If you were moved by Loving Annabelle and are searching for similar films that capture the raw emotions, forbidden love, and powerful storytelling of queer cinema, you’re in the right place. Here’s a curated list of LGBTQ+ movies like Loving Annabelle that explore identity, intimacy, and the struggle to love freely.
1. Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)
- Country: France
- Director: Abdellatif Kechiche
- Why It’s Similar: Like Loving Annabelle, this film deeply explores a coming-of-age same-sex relationship between two young women. It’s raw, emotional, and brutally honest.
- Themes: Self-discovery, first love, passion, heartbreak
2. Mädchen in Uniform (1931)
- Country: Germany
- Director: Leontine Sagan
- Why It’s Similar: This pioneering film heavily influenced Loving Annabelle. It also follows a student who falls in love with her female teacher at a strict boarding school.
- Themes: Repression, authority, young love, resistance
3. Carol (2015)
- Country: USA/UK
- Director: Todd Haynes
- Why It’s Similar: A beautifully shot period drama featuring a love story between an older woman and a younger one. The film handles forbidden love with grace and emotional depth.
- Themes: Class, secrecy, longing, liberation
4. Lost and Delirious (2001)
- Country: Canada
- Director: Léa Pool
- Why It’s Similar: Set in a girls’ boarding school, this film captures the chaos and intensity of a lesbian relationship unraveling under pressure. Fans of Loving Annabelle will resonate with its raw portrayal.
- Themes: Passion, rejection, rebellion, heartbreak
5. Desert Hearts (1985)
- Country: USA
- Director: Donna Deitch
- Why It’s Similar: One of the first mainstream lesbian love stories with a positive ending. It explores self-acceptance and the courage to follow one’s heart.
- Themes: Freedom, desire, identity, personal growth
6. My Summer of Love (2004)
- Country: UK
- Director: Paweł Pawlikowski
- Why It’s Similar: A moody psychological drama between two teenage girls from different backgrounds who form a deep, romantic bond over a summer.
- Themes: Obsession, betrayal, illusions, transformation
7. The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)
- Country: USA
- Director: Desiree Akhavan
- Why It’s Similar: Set in a religious environment that condemns homosexuality, this film portrays a queer teen’s resilience in the face of forced conversion therapy.
- Themes: Repression, courage, survival, chosen family
🎥 Where to Watch
Most of these titles are available on platforms like:
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video
- Hulu
- Criterion Channel
Always stream from legal sources to support independent LGBTQ+ filmmaking.
📺 Final Thoughts
Loving Annabelle opened many hearts to a kind of storytelling that is intimate, emotional, and deeply human. These films continue in that tradition. Whether you’re exploring your identity or simply love beautifully crafted romance, these movies offer meaningful experiences.
Want to suggest another film? Tag us on Instagram @LovingAnnabelleMovie or email contact@lovingannabelle.com and we might add it to our next list!