least, Outitude is a feature-length documentary charting the richness of lesbian grassroots activism, collectives, community, academia and politics across Ireland since the 1970s. Featuring familiar faces like Ailbhe Smith, Katherine Zappone, Una Mullally, Mary Dorecey and more, this is an essential watch.

That concludes this (non-exhaustive) list of amazing films featuring lesbian storylines. We can’t wait to see what future releases have to offer!