Queer movies dominated the silver screen this year and 2020 promises to be even bolder in pushing new stories forward. 

2019 was a real treat for phenomenal LGBT+ representation such as Wild Nights With Emily, Queer Japan, and Rocketman. Queer movies in 2020 are set to continue embracing diversity and celebrating stories based within the community. Let’s take a look at what’s in store for us.

The Boys in the Band

Mart Crowley’s famous 1968 play The Boys in the Band will be getting the Netflix treatment in the new year. Though the play premiered off-Broadway, it was eventually revived on the Broadway stage for its 50th anniversary in 2018. It was a groundbreaking depiction of queer life as the story revolved around a group of gay men gathered for a birthday party in New York City.  

The Netflix adaptation of the play has an all-star Broadway cast consisting of Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, and Matt Bomer. Production will begin mid-July with Joe Mantello directing the film. The Boys in the Band promises to be a hit with Broadway fans and anyone who loves a good drama. 

Happiest Season 

Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis are leading the cast in this wonderful rom-com movie. The film will centre on a young woman whose plans to propose to her girlfriend at an annual family holiday party are thrown off course when she discovers her partner has not yet come out to her conservative parents. 

Clea DuVall, who starred in But I’m a Cheerleader and The Grudge, and Mary Holland, who wrote for Veep, are penning the script. DuVall will also be directing the new movie. Happiest Season will be a 2020 highlight for anyone who loves a good romantic comedy. 

Ammonite 

The highly anticipated Ammonite is set to have a 2020 global release date. It is set in 1840’s England where an infamous fossil hunter and a young woman develop an intense relationship which alters both their lives. Kate Winslet will be playing Mary Anning, the fossil hunter, and Saoirse Ronan will be starring as the young woman. The movie is being produced by the BFI, BBC and See-Saw Films.

Ammonite will see the legendary figure Mary Anning receive the recognition she deserves for her contributions to palaeontology. Blending biographical realness, tender romance, and a seafaring adventure, this movie has something for all queer movie lovers out there. 

An untitled documentary about the history of queer horror in film

AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, Shudder, has announced that the documentary will be premiering in 2020. Sam Wineman, the sensationally talented director behind Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror, will be helming the project. The as-of-yet untitled documentary will be examining queer horror through cinematic history, looking at pioneering creators like James Whale and Clive Barker, and analysing the coded depictions of LGBT+ characters in films like Sleepaway Camp, High Tension, and Jennifer’s Body.

For all the horror fangatics out there, this will definitely be a must watch for queer movies in 2020. 

Circus of Books

Directed by Rachel Mason and produced by Ryan Murphy, Circus of Books will examine the real-life story of a straight couple who take over an adult book store in 1976 and become the largest distributors of gay porn in the United States. The cast for the upcoming documentary consists of big names such as the hilarious Drag Race All Stars season 2 winner Alaska Thunderf*ck, porn star Jeff Stryker, and the publisher of magazines such as Hustler – Larry Flynt. 

Circus of Books is set to be a great look back at a fascinating moment in history. 

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Though the film has received festival screenings throughout 2019, this movie deserves a general release. Gorgeous in its portrayal of love and art, Portrait of a Lady on Fire opened the IFI French Film Festival’s 20th anniversary. The film is critically acclaimed and won the Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival 2019.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire weaves the stellar tale of Marianne as she falls in love with a countess’s daughter Héloïse in 18th century France. It would be amazing to see it receive a general release in 2020. A sure-to-be adored hit with people who love historical romances. 

Untitled Call Me by Your Name sequel

Director Luca Guadagnino has confirmed he is currently working on a sequel for Call Me by Your Name. He is developing the plot in connection with the author of Call Me by Your Name, André Aciman. It is believed that the movie will be coming in 2020, however it does not have an official date. 

Though there have not been many story details out yet, Guadagnino has stated that there will be a five to six year time jump between the two movies. In October 2019, Aciman released the highly anticipated sequel novel Find Me, which largely focused on Elio’s father, Sami. 

So far the only certainty is that the movie won’t be called Call Me by Your Name Two.

2020 is all set to be a great year for queer movies with a few more surprises in store for us. So let us know down in the comments what movies you are looking forward to.