11 LGBTQ+ films and series to stream this Pride month
Many members of our Pickle community turn to art as a way to celebrate their identities. While people choose to celebrate Pride month in many different ways, we have rounded up a streaming list to check out from home or on the go.
Below, you'll find films and series that our talented alumni helped to create. They feature prominent LGBTQ+ main characters and/or themes, in the hopes that members of our community can feel seen and represented through art.
1. "Everything Everywhere All At Once" - Netflix, Paramount+
This film follows middle-aged Chinese immigrant Evelyn – who has strained relationships with both her husband and lesbian daughter – as she is pulled into a crazy adventure to save existence across infinite parallel universes. Currently estimated to be the most awarded film of all time, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” won seven Academy Awards in 2022 including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Editing and Best Original Screenplay.
Alumni connections to the film include School of Drama alumnus Timothy Eulich who served as the stunt coordinator for the film, School of Filmmaking alumni Sam Ogden who served as the set designer and Alex Bickel who was the colorist for the film.
2. "Euphoria" - HBO Max
A series that explores what life can be like for the modern teenager, “Euphoria” has received rave reviews from critics for its cinematography, acting, production and handling of mature content. Series lead Zendaya, who plays main character Rue Bennet, is the youngest person to ever receive the Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama series.
High school Visual Arts alumna Hunter Schafer stars as Jules Vaughn, a friend and love interest of Rue. Schafer also served as a writer for the special episode “F*** Anyone Who's Not a Sea Blob - Part Two: Jules,” released in January 2021.
3. “Sense8” - Netflix
A science fiction drama, “Sense8” tells the story of eight strangers from around the world who are suddenly reborn as “sensate,” meaning they are connected psychically and can share knowledge, language and skills. Throughout the series, the group works to help each other overcome personal obstacles and evade abduction.
Drama alumnus Terrence Mann plays main villain “Whispers,” who tries to capture members of the eight.
4. “Dickinson” - Apple TV+
This innovative comedy-drama series loosely follows the life of American poet Emily Dickinson before and during the Civil War. Combining period design, contemporary music and dialogue, and vivid interpretations of her poetry, “Dickinson” explores concepts of gender, society and family through the eyes of Dickinson.
Alumni connections in this series are extensive, starting with Film alumnus David Gordon Green who served as executive producer and director. Drama alumni featured in the series include Samuel Farnsworth as George Gould, Gus Halper as Joseph and Matt Lauria as Ben Newton. Other alumni involved include Assistant Art Director Lisa Merik (Design and Production), Dairus Shahmir (Filmmaking) in the camera and electrical department and vocal coach T. Oliver Reid (Music). Additionally, series star Adrian Blake Enscoe, who plays Austin Dickinson, is in the band Bandits on the Run with Drama alumni Regina Strayhorn and Sydney Torin Shepherd.
5. “One Day at a Time” - Netflix
Immigration, racism, PTSD, sexual orientation and gender identity are just a few of the topics addressed in this reboot of a 1970s show of the same name. A comedy/drama series that follows a Cuban-American multigenerational family living in Los Angeles, “One Day at a Time” has been praised by critics for both its writing and ensemble.
Drama alumna Tiffany Little Canfield served as casting director for the series.
Editor’s note: “One Day at a Time” was also recommended in “15 shows created by women you need to know.”
6. "Summoning Sylvia" - for rent on Amazon Prime
A comedy-horror film about a gay bachelor party that takes a turn when a seance is successful, "Summoning Sylvia" currently boasts a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes more than two months after it's March 2023 release date.
This film was co-written and co-directed by School of Drama alumnus Wesley Taylor alongside his longtime creative partner Alex Wyse.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article included the web series "Indoor Boys," also created by Taylor and featuring several other drama alumni. The series is currently available to stream on the series webpage.
7. “Love, Victor” - Hulu, Disney+
A spinoff of popular come-of-age film “Love, Simon,” “Love, Victor” follows teen Victor Salazar after moving from Texas to the Atlanta area and starting at Creekwood High School. The series shows Victor's journey of self discovery as he navigates new friendships, family drama and figuring out his sexuality. The first two seasons are already available to stream, and the third and final season is premiering this summer.
Drama alumna Tiffany Little Canfield served as casting director for the series.
8. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” - Netflix
An adaptation of the August Wilson play of the same name, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is based on 1920s blues singer Ma Rainey, played by Viola Davis. Dubbed the “Mother of Blues,” Rainey is considered a Black LGBTQ icon of the early 1900s.
Dance alumna Camille A. Brown created the stylized choreography for this Academy Award-winning film, while producing alumna Gilana Lobel served as production supervisor.
9. “For All Mankind” - Apple TV+
Set in an alternate timeline where the Soviets first landed on the moon and the global space race never ended, “For All Mankind” follows NASA astronauts as they work to pursue exploration and colonazation of the moon and beyond during the mid-to-late twentieth century.
Drama alumna Krys Marshall plays NASA's first Black astronaut Danielle Poole.
10. “Hearts Beat Loud” - for rent on Amazon Prime
A feel-good story about Brooklyn-based musician and record store owner Frank (Nick Offerman) and his studious daughter Sam (Kiersey Clemons), “Hearts Beat Loud” is set during the summer before Sam leaves for college in California. After a song they record for fun goes viral, Frank tries to convince Sam to start a band with him and create more music.
This film is packed with alumni connections, starting with film alumnus Brett Haley who served as writer and director. Drama alumni connections throughout the film include Linda Lee McBride as Callie, Alex Reznik as Professor Berg, Micheal Abbot, Jr. as Emcee, Quincy Dunn-Baker as Ryan and casting director Tiffany Little Canfield. Additional film alumni include Abraham Bengio as assistant to the producer, Dustin Bricker as script super and Zach Seivers as re-recording mixer, sound designer and supervising sound editor.
11. “For The Boys” - YouTube
This webseries follows the lives of three young, queer Black friends — Jamal, Anthony and Syed — as they navigate love and friendship in New York City.
"For The Boys" is co-created by Drama alumnus Mekhai Lee and stars recent alumnus Chandler Bryant. Other alumni involved in series include film graduate Maddison Whitfield who served as sound designer and drama alumni Lawrence Davis Jr. and James Alton.
Bonus: Ryan Murphy Productions - Netflix
Writer, director and producer Ryan Murphy is widely considered one of the most well known content creators of our time. A majority of his work has focused on telling stories surrounding people of marginalized identities. Below are a few of his most notable films and series, available to stream on Netflix, that have UNCSA alumni connections:
- “Pose” is set in the underground drag ballroom scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s and tells the story of Black and Latinx trans and gender non-conforming performers. The series is notable for having the most trans actors ever in a scripted television series. Design and Production stage management alumnus Tanase Popa has been with Ryan Murphy Productions since 2014 and served as a producer for “Pose.”
- “Glee” is a musical comedy/drama that follows the story of a high school Glee Club that competes with other show choirs while also exploring a wide range of social issues. Tanase Popa served as assistant to the executive producers.
- “Hollywood” follows actors and filmmakers during the Golden Age of Hollywood. The mini-series explores different social and political aspects of the era while reimagining events that could have happened in a more accepting world. Tanase Popa served as a producer and Drama alumnus Joe Mantello plays Dick Samuels.
- “The Boys in the Band” is a film adaptation of a 1968 play of the same name by Mart Crowley. The film takes place over the course of one night when nine friends attend a birthday party and share secrets. Tanase Popa served as a producer and Joe Mantello directed this film.
- “Ratched” is based on the life of Nurse Mildred Ratched from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” A suspenseful drama series, “Ratched” was praised in particular for its acting, costuming, production design and cinematography. Tansase Popa served as a producer, wig and makeup design alumnus Johan Teng worked on prosthetics and filmmaking production design alumna Lorr Volatier served as the art department production assistant.
- “The Prom” follows a group of washed up Broadway actors who rally to support a small town Indiana high school student who is barred from bringing her girlfriend to prom. Tanase Popa served as a producer.
- “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” shows the events leading up to and after Andrew Cunanan murdered famous fashion designer Gianni Versace in 1997. Tanase Popa served as an executive producer.
- “Halston” is based on the life of fashion designer Halston who first gained notoriety for designing Jackie Kennedy’s pillbox hat. Tanase Popa served as co-executive producer.
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Originally published: June 2, 2021
Last updated: June 7, 2023