If you were enthralled by the raw passion and intensity of the 2016 erotic drama Below Her Mouth, you’re likely craving more movies that explore lesbian relationships with the same level of depth and sensuality. From coming-of-age tales to forbidden love stories, these 15 films capture the beauty, complexity, and challenges of women loving women. Get ready to swoon, cry, and feel the heat with these must-watch lesbian romance movies.
1. Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013)
Blue Is the Warmest Colour is a French coming-of-age romantic drama that follows Adèle, a 15-year-old girl discovering her sexuality and first love. When she meets Emma, an older art student with blue hair, Adèle’s life is turned upside down as she navigates the intensity of falling for another woman. Directed by Abdellatif Kechiche, this Palme d’Or-winning film is known for its raw, intimate portrayal of the couple’s relationship over several years.
The performances by Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos are nothing short of extraordinary, capturing the passion, vulnerability, and growth of their characters. Blue Is the Warmest Colour doesn’t shy away from explicit sex scenes, but they serve to deepen the emotional connection between Adèle and Emma. At its core, this is a universally relatable story about first love, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
2. Carol (2015)
Set in 1950s New York, Carol is a lush period drama about the forbidden love between a young photographer, Therese (Rooney Mara), and an older woman going through a difficult divorce, Carol (Cate Blanchett). Directed by Todd Haynes and based on the novel The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, this film oozes old Hollywood glamour while telling a poignant, ahead-of-its-time love story.
Blanchett and Mara deliver subtle, nuanced performances as two women drawn to each other despite the social constraints of the era. The cinematography is stunning, with every frame resembling a vintage photograph. Carol is a slow burn romance that will leave you aching with longing and moved by the courage it takes to follow one’s heart.
3. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a French historical drama set in the late 18th century, centering on the relationship between Marianne, a painter, and Héloïse, an aristocratic woman whose wedding portrait Marianne is commissioned to paint. Directed by Céline Sciamma, this film is a masterclass in restrained, simmering desire and the power of the female gaze.
Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel give captivating performances as Marianne and Héloïse, conveying volumes with a single glance or touch. The cinematography is breathtaking, with the rugged Brittany coast providing a romantic backdrop for their forbidden love. Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a slow, meditative film that will haunt you long after the credits roll.
4. Imagine Me & You (2005)
For a lighter, more comedic take on lesbian romance, look no further than Imagine Me & You. This British romantic comedy follows Rachel (Piper Perabo), a newlywed who falls for Luce (Lena Headey), the florist at her wedding. As Rachel grapples with her unexpected feelings, she must decide between her husband and the woman who has captured her heart.
Imagine Me & You is a charming, feel-good film that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Perabo and Headey have great chemistry, and the supporting cast, including Matthew Goode as Rachel’s husband, add depth and humor to the story. While it may not be as groundbreaking as some other films on this list, Imagine Me & You is a delightful, heartwarming watch.
5. Saving Face (2004)
Saving Face is an American romantic comedy-drama that explores the intersection of sexuality, cultural identity, and family expectations. Wilhelmina, a young Chinese-American surgeon, struggles to come out to her traditional mother while falling for Vivian, a dancer. Directed by Alice Wu, this film is a touching, often humorous look at the challenges of being true to oneself while navigating familial and societal pressures.
Michelle Krusiec and Lynn Chen deliver endearing performances as Wilhelmina and Vivian, and Joan Chen shines as Wilhelmina’s mother, who has her own secrets to contend with. Saving Face is a heartfelt film that celebrates love, family, and the courage to live authentically.
6. Aimee & Jaguar (1999)
Based on a true story, Aimee & Jaguar is a German historical drama set during World War II. The film follows the love affair between Lilly Wust, a married mother of four and the wife of a Nazi soldier, and Felice Schragenheim, a Jewish woman living undercover as a journalist. Directed by Max Färberböck, this film is a gripping, emotionally charged exploration of love in the face of unimaginable danger and adversity.
Maria Schrader and Juliane Köhler give powerful performances as Felice and Lilly, conveying the depth of their love and the constant fear of discovery. Aimee & Jaguar is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to transcend even the darkest of circumstances.
7. Bound (1996)
Bound is a neo-noir crime thriller with a lesbian twist. Directed by the Wachowskis in their feature film debut, this stylish, sexy film follows Corky, an ex-con working as a plumber, and Violet, the girlfriend of a mobster, as they hatch a plan to steal millions from the mafia. As their scheme unfolds, so does their passion for each other.
Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly sizzle as Corky and Violet, their chemistry palpable in every scene. Bound subverts the typical male-dominated crime genre by putting two strong, complex women at the center of the action. With its slick cinematography, clever plot twists, and steamy love scenes, Bound is a thrilling ride from start to finish.
8. Kissing Jessica Stein (2001)
Kissing Jessica Stein is an American romantic comedy that follows Jessica, a neurotic, single journalist who decides to answer a woman’s personal ad after a string of bad dates with men. When she meets Helen, a free-spirited gallery owner, the two embark on a relationship that challenges Jessica’s ideas about love and sexuality. Directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld and written by and starring Jennifer Westfeldt and Heather Juergensen, this film is a witty, relatable exploration of sexual fluidity and the search for connection.
Westfeldt and Juergensen bring humor and heart to their roles, and the supporting cast, including Scott Cohen and Tovah Feldshuh, add depth and warmth to the story. Kissing Jessica Stein is a charming, feel-good film that celebrates the unexpected paths love can take.
9. The Handmaiden (2016)
The Handmaiden is a South Korean erotic psychological thriller loosely based on the novel Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. Directed by Park Chan-wook, this visually stunning film is set in 1930s colonial Korea and Japan and follows Sook-hee, a pickpocket hired to serve as a handmaiden to Lady Hideko, a wealthy heiress. As Sook-hee becomes embroiled in a plot to defraud Lady Hideko, she finds herself falling for her mistress.
Kim Min-hee and Kim Tae-ri give mesmerizing performances as Lady Hideko and Sook-hee, their chemistry electric and their characters’ journeys full of twists and turns. The Handmaiden is a lush, suspenseful film that explores themes of love, betrayal, and the power dynamics between men and women. With its sumptuous cinematography and intricate plot, this film is a feast for the senses.
10. Tipping the Velvet (2002)
Based on the novel by Sarah Waters, Tipping the Velvet is a British miniseries that follows Nan Astley, a young woman who falls for male impersonator Kitty Butler in 1890s England. As Nan navigates the underground world of music halls and the complexities of her own desires, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and sexual awakening.
Rachael Stirling and Keeley Hawes give captivating performances as Nan and Kitty, and the supporting cast, including Anna Chancellor and Jodhi May, bring depth and nuance to the story. Tipping the Velvet is a lush, sensual period drama that explores the fluidity of gender and sexuality in Victorian England.
11. The Kids Are All Right (2010)
The Kids Are All Right is an American comedy-drama that follows a lesbian couple, Nic and Jules, whose teenage children decide to seek out their sperm donor father. When Paul enters their lives, it throws the family dynamic into chaos and forces Nic and Jules to confront the cracks in their relationship. Directed by Lisa Cholodenko, this film is a warm, funny, and honest portrayal of a modern family.
Annette Bening and Julianne Moore give outstanding performances as Nic and Jules, capturing the complexities of a long-term relationship and the challenges of parenting. Mark Ruffalo brings charm and depth to the role of Paul, and Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson shine as the couple’s children. The Kids Are All Right is a heartfelt film that celebrates the messy, imperfect nature of love and family.
12. Pariah (2011)
Pariah is an American coming-of-age drama that follows Alike, a 17-year-old African American girl grappling with her sexuality and identity in Brooklyn. As Alike navigates her relationships with her family, friends, and potential love interests, she learns to embrace her true self and find her place in the world. Directed by Dee Rees, this film is a raw, honest exploration of the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality.
Adepero Oduye gives a stunning breakout performance as Alike, conveying the character’s vulnerability, strength, and growth. The supporting cast, including Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell as Alike’s parents, bring depth and nuance to the story. Pariah is a powerful, moving film that shines a light on the experiences of queer women of color.
13. Circumstance (2011)
Circumstance is an Iranian-American drama that follows Atafeh and Shireen, two teenage girls falling in love in modern-day Tehran. As they navigate their forbidden relationship, they must also contend with the oppressive societal and political forces that seek to control their lives. Directed by Maryam Keshavarz, this film is a daring, provocative exploration of love, freedom, and resistance in a repressive regime.
Nikohl Boosheri and Sarah Kazemy give powerful performances as Atafeh and Shireen, their chemistry palpable and their characters’ journeys full of tension and emotion. Circumstance is a visually stunning film that offers a rare glimpse into the underground youth culture of Iran and the risks people take to live and love authentically.
14. Disobedience (2017)
Based on the novel by Naomi Alderman, Disobedience is a British-American drama that follows Ronit, a woman who returns to her Orthodox Jewish community in London following the death of her father, a respected rabbi. There, she rekindles a romance with her childhood friend Esti, now married to Ronit’s cousin. Directed by Sebastián Lelio, this film is a nuanced, emotionally charged exploration of faith, identity, and the power of love.
Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams give stunning performances as Ronit and Esti, their chemistry simmering beneath the surface and their characters’ journeys full of complexity and depth. Alessandro Nivola shines as Dovid, Esti’s husband, a man grappling with his own faith and desires. Disobedience is a beautifully crafted film that asks profound questions about the nature of love, duty, and the search for meaning in life.
15. Ammonite (2020)
Ammonite is a British romantic drama loosely inspired by the life of 19th-century paleontologist Mary Anning. Set in 1840s England, the film follows Mary as she develops a relationship with Charlotte Murchison, a young woman sent to convalesce by the sea. Directed by Francis Lee, this film is a slow-burn romance that explores the transformative power of love and the challenges of being true to oneself in a repressive society.
Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan give masterful performances as Mary and Charlotte, their chemistry subtle yet palpable and their characters’ journeys full of quiet intensity. The cinematography is stunning, with the rugged English coastline providing a moody, romantic backdrop for their love story. Ammonite is a beautifully crafted film that celebrates the enduring nature of love and the courage it takes to pursue it against all odds.
These 15 films offer a diverse range of perspectives on lesbian love and relationships, from coming-of-age stories to historical dramas to contemporary romances. Whether you’re in the mood for a heartwarming comedy or a thought-provoking exploration of identity and desire, these movies are sure to captivate and move you. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready to fall in love with these unforgettable lesbian romance films.
