1. The Half of It
Using an inventive, new rom-com formula, The Half of It features closeted Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) as she helps her high school’s premier jock (and lovable himbo) Paul pursue his crush. As Ellie begins to fall for Paul’s crush too, sweet and chaotic events unfold.
2. Kissing Jessica Stein
As one of the earliest make-ups of the gay rom-com, this film might not live up to contemporary expectations. However, it features one of the swoon-iest queer heroines of the lesbian film canon, Helen Cooper. Jennifer Westfeldt stars as Jessica Stein, who, after a series of upsetting results dating men, puts an ad in the “women seeking women” section of the newspaper. The result is the apprehensive start of courtship with Helen, implementing all the best rom-com conventions.
3. Shiva Baby
This 2021 film starring Rachel Sennott takes place fully at a Jewish funeral service. The movie follows the many stressors of soon-to-be college graduate Danielle as she dodges career questions from family friends and run-ins with her (married) sugar daddy. While the film may make your heart race as the story unfolds at Danielle’s ex-girlfriend’s funeral, it focuses on their past and present relationship. By the end of Shiva Baby, the film becomes a romance at its core.
4. But I’m a Cheerleader
This wickedly funny film comments on the status of homophobia and restrictive gender roles as they existed in conservative America in the 1990s. But I’m a Cheerleader also features a steamy romance between conversion-therapy campers Megan (Natasha Lyonne) and Graham (Clea DuVall). This film cemented Clea DuVall’s status as a gay heartthrob—and for good reason.