7 Underrated Lesbian Films on Netflix That Deserve More Love

July 24, 2026 Meena Jalloh

From historical romances to edge-of-your-seat thrillers, these overlooked sapphic films on Netflix deserve a spot on every queer watchlist.

Featured Image: Photo by Aiko Nakano/Netflix

If your Netflix queue is starting to feel repetitive, it might be time to dig a little deeper. Beyond the platform’s most talked about LGBTQ+ titles are a handful of sapphic films that deserve just as much attention. For this roundup, we chose seven lesbian movies currently streaming on Netflix that may have flown under the radar but deliver unforgettable performances, compelling stories, and meaningful queer representation across a range of genres. Whether you’re in the mood for romance, a coming-of-age drama, or an edge-of-your-seat thriller, these hidden gems are well worth adding to your watchlist.

Elisa & Marcela (2019)

Forbidden love? Secret identities? A wedding that changed queer history? Say less. Directed by Isabel Coixet, Elisa & Marcela stars Natalia de Molina as Elisa and Greta Fernández as Marcela, following the true story of Spain’s first recorded same-sex marriage in 1901, when Elisa Sánchez Loriga disguised herself as a man so she could marry the love of her life, Marcela Gracia Ibeas. Shot entirely in gorgeous black and white, this isn’t your typical period romance—it’s slow, intimate, and rooted in real queer history. If you’re a sucker for historical lesbians (aren’t we all?), this one’s worth adding to your Netflix queue.

Ride or Die (2021)

Dark, messy, and emotionally intense, Ride or Die is one of Netflix’s boldest sapphic thrillers—and yet it’s one of the least talked about. Directed by Ryuichi Hiroki and adapted from Ching Nakamura’s manga Gunjō, the Japanese film stars Kiko Mizuhara as Rei and Honami Sato as Nanae, childhood friends whose reunion takes a deadly turn after Rei helps Nanae escape her abusive marriage by committing a violent crime. What unfolds is part road trip, part psychological drama, and part doomed romance. It’s not an easy watch, but its unflinching exploration of obsession, trauma, and queer desire makes it a standout for viewers looking for something beyond a conventional love story.

Duck Butter (2018)

Forget the typical rom-com. Directed by Miguel Arteta, co-written by and featuring Arrested Development actress Alia Shawkat as Naima, along with Laia Costa as Sergio—two women agree to spend 24 hours together where they have sex and engage in brutally honest conversations every hour in an attempt to fast-track intimacy. What starts as a romantic experiment quickly unravels into something far messier and more revealing. Equal parts awkward, funny, and embarrassingly honest, it’s an intimate character study that deserves far more attention than it received upon release.

Heart Shot (2022)

Clocking in at just 19 minutes, Heart Shot proves you don’t need a feature-length runtime to tell a compelling queer love story. Directed by Marielle Woods, the short stars Yellowjackets actress Nia Sondaya alongside Elena Heuzé as teenage girlfriends Sam and Nikki, whose soundless romance is disrupted by Nikki’s dangerous past. There’s romance and action thriller, blending tender sapphic moments with pulse-pounding suspense, making it one of the most memorable LGBTQ+ shorts currently streaming on Netflix.

Beauty (2022)

Beauty doesn’t get mentioned nearly enough in conversations about lesbian films—and that’s a problem. Directed by Andrew Dosunmu, the drama stars Gracie Marie Bradley as Beauty and Aleyse Shannon as Jasmine, whose loving but secret relationship unfolds against the backdrop of Beauty’s rising music career. Loosely inspired by Whitney Houston’s life, the film follows an ambitious young Black singer whose dreams of stardom are constantly at odds with her controlling family, demanding record label, and the pressure to hide who she truly is. While Beauty received mixed reviews upon release, its tender sapphic love story and thoughtful exploration of identity, freedom, and authenticity make it worth revisiting—especially if you’re looking for a queer drama that’s about so much more than romance.

Anne+: The Film (2021)

Somehow, Anne+: The Film flew almost completely under the radar—which is a shame, because it’s one of Netflix’s most refreshingly honest queer stories. Directed by Valerie Bisscheroux and co-created by queer actor Hanna van Vliet, who also stars in the lead role, the Dutch dramedy follows Anne as she navigates friendships, career ambitions, and a budding romance with a nonbinary love interest, while preparing to leave Amsterdam for Montreal. Funny, intimate, and wonderfully messy, it captures the uncertainty of your twenties without relying on overused coming-out tropes. If you’re looking for a queer film that feels grounded and authentic, don’t sleep on this one.

You Can Live Forever (2022)

Inexplicably, You Can Live Forever came and went without nearly enough people talking about it—and that’s a crime if you ask us. Directed by Sarah Watts and Mark Slutsky, the romantic drama stars Anwen O’Driscoll as Jaime, a lesbian teenager sent to live with relatives in a Jehovah’s Witness community after her father’s death. There, she falls head over heels for June Laporte’s character Marike, the devout daughter of a congregation elder, and the two begin a secret relationship that puts both of their futures on the line. It’s both tender and heartbreaking, exploring first love, faith, and the impossible choices that can come when the two collide. If you’re looking for a lesbian slow burn that’ll leave you staring at the ceiling after the credits roll, don’t skip this one.