What Queer Films Are Coming Out in 2024? Here's a Preview

On the indie front, LGBTQ+ cinema has been thriving with hit theatrical and streaming releases such as "Red White and Royal Blue," "Lonesome," "Chrissy Judy," "Rotting in the Sun," "Of an Age," "Shortcomings," "Moving On," "Bottoms," "Blue Jean," and "Dicks: The Musical."

On the international front, the best of queer cinema in 2023 includes "Monster," "L'Immensita," "Cassandro," "Eismayer," "Joyland," and "Nuovo Olimpo."

Looking ahead to 2024, we may just be in for a queer film year that surpasses all others – and at the Oscars, we may get the "Brokeback" moment that we were robbed of. One can argue it happened with "Moonlight," but it would be nice to see queer creatives and out actors win for queer content!

Queer movies that have already dropped in January include Giuseppe Fiorello's powerful "Fireworks" (Stranizza d'amori), Leiv Igor Devold's "Norwegian Dream," and Jeffrey Darling's "He Went That Way," starring Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto – all on VOD. Dan Levy's touching "Good Grief" bowed on Netflix. And Goran Stolevski's extraordinary "Housekeeping for Beginners" is currently playing in theaters.

The Sundance Film Festival, which just ended, has several LGBTQ+ titles seeking distribution including Mikko Mäkelä's "Sebastian," featuring a star-making turn by out newcomer Ruaridh Mollica, and Esteban Arango's "Ponyboi," starring intersex actor River Gallo (who also wrote the script).

EDGE would like to highlight just some of the LGBTQ+-themed cinema coming our way in 2024.

"How To Have Sex"

Brit filmmaker Molly Manning Walker takes on the teen complications of sex, consent and friendship in her frank and piercing new film "How to Have Sex." Three girls (one queer) embark on an alcohol-fueled holiday. Winner of the Un Certain Regard Prize at last year's Cannes Film Festival and selected at Sundance, the film authentically captures the pain and confusion of trauma.

"How To Have Sex" is in theaters Feb 2, 2024

"You Can't Stay Here"

Gay provocateur Todd Verow is back with 1990's NYC-set film, "You Can't Stay Here," starring Guillermo Díaz ("Stonewall") as a budding photog who becomes obsessed with cruising the notorious Ramble in Central Park, until he witnesses a murder. Or does he? The film is said to be loosely inspired by real events and features a fascinating turn by J.J. Bozeman as a randy Ramble regular.

"You Can't Stay Here" is playing in NYC and will open in LA on February 8, 2024.

"I Love You More"

Shy Kosovo teen, Ben (Don Shala) is in love with Leo (cutie Leonik Sahiti), a boy he's never met but has been chatting with for a while. Leo is planning on visiting from Germany, But Ben's mother announces they're moving to America. Soon. Erblin Nushi's first feature, "I Love You More," comes to life when the boys finally meet and sparks fly.

"I Love You More" will be released theatrically on February 9, 2024, and on VOD, February 13.

"Drive-Away Dolls"

"Drive-Away Dolls" is a comedy caper that centers on Jamie (Margaret Qualley), a free spirit who instantly regrets breaking up with her girlfriend and takes to the road with her bestie Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan). But things get madcap when they run into a gaggle of inept criminals. Written by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, and directed by Coen, the film features an impressive cast that includes Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal and Matt Damon.

"Drive-Away Dolls" opens in theaters February 23, 2024.

"Problemista"

Julio Torres' directorial debut, "Problemista," played a number of queer festivals last year before the double strikes led to the decision to postpone the release until 2024. The film centers on a guy who is trying to pitch his ideas to Hasbro, and examines themes like immigration, white privilege, and the politics inherent in the art world. Torres, an out former SNL writer, who also wrote and stars in the film, is said to have a quirky and original style. Tilda Swinton goes all in as an art critic.

"Problemista" opens in theaters March 1, 2024.

"Love Lies Bleeding"

Rose Glass' ("Saint Maud") sophomore feature "Love Lies Bleeding" is a wacky, spirited lesbian love story/dark family thriller. This bold slice of Americana made quite the splash at this year's Sundance Film Festival and stars Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brian. Stewart keeps making impressive and daring choices and this one is sure to be a conversation starter.

"Love Lies Bleeding" opens in theaters on March 8, 2024.

"Femme"

In the provocative neo-noir feature, "Femme," drag artist Jules (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) is brutally assaulted by a chillingly homophobic man (scarily embodied by "1917's" George MacKay). Jules recovers physically but the trauma remains. A while later he sees his attacker at a gay sauna, approaches him and begins a bizarre affair with him, plotting his revenge. Written and directed by Sam H. Freeman & NG Choon Ping, "Femme" is a fascinating film, sure to inspire dialogue and debate.

"Femme" opens in theaters on March 22, 2024.

"Challengers"

Another film that was set to open in 2023 but was pushed because of the strikes is Luca Guadagnino's "Challengers." The film stars Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist in some sort of love triangle. The director has been cagey, hinting at queer spin, but not being forthcoming about it. The film takes place in the world of pro tennis and was written by Justin Kuritzkes, who adapted the William S. Burroughs novel, "Queer," for the screen (see below), also directed by Guadagnino.

"Challengers" opens in theaters on April 26, 2024.

"Wicked"

Besides having out gay stars like Jonathan Bailey ("Fellow Travelers") and Bowen Yang ("SNL") in the cast, John M. Chu's film version of the smash Broadway musical, "Wicked," is queer simply because. I mean, it's a prequel to the beloved "Wizard of Oz," focuses on someone so different they're ostracized from society, and stars icons like Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Michelle Yeoh. Can things get any gayer? This is the first of two parts. The second is set to bow in November of 2025.

"Wicked" will open in theaters on Nov 27, 2024.

Plus Look for These Titles

In addition to the above, the following highly anticipated films are awaiting release dates:

Daniel Minahan's "On Swift Horses" where Diego Calva ("Babylon") and Jacob Elordi play lovers.

Luke Gilford's terrific "National Anthem" starring Charlie Plumber ("Lean on Pete") as a young man who joins a community of queer rodeo performers and discovers his own bent nature.

Oliver Hermanus's queer WW2 love story "The History of Sound," featuring Josh O'Connor (God's Own Country") and Paul Mescal ("All of Us Strangers"), getting their gay on once again.

Hannah Pearl Utt's "Cora Bora" with Megan Stalter as the messy millennial title character.

Andrew Durham's "Fairyland," a 1970s-set film about a poet and activist (Scoot McNairy) who comes out. The film co-stars Emilia Jones, Geena Davis, Cody Fern and Adam Lambert.

Luca Guadagnino's "Queer," based on William S. Burroughs' 1940s-set novel starring Daniel Craig who gets hot and heavy with Drew Starkey ("Love Simon").

Colby Holt and Sam Probst's LGBTQ+ thriller, "Ganymede," with Jordan Doww and Pablo Castelblanco.

Theda Hammel's hilarious "Stress Positions" will be released by Neon this year and features an impressive turn by model Qaher Harhash.