Offering some of the most real and captivating queer stories in films, Canadian lesbian films have long led front stage in LGBTQ+ narrative. From modern masterpieces to ground-breaking classics, these Canadian lesbian films highlight the great range of experiences in our community. You’ll learn why Canada continues to be a powerhouse in creating significant LGBTQ+ content as we examine these 20 must-see films.
Looking to explore more international lesbian cinema? Check out our guides to Korean Lesbian Movies, Japanese Lesbian Films, Swedish LGBTQ+ Cinema, German Queer Films, and Chinese Lesbian Movies.
In This Article
This Place (2022)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2022
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer
โจ A stunning debut capturing the essence of modern Toronto
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: Through the eyes of two young ladies, one Iranian and the other Tamil, Canadian director V.T. Nayani’s amazing debut catches the core of modern Toronto. Their love narrative creates a colourful tapestry of cultural crossings against the backdrop of difficult familial legacies.
You Can Live Forever (2022)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2022
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Rent on Amazon
โจ A beautiful film exploring religion and queer identity
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: This exquisitely written film centres on the careful balance between religious faith and gay identity. One particularly memorable moment takes place during a movie night in a car: the subdued interaction of neon lights and secret glances precisely captures that familiar aching of unexressed emotions.
๐ Similar Recommendations:
- View Our Coming-of-Age Lesbian Stories
Happiest Season (2020)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2020
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime
โจ A holiday romance with electric chemistry
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: On film in this festive romance, Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis produce absolute joy. Particularly appealing to younger LGBT audiences, their interaction feels explosive and very real.
๐ Similar Recommendations:
- Explore Christmas Lesbian Movies
What Keeps You Alive (2018)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2018
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime, Rent on Amazon
โจ A fresh and innovative thriller
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: This thriller offers a whole unique take on the genre. The original audio-visual approach of the movie produces very brilliant moments. Jackie’s shockingly accurate portrayal of a psychopath adds to the complexity of the lesbian connection central to the narrative.
Allure (2017)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2017
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Rent on Amazon
โจ A fascinating performance from Evan Rachel Wood
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: Rachel Wood gives a remarkable performance deviating from her past parts. The narrative looks at how spirits from several realms fight to link even in times of shared ease.
Almost Adults (2016)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2016
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Rent on Amazon
โจ A realistic portrayal of coming-of-age as a queer person
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: This movie captures actual coming-of-age as a gay person. It explores human development and camaraderie rather than offering another shiny romance or clichรฉd narrative.
Below Her Mouth (2016)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2016
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime
โจ A raw, bold portrayal of a lesbian relationship
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: After seeing “Blue Is the Warmest Colour,” I assumed I had seen the most vivid representation of a lesbian romance; then, this movie came on screen. The 2016 Toronto International Film Festival choices exude raw vitality seldom found in LGBT film.
Tru Love (2013)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2013
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime, DVD on Amazon
โจ A beautiful exploration of parent-child dynamics and love later in life
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: Wolfe Company’s embracing of lesbian narrative results in something unique. This movie presents advice on being gay later in life and deftly examines parent-child relationships.
๐ Similar Recommendations:
- Explore Age-Gap Lesbian Romances
Margarita (2012)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2012
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime, Rent on Amazon
โจ A film with exceptional performances
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: Though the whole cast is worthy, the female protagonist really shines. Her character’s unreserved expressing of feelingsโlove or angerโfeels very real.
Lost Girl Season 1-2 (2010 – 2011)
๐บ Release Years: 2010-2011
๐ฌ Where to Watch: YouTube
โจ A groundbreaking series with a bisexual succubus protagonist
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: With Bo, the bisexual succubus protagonist, this innovative show stretched limits. Offering some of the most real sapphic partnerships on television, Bo and Lauren’s chemistry became legendary in the LGBT world.
The Last Sect (2007)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2007
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer
โจ A unique blend of vampire lore and sapphic storytelling
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: Following journalist Sydney St. James as she probes Artemis, an online dating agency just for women, a special mix of vampire mythology and sapphic narrative emerges. The enigmatic owner Annaโactually an ancient vampire called Anastasiaโallows an interesting examination of power and seduction.
๐ Similar Recommendations:
- Explore Lesbian Vampire Films
Finn’s Girl (2007)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2007
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime
โจ A vision of an inclusive future
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: The movie presents an inclusive future whereby every element of life, including profession, family, marriage, children, – has equal importance. Its surprising turn into science fiction ground in the last act adds another element.
Floored by Love (2005)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2005
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime
โจ A light-hearted take on family relationships
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: This is a somewhat light-hearted approach to family dynamics. The narrative of Janet from Japan and Cara from China demonstrates how love transcends cultural and national borders.
๐ Similar Recommendations:
- Explore Asian Lesbian Films
Lost and Delirious (2001)
๐ฌ Release Year: 2001
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime
โจ A prep school story that challenges stereotypes
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: Tucked in a prep school, this narrative centres three girls negotiating difficult emotions. The movie questions conventional wisdom on lesbian partnerships when Barton learns of the relationship between her housemates Tori and Paulie.
๐ Similar Recommendations:
- Explore Boarding School Lesbian Stories
Emporte-moi (1999)
๐ฌ Release Year: 1999
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer
โจ A powerful use of creative montage techniques
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: The movie uses artistic montage methods to highlight the need of direction amid youth revolt. The brief haircut of Hanna turns into a potent emblem of change from innocence to self-discovery.
๐ Similar Recommendations:
- Explore French WLW Cinema
Better Than Chocolate (1999)
๐ฌ Release Year: 1999
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime, Rent on Amazon
โจ A complex coming-out story with memorable scenes
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: More intricacy is provided in this movie than in traditional coming-out tales. Three sequences particularly stand out for their impact: a daring window scene, an emotional collapse on a living room couch, and a gentle encounter with a transgender character.
High Art (1998)
๐ฌ Release Year: 1998
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime, Rent on Amazon
โจ An artistic approach that rewards viewers’ perspectives
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: Seeing this ’98 movie today instead of when it initially came out definitely highlights our progress in knowledge about gay relationships. The creative approach to narrative honours viewers who add their own viewpoints.
Revoir Julie (1998)
๐ฌ Release Year: 1998
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime
โจ A mature exploration of adult love
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: Adult love strikes different from young romance, and this movie brilliantly conveys that. The informal flow of English and French reflects the way relationships grow organically.
๐ Similar Recommendations:
- Check Out French GL Lesbian Cinema
When Night Is Falling (1995)
๐ฌ Release Year: 1995
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime
โจ A masterpiece exploring relationship complexities
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: Inspired by “Listen to the Mermaid Sing,” Patricia Rozema produces still another masterwork on relationship complexity independent of orientation. Inspired by Bergman’s “Fanny and Alexander,” it traverses forbidden love with both mystery and boldness.
Forbidden Love: The Unashamed Stories of Lesbian Lives (1992)
๐ฌ Release Year: 1992
๐บ Where to Watch: Trailer, Rent on Amazon
โจ A powerful documentary sharing stories from the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s
๐ Why It’s Worth Watching: Ten women’s moving tales from lesbian life in Vancouver and Toronto in the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s are told in this documentary. Their memories of first love and self-discovery via lesbian books produce a significant historical record of the community.
๐ Similar Recommendations:
- View Our Old Lesbian History Collection
FAQs About Canadian Lesbian Films
1. What is the most famous Canadian lesbian movie?
“Better Than Chocolate” (1999) is widely considered one of the most iconic Canadian lesbian films. This groundbreaking movie gained international recognition for its authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships and remains a beloved classic in queer cinema. More recent films like “Below Her Mouth” (2016) have also gained significant attention globally.
2. Are Canadian lesbian movies available on Netflix?
Many Canadian lesbian films are available on various streaming platforms. While Netflix’s catalog changes regularly, platforms like Amazon Prime consistently offer a good selection of Canadian LGBTQ+ content. Some films like “Happiest Season” and “Lost Girl” are available on multiple streaming services.
3. Why are there so many lesbian films from Canada?
Canada’s progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights and strong film industry support have created an environment where queer stories can flourish. With 9 LGBTQ+ film festivals across 8 cities (the highest number globally), Canada provides numerous platforms for lesbian storytelling. Additionally, government funding and cultural policies actively support diverse filmmaking.
4. Which Canadian cities are featured in these lesbian movies?
Toronto and Vancouver are the most commonly featured cities in Canadian lesbian films, with Montreal and Quebec City also making frequent appearances. “This Place” (2022) beautifully showcases Toronto’s diverse communities, while “Better Than Chocolate” captures Vancouver’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.
5. What is the newest Canadian lesbian movie?
As of 2024, “This Place” (2022) and “You Can Live Forever” (2022) are the newest major Canadian lesbian film releases. Both movies have received critical acclaim for their fresh perspectives on queer relationships and intersectional storytelling.
6. Are Canadian lesbian movies suitable for all audiences?
Canadian lesbian films vary in content and ratings. While some like “Almost Adults” are suitable for teen audiences, others like “Below Her Mouth” contain mature content. Each film in our guide includes content notes to help viewers make informed choices.