This carefully chosen collection of lesbian movies with happy endings shows that LGBTQ+ stories can and should be inspiring, defying conventional tragic themes. From modern American romances to highly regarded Asian tragedies, these films span many decades, genres, and civilisations while nevertheless sharing one common thread: love wins at last.
In This Article
1. Summerland (2020)
Country: United Kingdom
Rating: 7.1/10 IMDb
Review: Summerland’s outstanding writing is what most grabs me about it. LGBT-themed films emphasising lesbian viewpoints have exploded in popularity recently, but this one is unique. Summerland’s greatness is in how it strikes a mix between gay narratives and healing without one overwhelming the other. Both stories highlight their own right through masterfully combined flashbacks. Though there are several characters, the narrative never seems crowded since every person shows different personality qualities. Five stars!
The movie runs a fine line between theatrical drama and the breathtaking visual display of the Seven Sisters cliffs. Again, again, who does not enjoy a fairy tale—especially one this lovely? Alice’s question to Frank, “Do you think it’s strange for a woman to love another woman?” marks my favourite scene. He responds, after careful deliberation, “No”—and her tears start to flow right away. It is utterly moving.
2. Tell It to the Bees (2018)
Country: United Kingdom
Rating: 7.0/10 IMDb
Review: Set in 1950s Scotland, this gentle romance centres Dr. Jean Markham and single mother Lydia, whose life entwine after Lydia’s son develops an obsession with Jean’s beekeeping. Both ladies deal with personal conflicts and small-town prejudices as their relationship evolves. With Jean providing refuge to mother and son in their hour of need, the movie deftly depicts how their relationship develops from friendship to love. Their narrative becomes a potent monument to discovering love and family in unlikely locations—even in the face of social criticism—even in
Long after it finishes, this movie will make you laugh with your eyes, carry it in your heart, and cause you to sit silently in meditation. It also shows what I think to be among the most exquisite kisses caught on film this year.
Although the narrative centres on two grown women, it is masterfully written from the viewpoint of a child. The movie opens with little Charlie fascinatedly watching the beehive world, a tiny community run under female rule. We accompany him as the story progresses in investigating this amazing cosmos. Surprisingly, we find that the colony can decide whether to split, produce a new queen, or even murder a queen who acts against the group’s interests; the “queen bee” does not really control the hive with total power—a fitting parallel for the human interactions in the film.
3. The Handmaiden (2016)
Country: South Korea
Rating: 8.1/10 IMDb
Review: The brilliant thriller Park Chan-wook creates from a convoluted plot a lovely love story. Filmed in 1930s Korea under Japanese control, it centres on Sook-hee, a pickpocket who turns into a handmaiden in order to swindle Lady Hideko, a Japanese heiress. As the two ladies come to know their actual emotions among layers of betrayal and deceit, what starts as dishonesty develops into real passion. The amazing images and complex story twists of the movie help to accentuate the emotional impact of their developing love, therefore producing a triumphant ending in which real affection overcomes all plans and social restrictions.
The two women grabbing their opportunity under cover of darkness, carrying their bags and moving in perfect synchrony as they open door after door, then race past a massive cherry tree towards freedom—toward fresh air and the wide-open world—is my favourite scene. Although many contend the first book “Fingersmith” is better, I think this adaption to be simply flawless. It offers a one-of- a-kind investigation of desire in the shadows—a particularly East Asian sensibility only fully grasped after extensive immersion in Confucian cultural traditions.
Related:
4. All About E (2015)
Country: Australia
Rating: 7.1/10 IMDb
Review: Combining crime aspects with a moving tale of forgiveness and second chances, this Australian thriller is The movie veers unexpectedly when she meets her ex-girlfriend when a gifted DJ discovers she is on the run with a bag of pilfers money. From a crime caper, what starts out as a crime becomes a careful investigation of past errors and the bravery required to confront them. The road trip story represents self-discovery and acceptance, which finally shows that real love can conquer past betrayals. This is a tale about losing oneself and mustering the bravery to find what counts most once more.
The story is brilliantly simple: a lesbian DJ flees with a money bag belonging to a crime leader alongside her gay pal in search of the real love she once betrayed. Her ex first rejects, but finally brings her back. Examining themes of becoming lost, discovering yourself, self-acceptance, and courage—all packaged in an interesting adventure—the movie has a clear road movie flavour.
Related:
5. Carol (2015)
Country: United States/United Kingdom
Rating: 7.2/10 IMDb
Review: Following the relationship between aspirant photographer Therese and sophisticated socialite Carol, a well written period romance set in 1950s New York Carol connects with shop assistant Therese right away when she walks into a retail store searching for a Christmas gift. Their later road trip turns into a path of forbidden love and self-discovery. While honouring the bravery to follow real love, the movie deftly depicts the social limitations of the time. Through Carol’s custody struggle and Therese’s artistic awakening, the narrative investigates the cost of living truly and the eventual victory of choosing love above society expectations.
We don’t even have to add “lesbian” as a qualifier; this is just the most exquisite love narrative of the year. As if nothing else matters, Todd Haynes’s camera concentrates just on these two women from start to finish. With its small scale, the movie creates a very close environment that simultaneously catches great longing. You know these two people would gladly become targets for the world simply to be together, hence a single glance might trigger tears to your eyes.
6. Pride (2014)
Country: United Kingdom
Rating: 7.8/10 IMDb
Review: Though mostly centred on gay rights activity, this inspirational film has notable lesbian relationships and characters. Based on the actual account of how London gay rights activists helped Welsh miners during their 1984 strike, the movie shows how unanticipated relationships can overcome discrimination. The narrative explores themes of camaraderie, acceptance, and the strength of unity in the face of hardship, therefore transcending ordinary action. The movie weaves a complex tapestry of queer representation honouring the triumph of community over persecution by combining several LGBTQ+ narratives including significant lesbian partnerships.
7. Kyss Mig (2011)
Country: Sweden
Rating: 7.0/10 IMDb
Review: When soon-to–be stepsisters Mia and Frida grow surprising emotions for each other, this Swedish romance gently manages the complicated dynamics. Filmed against the backdrop of their parents’ involvement, it looks at how their developing attraction tests personal identities and familial bonds. Though Mia is engaged to Tim, her relationship with Frida becomes hard to overlook. The movie honours the bravery to choose real love despite social standards and carefully looks at how their relationship affects their blended family. It argues powerfully for following one’s heart via close-ups and subtle acting.
Indeed, every girl, before and after she falls in love, occasionally wonders if her best friend could be her real love. The Barcelona meeting at the end is maybe too perfect but absolutely heart-melting. To create every scene with such flawless elegance, the director and cinematographer have to be perfectionists. Both ladies give outstanding performances that make the romance absolutely realistic.
Related:
8. The Four-Faced Liar (2010)
Country: United States
Rating: 7.1/10 IMDb
Review: Filmed in New York City, this indie romance gently examines the complexity of relationships and sexuality. The narrative explores closely issues of what really is true love: whether it’s exclusivity, knowledge of someone’s preferred flowers, or late-night talks until dawn. By means of its investigation of friendship, desire, and identity, the movie questions accepted relationship narratives. The characters struggle with issues of commitment, society expectations, and the bravery required to seek real connections, thereby honouring the beauty of choosing love even in doubt.
The way the movie ends—it avoids both a neat “happily ever after” and extreme melancholy—makes me especially fond of it. Rather, it reveals to us straight forward truths and modest confessions. Some things are not changeable or not necessary. Just that straightforward, lovely line: “I am absolutely fascinated in you!” That is all I wish you to know. One may learn a lot from simplicity.
9. I Can’t Think Straight (2008)
Country: United Kingdom/India
Rating: 7.0/10 IMDb
Review: Inspired by director Shamim Sarif’s autobiographical book, this cross-cultural romance centres on British Indian Muslim woman Leyla and Palestinian Christian Tala from London. Their surprising relationship questions religious doctrine and cultural standards. The film examines issues of cultural identity, family obligation, and personal truth via Leyla’s path as an aspiring writer and Tala’s battle with her approaching marriage. Their love narrative gently addresses the complexity of conventional family ideals and becomes a strong evidence of choosing real happiness over social responsibilities.
This movie has the same laid-back attitude of “The Four-Faced Liar” and “Saving Face”—lighthearted, funny, with clever dialogue and engaging heroes. I became aware that I was smiling while viewing the whole movie. This type of film could only exist in our day, when many people no longer find it forbidden to be gay. “I’m gay, just like I have brown hair”—a rather matter-of-fact viewpoint—one character aptly notes.
10. The World Unseen (2007)
Country: United Kingdom/South Africa
Rating: 7.0/10 IMDb
Review: Against the backdrop of 1950s apartheid South Africa, this potent drama tracks the growing relationship between free-spirited café entrepreneur Amina and conservative housewife Miriam. By means of their developing relationship, the film investigates issues of opposition against racial and gender inequalities. The photography catches the sweet moments among the heroes as well as the hard reality of the apartheid era. Their love narrative starts to represent more general social transformation and shows how individual bravery may oppose systematic injustice. The movie honours not only romantic love but also the courage to live really in a constrained environment.
More of a drama about 1950s South African apartheid and female consciousness awakening, the lesbian plot isn’t really the main emphasis or cause of conflict in this movie. This could help to explain why Lisa and Sheetal felt motivated to work together once more after reading the book while shooting “I Can’t Think Straight.” Miriam and Amina don’t really meet many times in the book, but when their eyes lock, Miriam’s avoidance and Amina’s direct stare tell volumes about their shared desire and understanding. Did you see Amina’s smile at the end of the movie? Perhaps the conclusion marks the start of another narrative.
11. Nina’s Heavenly Delights (2006)
Country: United Kingdom
Rating: 7.0/10 IMDb
Review: Nina visits Glasgow following the death of her father to discover his half-owned Indian restaurant run by Lisa. Originally a cooperation to win a curry competition, what starts off as such turns into an unplanned romance. The movie deftly combines familial relationships, cultural aspects, and the universal language of food to chronicle discovering love in unlikely locations. Nina and Lisa’s love grows organically and gently through family strife and cooking contests. The movie honours Scottish-Indian culture as well as the bravery to choose love, therefore forging a friendly narrative about family, history, and following one’s heart.
I expected something typical, maybe an inspirational tale about a daughter rescuing her family restaurant, thus this movie totally shocked me. Rather, it turned out to be a real gay film exploring not just lesbian love but far more. Its Indian-heritage backdrop, an uncommon find in lesbian film, sets it especially apart. With amazing lightness, the narrative weaves together brotherly love, sisterly tenderness, father-daughter links, mother-daughter partnerships, a mother’s secret loves, and a fiancé’s loyalty in a rather short running time. That is rather noteworthy.
12. Fingersmith (2005)
Country: United Kingdom
Rating: 7.2/10 IMDb
Review: The Victorian thriller masterwork Sarah Waters created for BBC deftly blends suspense with romance. Originally a story of dishonesty, where Sue intends to assist con artist Maud heiress, the narrative gets far more complicated. Their original plan gives way to real emotions through complex story turns and disclosures on the pasts of both ladies. The gothic atmosphere and period detail improve rather than overwhelm the basic love narrative. The film highlights how real love can transcend social barriers and dishonesty against a backdrop of class variances and social restraints.
Third book by Sarah Waters is “Fingersmith; I’ve heard she focusses in researching lesbian literature.” Her works effectively place lesbian storylines inside the lace trimmings of nineteenth-century settings, giving them a classical beauty and splendour far removed from modern pace—almost legendary in their ethereal nature. With dramatic tension between the contrasts it presents— violent males against deceived and trampled women, dishonest and lifeless upper class against frenetic and energetic London underclass—the movie offers a wonderfully complete and gratifying story.
The opening half of the movie, where two females suddenly discover love among their machinations and deceptions—almost a mockery of men—is especially dear to me. Their reciprocal treachery for self-preservation masterfully conveys the reality of life among the outskirts of society. Later Mrs. Sucksby’s storyline introduces more complexity, but it loses some thematic consistency and veers from being essentially a lesbian narrative.
13. Imagine Me & You (2005)
Country: United Kingdom
Rating: 7.0/10 IMDb
Review: Beginning during Rachel’s wedding, this delightful British romantic comedy finds her driven to her florist, Luce, without any explanation. This is a gentle and honest investigation of unanticipated love as well as the bravery to follow one’s heart. The film gently and humorously treats somewhat challenging subject matter through Rachel’s developing awareness of her emotions and her husband’s ultimate comprehension. The narrative honours the value of being honest with people and oneself as well as the ways in which actual love could show up at the most unlikely events.
14. D.E.B.S. (2004)
Country: United States
Rating: 7.2/10 IMDb
Review: By concentrating on Amy, a top student at a secret espionage academy who develops feelings for Lucy Diamond, a well-known supervillain, this light-hearted spy comedy subverts convention. What starts off as monitoring becomes an unexpected relationship that questions both sides of the law- enforcement split. The movie deftly employs its campy approach to chronicle choosing love over obligation and being true to oneself. By means of Amy and Lucy’s developing relationship, the film shows how love can transcend social norms and expectations, all the while preserving a light, humorous tone that enhances the efficacy of its acceptance theme.
15. Saving Face (2004)
Country: United States
Rating: 7.5/10 IMDb
Review: Following accomplished surgeon Wil as she balances her job, conventional family expectations, and her love for dancer Vivian, a pioneering investigation of Chinese-American society and sexuality follows. The movie gently shows several generations of Chinese-American women discovering their road to happiness. By means of Wil’s path to embrace her sexuality and her mother’s concurrent path of personal emancipation, the narrative explores how modern life and tradition could coexist. The way the movie handles family dynamics and cultural identity gives its celebration of love and authenticity especially great potency.
Tags: #AsianAmerican #Family #Culture #Romance #LGBTQ
Related:
16. Better Than Chocolate (1999)
Country: Canada
Rating: 7.0/10 IMDb
Review: Just as Maggie, the 19-year-old employee of a lesbian bookshop falls in love with artist Kim, her recently divorced mother and younger brother move in with her in this friendly Canadian comedy. The movie deftly combines humour and compassion with several narratives about love, family acceptance, and personal identification. Maggie’s attempts to conceal her relationship and her mother’s path towards understanding help the movie to examine issues of family, sincerity, and the bravery to live honestly. Its sex-positive stance and varied LGBTQ+ community representation set it out among 90s queer films.
Tags: #CanadianFilm #Comedy #Romance #SexPositive #LGBTQ
Related:
17. But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
Country: United States
Rating: 7.2/10 IMDb
Review: Following cheerleader Megan goes to a conversion therapy camp where she realises her actual self and finds unanticipated love, this satirical comedy explores The film tells a romantic love tale while criticising homophobia using vivid, candy-colored visuals and cutting humour. By means of Megan’s relationship with Graham, the movie shows how real love may blossom even in the most confined settings. The camp’s ridiculous attempts at “straightening” its pupils become background for a celebration of self-acceptance and real love, which makes its joyful ending so fulfilling.
18. Show Me Love (1998)
Country: Sweden
Rating: 7.2/10 IMDb
Review: Often referred to as “Fucking Åmål,” this Swedish coming-of- age narrative transformed LGBTQ+ film with its accurate depiction of teenage lesbian love. The movie centres on Agnes, a lonely adolescent secretly in love with popular classmate Elin. From Elin’s first dare-motivated kiss to real emotions, the movie catches the intricacy of teenage love and small-town life via their changing relationship. Combining the real depiction of teenage emotions and social pressures in the narrative with its hopeful ending, it is a landmark in LGBT cinema that still has great resonance and impact now.
Tags: #SwedishFilm #ComingOfAge #TeenRomance #SmallTown #LGBTQ
Related:
19. Bound (1996)
Country: United States
Rating: 7.3/10 IMDb
Review: Following ex-con Corky and Violet, a gangster’s fiancée, as they scheme to steal millions and flee together, the Wachowski’s elegant neo-noir thriller is The movie shows how intense lesbian romance mixed with traditional crime films can propel mainstream genre stories forward. The movie tells a gripping tale about love overcoming all challenges by combining suspense, sexiness, and real feeling. This is a fantastic crime thriller and a praised work of lesbian film because of the chemistry between the protagonists and the deft structuring.
20. Desert Hearts (1985)
Country: United States
Rating: 7.3/10 IMDb
Review: Filmed in 1959 Reno, this innovative work follows Professor Vivian Bell, who arrives for a divorce and suddenly develops feelings for the free-spirited Cay Rivers. Based on Jane Rule’s book, the movie was innovative for its favourable treatment of lesbian romance in a time when such narratives usually concluded tragically. By means of Vivian’s path from uncertainty to acceptance of her emotions for Cay, the film investigates issues of self-discovery and the bravery to choose love despite social expectations. Maintaining its ability to affect viewers today, it opened the path for later LGBTQ+ films as the first generally available lesbian feature film with a joyful ending.
Looking Forward
More excellent lesbian films with joyful endings could be expected as representation in films keeps becoming better. The popularity of these films indicates that across all genres and cultures, there is a sizable audience for uplifting LGBTQ+ narratives.
