The 1980s were an exciting time for cinema. Independent studios increased in number and prominence, so films were made on a smaller budget. This meant more stories were told and new approaches explored as the lower budgets required a smaller audience to recoup the investment. With films less needing to appeal to the widest possible audience, these independent studios took a chance LGBTQ+ stories more than ever. As a result, the 80s are home to some of the most iconic movies the community has to offer.
Besides queer cinema, the 80s aesthetic makes for delightful and charming films. There is a playfulness to the films of this period in both style and story that leads to campy and entertaining films, but not films that lack sincerity and heart. John Waters' Hair spray is a perfect example of the balance struck between truly subversive choices that are even shocking at times, but still don't detract from the movie's watchability. This is just one of the best LGBTQ+ movies from the 80s, which are listed below.
13 The Hunger (1983)
In an excellent example of 80s kitschy style, The hunger finds Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie and Susan Sarandon in a vampiric love triangle. Deneuve's character, Miriam, is a vampire fed up with her lover and life source, John, who is played by Bowie. Without being Miriam's source of blood, John has only a limited time to live, so he seeks medical advice from Sarandon's Sarah, who in turn falls under Miriam's spell. Although there is an argument to be made here The hunger prioritizes style over substance, the style in question is still thoroughly enjoyable. All of the performers are excellent in these roles, and the 90-minute running time ensures that they never feel welcome.
12 Fame (1980)
The original Fame is brimming with energy and charm. In this chronicle of the lives of art students, it's no surprise that the performance scenes are good. But you may not remember them as being this Good. Few films achieve the intense, captivating feeling that is so prevalent here. The episodic story, which spans each of the four years of high school, is clear, but the arcs the students' lives take are not. For theater lovers, this is the perfect dose of power and theatricality.
11 Another Country (1984)
Another country tells part of the fascinating story of Guy Burgess, a British diplomat who was also a Soviet spy. We find Guy, played by Rupert Everett, at his private school where he is good friends with Tommy Judd (played by Colin Firth). The two found their way to each other, largely by default, as a result of a shared otherness - Guy for his sexuality, Tommy for his Marxist political views. Although usually left alone, the events that take place here lead Guy to his disillusionment with Britain and desire to go east to the USSR.
10 The World According to Garp (1982)
The world according to Garp is an interesting and quirky film. It stars Robin Williams and Glenn Close as a mother and son duo, TS Garp and Jenny Fields. They both have writing aspirations, though Jenny is the most successful, and with the money she earns she opens a women's center. This brings a slew of women in and out of Garp's life, most importantly Roberta Muldoon, a trans woman. While there are of course flaws in Roberta's portrayal, it goes a long way that she's a prominent, sensitive, and layered component in this film. She is not a caricature or a threat to anyone and this makes her a landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema.
9 The Color Purple (1985)
Steven Spielberg's adaptation of The color purple features a star-studded cast including Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, and Oprah Winfrey. Based on the classic novel by Alice Walker, we find Celie van Goldberg, a black woman in the American South who is seeking liberation from her lifelong abuse. Celie's relationship with Shug, another woman, brings moments of tranquility to the dark plot and these scenes of sweetness are a real highlight. The film is certainly not perfect, but that doesn't stop it from being moving. The melodrama is simply put here The color purple firmly in the 1980s movie canon.
8 Victor/Victoria (1982)
Victor/Victoria finds Julie Andrews as Victoria Grant, a singer struggling to find work. Her solution, of course, is to pretend to be a man and work as a female impersonator. Things get complicated when a businessman falls in love with Victoria's character. Julie Andrews' performance and the film's playful attitude towards gender and its expression is what makes it so much fun. It's immensely fun and charming, embodying exactly what makes this era of cinema so special.
7 Farewell glances (1986)
With its release in 1986, Parting looks was one of the first films to confront the AIDS epidemic, and it did so with honesty and care. The film revolves around Michael, his partner, Robert, and Nick living with AIDS. The relationships in this film, both romantic and platonic, are laced with tenderness and warmth that make the experience of watching Parting looks extra immersive. To have a movie about the AIDS crisis, made during the crisis and written and directed by someone directly affected by it (Bill Sherwood), is incredibly precious.
6 Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982)
Come back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean is another early example of a trans woman portrayed on screen. The story is about a fan club of James Dean reuniting 20 years after his death. We see them spending time together in the present and also in the past, which fleshes out their dynamics and resentments. With regard to Joanne, the trans character, there are clearly moments that have been worded and expressed differently than we would now expect. However, Joanne is still complex, sensitive and real. What is important is that aspects of all these stories may seem outdated, but they also reflect the reality and experiences of many people.
5 Before Stonewall (1984)
For Stonewall is a documentary that attempted to piece together a history of what it was like to be LGBTQ+ before the Stonewall riots. Directed by Greta Schiller and Robert Rosenberg, the film is a vital compilation of valuable interviews and archive footage that would otherwise have been lost. It's especially significant that the directors spoke to a number of women and people of color, because those are voices that often get left behind. Schiller, in an article for Women and Hollywood, mentions that the film "stands the test of time" because of their attention to (what is now called) intersectionality, which is essential in these projects.
4 Maurice (1987)
Maurice is based on EM Forster's novel of the same name, which was published posthumously to avoid prosecution for portraying homosexual romance with a happy ending. It stars James Wilby as Maurice, Hugh Grant as Clive and Rupert Graves as Scudder. With a plot that is unpredictable and captivating, there's nothing not to like here. The film is beautifully shot and the romances are equally well drawn. Tangible care has gone into producing this film that does justice to Forster and his novel. The triumph of this optimistic ending is so important to celebrate, especially when you consider that the novel was written in the early 1900s.
3 Hairspray (1988)
On the other end of the spectrum of queer cinema we have Hair spray, directed by the iconic John Waters. Known for his brash and (often) offensive films, Hair spray is his most accessible work. It features Tracy Turnblad fighting for both the "Miss Auto Show" crown and racial integration. Camp, hilarious and daring, the movie stars legends like Sonny Bono, Divine and Debbie Harry. It's obvious why Hair spray has earned its unwavering cult status and position in queer history.
2 Desert Hearts (1985)
Desert hearts is the lesbian romance with cowboy boots that everyone has dreamed of and not enough is known about. The story focuses on Vivian, a professor who goes to stay on a farm while she waits for her divorce to be finalized. There she meets Cay, the ranch owner's daughter, to whom she is attracted. As Cay brings Vivian out of her shell and teaches her to loosen up, the two grow closer. The romance is wonderful to watch and, like Maurice, ends on a high.
1 My Pretty Laundromat (1985)
When ranking LGBTQ+ films from the 1980s, the crown has to go My beautiful laundromat. From Daniel Day-Lewis with frosted tips to the soundtrack with bubble sound effects, it doesn't get much more 80s than this. The story is about Omar (Gordon Warnecke) and Johnny (Day-Lewis) who open a launderette together while Thatcher is Prime Minister. Her leadership brought with it a particularly exciting time of extreme racism and classism, which is eloquently discussed here. Director Stephen Frears tells The Guardian: "If you had asked me what was important about the film I would have said economics, as the homosexual element was actually very simple." This emphasizes both the effortlessness of the romance and the importance of the class discussion.
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