Queer romance on screen has never been more varied. From teen love stories to political tropes, tales of yearning to classic rom-coms, filmmakers are finally giving queer relationships the space to be joyful, complicated, funny, and fully realised on screen. Whether you’re looking for something tender, high-stakes, or funny, these titles show just how expansive modern queer romance storytelling has become.
1. Heated Rivalry
Adapted from the popular Game Changers series by Rachel Reid, Heated Rivalry follows hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov — two rivals pushed together through years of competition, media scrutiny, and massive amounts of pressure. But as so many stories go, what begins as animosity turns into a secret relationship that unfolds between hotel rooms and championship tournaments. It’s a slow-burn love story built on tension, loyalty, and the risk of being exposed.
Where to watch: HBO Max
2. Red, White and Royal Blue
A very public (and chaotic) run-in between Prince Henry and the U.S. First Son, Alex Claremont-Diaz, quickly blossoms into a secret romance. The film charts their relationship across royal palaces, political campaigns, and international headlines as they try to protect their connection from global scrutiny while figuring out what they want as individuals. If you love this, you'll be pleased to know there's also a sequel in the works: Red, White & Royal Wedding.
Where to watch: Prime Video
3. Heartstopper
Set in an English secondary school, Heartstopper follows Charlie, an openly gay student, and Nick, a rugby player coming to grips with his sexuality. Across three seasons, the series tracks their evolving relationship — from tentative friendship to first love — alongside the broader journeys of their friend group as they navigate coming out, identity, family, and mental health. The story is set to culminate in a movie, that will act as the final season. We're seated.
Where to watch: Netflix
4. Bottoms
This film comes straight from the genius minds of Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott, so you know it's good. When best friends PJ and Josie hatch a plan to impress their crushes, they accidentally create a high-school “self-defence club” that quickly escalates into a chaotic feminist fight club situation. Amid the absurdity, PJ and Josie fumble their way toward actual romantic connections.
Where to watch: Netflix
5. Call Me By Your Name
Set in northern Italy in the summer of 1983, the film follows Elio, a 17-year-old living with his academic parents, and Oliver, the older graduate student who comes to stay with them. Their relationship begins as a wary friendship that slowly deepens into an intense, transformative romance shaped by desire, secrecy and the fleetingness of summer. It’s a classic coming-of-age love story.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Prime Video
6. Love Lies Bleeding
Set in the late 1980s, the film centres on Lou, a reclusive gym manager, and Jackie, a bodybuilder passing through town on her way to a competition. Their romance escalates when Jackie becomes embroiled in Lou’s fraught family situation, and what follows is part love story, part crime thriller.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Prime Video
7. Love, Simon
Simon Spier is a closeted high schooler who begins emailing an anonymous classmate going by the name “Blue.” As Simon tries to uncover Blue’s identity, he’s also forced to navigate friendships, blackmail, family dynamics and the fear of being outed before he’s ready.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Disney Plus, Prime Video
8. Hot Milk
Set in a humid, sun-drenched town on the Spanish coast, Hot Milk follows Sofia, a young woman supporting her chronically ill mother, as she becomes entangled with Ingrid, a magnetic local whose presence upends her routine. Adapted from Deborah levy's best-selling novel, their relationship unfolds against a backdrop of family tension and the oppressive summer heat, pulling Sofia into a coming-of-age story defined by desire, self-discovery and the thrill of stepping into the unknown.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Prime Video
