Top 10 Best LGBTQ+ Couples in Movies

#10: Nic & Jules Allgood “The Kids Are All Right” (2010)

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In this dramedy, a lesbian couple’s relationship is thrown into turmoil when their children’s biological father comes into the picture. While neurotic doctor Nic is apprehensive about connecting with their sperm donor, the more free-spirited Jules is a little too enthusiastic. With iconic performances from Annette Bening and Julianne Moore, this film is a fascinating study of middle-aged partners dealing with quite dramatic issues. From infidelity to sexual fluidity, Nic and Jules have an awful lot to grapple with. And with naturalistic performances from the two leads, their love - in all its complexity - is utterly convincing.

#9: Ho Po-Wing & Lai Yiu-Fai “Happy Together” (1997)

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This film from beloved auteur Wong Kar-wai follows the turbulent relationship of two men who relocate from Hong Kong to Argentina. As they attempt to keep their romance afloat, the pair go through remarkably intimate and highly conflictual moments. Importantly, the film was released shortly before the 1997 Hong Kong handover to China. Therefore, some critics have called Ho and Lai’s relationship symbolic of cultural and political change. In any case, seeing the couple navigate the struggles of an international move is captivating on its own. They might not be the happiest lovers in the world, but their passion is undeniable.

There’s no shortage of lesbian period dramas to watch, but this one from writer and director Céline Sciamma is truly special. Marianne is a French painter living in the late 18th century who recalls her affair with a sitter some years prior. Her relationship with an upper-class woman named Héloïse, whose engagement to a nobleman looms, unfolds over several passionate days. Although their love is tragically taboo, their connection quickly evolves into a bond that’ll last a lifetime. It’s touching to witness their all-too-brief affair, and to see the indelible impression it leaves on them both.

Despite the censorship it faced, this drama attracted major attention thanks to its vivid depiction of a relationship between two young Kenyan women. Kena and Ziki are under an immense amount of pressure. For one thing, their fathers are competing as hopefuls in an upcoming election. Even worse, the couple could face serious legal repercussions for their love. Yet their romance is full of colorful and tender instances, like when Kena brings her crush to an empty bus that she’s carefully decorated. There’s certainly no shortage of heartwarming moments. But their meeting also has a broader significance, as it encourages them both to go after their dreams.

Viewers were enthralled by Timothée Chalamet’s breakout performance as 17-year-old Elio in this film. The saga begins when Oliver, a grad student hired to assist the teen’s father, visits the family’s Italian abode one summer. Soon enough, Elio’s indifference turns into a full-blown crush. As the pair gets to know each other, the significance of their bond is clear. But we can also tell it’s not exactly meant to last. There are several incredibly memorable scenes, like one where the duo swap names, and another involving a now infamous peach. But more than anything, it’s the quiet chemistry and obvious physical connection that make this couple epic. Oh, and the shorts.

#5: Adèle & Emma “Blue Is the Warmest Colour” (2013)

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In this 2013 French romance, we watch as shy teenager Adèle falls in love with an older art student named Emma. The movie beautifully chronicles several years of the pair’s lives. We watch them grow, move in together, embark on divergent career paths, and suffer a devastatingly dramatic breakup. Yet despite the major ups and downs they experience, Adèle’s love for Emma endures. The result is a tough - but emotionally rewarding - viewing experience. Although the film was criticized for intimate scenes that some felt were exploitative or inaccurate, there’s no doubt that the central couple is truly iconic.

#4: Joe & Nicky “The Old Guard” (2020)

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This romantic pairing shared an insanely memorable kiss that’s been widely praised, and for good reason. Joe and Nicky are members of an elite group with unusual healing abilities who take on covert missions worldwide. They’ve been together for an incredible length of time, and their bond becomes particularly obvious after they’re taken hostage. In response to their captors’ homophobia, Joe delivers an awe-inspiring speech that’s punctuated with a passionate kiss. The duo is one of the first out LGBTQ+ superheroes committed to film, and that alone makes them significant. The fact that they’re willing to stand up for their love in such an epic way is just the cherry on top.

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal star in this beloved romantic drama from director Ang Lee. Ennis and Jack first meet on the titular peak while working a shepherding job in 1960s Wyoming. But thankfully, their initially tentative relationship greatly outlasts that meaningful summer together. Though they embark on different life trajectories and build their own families, the couple reconnects at different points over the following decade. These moments are always emotionally charged, with virtuosic acting and lines of dialogue that have since become iconic. When it comes to heartbreaking queer relationships in movies, few come close to “Brokeback Mountain.”

#2: Carol Aird & Therese Belivet “Carol” (2015)

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This period film gave way to a dedicated fandom, and it’s easy to see why. Rooney Mara stars as Therese, a New York City department store worker who dreams of being a professional photographer. There, she meets Cate Blanchett’s titular character, a mature woman in the midst of a traumatic divorce. The pair attempt to pursue a relationship amidst investigations into Carol’s sexuality, but the latter risks losing custody of her daughter in the process. Even as the couple deals with major obstacles, the subtle chemistry between them is captivating. From their eyes connecting across a room, to their passionate New Year’s Eve kiss, this romantic drama is full of unforgettable moments. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Simon Spier & Bram Greenfeld, “Love, Simon” (2018) One of Hollywood’s First Gay Teen Romances Gave Online Penpals the Ferris Wheel Treatment Sook-hee & Lady Hideko, “The Handmaiden” (2016) This Acclaimed Period Piece Presents a Touching Love Story Within a Psychological Thriller Russell & Glen, “Weekend” (2011) It Only Takes a Weekend to Fall in Love Omar Ali & Johnny Burfoot, “My Beautiful Laundrette” (1985) A Tale of Taboo Love in the U.K. of the 1980s Ellie Chu & Aster Flores, “The Half of It” (2020) Their Relationship Starts with Deception, But Ends in Triumph

The romance between Chiron and his childhood friend Kevin is technically short-lived. Yet the latter character looms incredibly large in all three stages of the protagonist’s life. The pair’s first romantic encounter takes place on a beach when they’re teenagers, and sets the stage for much of what follows. Although Trevante Rhodes and André Holland deliver subdued performances, the longing between the pair at their long-awaited reunion is palpable. Chiron’s vulnerable revelation that their intimate experience was his last only adds to the moment’s intensity. In short, this beautiful coming-of-age drama by Barry Jenkins features a truly memorable couple.