Date night is a great opportunity to connect with your significant other. When you both work long hours and are engaged with endless obligations, setting time aside each week is vital for the future of your relationship. Of course, you may also find yourself struggling for ideas on what to do. If you don’t feel like going out, there’s nothing wrong with putting on a movie and relaxing at home. Recent years have seen the release of a ton of excellent films for the queer community. When you need a perfect date night idea, consider watching one of these fantastic LGBTQ+ movies.

Romantic Movies

Looking for romance in the movie you watch? There are some perfect films that fit this criteria. “Moonlight” made a big splash with audiences when it was released in 2016. The film centers around a man who is trying to find himself and his place in the world. Set over the course of three defining moments in the man’s life, the movie is an insightful exploration of what it means to be both African American and a gay man. Featuring a fantastic cast and unforgettable story, this may be the perfect film for your next date night.

“God’s Own Country” is another story of young love that might be interesting to you and your significant other. Taking place on a farm in Northern England, this movie centers around a young man and a hired hand who forge a bond while caring for livestock. Similar in some ways to the now-classic “Brokeback Mountain,” this flick takes a long look at isolation. The sense of loneliness and longing that is present throughout parts of the film is one that is sure to resonate with many members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Inspirational Films

The road has not always been easy for same-sex couples. Throughout history, the gay community has been hit with a lot of adversity from religious, political, and cultural opponents. Connecting with the struggle your community has faced could be a great way to select your movie for date night. “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson,” for example, tells the inspirational story of Marsha P. Johnson, a transgendered activist who was responsible for encouraging the infamous Stonewall Riots in New York City in the late 1960s.

Another film in this vein is “Milk.” Released in 2008, the flick features Sean Penn as real-life politician Harvey Milk. The movie follows Milk as he becomes the first openly gay politician in America. Penn received critical acclaim for his performance, and the story is a must for anyone who is interested in learning more about the figures who have paved the way for other LGBTQ+ politicians and government workers.

A documentary, such as“Paris Is Burning”, might also be the perfect fit for your date night plans. This movie tells the story of the Golden Age of New York City’s drag scene and its cultural impact.

Genre-Specific Flicks

For a long time, LGBTQ+ movies were centered solely around romance or politics. Luckily, this is not the case anymore. If you want to watch a horror film, check out a movie like “Rift.” This psychological thriller was produced in Iceland and tells a mysterious story about a young man seeking a former lover who has run off into the wilderness. Whether you want the campy comedy of a movie like “Eating Out” or the wacky insightfulness of “But I’m a Cheerleader,” there are a ton of genre-specific movies out there to consider.

Spending time with your partner is important to keep your relationship alive. A date night with LGBTQ movies is the perfect opportunity to bond. The next time you’re short on ideas for what to do, check your favorite streaming services for one of these films and engage with a bit of your own culture.