Seven Asian Queer Films That Will Give You All the Feels

Pride Month is just around the corner! As we enter the celebration of love and diversity, the streets are about to be filled with many colors that represent the LGBTQIA+ community. But before you break out the rainbow flags and glitters, why not curl up on the couch with your loved one and dive into the vibrant world of queer cinema?

From iconic classics that have paved the way for queer representation in cinema to fresh releases that continue to break boundaries, here are some of the best Asian LGBTQIA+ films you should definitely check out. Get ready to swoon, cry, or laugh out loud!

Ride or Die

This Japanese psychological thriller-slash-romance film will get you holding on to your seats! An adaptation of a manga of the same title, “Ride or Die” follows the story of Rei, a 20-something lesbian who finds out that the girl she’s been in love with for a long time, Nanae, is suffering domestic abuse from her husband.

Rei then helps Nanae run from her abusive husband, and eventually kills the latter. This results in a series of conflicts, all while they dive into their deepening feelings for each other.

You can watch “Ride or Die” via Netflix.

Happy Together

Directed and penned by one of Asia’s most acclaimed filmmakers, Wong Kar Wai, “Happy Together” is one of the best queer movies that helped represent the community in the movie industry and won several accolades at international film festivals.

The film tells the story of Ho Po-Wing and Lai Yiu-Fai, a couple from Hong Kong who visit Argentina in an attempt to fix their somewhat volatile relationship. Their feelings for each other are further tested when they get stranded in the country, igniting even more relationship hurdles for the two. Its dramatic storyline, along with stunning cinematography, is what makes this movie a must-watch.

“Happy Together” is available for streaming at Apple TV.

The Handmaiden

Another classic queer film is “The Handmaiden,” hailing from the home of K-Dramas, South Korea. It also won numerous awards in and out of Korea, including the Best Film Not in the English Language award at the prestigious British Academy Film Awards in 2018.

Set in the Japanese occupation era, “The Handmaiden” follows Sook-hee, a pickpocket who was hired to be a handmaiden to Japanese noblewoman Hideko by a devious Korean con man. This is a part of an elaborate plan to swindle the heiress of her inheritance. In a twist of fate, Sook-hee and Hideko fall in love with each other. A nail-biting train of trickery follows.

Watch this film via Prime Video.

Your Name Engraved Herein

Following its release in December 2020, “Your Name Engraved Herein” took Taiwan by storm, becoming its highest-grossing LGBTQIA+ film of all time and the first of the genre to surpass NT$100 million at the Taiwanese box office.

Jia-han and Birdy are male students at an all-boys Catholic high school. Set in a post-martial law time in Taiwan, the two become best friends, eventually developing romantic feelings for each other despite an era of social stigma and homophobia. Their relationship is then challenged when the school begins admitting female students, leading to a “will-they-or-won't they” dynamic between the two.

Watch “Your Name Engraved Herein” here.

Semantic Error: The Movie

If you’re looking for something a little more lighthearted, this movie is one to watch! “Semantic Error: The Movie” is a romantic-comedy film based on a web novel and is the theatrical version of the hit K-drama of the same name.

“Semantic Error” is a cute love story between two university students, Choo Sang-woo and Jang Jae-young. The two students are polar opposites—Sang-woo is an aloof loner and a rule-stickler, while Jae-young is a stylish extrovert. Being the inflexible person he is, Sang-woo decides to remove the names of groupmates who refuse to participate in a liberal arts project. This includes Jae-young, whose plans to study abroad are hindered by Sang-woo's decision. Jae-young seeks revenge, but unexpectedly develops feelings for the other.

Find out how their relationship unfolds by watching the movie here.

Rookie

Spiking through the hearts of the LGBTQIA+ community and sports lovers alike is “Rookie," an independent coming-of-age film by Filipino director Samantha Lee. The film is about Ace, an introverted teenager who has a talent for basketball. Attending an all-girls Catholic school, she is invited to join a volleyball team instead.

She meets Jana, the volleyball team’s captain. She later develops feelings for the latter and a bond with her teammates. However, an injury threatens her volleyball career and her budding relationship with the team.

Watch this story of youth and growth via Prime Video.

Fathers

What is it like to make a family as a gay couple? This is answered by the 2016 Thai film “Fathers,” which illustrates the struggles of raising children in a society that frowns upon the queer community.

It follows the story of a gay couple, Yuke and Phoon, who adopt Butr and raise him as their own. When he enters grade school, a series of teasing from his schoolmates leads him to question his family’s dynamics and seek a mother. It leads to quarrels between the couple, causing a rift in their relationship. This heartwarming movie is guaranteed to make you bawl your eyes out, so make sure to prepare tissues!

You can watch "Fathers" here.