Best movies like Behind the Candelabra
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Based on the autobiographical novel, the tempestuous 6-year relationship between Liberace and his (much younger) lover, Scott Thorson, is recounted.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 45000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: stylized, realistic, factual, cult classic, entertaining, epic, lgbt cinema, period piece, romantic drama, historical drama
Best tv shows and movies like Behind the Candelabra (2013):
Similar in 78%
Cazuza: Time Doesn't Stop (2004)
Plot Summary:
Inspired by the moving and brave book “Só as Mães São Felizes”, by Lucinha Araújo, Cazuza's mother, the film covers a little more than 10 years of the singer’s crazy and brief life – from the beginning of his career in the Circo Voador venue, in 1981, to the huge success and the apotheosis of his shows with the Barão Vermelho band, his solo career, his relations with his parents, friends, lovers and passions, and the courage he had to face his final years, with HIV, until his death, in 1990.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: Brazil
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, lgbt cinema, queer cinema
Similar in 84%
Nijinsky (1980)
Plot Summary:
The film suggests Nijinsky was driven into madness by both his consuming ambition and self-enforced heterosexuality, the latter prompted by his romantic involvement with Romola de Pulszky, a society girl who joins impresario Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes specifically to seduce Nijinsky. After a series of misunderstandings with Diaghilev, who is both his domineering mentor and possessive lover, Nijinsky succumbs to Romola's charms and marries her, after which his gradual decline from artistic moodiness to complete lunacy begins.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 820
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 129 min
Plot tags: psychological, artsy, independent film, sincere, serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative, stylized, period drama
Similar in 75%
John and Yoko: A Love Story (1985)
Plot Summary:
Details the lives of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, from before their first meeting to their rise to stardom.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 233
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: sentimental, serious, realistic, avant garde, rockumentary
Similar in 89%
Role/Play (2010)
Plot Summary:
A recently outed soap opera actor crosses paths with a recently divorced gay marriage activist, forcing them to confront the price of fame and the fickle nature of celebrity within the gay community.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, soap opera, queer cinema
Similar in 89%
Between Love & Goodbye (2008)
Plot Summary:
A modern gay drama about falling in and out of love, and the rocky road in between.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, sexy, independent film, sincere, sexual, queer cinema
Similar in 80%
Beyond the Walls (2012)
Plot Summary:
Paulo, a young pianist, meets Ilir, a double-bass player originally from Albania. It's love at first sight. Confronted by Anka, Paulo finds himself out on the street. Despite Ilir's misgivings, Paulo moves in with him. One day, when Paulo promises that he will love Ilir for the rest of his life, Ilir leaves the city and doesn't return. A few days later, Paulo finds out that Ilir is in jail, and the two lovers embark on an heart-breaking relationship.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Belgium, Canada, France
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, realistic, sexual, serious, silent, sexy, queer cinema, gay cinema, silent film
Similar in 83%
Velvet Goldmine (1998)
Plot Summary:
Almost a decade has elapsed since Bowiesque glam-rock superstar Brian Slade escaped the spotlight of the London scene. Now, investigative journalist Arthur Stuart is on assignment to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic Slade. Stuart, himself forged by the music of the 1970s, explores the larger-than-life stars who were once his idols and what has become of them since the turn of the new decade.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 38000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: surreal, stylized, erotic, lgbt cinema, independent film, cult classic, sexual, funny, retro, underground film
Similar in 78%
After Louie (2017)
Plot Summary:
As an AIDS activist and member of ACT UP in the 1980s and 90s, Sam witnessed the deaths of too many friends and lovers. Battlewounded and struggling with survivor's guilt, Sam now resents the complacency of his former comrades and derides what he sees as the younger generation's indifference to the politics of sex, and of death. An unexpected intimacy with a much younger man challenges Sam's understanding of contemporary gay life. Through this unconventional romance, he is forced to deal with the trauma that so informs his past, their present, and an unknown future.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 447
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: psychological, romantic, sexy, touching, melancholic, queer cinema
Similar in 76%
Five Dances (2013)
Plot Summary:
FIVE DANCES, written and directed by Alan Brown, is a creatively adventurous narrative feature film set in the New York 'downtown' modern dance world. The story follows the rocky emotional journey of an 18-year old dancer (the amazing Ryan Steele) with talent to burn, who must choose between his responsibility to his broken family in the Midwest, and forging a life and career for himself. The film features five of New York's most gifted dancers acting on film for the very first time, and performing the choreography of internationally acclaimed choreographer Jonah Bokaer.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, touching, realistic, heartbreaking, lgbt cinema, sexual, independent film, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 81%
Savage Nights (1992)
Plot Summary:
Jean is young, gay, and promiscuous. Only after he meets one or two women, including Laura does he come to realize his bisexuality. Jean has to overcome a personal crisis and a tough choice between Laura and his male lover Samy.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama, Romance
Country: France, Italy
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: sexy, sexual, anthology, sensual, cult classic, erotic drama, steamy, sincere, serious, realistic
Similar in 89%
Parting Glances (1986)
Plot Summary:
Michael and Robert, two gay men living in Brooklyn, spend their last day together before Robert leaves for Africa on work assignment. Michael still has feelings for his friend Nick, who has AIDS.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: independent film, sad, sentimental, sincere, clever, touching, humorous, realistic, gloomy, semi serious
Similar in 87%
Nine Lives (2004)
Plot Summary:
Lust and dysfuntion come full circle in this collection of nine steamy scenes exploring gay life, sex, addition, drugs and HIV/AIDS as revealed by a latino pool boy, a television writer, a meth dealer and others. As one affair leads into another, the connections betwen the characters reveal the secrets each one holds.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 407
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: serious, emotional, realistic, captivating, sexual, crying, hispanic, sexy, cult film
Similar in 81%
De-Lovely (2004)
Plot Summary:
From Paris to Venice to Broadway to Hollywood, the lives of Cole Porter and his wife, Linda were never less than glamorous and wildly unconventional. And though Cole's thirst for life strained their marriage, Linda never stopped being his muse, inspiring some of the greatest sons of the twentieth century.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Musical
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: stylized, lyrical, atmospheric, captivating, sincere, historical drama, offbeat, realistic, semi serious, crying
Similar in 83%
Burning Blue (2013)
Plot Summary:
Following two fatal aircraft accidents aboard an Aircraft Carrier, a government agent is placed aboard the ship. His mission is to determine what may be at the root of these mishaps and prevent the inevitable third chain breaking accident which abruptly changes course when a sailor reports seeing one of the top ranking fighter pilots in a gay club. The aviator and three of his squadron mates and their spouses all become the subject of a deadly modern day witch hunt entangling them in a web of jealousy and deceit which tests their concept of love, friendship and honor and changes their lives forever.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance, War
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: emotional, serious, captivating, realistic, lgbt cinema, cute, crying, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 87%
Holding the Man (2015)
Plot Summary:
In the 1970s, a young Australian boy, Timothy, finds himself confused. He falls for the captain of the football team. What follows shows all aspects of a relationship, regardless of gender or sexual preference. Conflict, temptation, and a huge burden which will affect every aspect of their lives.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Australia
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: touching, psychological, suspense, sincere, sexy, unusual plot structure, contemplative, romantic, lgbt cinema, sad
Similar in 90%
Walk the Line (2005)
Plot Summary:
A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 262000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 136 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, road movie, captivating, inspirational, feel good, dramatic, romantic, period piece
Similar in 78%
Yves Saint Laurent (2014)
Plot Summary:
A look at the life of French designer Yves Saint Laurent from the beginning of his career in 1958 when he met his lover and business partner, Pierre Berge.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: France, Belgium
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: sentimental, enigmatic, melancholic, factual, captivating, sweet, art house, serious, realistic, stylized
Similar in 83%
Telstar: The Joe Meek Story (2008)
Plot Summary:
Set against a backdrop of early 60's London, Telstar is the story of the world's first independent record producer, Joe Meek. A maverick genius who enjoyed phenomenal success with Telstar - the biggest selling record of it's time - before bad luck, depression, heartbreak and paranoia led to his downfall.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, captivating, realistic, spiritual, crying, independent film
Similar in 86%
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Plot Summary:
Singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and bass guitarist John Deacon take the music world by storm when they form the rock 'n' roll band Queen in 1970. Hit songs like "Killer Queen", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "We Are the Champions" and "We Will Rock You" become instant classics. When Mercury's increasingly wild lifestyle starts to spiral out of control, Queen soon faces its greatest challenge yet – finding a way to keep the band together amid the success and excess.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 576000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, rough, informative, sad, historical drama, tragic ending, sexy, motivational, retro
Similar in 78%
Keep the Lights On (2012)
Plot Summary:
An emotionally and sexually charged journey through the love, addiction, and friendship of two men. Documentary filmmaker Erik and closeted lawyer Paul meet through a casual encounter, but they find a deeper connection and become a couple. Individually and together, they are risk takers—compulsive, and fueled by drugs and sex. In an almost decade-long relationship defined by highs, lows, and dysfunctional patterns, Erik struggles to negotiate his own boundaries and dignity and to be true to himself.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: serious, touching, emotional, lgbt cinema, sad, sexual, realistic, independent film, sincere, sexy
Similar in 82%
Longtime Companion (1989)
Plot Summary:
Longtime Companion follows the lives of a small circle of friends from the first mention of the disease in the New York Times in 1981. First referred to as "Gay-Related-Immune-Disorder," we watch the effect of the disease as it devastates the lives of our protagonists. Jumping between Manhattan and Fire Island, vignettes carry us from the it-couldn't-happen-to-me mentality of the early days of the disease to the invasive effect it has had on all of our lives, today. The title of the film comes from the New York Times' refusal to acknowledge homosexual relationships in their obituary section during this period. Instead, survivors were referred to as "Longtime Companions" of the deceased.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: sad, independent film, touching, emotional, realistic, art house, lgbt cinema, weeping, eros, romantic drama
Similar in 83%
Holding Trevor (2007)
Plot Summary:
Everybody's looking for something... Moving forward doesn't always mean leaving something behind.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, sincere, touching, lgbt cinema, cult classic, independent film, crying, dark comedy, queer cinema
Similar in 78%
What's Love Got to Do with It (1993)
Plot Summary:
A film about the singer Tina Turner and how she rose to stardom with her abusive husband Ike Turner and how she gained the courage to break free.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sincere, intense, serious, emotional, touching, intellectual, hood, captivating, realistic
Similar in 78%
Bird (1988)
Plot Summary:
Saxophone player Charlie Parker comes to New York in 1940. He is quickly noticed for his remarkable way of playing. He becomes a drug addict but his loving wife Chan tries to help him.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 161 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, psychological, factual, stylized, sincere, touching, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic
Similar in 78%
Before Night Falls (2000)
Plot Summary:
Spanning several decades, this powerful biopic offers a glimpse into the life of famed Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas, an artist who was vilified for his homosexuality in Fidel Castro's Cuba.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: Mexico, USA
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, bleak, lyrical, serious, emotional, realistic, independent film, sincere, sad, factual
Similar in 77%
Prayers for Bobby (2009)
Plot Summary:
True story of Mary Griffith, gay rights crusader, whose teenage son committed suicide due to her religious intolerance. Based on the book of the same title by Leroy Aarons.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: touching, sentimental, sad, emotional, depressing, serious, motivational, thought provoking, heartbreaking, lgbt cinema
Similar in 78%
I Am Michael (2015)
Plot Summary:
The controversial true story of a gay activist who rejects his homosexuality and becomes a Christian pastor.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, realistic, touching, romantic, thought provoking, intellectual, lgbt cinema, romantic drama, independent film
Similar in 77%
Wilde (1997)
Plot Summary:
The story of Oscar Wilde, genius, poet, playwright and the First Modern Man. The self-realisation of his homosexuality caused Wilde enormous torment as he juggled marriage, fatherhood and responsibility with his obsessive love for Lord Alfred Douglas.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Japan, Germany
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: homoerotic, costume drama, touching, period piece, witty, historical drama, sentimental, sincere, serious, captivating
Similar in 76%
The Normal Heart (2014)
Plot Summary:
The story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s, taking an unflinching look at the nation's sexual politics as gay activists and their allies in the medical community fight to expose the truth about the burgeoning epidemic to a city and nation in denial.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 37000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 132 min
Plot tags: sad, touching, emotional, sincere, compassionate, depressing, serious, thought provoking, realistic, talky
Similar in 79%
Gia (1998)
Plot Summary:
Gia Carangi travels to New York City with dreams of becoming a fashion model. Within minutes of arriving, she meets Wilhelmina Cooper, a wise and high-powered agent who takes Gia under her wing. With Cooper's help and her own natural instincts, Gia quickly shoots to the top of the modeling world. When Cooper dies of lung cancer, however, Gia turns to drugs – and both she and her career begin to spiral out of control.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 49000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: psychological, melancholic, erotic, sexy, rough, sad, serious, touching, bleak, thought provoking