Trying to revisit the family genre for in trying to choose 5 MORE Queer Family Films for this month’s post was a bit of a challenge. I actually talked about it in my first post on Queer Family Films.
When LGBTQ+ folks think of “Family”, there is often a LOT to unpack. Some might have good connections with their family, even if things might have been rocky at first before they came out – and even for a period of time afterwards until they were fully accepted. However for many, due to homophobia, transphobia, or other hatred (often with a religious slant), it’s not a positive association.
Thankfully there are plenty of folks who focus on a “found family” for friends rather then their biological ones for this exact reason. Whether it’s your biological family or a “family” of friends, a family film would be one that highlights those familiar connections.
But in the realm of film genres, “Family” has another connotation: “intended for kids”.
Rather than focus on adult topics like other genres, films geared towards a younger audience tend to downplay topics either to make it easier for a younger mind to understand and accept or to avoid some difficult discussions afterwards. And unfortunately, we see a downplay or minimalizing of LGBTQ+ themes all too often. With the increasing social and political attacks at the moment, we’re actually seeing many studios pull back on queer themes, especially if it’s intended for kids.
So how am I focusing on Queer Family Films this time? But featuring a bit of both!
With these 5 MORE Queer Family Films below, I highlight a mixture of films geared towards younger teenage audiences with one or two that focus on actual family situations. Two actually are from Disney, while the other three still deal with. younger kids and how they handle their sexuality or gender identity. They aren’t all happy, “fluffy” films either. A few have a bit of dramatic issues that get addressed. But I’ve still chosen films that leave you feeling good afterwards.
But in the end, each of the five queer family films below highlight what “family” can mean to LGBTQ+ folks. But don’t just take my word for it!
Check out these 5 MORE Queer Family Films below – and don’t forget to let me know your thoughts on them in the comments below!
5 MORE Queer Family Films
“13-year-old Nate Foster is an unpopular kid who entertains vivid fantasies of becoming a big Broadway musical star. In the meantime, however, Nate can’t even get a decent role in his middle school’s drama productions; he gets cast as a tree in the chorus instead of in the lead role he craves. However, when he and his best friend Libby mastermind a daring trip to New York City without their parents’ knowledge, to audition for “Lilo and Stitch: The Musical,” Nate might be on the verge of fulfilling his lifelong dream. But first, he must overcome a series of comical obstacles that threaten his Broadway adventure with disaster at every farcical turn.” – IMDb
One of the easiest ways to determine if a queer film is worth watching is how well it captivates me – especially as I often will put on a movie while doing work. Even after realising that I’ve already seen “Better Nate Than Ever” when I started to rewatch it to add my thoughts, I could not watch anything else! It’s cute and charming, a very “Disney-fied” version of the underdog taking a risk and achieving everything they want. And I actually love that they chose to tie in “Lilo & Stitch”, because the message of no one gets left behind is drawn into Nate’s entire family. And Rueby Wood’s performance as Nate is simply impressive!
Now is it queer? I easily say it is – even though they don’t explicitly state anything specific. Disney played it safe, which isn’t entirely a bad thing considering this is a movie meant for younger kids to relate to more. No one’s sexuality is talked about, though we get close when Nate tells his best friend Libby that he loves her, just not like that. But is “Better Nate Than Ever” queer-coded? Absolutely! Plus it’s a refreshing and entertaining film that makes you finish with a smile on your face.
Watch Better Nate Than Ever on Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Disney+.
“A shy, middle school boy who struggles coming to terms with being gay, Sherwin, and the most popular boy in school, Jonathan. When their paths cross one day, Sherwin’s heart pop’s out of his chest to chase after the boy of his dreams. Now, Sherwin must chase after his own heart before it reveals his feelings towards Jonathan, and humiliating him in front of the entire school.” – IMDb
If you’ve already seen “In a Heartbeat”, then I don’t think there’s anything else to say. If you haven’t seen this queer animated short, then what are you waiting for! It’s utterly cute and will tug at your heartstrings despite the simplistic story. Seriously, go watch it now – it’s worth it!
Watch In A Heartbeat on YouTube.
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“REAL BOY is an intimate story of a family in transition. As 19-year-old Bennett Wallace navigates early sobriety, late adolescence, and the evolution of his gender identity, his mother makes her own transformation from resistance to acceptance of her trans son. Along the way, both mother and son find support in their communities, reminding us that families are not only given, but chosen.” – IMDb
Thoughts?
Watch Real Boy on Amazon and Prime Video.
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“Miles (newcomer Tim Boardman) is a high school senior who wants nothing more than to graduate, leave his rural town and move to the city to enroll in film school. Unfortunately, Miles’ father has squandered his college fund on his mistress. With no cash and staring a dead-end future right in the face, Miles searches desperately for a way out, coming across a volleyball scholarship program that exists between his high school and the well-regarded Loyola University in Chicago. The catch? The only volleyball team that exists at his school is a girls’ team.” – IMDb
I was a bit disappointed with “Miles”. It’s about a young gay man who undertakes a battle to play volleyball, and hopefully gain a scholarship to a college in Chicago, even though his high school only has a girls team. It sets up the underdog trope, but then fails to deliver. Now Miles still achieves his main goal and moves to Chicago, albeit to attend community college instead. It just felt a bit off. However everything up til the end was actually quite enjoyable. I think it’s worth watching, and perhaps I need to rewatch it myself.
Watch Miles on Prime Video, Apple TV+, Peacock TV, Plex, Tubi, and YouTube.
“A present-day idyllic kingdom where the benevolent teenage son of King Adam and Queen Belle offers a chance of redemption for the troublemaking offspring of Disney’s classic villains: Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, the Evil Queen and Jafar.” – IMDb
I have not seen “Descendants”, although the storyline is rather intriguing; I’ve enjoyed other real-life and adaptations of well known Disney characters. Yet this TV Movie holds a tentative spot on this list because the pansexual character of Mal was decided after-the-fact. At no point in the script or storyline is it shown that she is actually pansexual. Interestingly, it was during a series of questions towards Dove Cameron, the actress who portrayed Mal, when she revealed that Mal is actually pan. Disney is notorious for being vague regarding sexuality of their characters, and have even been accused of “queer-baiting” to gain audiences. However, despite the lack of obvious pansexual traits, it’s worth nothing that if Cameron viewed Mal as pan, her portrayal would have been influenced by this. Until I’ve watched “Descendants”, I’ll reserve my full judgement though.
Watch Descendants on Amazon, Prime Video, Disney+, and YouTube.
So what did you think about these 5 MORE Queer Family 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 family film to your Pinterest boards for later!)
But remember that are MANY more queer family 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 family film anywhere on the site, let me know HERE. I will certainly add it to my Database – and perhaps give it a full review.
