7 Cult Classic LGBTIQA+ Comedy Films You Might Have Missed
Everyone knows about Rocky Horror and Priscilla, but did you know there’s a bunch of cult classic comedies with LGBTIQA+ characters and themes?
Some are from “legit gay cinema” because they were made with less money and the actors are actually gay. The others are just regular Hollywood films — so the actors are straight and able to be famous for their work.
I’ve watched a bit of gay cinema over the course of my life but a few films were not just funny they were influential in my permanent world view.
Here are my top 7 cult classic gay comedies I’d suggest anyone watch.
#1 —Beautiful Thing (1996)
This film by Jonathan Harvey is a coming of age tale of two lads who come from a poor neighbourhood and rough families. They bond after one of the boys is assaulted by a family member and sleeps over. As you might guess from the aesthetic, homosexuality isn’t really accepted in the community they’re from. This movie touched a lot of personal notes for me.
On the lighter side of drama, this wonderful film taught a lot of my friends that it’s OK to be gay. Sometimes when you’re from a small city, or a small minded family, it can feel like you’re alone but Beautiful Thing showed me that there are other gay people out there all going through the same thing.
Speaking of personal notes — the Mama Cass soundtrack that frames the emotion of various scenes. Beautiful Thing is about two gay teenage boys but it’s also about being an outcast and growing up in an abusive home.
#2 —All About My Mother (1999)
A bit dark but very sweet, I won’t spoil anything about the hilarious and gut wrenching ride that this film takes you on but needless to say it’s a tale about human relationships, the kindness of strangers and hope.
This was quite a subversive film for 1999 audiences but mercifully we have evolved a bit as a society. Certainly the suffering of some of the characters will feel particularly cruel and unjust to today’s sensibilities.
This is a touching film about some of the hard struggles LGBTIQA+ people go through as seen through the lens of a heterosexual woman and mother.
#3 —Mambo Italiano (2003)
This cute and romantic film from Canada is about the romance between two men and how their Italian migrant families react to their relationship.
Even in western countries where being gay is widely accepted, children of migrant families sometimes go through cultural issues with coming out and finding happiness in their relationships — well into adulthood.
Mambo Italiano never really crosses too far into the drama on screen but still if you’ve lived some of it like many in our community have then you can probably pick up on the subtext. The one liners and the colourful characters are what steal the show here, especially the slutty sister.
#4 — The Birdcage (1996)
Robin Williams and Nathan Lane walk into a bar. Also they own the bar, and they’re a married to each other. Hank Azaria is their over the top gay housekeeper and he lives with them. But no one can know… This classic is one of the stupidest most hilarious romps in gay cinematic history.
This movie is about two families with very different values whose kids are about to get married. There’s a lot of depth at the heart of all the characters and humour in The Birdcage and that is good representation for the LGBTIQA+ community for a mainstream Hollywood film.
Williams, Lane and Azaria steal the show but there are also some amazing cameos from other legends like Christine Baranski, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest and Calista Flockhart. People born after the year 2000 will probably have no idea what I’m on about…
#5 — To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar (1995)
If you don’t think of straight leading men Wesley Snipes or Patrick Swayze as hilarious drag queens then this film is gonna change your life, darling. This is a road trip film takes two drag queens and a drag baby across the country from New York to Hollywood for a drag pageant.
The drag scene has always been an important part of the gay community and the arts. A lot of people think gay culture is just about hooking up and doing drugs but the creativity, the artistry and the massive amount of time and money that goes into producing drag shows there is so much more to our community.
This is a road trip movie through and through — they break down and have to stay in a town that doesn’t like their kind, they meet celebrities playing themselves and colorful characters. Even RuPaul shows up at one point, although I wish it were for longer cause she was brilliant. Other icons like Naomi Campbell, Julie Newmar and Robin Williams also pop in.
#6 — I Love You Phillip Morris (2010)
When it comes to the feelings between two people of the same gender, society doesn’t seem to grasp we’re literally just as passionate, and stupid, when we fall in love as any heterosexual cis person. I Love You Phillip Morris is based on a true story of con artists in gay love, and prison breaks.
When Jim Carrey started doing serious films in the early 2000s I never thought he would go on to play a gay man but he did a phenomenal job as the shady goofball, Steven Russell. Ewan McGregor plays his prison inmate, Phillip Morris, and main love interest in this story. Behind the jokes, both actors give their performances a gentle sweetness which makes the chemistry feel authentic and very relatable as a gay man.
Certainly in this film there’s moments where if the two people had been a man and a woman — you can imagine society might have taken steps to make sure they couldn’t recommit their crimes but they overlook the mens’ feelings and so they keep getting away with their hijinx. If you enjoy films about underdogs and anti heroes then I Love You Phillip Morris is very that, leaving you giggling with tears right until the end.
#7 — Another Gay Movie (2006)
I’m not sure if sex education at school has changed in the twenty years since I’ve been, but the amount of advice and help for LGBTIQA+ kids was absolutely non existent. At best an ally Phys Ed teacher might acknowledge that some people have sex with people of the same gender and to also wear a condom in that situation. Where was our American Pie to teach the kids?
Another Gay Movie is heavily satirical and lampoons the format of “Movie Movie” films by the Zucker Bros, but to great success. This is definitely not a family film, given that it’s the gay man’s American Pie it features a bit of dick and all that good stuff. They also cover BDSM, cruising and more.
Back when this movie came out in 2006 we were still on that very edge of mainstream cultural acceptance and certainly it felt like some forces expected the gay community to just conform to the norms of society. Another Gay Movie shows you that gay people are who they are and that if you embrace your true self it can be great to be gay. Featuring a performance by Graham Norton that is as hilarious as it is disturbing, you definitely need to check this one out if you haven’t seen it already.
If you want to find out more, check out this extensive list on IMDB.
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