Best movies like Reaching for the Moon
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
In 1951 New York poet Elizabeth Bishop travels to Rio de Janeiro to visit Mary, a college friend. The shy Elizabeth is overwhelmed by Brazilian sensuality. She is the antithesis to Mary’s dashing partner, architect Lota de Macedo Soares. Although frosty at first, the architect soon makes a play for Elizabeth and the poet finally succumbs to Lota’s advances. Mary is jealous, but unconventional Lota is determined to have both women at all costs. Their ménage à trois is thrown off balance when Lota starts work on her biggest project to date, designing Parque do Flamengo in Rio. Elizabeth accepts an academic teaching post in the USA and the women drift apart. Lota, at all other times brimming with self-confidence, is inconsolable. This eternal triangle plays out against the backdrop of the military coup of 1964. Bishop’s moving poems are at the core of a film which lushly illustrates a crucial phase in the life of this influential Pulitzer prize-winning poet.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Brazil
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, captivating, realistic, lgbt cinema, deep, romantic drama, historical drama, crying, inspirational
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I, the Worst of All (1990)
Plot Summary:
A viceroy and an archbishop take their posts in Mexico. A local nun, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651-1695), intrigues them. The viceroy and his wife find her brilliant and fascinating. The prelate finds her a symbol of European laxity. He engineers the election of a new abbess, severe and ascetic. The virreina visits Sor Juana often and inspires her to write passionate poetry that the archbishop finds scandalous. The viceroy protects her. After he is replaced and returns to Spain with his wife, Sor Juana faces envy and retribution. A bishop betrays her, her confessor humbles her. Plague, a tribunal, and her confession as "the worst of all" end the great poet's life.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 710
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Argentina
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: biblical, psychological, tense, serious, realistic, gloomy, sexual, crying, erotic, light
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The Color of Time (2012)
Plot Summary:
A poetic road trip through Pulitzer prize-winning CK Williams' life over the course of 40 years.
IMDB Rating: 4.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 73 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, touching, sentimental, melancholic, teen, independent film, contemplative
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Another Way (1982)
Plot Summary:
Political and sexual repression in Hungary, just after the revolution of 1956. In 1958, the body of Eva Szalanczky, a political journalist, is discovered near the border. Her friend Livia is in hospital with a broken neck; Livia's husband, Donci, is under arrest. In a flashback to the year before, we see what leads up to the tragedy. Eva gets a job as a writer. She meets Livia and is attracted to her. Livia feels much the same, but as a married woman, has doubts and hesitations. In their work, they (and Eva in particular) bang up against the limits of telling political truths; in private, they confront the limits of living out sexual and emotional truth.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 899
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Hungary
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: political, historical drama, sincere, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, queer cinema
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Bright Star (2009)
Plot Summary:
In 1818, high-spirited young Fanny Brawne finds herself increasingly intrigued by the handsome but aloof poet John Keats, who lives next door to her family friends the Dilkes. After reading a book of his poetry, she finds herself even more drawn to the taciturn Keats. Although he agrees to teach her about poetry, Keats cannot act on his reciprocated feelings for Fanny, since as a struggling poet he has no money to support a wife.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 28000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: Australia, UK, France
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: heartbreaking, period piece, romantic, touching, sad, costume drama, emotional, colorful, sentimental, witty
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Total Eclipse (1995)
Plot Summary:
Young, wild poet Arthur Rimbaud and his mentor Paul Verlaine engage in a fierce, forbidden romance while feeling the effects of a hellish artistic lifestyle.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, France, Belgium
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: serious, erotic, costume drama, cult classic, psychological, sexual, thought provoking, lgbt cinema, artsy, historical drama
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Sylvia (2003)
Plot Summary:
Story of the relationship between the poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: depressing, emotional, realistic, psychological, serious, heartbreaking, romantic, neurotic, art house, period piece
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The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972)
Plot Summary:
Petra von Kant is a successful fashion designer -- arrogant, caustic, and self-satisfied. She mistreats Marlene (her secretary, maid, and co-designer). Enter Karin, a 23-year-old beauty who wants to be a model. Petra falls in love with Karin and invites her to move in.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: West Germany
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: art house, sexual, erotic, philosophical, sexy, depressing, surreal, avant garde, stylized, postmodern
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Jenny's Wedding (2015)
Plot Summary:
Jenny Farrell is getting married. But how will her straight-laced family react when they find out that the woman they thought was their daughter’s roommate is actually her fiancée? As the old-fashioned Farrells attempt to come to terms with the prospect of a surprise daughter-in-law, they face a difficult choice: either adapt with the times or risk being left behind.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: sexy, psychological, light, touching, humorous, teen, relaxing, queer cinema
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Happy End?! (2014)
Plot Summary:
Lucca is in the middle of her A-level exams, heading for a career as a high-flying lawyer when she is mistakenly accused of criminal damage and sentenced to community service in a hospice. There she meets Valerie who is determined to carry out the last wishes of her friend Herma, despite Hermas son who is only interested in his inheritance. Lucca helps Valerie to kidnap Hermas ashes and they begin a journey which turns Luccas ideas and values upside down.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 218
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Germany, Netherlands
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, romantic, sexy, touching, melancholic, unusual plot structure, queer cinema
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Claire of the Moon (1992)
Plot Summary:
Claire of the Moon is set in the 1990s in the Pacific Northwest. Claire Jabrowski, a famous heterosexual author, decides to attend a retreat for all-female writers. Claire's rommate at the retreat is Dr. Noel Benedict, author of a book called The Naked Truth. The movie culminates in a sexual encounter between the two authors.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: sexual, independent film, erotic, serious, realistic, contemplative, talky, sexy, queer cinema
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City of Trees (2019)
Plot Summary:
A 20-something woman goes back to her hometown for the holidays for the first time in several years and is not only met with people from her past, but she's forced to deal with unresolved feelings too.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 686
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: independent film, queer cinema
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Purple Sea (2009)
Plot Summary:
Nothing - not her father, not the church - can stop unruly Angela from being with her childhood best friend turned great love, Sara. Based on a true story, Viola di Mare, presents a uniquely engaging portrait of family, community and gender roles in a 19th century Italian village.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: Italy
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, captivating, disturbing, historical drama, romantic, sad, period piece, deep, realistic
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The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister (2010)
Plot Summary:
In nineteenth century Yorkshire wealthy orphan Anne Lister lives with an aunt and uncle, anxious for her to marry well and blissfully unaware that she is a lesbian,recording her thoughts and exploits in a coded diary. When her lover Mariana Belcombe makes a marriage of convenience to rich old Charles Lawton,she feels betrayed and,although Mariana visits and has sex with her,the relationship is going nowhere. Helped by old flame Tib she makes a play for innocent Miss Browne but sees she is barking up the wrong tree and diverts herself by renovating the family hall. A drunken Tib almost exposes her secret and scornful mine-owner Christopher Rawson,whose marriage proposal she rejects,tells her that her sexuality is a subject of local gossip. Undeterred Anne meets Ann Walker who becomes her new 'wife' and they open a coal-mine ,living happily together. An end title tells us that Anne Lister died prematurely in 1840 on holiday in Russia.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: captivating, emotional, stylized, lgbt cinema, period piece, costume drama, deep, historical drama, serious, realistic
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Gentleman Jack (2019)
Plot Summary:
Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, 1832. Anne Lister attempts to revitalize her inherited home, Shibden Hall. Most notably for the time period, a part of her plan is to help the fate of her own family - by taking a wife.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: captivating, thought provoking, psychological, period piece, costume drama, funny, dramatic, controversial, deep, suspense
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Anatomy of a Love Seen (2014)
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From Writer/Director Marina Rice Bader (Executive Producer Elena Undone, A Perfect Ending) comes this film within a film that explores love in all its painful and messy glory. Six months ago Zoe and Mal fell for each other while filming a love scene, which led to an intense, whirlwind affair, followed by a devastating breakup. Soon after their split, things get complicated when the two have to meet on set once more to re-shoot that fateful sequence.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: serious, touching, captivating, erotic, sexy, independent film, deep, humorous, realistic, sincere
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Plot Summary:
In 1901, Marcela Gracia Ibeas took on the identity of Mario Sánchez to marry her lover of fifteen years, Elisa Sanchez Loriga.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: Spain
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: black and white, psychological, sincere, captivating, disturbing, period piece, deep, historical drama, queer cinema, beautiful
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IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Canada
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: touching, sexy, psychological, romantic, depressing, sincere, teen, lgbt cinema, deep, eros
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Aimee & Jaguar (1999)
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Berlin 1943/44 ("The Battle of Berlin"). Felice, an intelligent and courageous Jewish woman who lives under a false name, belongs to an underground organization. Lilly, a devoted mother of four, though an occasional unfaithful wife, is desperate for love. An unusual and passionate love between them blossoms despite the danger of persecution and nightly bombing raids. The Gestapo is on Felice's trail. Her friends flee, she decides to sit out the war with Lilly. One hot day in August 1944, the Gestapo is waiting in Lilly's flat.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance, War
Country: Germany
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: erotic, romantic, sad, romantic drama, historical drama, sincere, thought provoking, serious, emotional, realistic
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Violette (2013)
Plot Summary:
Born out of wedlock early in the last century, Violette Leduc meets Simone de Beauvoir in postwar Saint-Germain-des-Près. An intense lifelong relationship develops between the two women authors, based on Violette's quest for freedom through writing and on Simone's conviction that she holds in her hands the destiny of an extraordinary writer.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: France, Belgium
Duration: 139 min
Plot tags: captivating, realistic, sincere, serious, psychological, intellectual, heartbreaking, existential, crying, queer cinema
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Colette (2018)
Plot Summary:
French novelist, Colette, overcomes an abusive marriage to emerge as a leading writer in her country and a candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK, USA, Hungary
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: captivating, costume drama, intellectual, inspirational, lyrical, period piece, erotic, social, art film, historical drama
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Plot Summary:
Socialite Vita Sackville-West and literary icon Virginia Woolf run in different circles in 1920s London. Despite the odds, the magnetic Vita and the beguiling Virginia forge an unconventional affair, set against the backdrop of their own strikingly contemporary marriages; which inspired one of Woolf's most iconic novels, 'Orlando'.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: Ireland, UK
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: sentimental, factual, psychological, captivating, period piece, deep, historical drama, historical romance, sensual, queer cinema
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If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000)
Plot Summary:
The stories of three lesbian couples -- who live in the same house at different periods of time -- who are at a crossroads in their lives. In 1961, Edith loses her lover, Abby, to a stroke. Linda and Amy struggle with feminist issues in 1972. And, in 2000, Kal and Fran try to have a baby with the help of sperm donor.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: captivating, sexual, psychological, disturbing, erotic, lgbt cinema, multicultural, sensual, sentimental, sincere
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Elena Undone (2010)
Plot Summary:
The wife of a pastor who preaches against homosexuality embarks on an affair with a female writer.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
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Plot Summary:
This intimate drama follows Rebecca, a woman who has kept her sexuality a secret from her friends but chooses to reveal it to a stranger. While Rebecca's revelations may not yield the results she expects, a perfect ending is still in reach.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: touching, sexy, serious, realistic, sincere, erotic, deep, independent film, sexual, crying
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A sensuous and ethereal story of two young women falling in love for the first time. Young, beautiful Àsia lies in a coma, her mother and boyfriend keeping constant vigil by her side. In flashback we see what led up to her accident, her life studying architecture at university, the somewhat overbearing relationship she has with her mother and her passionless relationship with Nathaniel.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Spain
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, realistic, romantic, sexy, erotic, crying, sexual, queer cinema
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Plot Summary:
The story of straight-edge literature professor Vivian who travels to Reno to get away from a relationship breakup when she falls in love with an attractive and unconventional girl named Cay.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: sexy, touching, sentimental, realistic, sincere, captivating, erotic, independent film, lgbt cinema, romantic drama
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Mia (Ruth Vega Fernandez) and Frida (Liv Mjönes), both in their thirties, meet each other for the first time at their parents' engagement party. Mia's father, Lasse (Krister Henriksson), is about to get married to Frida's mother, Elizabeth (Lena Endre), which will make Mia and Frida stepsisters. Lasse's daughter, Mia, has not visited her father in years and arrives with her boyfriend, Tim (Joakim Nätterqvist), with whom she is about to get married. As Mia and Frida get to know one another, strong emotions begin to stir between them. Their relationship will turn everything upside down for everyone close to them with dramatic consequences.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Sweden, Denmark, Germany
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: sexy, realistic, serious, erotic, heartbreaking, lgbt cinema, eros, romantic drama, steamy, touching
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High Art (1998)
Plot Summary:
A young female intern at a small magazine company becomes involved with a drug-addicted lesbian photographer, both of whom seek to exploit each other for their respective careers, while slowly falling in love with each other.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: erotic, sexy, emotional, sincere, independent film, sensual, depressing, sexual, lgbt cinema, eros
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Freeheld (2015)
Plot Summary:
New Jersey car mechanic Stacie Andree and her police detective girlfriend Laurel Hester both battle to secure Hester's pension benefits after she was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA, UK, France
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, sad, romantic, crying, detective, sentimental, philosophical, depressing, lgbt cinema
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Imagine Me & You (2005)
Plot Summary:
During her wedding ceremony, Rachel notices Luce in the audience and feels instantly drawn to her. The two women become close friends, and when Rachel learns that Luce is a lesbian, she realizes that despite her happy marriage to Heck, she is falling for Luce. As she questions her sexual orientation, Rachel must decide between her stable relationship with Heck and her exhilarating new romance with Luce.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 35000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Germany
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: romantic, sexy, sentimental, stylized, semi serious, erotic, light, sexual, romantic comedy, cute