Spanish lesbian movies and series have carved out a distinctive niche in global LGBTQ+ cinema, captivating audiences with their unique storytelling approaches and artistic vision. From passionate romances to thought-provoking dramas, Spanish creators continue to push boundaries in representing queer stories on screen. Known for their vibrant visuals and bold artistic choices, these productions offer fresh perspectives on love, identity, and social change.
Looking to explore more global lesbian cinema? Check out our guides to Korean Lesbian Movies, Japanese Lesbian Films, and Chinese Lesbian Movies.
In This Article
Spanish lesbian movies
La amiga de mi amiga (2022)
🎬 Release Year: 2022
📺 Where to Watch: Trailer
✨ A clever cinephile comedy set in Barcelona’s queer dating scene
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: Barcelona’s vibrant queer dating scene comes alive in this clever cinephile comedy. Follow Zaida, an aspiring filmmaker navigating love post-breakup while struggling to finish her script. When she meets her ex’s new girlfriend Lara at a party, their shared love for cinema sparks an unexpected connection. The film brilliantly references Eric Rohmer’s works while celebrating queer spaces and female artistry, making it one of 2022’s most refreshing lesbian films.
Elisa & Marcela (2019)
🎬 Release Year: 2019
📺 Where to Watch: Netflix
✨ A stunning black-and-white period drama based on Spain’s first recorded same-sex marriage
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: This stunning black-and-white period drama tells the groundbreaking true story of Spain’s first recorded same-sex marriage. Against the backdrop of 1901 Spain, where same-sex unions faced severe punishment, Elisa and Marcela’s journey from their first meeting in a convent to their historic marriage demonstrates extraordinary courage. Director Isabel Coixet masterfully captures both the tenderness of their love and the gravity of their social defiance.
The Heiresses (2018)
🎬 Release Year: 2018
📺 Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Rent on Amazon
✨ A nuanced exploration of class, aging, and awakening
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: This beautifully nuanced film explores class, aging, and awakening through the story of Chela and Chiquita, two wealthy women whose 30-year relationship faces new challenges. When financial troubles force them to sell their inherited possessions and Chiquita lands in prison for fraud, Chela must navigate a world she’s long been sheltered from. The film excels in portraying late-life sexual awakening and the evolution of long-term relationships.
🔍 Similar Recommendations:
- View Our Class Divide in LGBTQ+ Cinema
Carmen & Lola (2018)
🎬 Release Year: 2018
📺 Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Rent on Amazon
✨ A powerful story of forbidden love in Madrid’s Romani community
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: Set within Madrid’s Romani community, this powerful debut feature follows two young women discovering love against cultural expectations. Director Arantxa Echevarría brings authenticity and sensitivity to this story of forbidden love, while leads Zaira Romero and Rosy Rodriguez deliver captivating performances. The film beautifully captures both the vibrancy of Romani culture and the quiet courage of choosing love over tradition.
🔍 Similar Recommendations:
Anchor and Hope (2017)
🎬 Release Year: 2017
📺 Where to Watch: Trailer
✨ A refreshing take on modern relationships and parenthood desires
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: A refreshing take on modern relationships, this London-set story follows a couple living on a canal boat whose life is disrupted when they consider having a child. The film thoughtfully explores how parenthood desires can challenge established relationships, while its flowing canal setting perfectly symbolizes the characters’ journey through uncertainty.
🔍 Similar Recommendations:
- Check Out Queer Cinema Set in the UK
Room in Rome (2010)
Room in Rome (2010)
🎬 Release Year: 2010
📺 Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Rent on Amazon
✨ An artistic exploration of intimacy and connection
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: Director Julio Medem transforms a one-night encounter into an unforgettable exploration of intimacy and connection. When Alba and Natasha meet in Rome, their brief time together becomes a profound journey of self-discovery. The film’s haunting soundtrack, especially “Loving Strangers,” perfectly captures their passionate yet melancholic connection. While boldly intimate, the film maintains an artistic elegance that elevates it beyond mere sensuality.
For 80 Days (2010)
🎬 Release Year: 2010
📺 Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Rent on Amazon
✨ A tender exploration of late-life love
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: This tender exploration of late-life love follows two women who reconnect after decades apart. The film beautifully portrays how age doesn’t diminish the capacity for love or the complexity of desire. Through careful character development and nuanced performances, it challenges stereotypes about both age and sexuality while delivering a deeply moving love story.
🔍 Similar Recommendations:
Eloïse’s Lover (2009)
🎬 Release Year: 2009
📺 Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Rent on Amazon
✨ A deep exploration of identity and desire through a feminine lens
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: Drawing inspiration from Hermann Hesse’s “Demian,” this film explores identity and desire through a distinctly feminine lens. The story delves deep into questions of self-discovery and sexual awakening, using powerful symbolism and thoughtful character development to create a memorable meditation on love and identity.
My Mother Likes Women (2002)
🎬 Release Year: 2002
📺 Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
✨ A charming comedy about late-in-life coming out
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: This charming comedy brings humor and heart to the story of three sisters dealing with their mother’s late-in-life coming out. While maintaining the characteristic energy of Spanish romantic comedy, the film tackles serious themes about family dynamics, acceptance, and the pursuit of happiness at any age.
Spanish Lesbian TV Shows
Las Pelotaris 1926 Season 1 (2023)
📺 Release Year: 2023
🎬 Where to Watch: Amazon
✨ A captivating series set in the roaring 1920s
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: Set in the roaring 1920s, this captivating series follows three female jai alai players – Chelo, Idoia, and Iz – as they chase their dreams and challenge societal norms. The show masterfully combines sports drama with LGBTQ+ themes, creating a rich tapestry of friendship, ambition, and forbidden love against a fascinating historical backdrop.
Acacias 38 Season 1- 5 (2017 – 2019)
📺 Release Years: 2017-2019
🎬 Where to Watch: Trailer
✨ A compelling story between a teacher and her artistic student
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: This beloved series features a compelling storyline between a teacher and her artistic student, proving that great chemistry can transcend age differences. Their journey from initial attraction to eventual separation keeps viewers invested through dramatic twists and emotional depth.
🔍 Similar Recommendations:
- Explore Age-Gap Lesbian Relationships
- View Our Teacher-Student Romance Stories
Notas aparte season 1-2 (TV Series 2016-2017)
📺 Release Years: 2016-2017
🎬 Where to Watch: YouTube
✨ A charming web series with five-minute episodes
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: This charming web series proves that quality doesn’t require quantity. With five-minute episodes, it perfectly captures the nuanced relationship between an art history teacher and her students. The series excels in finding beauty in small moments and authentic character interactions.
Tierra de lobos Season 1-3(2010-2013)
📺 Release Years: 2010-2013
🎬 Where to Watch: YouTube
✨ A passionate period drama with a memorable lesbian relationship
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: Following the passionate story of Isabel and Cristina, this period drama combines historical elements with compelling LGBTQ+ representation. Their electric chemistry and dramatic storyline culminate in one of Spanish television’s most memorable lesbian relationships.
Chica busca chica (2008)
📺 Release Year: 2008
🎬 Where to Watch: Trailer
✨ A groundbreaking series about lesbian relationships in urban Spain
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: This groundbreaking series follows four women sharing an apartment, exploring their interconnected relationships and personal growth. The show stands out for its honest portrayal of lesbian relationships and friend dynamics in urban Spain.
Los Hombres de Paco Season 1 (2005)
📺 Release Year: 2005
🎬 Where to Watch: Trailer
✨ A police drama featuring one of Spanish television’s beloved lesbian storylines
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: While primarily a police drama, this series features one of Spanish television’s most beloved lesbian storylines. The relationship between characters develops naturally and thoughtfully, demonstrating how mainstream shows can incorporate LGBTQ+ representation without making it feel tokenistic.
Mexican Lesbian Films
Madre Solo hay Dos season 1-3 (2021-2022)
Madre Solo hay Dos Season 1-3 (2021-2022)
📺 Release Years: 2021-2022
🎬 Where to Watch: Netflix
✨ A refreshing comedy-drama about an unconventional family
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: This refreshing comedy-drama follows two women who discover their babies were switched at birth. Rather than following a predictable path of conflict, they create an unconventional family arrangement. The series stands out for its unique take on family dynamics and subtle exploration of growing romantic feelings, proving that Mexican television can handle LGBTQ+ themes with both humor and sensitivity.
Amar a muerte (2018)
📺 Release Year: 2018
🎬 Where to Watch: YouTube
✨ A groundbreaking Mexican series with an authentic lesbian love story
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: This groundbreaking Mexican series delivers one of the most authentic lesbian love stories in Spanish-language television. The relationship between Juliana Valdés and Valentina transcends typical telenovela romance tropes. Their connection develops naturally – from chance meetings in the park to sharing fashion interests, leading to deeper emotional bonds.
The series excels in portraying their growing intimacy through small moments: Juliana’s subtle smiles when invited to Valentina’s home, their first exploratory kiss by the pool, and the raw vulnerability when Juliana needs emotional support during a family crisis. What makes this relationship particularly compelling is how it portrays both characters’ emotional journeys – Valentina’s expressive nature contrasting with Juliana’s quiet but equally deep feelings.
Argentine LGBTQ+ Cinema
Las Estrellas (2017)
📺 Release Year: 2017
🎬 Where to Watch: YouTube
✨ An engaging series about five sisters and a developing relationship
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: A unique premise sets up this engaging series where five sisters must manage a hotel for a year to inherit their father’s fortune. The standout storyline follows the developing relationship between Flor and Jazmín, which evolves with remarkable naturalism and emotional depth.
The series shines in its portrayal of Jazmín’s character arc – from witnessing Flor’s engagement to another person to their eventual connection. The production excels in showing the gradual development of feelings through masterful acting and thoughtful writing. While Jazmín’s character might seem idealized (talented in music, art, and cooking), the chemistry between the leads makes their romance deeply believable and engaging.
Camila saldrá esta noche (2021)
🎬 Release Year: 2021
📺 Where to Watch: Trailer
✨ A powerful coming-of-age story about identity and rebellion
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: A powerful coming-of-age story that follows Camila, a teenager forced to relocate to Buenos Aires when her grandmother falls ill. Moving from her progressive school to a traditional private institution, Camila’s fierce but vulnerable personality is put to the test. The film skillfully explores themes of identity, rebellion, and personal growth against the backdrop of Argentina’s evolving social landscape. Through Camila’s journey, we see how young people navigate conservative environments while staying true to themselves.
Chile Lesbian Movies
Señorita 89 (2022)
🎬 Release Year: 2022
📺 Where to Watch: Trailer
✨ A gripping drama set in the world of 1980s beauty pageants
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: Set in the glittering yet dark world of 1980s beauty pageants, this gripping drama follows 32 contestants competing for Mexico’s most prestigious crown. When Elena takes a job as their cultural instructor to earn money for school, she uncovers a web of dark secrets and conspiracies lurking beneath the glamorous surface. The series masterfully explores themes of power, beauty standards, and female agency, offering a critical look at the beauty pageant industry through a contemporary lens.
mujer saliendo del mar (2018)
🎬 Release Year: 2018
📺 Where to Watch: Trailer
✨ A visually stunning period drama set in 1933 Valparaíso
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: Set in 1933 Valparaíso, this visually stunning period drama tells the story of Elisa, whose carefully constructed life unravels when her youthful love Rebecca returns as a passionate feminist activist. Despite years of psychiatric treatment and a seemingly perfect marriage, Elisa’s buried desires resurface with devastating consequences. The film’s beautiful cinematography contrasts sharply with its dark psychological exploration, leading to a haunting conclusion that stays with viewers long after watching.
Joven y alocada (2012)
🎬 Release Year: 2012
📺 Where to Watch: Trailer
✨ A bold Chilean coming-of-age story about sexuality and religious guilt
👀 Why It’s Worth Watching: This bold Chilean coming-of-age story follows 17-year-old Daniela, caught between her strict evangelical upbringing and her awakening sexuality. Her only outlet is her anonymous blog “Young & Wild,” where she can freely express herself. When she begins dating Tomás while developing feelings for her coworker Antonia, Daniela must navigate the complexities of bisexuality, religious guilt, and personal freedom.
FAQs About Spanish Lesbian Movies & Series
1. What makes Spanish lesbian films unique?
Spanish queer cinema often combines artistic innovation with emotional depth. The films typically feature strong visual styles, complex character studies, and aren’t afraid to tackle societal taboos while celebrating love in all its forms.
2. Which streaming platforms offer Spanish lesbian content?
Netflix and Amazon Prime host many recent releases, while some web series are available on YouTube. Some content might require region-specific streaming services or DVD purchase.
3. Why are Spanish lesbian films gaining popularity?
Spain’s progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights, combined with its rich cinematic tradition, creates fertile ground for authentic queer storytelling. The country’s diverse cultural influences contribute to unique narrative perspectives.
4. Are these films suitable for learning Spanish?
Many of these productions offer excellent opportunities for language learning, featuring natural dialogue and diverse regional accents. Most streaming platforms provide subtitles in multiple languages.