21 non-LGBTQ+ movies that queer people still love anyway

Queer specific? Not really. Loved by queer people? Absolutely.

Throughout the history of cinema, it's been tough to count on LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media (to say the least). One could say that things were starting to improve — albeit slowly, and only slightly — in the last couple of years as more mainstream movies began to center queer characters and storylines. Unfortunately, it seems like Hollywood studios are taking several steps back at the moment, which again brings us to look out for any queer-coded meanings, visibility, archetypes, and clues.

Because we weren't able to see our out and proud selves in movies for a very long time, people in the LGBTQ+ community gravitated toward specific stories, performances, characters, actors, and sensibilities that made us feel seen, treating these projects as if they were just as queer as the rest of us. At times when we don't feel as seen and as celebrated as we would like to be, we again turn to these projects that got so many generations of queer people through some very rough times.

Keep scrolling to check out our list of non-LGBTQ+ movies that certainly played a role in queer culture.

'Mommie Dearest' (1981)

Many queer people consider Mommie Dearest, starring Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford, to be within the greatest-of-all-time echelon of non-LGBTQ+ movies that queer people love anyway.

Dunaway has had a complicated relationship with her performance as Crawford being interpreted as campy and over-the-top, prompting numerous drag queens to mimic her acting in the film for several decades. Yet, queer people actually do earnestly love Mommie Dearest as an endless well of memes, quotable lines, and a story being told around Hollywood, glamour, and vengeance.

Where to watch: Mommie Dearest is streaming on Paramount+.

'The Wizard of Oz' (1939)

"We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz!" It literally doesn't get any better — or any gayer — than MGM's 1939 musical classic The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale.

For several decades (before social media bios and apps), labeling oneself a "friend of Dorothy's" was a popular shorthand for telling others that you were gay. And let's not even get started on the connection between our community and the Wicked Witch of the West, which prompted numerous think-pieces over the years and has been recently revisited through the Wicked movies and Broadway musical.

Where to watch: The Wizard of Oz is streaming on HBO Max.

'Chicago' (2002)

The 2002 film adaptation of Chicago won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and for good reason!

These razzle-dazzle performances by Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, Queen Latifah as Matron "Mama" Morton, and Richard Gere as Billy Flynn, Chicago is absolute perfection for queer sensibilities and musical theater lovers. And don't even get us started on "Cell Block Tango," babes.

Where to watch: Chicago is streaming on Paramount+.

'Sister Act' (1992)

Whoopi Goldberg gives us absolutely everything in her portrayal of Sister Mary Clarence in Sister Act — and the sequel counts, too!.

This hilarious, vibrant, and fun movie is a true classic, and the list of queer people who grew up watching (and being obsessed with) Sister Act is endless. In recent years, a new generation of kids is rediscovering the film on streaming, and we love to see it.

Where to watch: Sister Act is streaming on Disney+.

'What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?' (1962)

The legendary feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis allegedly came to a head behind the scenes while filming 1962's What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? The "frenemies" dynamic between these two Hollywood icons is so memorable and gay that it even inspired a Ryan Murphy original series, Feud, in 2017.

Though critics weren't entirely sold on What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? at the time when it was released, it's become a cult classic over the years.

Where to watch: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? can be rented or purchased on Apple TV.

'The Stepford Wives' (2004)

The gays love The Stepford Wives, and it's not that difficult to see why. In many ways, the film has all of the elements from gay fan-favorite projects such as Desperate Housewives and The Real Housewives franchise (and, arguably, had an impact and/or served as some sort of inspiration to those projects).

Moreover, The Stepford Wives has a sci-fi twist that makes it even more interesting. Starring Nicole Kidman as the main character, Joanna Eberhart, this film is an absolute treat for the gays.

Where to watch: The Stepford Wives is streaming on Paramount+.

'Showgirls' (1995)

The erotic and dramatic 1995 film Showgirls is a staple for LGBTQ+ people, and even more so for drag queens.

Though the movie flopped at the box office, the story of Nomi Malone (played by Elizabeth Berkley) has resonated with queer performers for several decades.

Where to watch: Showgirls is streaming on HBO Max.

'9 to 5' (1980)

A comedy of empowered women played by Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, set in the 1980s, being a massive hit with gay people? "Groundbreaking," some would say.

9 to 5 is really that girl. This story of three working women wasn't just revolutionary for its time, but it was also incredibly entertaining and captivating. People in the LGBTQ+ community love these three superstars, and 9 to 5 encompasses everything we love about each of them.

Where to watch: 9 to 5 can be rented or purchased on Apple TV.

'Valley of the Dolls' (1967)

"You know how b*tchy f*gs can be." Cinema really doesn't get any gayer than Valley of the Dolls starring Barbara Parkins, Sharon Tate, Patty Duke, and Susan Hayward.

Based on the Jacqueline Susann novel of the same name, Valley of the Dolls centers three women who, while pursuing a career in show business, end up falling into some kind of addiction.

Where to watch: Valley of the Dolls can be rented or purchased on Apple TV.

'Burlesque' (2010)

Cher! Christina Aguilera! A musical film set in a burlesque club!

When it comes to 2010's Burlesque, it all adds up pretty easily as to why so many gay people are obsessed with this cinematic gem. This is a fierce, colorful, dazzling movie by Steve Antin that was entirely made with queer people in mind as the target audience… And it worked.

Where to watch: Burlesque can be rented or purchased on Apple TV.

'Grey Gardens' (1975)

Grey Gardens became a queer classic over the years for all of its theatricality, which is both fabulous and sad. Nuances from Little Edie, who is the main subject of this 1975 documentary, carried this film over the finish line to reach "iconic status" in the queer world.

If you've never seen Grey Gardens, here's a quick elevator's pitch: The cousins to former First Lady of the United States Jackie Kennedy live on this massive property that is slowly decaying as they can no longer keep up with it. The documentary makes is very clear that Little Edie and her mother are living very different lives if compared to their famous relative, but somehow still find a sense of home in this bizarre place.

Where to watch: Grey Gardens is streaming on HBO Max.

'Barbarella' (1968)

At the time, some critics considered Barbarella to be a low point in Jane Fonda's career. Not according to queer people, however, who absolutely adored Fonda's drag-tastic performance and looks throughout this campy movie.

The cultural impact of Barbarella can be felt across queer culture, with many references to this scandalous film still being made to this day.

Where to watch: Barbarella can be rented or purchased on Apple TV.

'Death Becomes Her' (1992)

Two narcissistic women played by Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn desperately look for the source of youth while managing their destructive "frenemies" relationship with each other. Death Becomes Her is very intensely gay, became a fabulous Broadway musical in 2024, and tells a story that somehow never loses relevance — no matter how many years go by since the original 1992 film directed by Robert Zemeckis first opened in movie theaters.

Where to watch: Death Becomes Her is streaming on Netflix.

'The Substance' (2024)

The Substance is among the newer batch of "gay classics" within this framework of movies that aren't actually, literally, centering anything outwardly gay.

Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, The Substance was a massive vehicle for Demi Moore to be a top-tier contender at the Academy Awards, besides being turning Margaret Qualley into a household name around the world. Though one could argue that this movie received enough appreciation from straight people as well (not just queer fans), there's no denying that its staying power in the zeitgeist will come from gay audiences that will continue to reference, quote, and share memes from this film for years to come.

Where to watch: The Substance is streaming on MUBI.

'Glitter' (2001)

Justice for Glitter! Though some pop music fans try to make fun of this Mariah Carey movie, it is a definite camp classic, and certainly a favorite among LGBTQ+ people.

In the film, Carey plays Billie Frank, a club dancer who navigates her way through the music industry. The Glitter album — a soundtrack to this movie — is also a true gem with hit songs like "Loverboy," "Never Too Far," and "Reflections (Care Enough)."

Where to watch: Glitter can be rented or purchased on Apple TV.

'Hocus Pocus' (1993)

Hocus Pocus is another campy movie that the queer community is obsessed with. Featuring the Sanderson Sisters — Bette Midler as Winifred, Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah, and Kathy Najimy as Mary — this Disney movie isn't necessarily scary at all, but it has become a Halloween tradition for many gay people.

Where to watch: Hocus Pocus is streaming on Disney+.

'The Devil Wears Prada' (2006)

Based on Lauren Weisberger's 2003 novel, The Devil Wears Prada is a smash hit among most queer audiences. The movie centers Meryl Streep as an Anna Wintour-coded publishing legend Miranda Priestly and her new assistant, Anne Hathaway's Andy Sachs.

Even two decades later, The Devil Wears Prada is still deeply beloved by gay audiences… And "that's all" we need to say, really.

Where to watch: The Devil Wears Prada is streaming on Hulu.

'Ma' (2019)

Speaking of camp and memes: 2019's Ma is a psychological thriller film starring Octavia Spencer as a middle-aged woman who ends up befriending a group of teenagers.

The gays absolutely stan Ma, with memes featuring this main character constantly popping up on social media even to this day.

Where to watch: Ma is streaming on Prime Video.

'Barbie' (2023)

At one point, the dolls are the dolls, and Greta Gerwig's 2023 live-action Barbie movie proves it.

Starring Margot Robbie as a Barbie and Ryan Gosling as a Ken, this film absolutely resonated with queer audiences. The cast also features LGBTQ+ stars like Hari Nef, Scott Evans, and Alexandra Shipp — who all deliver fabulous performances in the movie.

Where to watch: Barbie is streaming on HBO Max.

'The Babadook' (2014)

On a more unserious note, the queer community loves 2014's The Babadook so much that it turned the film's titular character — the Babadook itself — into a gay icon. Those memes are still hilarious, and this film is still incredible to revisit.

Where to watch: The Babadook is streaming on MUBI.

'Wicked' (2024)

The live-action Wicked movie, released in 2024, became an instant queer classic when it opened in theaters. Despite most of the actors being in the LGBTQ+ community, this story is about power, politics, and how disenfranchised people can navigate between structural systems.

Even though the film isn't inherently about queer people, our community deeply relates to the themes and characters featured in it.

Where to watch: Wicked is streaming on Prime Video.