The Best LGBTQ Movies and TV Shows for Families

Heartstopper is a show with LGBTQ characters

Photo:

“Heartstopper,” photo courtesy of Netflix

Representation on TV shows and movies has come a long way in recent years. While there is still a lot of room for improvement, I’m thankful that my kids have more inclusive and diverse options than I had growing-up.

In honor of Pride Month, we’ve found some great family-friendly movies and shows featuring LGBTQ characters. Pop some popcorn, claim your spot on the couch and enjoy!

Family-friendly movies with LGBTQ characters

“Nimona”

When a knight (Ballister) in a futuristic medieval world is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, only the mischievous teenager Nimona can help him clear his name. Only one problem — she just happens to be a shape-shifting creature that Ballister has sworn to destroy. But with everyone against him, Ballister accepts Nimona as his sidekick, and the adventures begin. Ballister has a boyfriend, Ambrosius, and while their relationship is not the center of the story, every character in the movie accepts and normalizes the couple and their relationship. Stream on Netflix, rated PG

“Strange World”

This animated movie follows the adventures of three generations of a legendary family of explorers, the Clades. They attempt to navigate uncharted, dangerous lands and they must work together to survive. It also features the first out gay teenager (Ethan) in a Disney cartoon movie, and was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. All three of Ethan’s older family members are accepting of Ethan for who he is. The movie is not a coming out story; his sexual orientation is not a point of contention, secret, or a struggle. It’s just part of who he is, and that is a powerful idea for viewers of all ages to witness. Stream on Disney+, rated PG

“Nyad”

This true story of long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad and her 2013 record-setting swim is awe-inspiring. The unstoppable Diana wanted to complete her lifelong dream of swimming 110 miles from Florida to Cuba (it takes 60 hours of constant swimming!). After numerous attempts, and with the help and support of her best friend, Bonnie, Diana reached her goal at the age of 64. While Bonnie and Diana’s sexuality is not a central theme of the movie (they are long-time best friends who were once romantic partners), they are both open about who they are, and their love and friendship is the true star of this movie. (Annette Bening and Jodi Foster play Diana and Bonnie and were both nominated for an Academy Award for their performances.) Stream on Netflix, rated PG-13

“Love, Simon”

This movie is the adaptation of the wildly popular YA book “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.” There are a lot of teen coming-out movies, but “Love, Simon” is the one least likely to shock younger siblings. Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated PG-13

“Wendell & Wild”

Much like “Coraline,” this is an animated film that pushes kids’ boundaries with its creepiness factor. In this story about facing your literal demons, half of the characters are already dead. But it breaks right past a bunch of diversity barriers with a predominantly POC cast, and the protagonist’s ride-or-die best friend is the first trans character ever featured in a stop-motion film. Stream on Netflix, rated PG-13

“Bend It Like Beckham”

This movie is all about the familial generation gap. The protagonist’s desire to play soccer against her traditional Sikh parents’ wishes unfolds in parallel with her male best friend’s coming-out. The movie treats both conflicts with the same weight and validity. Stream on Disney+, rated PG-13

“The Half of It”

A YA retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac set in the PNW, “The Half of It” features an Asian honor student named Ellie who has a side hustle writing papers for her less literate classmates. Things get complicated when a boy hires her to write love letters to the same girl Ellie has a crush on. Stream on Netflix, rated PG-13

“Breakfast With Scot”

Aside from a few swear words and discussion of drug use, this movie doesn’t really deserve its PG-13 rating. Sportscaster Eric is happily married before his husband Sam inherits custody of a relative’s stepson. When young Scot prefers musicals to hockey, Eric discovers his own toxic masculinity and internalized homophobia. Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated PG-13

Family-friendly TV shows with LGBTQ characters

“The Babysitter’s Club”

This show is an updated version of the ’90s popular book series of the same name. Kristy, Claudia, Stacy, Dawn and Mary Anne are young teens who decide to start their own babysitting company. While fans of the book will recognize each episode title (taken from the book titles) and familiar story lines, this new adaptation features a wide variety of LGBTQ representation: Mary Anne babysits a transgender girl (and stands up to a doctor who misgenders her); Dawn’s dad is gay; Claudia’s sister Jeanine has a girlfriend; and Dawn says she is open to falling in love with anyone on the gender spectrum. It is a crime that this show was cancelled after only two seasons. Stream on Netflix, rated TV-G

“Andi Mack”

In this contemporary coming-of-age story, Andi is trying to figure out where she fits in. This Disney Channel show might feel a tad predictable at times, but it also made history. Cyrus, one of the show’s main characters, was the first portrayal of an openly gay character on the Disney Channel. He was also the first person on the Disney Channel to ever say the words “I’m gay.” Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated TV-G

“Schitt’s Creek”

This award-winning comedy is about a rich family who loses all their money and is forced to live in a cheap motel in a small town. Comedy royalty, Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara, lead the cast, but the most beloved characters and story line belong to their son David (played by Dan Levy, Eugene’s real-life son) and his boyfriend Patrick. Their love story is one of the best ever on a television show, full stop. I dare you to watch Patrick sing his acoustic rendition of “Simply the Best” to David without reaching for a tissue. It simply cannot be done. This show has some adult themes (talk about sex, though nothing graphic is shown) and its fair share of swearing. But if you have a teenager and are looking for a show to enjoy together, look no further. Stream on Hulu, rated TV-14

“Queer Eye”

Join the Fab Five as they travel around giving inspiration, unconditional love and support to men and women who need a little pick me up (and a fabulous makeover). This show is bursting with positivity and messages of self-love, care and acceptance. Our whole family loves this show, and I bet yours will too. Stream on Netflix, rated TV-14

“The Owl House”

This is the quirky queer magical series that every weirdo misfit needs growing up. The show hits hard at the theme of finding a place where you can be yourself from episode 1, but overt LGBTQ representation is limited to one character’s dads in season 1. Season 2, on the other hand, sees teen girls embark on a wholesome, age-appropriate dating relationship, and introduces a nonbinary adult character. Bonus points for giving the main character’s mom her own story arc. Without ever questioning that she acts from a place of love, this single mom of color faces her own history of bullying as well as current social and financial pressures. She grows from a mindset of changing her child to fit the world to changing the world to fit her child. Chef’s kiss! Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated TV-Y7

“Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts”

This show has a fairly traditional plot but it makes history for representation. A young person making friends and having adventures in a strange land while trying to find their way home, protagonist Kipo’s friends number at least one nonbinary character and another who rejects Kipo’s crush with the history-making statement, “I’m gay,” the first time those words were said in children’s television. Stream on Netflix, rated TV-Y7

“Steven Universe”

Cartoon Network leads the pack with several shows featuring same-sex relationships between major characters. Both a TV show and a movie, the kid-friendly “Steven Universe” is filled with queer characters (albeit nonhuman alien gems). Although the animation style is decidedly low-budget, the stories handle heavy subjects with a sensitive touch. Stream on Hulu, rated TV-PG

“Heartstopper”

This ongoing series is a sweet live-action show based on a graphic novel series that follows two boys through high school. Gay Charlie is out and recovering from being bullied about it; Nick is figuring out his bisexuality as his feelings for Charlie develop. The responses to the boys from their families and diverse friend groups fall everywhere on the spectrum from supportive to punch-worthy. This is a great time to get hooked on this show: season 3 is coming in October 2024! Stream on Netflix, rated TV-14

“Danger and Eggs”

Truly for little kids, “Danger and Eggs” pairs daredevil D.D. Danger and their safety-conscious best friend, an egg named Phillip, in all kinds of outrageous adventures. It’s a buddy show in a world casually populated with numerous queer characters (often voiced by queer actors). Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated TV-Y7

“She-Ra and the Princesses of Power”

Parents may remember “She-Ra” as an absolutely awful spin-off series from the late ’80s designed to sell toys. But the reboot was a surprisingly intelligent and entertaining feminist story with three-dimensional characters. Some of those characters were nonbinary, others were in a lesbian relationship. Alas, it also fell prey to the final-episode queer love declaration trope that quickly wore on the patience of audiences hungry for positive representation throughout the run of their favorite shows. Stream on Netflix, rated TV-Y7

“The Fosters”

This television drama follows the blended, multiracial family of a lesbian couple. The challenges they face are realistic for the ages of the children portrayed (12–16 when the series starts), but the overall vibe is more down-to-earth than cringey. Stream on Hulu, rated TV-14

“Sailor Moon Crystal”

In the long-running Japanese “Sailor Moon” manga, it’s canon that Sailors Uranus and Neptune are a couple, but early American releases recast them as cousins. Today, the rebooted series gets the couple back together. Stream on Netflix, rated TV-14

SIFF-recommended short films

Our friends at the Seattle International Film Festival have recommended a few high-quality shorts, each just 5 to 15 minutes long:

“Pink Boy”

This documentary tells the story of a dress-wearing 6-year-old boy living in rural Florida and the family that creates a safe space for his sartorial choices.

“Fifteen”

This teen-made postmortem of first love may have too much kissing for the younger kids but will hit middle-schoolers in the feels.

“Sweetheart Dancers”

Appropriate for all ages and well worth the rental fee, this sweet documentary about an indigenous gay couple who compete in traditional dancing shows them challenging powwow rules against same-sex couples.

“Mehndi”

Two girls make a powerful discovery during a shared moment at a family party. There is nothing in this film that a toddler shouldn’t watch, but it contains a lot of story (and sexual tension) under the surface.

“Tyler”

Some of the dialogue feels more like it was written by a therapist than spoken by a 9-year-old, but for kids of elementary school age (and their families), this could be a good conversation starter or coming-out instruction manual, and the relationship between the brothers is sweet.

“In a Heartbeat”

This animated short about a boy who literally loses his heart to his crush is as touching as anything Pixar has ever made. Go ahead and watch it. Be prepared to cry.

Reel Queer Youth

When you can’t find what you need in the arts, it’s time to make it yourself. Three Dollar Bill Cinema offers a video production and media literacy program for LGBTQ youths and allies in grades 9–12. During this weeklong camp (virtual and in person), teens explore queer cinema, and create a film with whatever media and tools they have available.