Best movies like The Happy Sad
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Two young couples in New York-one black and gay, one white and heterosexual-find their lives intertwined as they create new relationship norms, explore sexual identity, and redefine monogamy.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 467
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: semi serious, realistic, sexy, tense, suspenseful, sexual, homoerotic, exciting, queer cinema
Best tv shows and movies like The Happy Sad (2013):
Similar in 90%
Issues 101 (2002)
Plot Summary:
College freshman Joe is new to school when he mistakes a rush invitation for a come-on from a cute fraternity brother. He's no less confused after a hazing ritual between him and Christian, his "big brother" in the Greek system, takes and intense and intimate turn. After Joe sets Christian "straight" about his sexual interests, Christian confesses that he himself is straight-but with "issues".
IMDB Rating: 3.5
IMDB Votes: 583
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: realistic, sentimental, psychological, captivating, semi serious, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 77%
eCupid (2011)
Plot Summary:
From the director of Is It Just Me? comes this sparkling romantic comedy which takes online dating to the extreme! Marshall is an over-worked ad exec who is suffering from a serious case of the seven year itch with his loving boyfriend. As Marshall’s 30th birthday nears he sets hell-bent on changing his life and comes across a mysterious dating app called eCupid which quickly turns his world upside down, overwhelming him sexy guys at every turn! Firing on all cylinders with a sharp script, hot cast and even an extended cameo from Hollywood legend Morgan Fairchild, eCupid will win your heart!.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: sexy, humorous, semi serious, realistic, independent film, sexual, queer cinema, gay cinema
Similar in 84%
Advice from a Caterpillar (1999)
Plot Summary:
When it comes to romance, Missy's attitude has always been whatever. After all, her artistic career is flourishing...her spacious New York City loft is fabulous...and her relationship with a married man is totally uncomplicated-what more could a modern girl want? But then Missy meets Brat, who's sweet, genuine and shares her fondness for 70's sitcoms. Unfortunately, he's also dating her pal Spaz. When Missy and Brat unexpectedly fall for each other, will she lose her identity...and her best friend? No matter how far you run, true love always finds you.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 403
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sexy, independent film, touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, sexual, lgbt cinema, gay cinema
Similar in 78%
Sun Kissed (2006)
Plot Summary:
Teddy, a young writer, ventures to an isolated desert house to complete his first novel, where he meets and seduces the mysterious caretaker, Leo. Layers of memory and hallucination unfold that intertwine the two men.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 479
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: psychological, atmospheric, realistic, surreal, sexy, serious, sexual, experimental, queer cinema
Similar in 86%
200 American (2003)
Plot Summary:
Conrad is a gay man living in NYC. He's also CEO of an ad agency and by nature a control freak. Although Conrad is still in love with Martin (his ex), he hires a young Aussie hustler named Tyler, first for a night and then to work for his company. Things get increasingly complicated as Conrad tries to rekindle things with Martin. Meanwhile Tyler (who's daytime name is Ian) falls for Michael his new supervisor.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 845
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: sexy, humorous, realistic, semi serious, independent film, offbeat, sexual, queer cinema
Similar in 86%
The Seminarian (2010)
Plot Summary:
The Seminarian is a story about Ryan, a closeted gay student in his final semester of seminary studies. Despite his school's hostile stance towards homosexuality, Ryan has two gay classmates - Gerald and Anthony - in whom he secretly confides. He is also close to his religiously devout mother who, as things stand, is unaware of his sexual orientation. Ryan needs to complete a solid theological thesis in order to continue doctoral work at the university of his dreams. As he works on his thesis 'The Divine Gift of Love,' Ryan begins a relationship with Bradley - a guy he has met on the Internet who seems perpetually unable to commit himself. Ryan confides in Gerald and Anthony, only to learn about their romantic struggles as well. Consequently, Ryan questions his views on God's gift of love.
IMDB Rating: 4.3
IMDB Votes: 594
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: semi serious, psychological, sentimental, captivating, contemplative, sexy, touching, offbeat, humorous, realistic
Similar in 81%
Strapped (2010)
Plot Summary:
A routine trick propels a tall, dark, cynical hustler into a series of life-changing encounters in this drama. But this amicable and sexually efficient rent boy begins to look at himself differently when he finds himself lost in a maze-like apartment building. As he wanders through the building, he tricks with a variety of johns; sex is the commonality, but out of that commodity comes raw, unguarded emotions for all.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: realistic, psychological, sentimental, captivating, lgbt cinema, serious, disturbing, sexual, hood, sexy
Similar in 79%
Bad Boy Street (2012)
Plot Summary:
Two men embark on an unconventional romance in Todd Verow's sexy Parisian-set drama. Claude finds a young man passed out in the street and, taking pity on him, decides to take him to his apartment to safely sleep. Awakening the next morning, the sexy stranger soon makes a play for his forty-something host, kick-starting a passionate romance. But will the chance meeting develop into more than just lust or will the pair's differences drive them apart? An accomplished, serious and very modern gay romance.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, sincere, captivating, lgbt cinema, parody, crying, independent film, queer cinema, bilingual
Similar in 88%
Finding Me (2009)
Plot Summary:
Faybien Allan has it all going on; he's young, stylish, and knows the importance of being seen with hip friends at NYC's trendiest spots. But beneath the sparkle of his nightlife and his stunning good-looks, is a man buckling under his father's homophobia. Filled with self-loathing and desperate for direction, he meanders through life until meeting Lonnie, a confident activist with a flirtatious smile. However, despite their obvious chemistry and fireworks in bed, Faybien's insecurities have him looking for the door. Can a budding romance and a few good friends keep him from making the biggest mistake of his life?.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 112
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: humorous, contemplative, psychological, captivating, independent film, realistic, semi serious, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 88%
3-Day Weekend (2008)
Plot Summary:
Long-term couple Simon and Jason, along with daddy-ish Cooper and his boy du jour, escape to a mountain cabin for a three-day weekend away from their hectic city lives. Looking to spice up this long-standing tradition, they add a special twist to this years retreat - each of them must invite one attractive single friend to their mountain getaway.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 929
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, realistic, sexy, sexual, sex comedy, queer cinema
Similar in 84%
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 77%
Back Soon (2007)
Plot Summary:
Back Soon is a story of love, loss, identity and hope. It follows the relationship between aspiring actor Logan Foster and reformed drug dealer Gil Ramirez, two men who find themselves inexplicably drawn together despite their disparate backgrounds, and the fact that they both regarded themselves as straight. However, their bond is soon threatened by Gil's mysterious past and a startling revelation about the true nature of their connection. Neither man is prepared for this, nor the impact it will have on their lives.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 865
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: sexy, realistic, psychological, captivating, emotional, touching, serious, independent film, sexual, hispanic
Similar in 90%
Race You to the Bottom (2005)
Plot Summary:
Nathan and Maggie are in the throes of a passionate affair. They're young, good-looking, and both have boyfriends. When Nathan is assigned to write a travel article on romantic hot-spots in Napa Valley, these unconventional lovers test the limits of the sensuality and fantasy that bond them.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 438
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 73 min
Plot tags: realistic, sincere, touching, serious, independent film, contemplative, semi serious, sexual, sexy
Similar in 87%
Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom (2008)
Plot Summary:
As Noah and Wade prepare to marry in Martha's Vineyard, the personal problems of their friends - and the unexpected arrival of rapper Baby Gat - threatens to permanently end their relationship.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 888
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, crying, queer cinema
Similar in 78%
The Last Straight Man (2014)
Plot Summary:
Lewis is a closeted gay man throwing a bachelor party for his straight best friend and secret crush, Cooper. After a night of drunken sex together, the two men decide to meet in the same hotel suite on the same night each year to hook up and catch up. Over the course of twelve years, we see four additional nights that depict how the two men grow and how their friendship changes.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: touching, semi serious, humorous, independent film, homoerotic, realistic, lgbt cinema, crying, sex comedy, queer cinema
Similar in 81%
Whirlwind (2007)
Plot Summary:
A hot, young and charming man with ulterior motives enters the lives of a tight-knit group of gay men in New York City and at first adds excitement and intrigue to their group, but events soon spiral out of control as he deliberately attempts to destroy their relationships.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 542
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: realistic, psychological, captivating, sexy, sincere, serious, gloomy, sexual, emotional
Similar in 83%
Broken Sky (2006)
Plot Summary:
First-love movie involving love triangle. Gerardo is deeply in love with longtime lover Jonas. When Jonas falls for a stranger he met at a local nightclub, heartbroken Gerardo soon seeks solace in the arms of Sergio (Alejandro Rojo). Despite other interests, Gerardo and Jonas can't bring themselves to end it.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Mexico
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: captivating, sincere, sexy, touching, erotic, serious, realistic, contemplative, gloomy, sexual
Similar in 85%
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 86%
The Last Match (2013)
Plot Summary:
Cuba is not a country for young gays. Teen rent boy Reinier falls in love with a mate in the slum soccer field at their neighbourhood in Havana. Although obsessed with moneymaking to hold up his baby, teen wife and wife's granma, gambler Reinier always fails in getting the stoke of luck he looks for. At the same time he cannot help being infatuated by Yosvani. Handsome Yosvani will give up his wealthy -and elder- girlfriend whom he hooked to pay him a lavish life in the big city, and the works he makes for her father, a loan thug, so much in love he is with Reinier. But the boys would fight hard to keep this love in the reckless Havana streets.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Spain, Cuba
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: realistic, sincere, touching, serious, homoerotic, erotic, lgbt cinema, cute, humorous, semi serious
Similar in 84%
Private Romeo (2011)
Plot Summary:
Romeo and Juliet has never been more provocative than in this contemporary all-boy staging. Writer/director Alan Brown transfers the setting from fair Verona to a high school military campus where a small group of boys from rival schools act out the tragedy in real life. This bold adaptation eschews convention and challenges common perceptions of masculinity, gay youth and the military. Anchored by solid performances, the film balances the tough dialogue, tender romance and unique setting with an erotic rhythm and a few surprising twists.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: serious, touching, emotional, realistic, sincere, lgbt cinema, independent film, queer cinema, gay cinema
Similar in 78%
Beneath the Skin (2015)
Plot Summary:
After his family falls apart Joshua is forced to move to Canada to live with his estranged father. It is there he meets Jay, a local tattoo artist. The two becomes closer despite the negativity that surrounds them.
IMDB Rating: 4.3
IMDB Votes: 351
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Canada
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: homoerotic, psychological, sexy, touching, contemplative, unusual plot structure, queer cinema, gay cinema
Similar in 85%
Redwoods (2009)
Plot Summary:
Both original and incredibly romantic, Redwoods tells the story of an already-partnered man whose love is tested when a mysterious drifter passes through his small Northern California town.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: realistic, touching, emotional, serious, lgbt cinema, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 87%
Violet Tendencies (2010)
Plot Summary:
A woman tries to distance herself from her gay friends in an effort to land a straight boyfriend.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 633
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: humorous, feel good, captivating, light, clever, realistic, not serious, independent film, queer cinema
Similar in 87%
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 89%
Pit Stop (2013)
Plot Summary:
Recovering from an ill-fated affair with a married man, Gabe finds solace in the relationship he maintains with his ex-wife and daughter. On the other side of town, Ernesto evades life at home with his current live-in ex-boyfriend by spending much of his spare time in the hospital with an ailing past love. Impervious to the monotony of their blue-collar world, they maintain an unwavering yearning for romance. The emotional isolation the two men have grown accustomed to is captured in a subtle, optimistic, poetic fashion while avoiding melodrama.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: realistic, touching, serious, contemplative, psychological, mumblecore, independent film, sincere, gloomy, crying
Similar in 86%
Getting Go, the Go Doc Project (2013)
Plot Summary:
Too shy to make a proper introduction, a recent college grad devises to shoot a documentary about the NYC nightlife scene in order to meet the go-go guy he’s cyber-obsessed with.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: realistic, sexual, psychological, rough, captivating, erotic, lgbt cinema, independent film, sincere, serious
Similar in 79%
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 82%
August (2011)
Plot Summary:
August tells the story of two former lovers, Troy and Jonathan, who reunite after a long ago painful breakup. After spending several years in Spain, Troy returns to Los Angeles and decides to phone Jonathan and meet for coffee. A seemingly innocent rendezvous turns into an attempt to revive passions past. Only this time it's not that simple as Jonathan has a new beau, Raul, and is trying to make the right decision a second time around.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: realistic, sentimental, psychological, captivating, emotional, homoerotic, sexy, touching, serious, non-linear
Similar in 81%
I Want Your Love (2012)
Plot Summary:
After a decade of living in San Francisco, Jesse is forced to move back to his Midwestern roots because he can no longer afford the city. On his final night in the city, friends and ex-lovers gather for a going away party that promises to heighten Jesse's already bittersweet feelings about leaving.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 71 min
Plot tags: mumblecore, sincere, touching, serious, realistic, controversial, sexual, erotic, independent film, sexy
Similar in 85%
Ciao (2008)
Plot Summary:
Two men meet and fall in love under the least joyous of circumstances in this low-key drama from writer and director Yen Tan.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, romantic, sensual, crying, independent film, queer cinema, gay cinema