2021 will be a tough year to follow when it comes to queer films, but as the medium continues to become more inclusive, one can only expect a spectrum of big-screen hits in 2022. While not all information has been revealed for next year’s releases, what we do know is there are seven major flicks to look out for, sure to quench the cravings of LGBTQ+ viewers.

So grab your popcorn, and let’s get into it!

Scream

With a queer main character and with the return of the original writer Kevin Williamson (who is also a gay man) the latest instalment of the infamous horror franchise is giving us a lot to ‘scream’ about. Jasmin Savoy-Brown will play Mindy, a queer Black woman fighting to avoid the masked killer, a role she admits she is “really proud” to play.

Due to hit Irish cinemas on January 14, 2022, start your year with a spooky Scream screening.

Am I OK?

Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2022, this feature starring Dakota Johnson and Sonoya Mizuno is one of next year’s not-to-be-missed queer films. Directed by the super-wife tag-team Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne, Am I OK? follows two friends as one is moving country, and the other is coming to terms with her sexuality.

There is no official Irish release date yet, but keep your eyes and ears peeled for your chance to watch.

Rūrangi

Having received its Irish premiere at GAZE 2021 to glowing reviews, Rūrangi is set to have its full release on February 25, 2022. The New Zealand feature directed by Max Currie sees Caz Davis return to his hometown for the first time in over a decade, after settling down in Auckland surrounded by a newfound queer family.

A fresh take on the homecoming tale, you can expect this film to be particularly popular among Trans audiences.

Benedetta

Benedetta is due to grace Irish screens on March 25, 2022. The film directed by Paul Verhoeven is based on Judith C Brown’s book Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy, and follows the true story of Benedetta Carlini, including her affair with another nun in their convent.

Labeled as an erotic, lesbian nun thriller, this film is sure to leave viewers pondering: maybe there is a God?

BROS

Greetings from the set of BROS! pic.twitter.com/b2dhrbioNA

— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 19, 2021

Universal’s upcoming rom-com, BROS, made headlines earlier this year when it was announced that the film would feature an all-LGBTQ+ cast. This is the first time that a major studio has done this, with Billy Eichner writing and starring in the feature.

According to IMDB, the plot revolves around two men with commitment issues trying to make a relationship work, which makes me think this will serve as a great educational resource for many of my friends! With filming having wrapped on this one, viewers can expect to see it in August 2022.

My Policeman

Harry Styles’ sexuality has long been debated among his devoted fans, and he has become somewhat of an LGBTQ+ icon without being openly queer. Coming up, however, is My Policeman, where viewers will get to see the singer play a bisexual character named Tom, and ideas of Harry being hetero will be banished for the duration of the feature.

Directed by Michael Grandage, the film is based on the novel of the same name by Bethan Roberts and sees a 1950’s gay policeman, Tom, marrying a female school teacher despite being in a relationship with another man. There is no official release date yet, but it is expected to be available next year.

What If?

Eva Reign, Abubakr Ali and Renee Elise Goldsberry will star in Billy Porter’s directorial debut ‘WHAT IF’

The film is a coming-of-age story with a Trans woman in the lead role which follows Kelsa & Khal as they navigate a high school senior year relationship.

(Source: Deadline) pic.twitter.com/YpgzUWFRJE

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 19, 2021

Billy Porter’s directorial debut, What If? is a queer coming-of-age romantic-comedy with the screenplay written by Alvaro García Lecuona. Staring Eva Reign as a high school Trans girl, the film is based on a real-life charming Reddit post where a boy asks out his crush after receiving advice online. Again, there is no release date confirmed, but we hope to see this one in 2022.

This is merely a handful of the queer gems we hope 2022 promises.