23 Lesbian Films on Hulu That Celebrate Queer Love

1. Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

• Starring: Sandra Hüller, Swann Arlaud
• Director: Justine Triet
• Why it fits: Bisexual lead, legal thriller with queer texture

A writer’s husband dies under mysterious circumstances, and the ensuing investigation exposes fault lines in love, ambition, and truth. The film treats queerness as lived reality rather than plot garnish, which helps the character beats feel modern. Cool alpine spaces mirror the moral chill of the case. Performances stay precise, inviting debate after credits. Pacing balances cerebral inquiry with genre tension. It’s an easy pick when you want prestige that still moves. Pair it with a warmer rom‑com later for balance. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it anchors the “serious cinema” lane.

2. Blue Jean (2022)

• Starring: Rosy McEwen, Kerrie Hayes
• Director: Georgia Oakley
• Why it fits: Closet‑era portrait with WLW community

Set in late‑1980s England, a PE teacher hides her relationship while conservative laws target queer educators. Nightlife sequences glow with solidarity, then crash into daytime caution. The film shows how policy squeezes daily gestures, not just headlines. A student’s arrival forces decisions that feel painfully human. Lived‑in performances keep the story tender, not dour. It’s a thoughtful pick for viewers who like character studies. Use it to spark chat about visibility and work. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it’s quietly galvanizing.

3. Carol (2015)

• Starring: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara
• Director: Todd Haynes
• Why it fits: Canon WLW romance with immaculate craft

Gloves are left behind, and a department‑store flirtation becomes an affair that reshapes two lives. Haynes frames longing with glass, reflections, and winter light. The period setting sharpens every risk and every glance. Carter Burwell’s score hums like a secret. It’s the kind of romance that rewards quiet rooms and big screens. Even the supporting characters feel precise. Rewatches reveal new details in posture and pause. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it’s essential viewing.

4. Crush (2022)

• Starring: Rowan Blanchard, Auli’i Cravalho
• Director: Sammi Cohen
• Why it fits: Gen‑Z sapphic rom‑com energy

A shy artist joins the track team to chase a crush, then catches feelings in a different lane. The movie chooses joy over angst, letting queer teens exist in a supportive world. Jokes land fast, and the set pieces feel like pep‑rally confetti. Chemistry between the leads sells every pivot. Parents will appreciate the kindness baked into the home scenes. It’s a breezy reset after heavier dramas. Keep it in your queue for serotonin. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it’s pure comfort.

5. How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2023)

• Starring: Ariela Barer, Sasha Lane
• Director: Daniel Goldhaber
• Why it fits: Heist‑leaning thriller with a WLW couple

A radical crew targets fossil fuel infrastructure, told with ticking‑clock precision. The cross‑cut structure gives each character a motive that clicks. A lesbian relationship threads vulnerability into the momentum. Moral questions surface without sandbagging pace. Tight editing keeps every beat legible. It’s ideal for viewers who want topical stakes. Discuss the ethics after the credits; the film invites it. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it scratches the thriller itch.

6. Sally (2025)

• Focus: Sally Ride and partner Tam O’Shaughnessy
• Type: Documentary
• Why it fits: Historic queer partnership centered with care

This doc reframes a space icon through the intimacy of her long relationship. Interviews and archives foreground Tam’s voice with warmth. The film resists sensationalism and favors everyday tenderness. It’s as much about legacy as it is about science. The tone stays welcoming for classrooms and families. Use it as a gateway to more queer history. Pair with a narrative romance for a two‑pack. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it adds vital context.

7. Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara (2024)

• Starring: Tegan Quin, Sara Quin
• Type: Documentary
• Why it fits: Pop‑culture queer history with a cautionary twist

A long‑con catfisher upends fandom boundaries around a beloved duo. The doc captures early internet intimacy and its risks. It’s a time capsule for queer community online. Ethical questions around access and parasocial ties land clearly. Editing balances empathy with accountability. It plays well for music fans and true‑story seekers. Expect lively conversation after. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it widens the lens beyond romance.

8. Happiest Season (2020)

• Starring: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Aubrey Plaza
• Director: Clea DuVall
• Why it fits: Holiday rom‑com with big‑hearted laughs

A Christmas visit turns complicated when one partner isn’t out to her family. The movie balances farce with empathy, letting every character earn grace. Dan Levy’s turn adds comic ballast and warmth. Holiday textures make it an easy annual rewatch. The romance stays front and center even when chaos spikes. It’s a great pick for mixed‑company movie nights. Keep cocoa ready for the final act. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it’s a seasonal staple.

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9. In the Summers (2024)

• Starring: Respected ensemble
• Director: Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio
• Why it fits: Family coming‑of‑age with queer threads

Two sisters navigate turbulent summers with their father, and identity blooms in the margins. The film favors specific moments over big speeches. Time jumps track how small choices echo. It’s gentle yet unsentimental, perfect for reflective moods. Visuals lean warm, making it home‑theater friendly. Conversations feel lived‑in, not written. It pairs nicely with a quiet evening. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it offers soft power.

10. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

• Starring: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel
• Director: Céline Sciamma
• Why it fits: Masterwork of gaze, desire, and memory

A painter and her subject create a world inside glances and silence. Every frame feels composed like a canvas. Sound design lets fire, sea, and breath carry meaning. The romance unfolds with patient electricity. Themes of authorship and consent stay crystalline. It’s ideal for viewers who like slow‑burn intensity. Bring tissues for the final cue. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it’s transcendent.

11. Adam (2019)

• Starring: Nicholas Alexander, Bobbi Menuez
• Director: Rhys Ernst
• Why it fits: Controversial community snapshot with WLW threads

Set in mid‑2000s NYC, a teen drops into his sister’s queer circle and learns in messy, human ways. The film sparked debate, which is worth knowing going in. Still, it captures a scene in flux and the awkwardness of proximity. Side characters hold much of the heart. It’s a conversation starter more than a comfort watch. Approach it with curiosity and care. Pair with a lighter double feature afterward. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it documents a moment.

12. The Almond and the Seahorse (2022)

• Starring: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Rebel Wilson
• Director: Celyn Jones, Tom Stern
• Why it fits: Adult romance under pressure of illness

Two caregivers confront brain injury in their partners and find solace together. Performances emphasize fatigue, humor, and sudden tenderness. The premise invites empathy without melodrama. It’s more muted than flashy, by design. Quiet scenes land best on a big screen with phones away. The romance grows out of need and honesty. Expect bittersweet notes rather than grand gestures. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it speaks to second chances.

13. Anaïs in Love (2022)

• Starring: Anaïs Demoustier, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi
• Director: Charline Bourgeois‑Taquet
• Why it fits: Free‑spirited comedy tilting sapphic

A chaotic Parisian drifts from an affair with a man to an affair with his wife. The film refuses to scold her curiosity. Sunlit pacing keeps everything buoyant. It’s a vibe watch as much as a plot watch. Clothes and cafés earn their own close‑ups. The humor stays airy even when hearts bruise. It pairs well with white wine and friends. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it’s feather‑light and flirty.

14. Benedetta (2021)

• Starring: Virginie Efira, Daphne Patakia
• Director: Paul Verhoeven
• Why it fits: Provocative period piece with WLW core

A 17th‑century nun’s visions collide with desire and church politics. The film is brash, sometimes messy, always watchable. Costuming and sets are lush, begging for HD. The relationship at the center courts scandal and sympathy. You can read it as satire, melodrama, or both. Either way, it’s a conversation magnet. Consider pairing with a grounded doc for contrast. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it scratches the provocative itch.

15. Boys on the Side (1995)

• Starring: Whoopi Goldberg, Mary‑Louise Parker, Drew Barrymore
• Director: Herbert Ross
• Why it fits: Road‑trip dramedy with a lesbian lead

A musician, a realtor, and a runaway cross states and find makeshift family. The 90s vibe is a feature, not a bug. Needle‑drops and desert light keep the ride warm. Friendship eclipses romance without dimming identity. It’s great for multigenerational rooms. The script lets grief and joy share space. By the end, the car feels like home. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it’s classic comfort.

16. Boy Meets Girl (2014)

• Starring: Michelle Hendley, Michael Welch
• Director: Eric Schaeffer
• Why it fits: Trans lead with WLW romance thread

In small‑town Kentucky, a trans woman finds connection with an engaged newcomer. The story is tender and gently sexy. Conversations feel specific, not generic. Friendships get equal weight with romance. The film treats identity as ordinary and beautiful. It’s a sweet watch for quiet nights. End credits arrive with a soft smile. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it broadens the map.

17. Elena Undone (2010)

• Starring: Necar Zadegan, Traci Dinwiddie
• Director: Nicole Conn
• Why it fits: Melodramatic, fan‑favorite WLW romance

A pastor’s wife and a writer collide and ignite. The tone is earnest, the emotions supersized. It’s a gateway title for many WLW viewers. Expect sweeping declarations and lingering kisses. The cinematography leans glossy. Watch with friends for commentary fun. Pair with a grounded indie for balance. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it’s unabashedly soapy.

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18. Jagged Mind (2023)

• Starring: Maisie Richardson‑Sellers, Shannon Woodward
• Director: Kelley Kali
• Why it fits: Time‑loop thriller fueled by a toxic WLW romance

A woman trapped in looping déjà vu realizes the pattern points to her relationship. The mood is sleek, modern, and unsettling. Genre mechanics support intimate stakes. It’s perfect when you want scares without gore. Performances keep the puzzle humane. Visual motifs reward attentive viewers. Discuss red flags and boundaries afterward. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it adds chills to the lineup.

19. Loving Annabelle (2006)

• Starring: Erin Kelly, Diane Gaidry
• Director: Katherine Brooks
• Why it fits: Boarding‑school romance that shaped WLW canon

A rebellious student and a teacher form a fraught connection. The film’s ethics spark debate, then and now. Textures of uniforms, chapels, and secrets set the mood. It’s best approached as a conversation piece. Performances aim for sincerity over cynicism. The ending lands with ache. Consider content boundaries before queuing. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it’s historically influential.

20. A Perfect Ending (2012)

• Starring: Barbara Niven, Jessica Clark
• Director: Nicole Conn
• Why it fits: Late‑bloom romance with sensual candor

A wealthy woman in a loveless marriage hires an escort and discovers desire. The film treats awakening with unapologetic focus. It’s heightened, yes, and that’s part of its appeal. Quiet scenes punctuate the heat. The camera favors faces and hands over spectacle. It’s a go‑to for fans of lush melodrama. Dim the lights and let it wash over you. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it’s liberation‑forward.

21. Prom Dates (2024)

• Starring: Antonia Gentry, Julia Lester
• Director: Kim O. Nguyen
• Why it fits: Teen comedy with a coming‑out beat

Two best friends scramble to salvage their pact for the perfect prom. One comes out, and the friendship reshapes with love and laughter. Set pieces are bright and meme‑ready. It’s light, fizzy, and very rewatchable. The jokes don’t punch down. Families can watch together easily. Save it for Friday night fatigue. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it’s easygoing fun.

22. The Little Hours (2017)

• Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie, Kate Micucci
• Director: Jeff Baena
• Why it fits: Medieval mischief with sapphic sparks

A runaway servant crashes into the chaotic lives of three nuns. The humor veers bawdy, deadpan, and delightfully anachronistic. Sapphic undercurrents keep the convent lively. Costumes and location work make every gag land prettier. It’s strange in the best way. Fans of ensemble comedy will click fast. Consider this a palate cleanser. As one of the lesbian films on Hulu, it brings big laughs.

23. Tell It to the Bees (2018)

• Starring: Anna Paquin, Holliday Grainger
• Director: Annabel Jankel
• Why it fits: Post‑war romance with small‑town stakes

A doctor returns to her hometown and falls for a young mother amid gossip and pressure. Period detail deepens every risk. Performances favor restraint over melodrama. The romance unfolds in glances and shared care. Bees and hives become a gentle metaphor. It’s ideal for rainy evenings. Expect a bittersweet aftertaste. It’s a thoughtful closer for this guide.