17 Unmissable Web Series & Movies with LGBTQ Characters!

Dear Diary,

Over the years, I have witnessed various web series and movies with LGBTQ characters, which have undergone significant evolution. It’s good to see that there’s room for bold storytelling, thus paving the way for broader awareness, acceptance, and advocacy.

Therefore, through this article, I thought, why not delve into notable LGBTQ characters appearing in movies and web series, highlighting the diversity of stories they bring to the screen? Let’s get started.

Which Are The Web Series And Movies With LGBTQ Characters?

The refreshing shift across various forms of media is like a beacon of positivity for the LGBTQ community. The entertainment fraternity has aesthetically embraced queer narratives with sensitivity and authenticity. Here are the web series and films with LGBTQ characters you must watch!

1. Kapoor & Sons

Character: Rahul played by Fawad Khan

This family drama had to be on my list first. Firstly, I never thought Rahul, portrayed by Fawad Khan, would be a gay character. Secondly, the inclusion of the role and storyline would be so subtle and seamless.

Truly, the film handles the subject with tenderness, showing how familial dynamics shift when secrets come to light – a theme that is indeed relatable.

2. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga

Character: Sweety Chaudhary played by Sonam Kapoor

This is one film by Sonam Kapoor that I truly loved watching – obviously after Neerja. I never knew she could pull off this character with finesse.

Well, the film follows the story of a woman struggling to express her sexuality in a conservative environment. Undoubtedly, the film’s tagline, “The most unexpected romance of the year,” speaks volumes about its trailblazing narrative.

3. Badhaai Do

Character: Shardul Thakur played by Rajkummar Rao and Sumi played by Bhumi Pednekar

Rajkummar Rao is known for pulling off any character, and in film, he does exactly that. This comedy-drama revolves around a couple, played by Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar, who are in a lavender marriage.

They both have different love interests, which are well hidden from the family. The movie beautifully chronicles their struggle while managing their married life. Indeed, the film balances humour and poignant moments to advocate for acceptance.

4. Made in Heaven

Character: Karan played by Arjun Mathur

This Amazon Prime series had to be on my list of web series and movies with LGBTQ characters. The LGBTQ themes are beautifully integrated through the character of Karan, who happens to be a gay wedding planner.

His storyline explores societal prejudices and personal struggles with grace. The silver lining was the introduction of Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju as Meher Chaudhry in season 2.

5. Angry Indian Goddesses

Character: Freida De Silva played by Sarah-Jane Dias

When I first heard about this movie, I thought it would be just another portrayal of girls having fun, partying, and all that. But this film turned out to be much more.

The friends – played by Anushka Manchanda, Sandhya Mridul, Amrit Maghera, and Pavleen Gujral – come together to celebrate the bachelorette party of their friend, portrayed by Sarah-Jane Dias.

Gradually, they discover that she’s getting married to Nargis, played by Tannishtha Chatterjee. As the story unfolds, we witness their evolving friendships, hidden desires, fears, and the strength of their bond.

6. Dear Dad

Character: Nitin Swaminathan played by Arvind Swamy

I started watching this film for one reason—Arvind Swamy. I’ve been a die-hard fan since Roja, so I couldn’t miss this one. But what truly surprised me was the film’s theme, which revolves around a tender father-son relationship where the father reveals a life-changing truth about himself.

During a road trip with his teenage son, he confesses that he is gay. What follows isn’t just the shock and confusion of a son trying to process this revelation but also a heartfelt journey of acceptance, identity, and redefining what it means to be family.

The film handles this delicate subject with grace and warmth, making it an emotional yet necessary watch in today’s world.

7. Super Deluxe

Character: Shilpa aka Manickam played by Vijay Sethupathi

Recently, I started watching a lot of Tamil and Malayalam films, and I couldn’t miss watching Super Deluxe. The film tells four interwoven stories, but one story that particularly caught my attention was Shilpa’s.

The story revolves around Manickam, played by Vijay Sethupathi, who arrives from Mumbai as a transgender woman named Shilpa. Shilpa faces humiliation and harassment, but her son Rasukutty is the light at the end of the tunnel. What follows next forms the crux of this story, which is a must-watch!

8. Murder in Mahim

Character: Sunil played by Rohan Verma

This web series is based on the novel by Jerry Pinto, wherein it highlights a gripping crime thriller that explores queer identities through a series of murders in Mumbai. However, as the series progresses, you come to understand the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community.

It also reminds us about their battle to find acceptance and their hidden desires, and amidst this unfolds the emotional story between an estranged father and his gay son.

9. City of Dreams

Character: Poornima Gaikwad played by Priya Bapat

This political drama subtly touches on LGBTQ themes through character subplots portrayed by Priya Bapat. The storyline explores a lesbian relationship, challenging societal taboos.

It also highlights the internal conflicts faced by queer individuals, especially when they live under the shadow of political power and social expectations.

10. Taali

Character: Gauri played by Sushmita Sen

I was so excited about this film because it stars Sushmita Sen. Well, the film is based on the life of transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant, played by Sushmita Sen.

The film highlights the biographical drama showcasing her struggles, societal resistance, and fierce advocacy for transgender rights, especially in securing the right to motherhood and dignity.

11. Brokeback Mountain

Character: Ennis Del Mar played by Heath Ledger and Jack Twist by Jake Gyllenhaal

Indeed, it is one of the best movies with LGBTQ characters. I especially liked this film because it featured my favourite actors – Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, and, of course, Anne Hathaway too.

Directed by Ang Lee, this groundbreaking film follows the emotional and forbidden romance between two cowboys over two decades. Every frame and act is just superlative as it explores repression, longing, and the costs of living a closeted life in a conservative society.

12. Laurence Anyways

Character: Laurence played by Melvil Poupaud

I watched this film at a film festival around 2013. For me, the concept of transgender women was new. Although I was aware of it, there was never an open dialogue, and moreover, it was marred by misconceptions.

However, this film opened my eyes and changed my perspective. I feel I started to understand the internal conflicts of the LGBTQ community – maybe not much, but at least a little.

The film chronicles the decade-long journey of a transgender woman and her relationship with her girlfriend. The film brought tears to my eyes because it is an emotionally stunning and visually captivating portrayal of the pain, beauty, and resilience of gender transition and love.

13. The Danish Girl

Character: Lili Elbe played by Eddie Redmayne

This movie was recommended to me by many friends, and alas, when I watched it, it left me awestruck. After watching this film, I realised what a fantastic actor Eddie Redmayne is.

This historical drama tells the story of Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of gender confirmation surgery. The film explores the complexities of identity, transformation, and acceptance, with a profound emotional core centred on love and partnership.

14. The Imitation Game

Character: Alan Turing played by Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch won my heart through his portrayal of Sherlock, and hence, I had to watch The Imitation Game, which focuses on mathematician Alan Turing.

The film highlights the tragic injustice he faced for being gay despite his invaluable contributions to WWII. It’s a powerful reminder of the societal prejudice against LGBTQ individuals, even in the face of brilliance.

15. Boys Don’t Cry

Character: Brandon Teena played by Hilary Swank

Last on the list of web series and movies with LGBTQ characters is Boys Don’t Cry. While watching this film, be sure to have a box of tissues nearby. It is based on the life of Brandon Teena, portrayed by Hilary Swank, a trans man brutally murdered in Nebraska.

The humiliation, the themes of gender identity, violence, and the desperate need for acceptance are heart-wrenching to watch. Hilary Swank is outstanding in the film, which is why her performance earned her an Academy Award.

16. Qissa

Character: Kanwar played by Tillotama Shome

This film is a must-watch for sure! Directed by Anup Singh, Qissa is a haunting Punjabi-language drama set in post-Partition India. It tells the story of Umber Singh played by Irrfan Khan, a Sikh patriarch obsessed with having a male heir.

When his fourth child is born a girl, he raises her as a boy, naming her Kanwar played by the talented Tillotama Shome. As Kanwar grows up grappling with identity, love, and truth, the film unfolds into a powerful exploration of gender dysphoria, parental control, and societal denial.

Qissa is both poetic and tragic—an unforgettable tale of a soul torn between who it is and what the world demands it to be.

17. Maja Ma

Character: Pallavi Patel played by Madhuri Dixit

I never expected Madhuri Dixit to take up such a bold role. I grew up watching her dance and play romantic roles, but this film reveals a different side of her acting. Well, Maja Ma revolves around a seemingly traditional homemaker who comes out as a lesbian.

The film challenges stereotypes, explores self-realisation later in life, and highlights the emotional and societal complexities of being queer in a conservative family setting. Although the movie was a dud, it is included in this list because of Madhuri.

Over to you…

These web series and movies with LGBTQ characters are proof that cinema is evolving. While the challenges continue, the courage and creativity of filmmakers continue to bring meaningful stories to the forefront.

As audiences embrace these narratives, the ripple effect of acceptance and understanding grows, transforming not just the screen but society itself. These films and series remind us that love, in all its forms, deserves celebration and recognition.