I first wrote about queer musical films when I posted my 5 Queer Musical Films posts three years ago. Hard to believe that it’s been that long for one of my favorite genres. Which means that it’s time to revisit the genre again!
Despite the fascination that many of us queers have with musicals, not all musicals are actually queer. And even fewer musicals have received film adaptations. Thankfully, there are still plenty of queer musical films to examine. Although I’m a bit of a dunce – as I’ve actually included a queer musical that I had already included three years ago. Oops!
That aside, I’ve gathered up some great queer musicals below for you to consider. One is actually the film adaptation of a stage musical, while another is actually a film of the stage show. Personally, I find both of these quite enjoyable to watch because I’m an avid fan of musical theater! The other three certainly feature musical performances though and definitely belong in the musical genre for films. So have a glance and let me know what you think at the end!
5 MORE Queer Musical Films
“Hedwig, born male as Hansel in East Berlin, fell in love with an American G.I. and underwent a Gender Reassignment Surgery in order to marry him and flee to the West. Unfortunately, nothing worked out quite as it was supposed to – years later, Hedwig is leading her rock band on a tour of the U.S., telling her life story through a series of concerts at Bilgewater Inn seafood restaurants. Her tour dates coincide with those of arena-rock star Tommy Gnosis, a wide-eyed boy who once loved Hedwig – but then left with all her songs.” – IMDb
East-German punk, trans drag, and rock? What more could you ask for? “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” delivers on all of this – and more! This film adaptation of the incredible stage musical by John Cameron Mitchell, and starring Mitchell himself, is just as phenomenal. Although the different format both allows more realistic ways to show scenes yet takes away some of the intimate settings of the stage musical. It’s edgy, campy, and surprisingly full of deep topics. This film adaptation is worth the watch – especially if you can’t see the stage musical in person!
Watch Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Amazon, Apple TV+, Criterion Channel, Prime Video, and YouTube.
“After accidentally witnessing a mafia hit in the Windy City, gal pals Connie and Carla skip town for L.A., where they go way undercover as singers working the city’s dinner theater circuit … as drag queens. Now, it’s not enough that they become big hits on the scene; things get extra-weird when Connie meets Jeff — a guy she’d like to be a woman with.” – IMDb
Drag queens, showtunes, and camp – what more can you ask for! Oh, and throw in a mob boss trying to kill our leads, who are hiding away in LA as the showtunes singing drag queens. However beneath the camp and comedy, there’s actually a heartfelt story about friendship that borders on sisterhood. Along with a story of acceptance and family. Written and starring Nia Vardalos, known for her other double header in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, this comedy film is worth watching.
Watch Connie and Carla on Amazon.
“Two entertainers destined for the big time are mismatched in a casting office from two very different online contests. Tony, a stripper from New York, is cast in an Off-Broadway musical and needs to trade in his tear-away trunks for tap shoes and tights. Anthony, a naive musical theatre enthusiast from Montana, needs to decide if he can strip all the way down just to stay in town. Hilarity ensues as they realize that “to make it” they’re gonna have to learn some new tricks.” – IMDb
I truly enjoy watching “Waiting In The Wings”, but I have a confession: I’m not a fan of Anthony’s character. He’s about as stereotypical as you can get for a gay musical theatre performer – UGH! Yet equally, within the comedic life-swap storyline that creates some interesting dramatic irony, it’s honestly hard not to love Anthony by the end of this queer musical film. Throw in a romance for both of our leads, some incredibly talented supporting roles, some short but sexy stripper routines, and some fabulous musical numbers – this is quite a film to enjoy! (Unless you’re not a fan of musical theatre, I guess…) If you haven’t heard of “Waiting In The Wings”, then stop waiting and go watch it!
Watch Waiting in the Wings on Amazon, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Tubi, and YouTube.
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“Misfits in their lives back home, a group of young people live it up at musical-theater camp. While the sports counselor is completely ignored, the kids’ spend all their time in rehearsal for a grueling schedule that involves a new show every two weeks. Several personal stories come to the fore. Is talented golden-boy Vlad honest in his feelings about Ellen? Can cross-dressing Michael have a relationship with his parents? Will one-hit-wonder musical playwrite and now camp counselor Bert Hanley remain mired in drink and cynicism? Fireworks are in store when Fritzi, who slavishly serves glamour girl Jill, is finally told to get a life, and the parents of Jenna, whose jaw has been wired shut in a compromise to avoid being sent to “fat camp”, learn a valuable lesson at the summer’s big end-of-season benefit.” – IMDb
If you were a teenager at the turn of the millennium AND a musical theater lover, then you likely already know “Camp”. And if you’re gay as well, then you have already long ago related with Michael’s struggle. And gotten frustrated with Vlad’s coy “is he?” sexuality game. Camp helped define a generation of theatre kids before we had Glee. Watching it today, the film is a bit dated. But still an enjoyable queer film to watch.
Watch Camp on Amazon, Prime Video, and Plex.
“Musical Review of gay experiences as told through song, stage choreography and full male nudity.” – IMDb
Naked men. Whimsical musical numbers. And an off-broadway run that lasted for years. What more could a gay man want! This musical revue is not just an enjoyable treat on the eyes though, the songs are a mixture of comedy and a bit of reality. Unfortunately the off-broadway revival is no longer running, but we can still enjoy this campy show was filmed and released for us to continue to enjoy. If you haven’t seen “Naked Boys Singing”, then I highly encourage you watch it.
Watch Naked Boys Singing on Amazon, Prime Video, and Dekkoo.
So what did you think about these 5 MORE Queer Musical Films that I’ve chosen? Hopefully they are ones you haven’t seen before – and that you want to watch now. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
(Remember that you can Pin your favorite queer musical film to your Pinterest boards for later!)
But remember that are MANY more queer musical films out there. I haven’t been able to add them all to my Queer Film, Short, & Series Database – let alone review many of them.
And if I still haven’t include your favorite queer musical film anywhere on the site, let me know HERE. I will certainly add it to my Database – and perhaps give it a full review.
