Best movies like Mapplethorpe
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A look at the life of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe from his rise to fame in the 1970s to his untimely death in 1989.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: costume drama, queer cinema
Best tv shows and movies like Mapplethorpe (2018):
Similar in 85%
Noah's Arc (2004)
Plot Summary:
Four gay friends live in L.A. and deal with today's issues, boyfriends, aids, your boyfriend's children, making it in the movie biz, etc.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 460
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags: queer cinema
Similar in 86%
Praxis (2008)
Plot Summary:
Praxis peels away the layers of narrative even as Brian, the film's axis, struggles to create his true self. Brian, a writer on the verge of a breakdown, is aided by Joe and an Elusive Woman as he sifts through the fragments of his persona to discover his true core. Fighting against fear and the indifference of society - aptly symbolized by the medical establishment - his quest reflects the classical mythos of Proteus and the human search for meaning in the universe.
IMDB Rating: 3.4
IMDB Votes: 151
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 81%
Body Electric (2017)
Plot Summary:
Elias is a handsome young deputy manager in a garment factory in São Paulo. When he’s not working, he enjoys casual encounters in the big city. The arrival of a young African, Fernando, on the production line piques his interest and Elias finds himself increasingly drawn into socialising with his work colleagues.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 896
Genere: Drama
Country: Brazil
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: queer cinema
Similar in 77%
B-Boy Blues (2021)
Plot Summary:
Follows the relationship of 27-year-old journalist Mitchell Crawford and 21-year-old bicycle messenger Raheim Rivers, who meet at a gay bar in Greenwich Village during the summer of 1993.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 638
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: queer cinema
Similar in 78%
Masoch (1980)
Plot Summary:
Aurora Rumelin is happy because the noble writer Leopold Sacher-Masoch has asked for her hand. Little by little the marriage goes into crisis mainly because Leopold asks his wife to beat him before sexual relations and to treat him like a slave. Both spouses have lovers and, in the end, the marriage ends in divorce.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 64
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Italy
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 76%
Naked Rose (2013)
Plot Summary:
Among the millions of victims of the Nazi madness during the Second World War, Pierre Seel was charged with homosexuality and imprisoned in the Schirmeck concentration camp. He survived this terrifying experience of torture and humiliation, and after the war he married, had three children, and tried to live a normal life. In 1982, however, he came to terms with his past and his true nature and decided to publicly reveal what he and thousands of other homosexuals branded with the Pink Triangle had undergone during the Nazi regime. Il Rosa Nudo (Naked Rose), inspired by the true story of Pierre Seel, depicts in a theatrical and evocative way the Homocaust, focusing on the scientific theories of SS Physician Carl Peter Værnet for the treatment of homosexuality, which paved the way for the Nazi persecution of gay men.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 25
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Italy
Duration: 70 min
Plot tags: semi documentary, queer cinema
Similar in 78%
Potato Dreams of America (2021)
Plot Summary:
A true story about a gay boy growing up in the collapsing USSR, his courageous mail-order bride mother, and their adventurous escape to Seattle in the 90s.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 733
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: disturbing, humorous, captivating, entertaining, dark comedy, queer cinema
Similar in 79%
Fixing Frank (2002)
Plot Summary:
Frank (Miller) is a gay journalist who goes undercover at the urging of his therapist boyfriend Jonathan (Provenza) to write an exposé of Dr. Apsey (Butler). Apsey performs conversion therapy on gay male clients, a practice which Jonathan finds reprehensible. Frank quickly comes clean with Apsey but continues to meet with him under the pretense of interviewing him, but finds himself questioning himself, Jonathan and their six-year relationship.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 490
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: queer cinema, cult film
Similar in 86%
Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story (1997)
Plot Summary:
Breaking the Surface is about the tough times Greg Louganis had on his way to becoming one of the world's top Olympic divers. Some topics discussed were Greg's childhood problems, his homosexuality, and him contracting the HIV virus.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 712
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: sincere, uplifting, touching, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, queer cinema
Similar in 85%
José (2018)
Plot Summary:
José (19 years old) lives with his mother (50s) in Guatemala: a tough life in one of the world's most dangerous, religious, and impoverished countries. José is her youngest and favorite child, and her life is going to church and selling sandwiches. Jose spends his days on crowded buses and in the streets delivering food. Resigned and aloof, in free moments he plays with his phone and looks for random sex. When he meets Luis, Jose is thrust into a dimension of passion and pain and self-reflection that was previously unimaginable.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 820
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, Guatemala
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, queer cinema
Similar in 80%
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2022)
Plot Summary:
Based on the coming-of-age young adult novel by American author Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Set in El Paso, Texas in 1987, the film follows two Mexican-American teenagers, Aristotle "Ari" Mendoza and Dante Quintana, their friendship, and their struggles with racial and ethnic identity, sexuality, and family relationships.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 841
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: queer cinema
Similar in 75%
1985 (2018)
Plot Summary:
Having been gone for three years, closeted advertising executive Adrian returns to his Texas hometown and struggles to reveal his dire circumstances to his conservative family.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, sentimental, sincere, unusual plot structure, disturbing, sad, black and white, crying, queer cinema
Similar in 86%
Behind the Candelabra (2013)
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
Similar in 85%
Tom of Finland (2017)
Plot Summary:
Touko Laaksonen, a decorated officer, returns home after a harrowing and heroic experience serving his country in World War II, but life in Finland during peacetime proves equally distressing. He finds peace-time Helsinki rampant with persecution of the homosexual and men around him even being pressured to marry women and have children. Touko finds refuge in his liberating art, specialising in homoerotic drawings of muscular men, free of inhibitions. His work – made famous by his signature ‘Tom of Finland’ – became the emblem of a generation of men and fanned the flames of a gay revolution.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: homoerotic, romantic, serious, realistic, compassionate, social, surreal, novela, queer cinema, banned
Similar in 82%
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 78%
Halston (2021)
Plot Summary:
American fashion designer Halston skyrockets to fame before his life starts to spin out of control.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 240 min
Plot tags: factual, homoerotic, semi autobiographical, semi documentary, feel good, inspirational, queer cinema
Similar in 89%
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 78%
Rock Hudson (1990)
Plot Summary:
Biography of actor Rock Hudson focuses on his struggle with his homosexuality. Based on the book by his ex-wife, Phyllis Gates, and on the court records from the civil suit brought by his former lover, Marc Christian.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 216
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 83%
Pasolini (2014)
Plot Summary:
We are with Pasolini during the last hours of his life, as he talks with his beloved family and friends, writes, gives a brutally honest interview, shares a meal with Ninetto Davoli, and cruises for the roughest rough trade in his gun-metal gray Alfa Romeo. Over the course of the action, Pasolini’s life and his art (represented by scenes from his films, his novel-in-progress Petrolio, and his projected film Porno-Teo-Kolossal) are constantly refracted and intermingled to the point where they become one.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: France, Belgium, Italy
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, realistic, intellectual, independent film, contemplative
Similar in 77%
An Englishman in New York (2009)
Plot Summary:
Biographical drama based on the last 20 years of Crisp's life. The literary figure and gay iconoclast emigrated to New York in 1981 and lived there until his death. The film observes Crisp in both his public and private lives, from his seemingly cavalier response to the outbreak of AIDS to his tender relationship with his friend Patrick Angus and his own response to growing old.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags: sincere, realistic, touching, humorous, witty, semi serious, queer cinema, flamboyance, iconic
Similar in 77%
The Happy Prince (2018)
Plot Summary:
THE HAPPY PRINCE tells the story of the last days of Oscar Wilde. This great man of letters, once one of the most famous authors in England, is now a superstar on the skids. As Oscar lies on his death bed, the past comes flooding back to him, transporting him to other times and places.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK, Belgium, Italy, Germany
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: touching, suspenseful, depressing, captivating, suspense, melancholic, sad, art film, costume drama, fairy tale
Similar in 89%
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 90%
Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon (1998)
Plot Summary:
Biography of the British painter Francis Bacon. The movie focuses on his relationship with George Dyer, his lover. Dyer was a former small time crook.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, France, Japan, USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: cult classic, controversial, heartbreaking, art film, serious, realistic, contemplative, biting, independent film, transgressive
Similar in 78%
Pedro (2008)
Plot Summary:
An intimate biopic of Pedro Zamora, an HIV-positive Cuban-American, who was cast for the MTV reality show, The Real World: San Francisco, in 1994. Due to his experience on the Real World, Pedro became a celebrity and a sympathetic face of the AIDS epidemic for millions of Americans who had never met anyone with HIV/AIDS.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 535
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, touching, serious, realistic, sincere, contemplative, non-linear, queer cinema
Similar in 76%
Citizen Cohn (1992)
Plot Summary:
As lawyer and power broker Roy Cohn lies dying of AIDS in a private hospital room, ghosts from his past visit him as he reflects on his life and loves.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: sincere, thought provoking, serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative
Similar in 84%
Gods and Monsters (1998)
Plot Summary:
It's 1957, and Whale's heyday as the director of "Frankenstein," "Bride of Frankenstein" and "The Invisible Man" is long behind him. Retired and a semi-recluse, he lives his days accompanied only by images from his past. When his dour housekeeper, Hannah, hires a handsome young gardener, the flamboyant director and simple yard man develop an unlikely friendship, which will change them forever.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 32000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: enigmatic, melancholic, captivating, sentimental, cult classic, independent film, touching, witty, entertaining, costume drama
Similar in 77%
It's My Party (1996)
Plot Summary:
A gathering of friends. A gift of love. A celebration of life.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, humorous, emotional, independent film, philosophical, depressing, sincere, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 88%
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 78%
Boy Erased (2018)
Plot Summary:
The son of a Baptist preacher is forced to participate in a church supported gay conversion program.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 42000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Australia, USA, China
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, psychological, sentimental, captivating, intellectual, depressing, serious, lgbt cinema, sad, cult classic
Similar in 82%
Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Plot Summary:
Loosely based on the true-life tale of Ron Woodroof, a drug-taking, women-loving, homophobic man who in 1986 was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and given thirty days to live.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 511000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: psychological, heartbreaking, compassionate, depressing, motivational, inspirational, clever, emotional, dramatic, cerebral