Gay Movies with ACTUAL Happy Endings
by xrabid_yaoi_fangirlx | created - 11 May 2018 | updated - 8 months ago | PublicI've noticed a lot of lists on here for gay movies with happy endings always include films that DON'T have happy endings, just because no one dies. If these were straight romances that ended in breakups, no one would call them happy endings.
So this list includes only films that have a genuinely happy conclusion. That means at the end of the movie: the main couple is still together or on their way to being together, there are no deaths between the main couple, there is no impending death (like the person has late-stage AIDS), and there is actual hope for the future.
ONLY INCLUDING gay (M/M) movies, specifically because they're so likely to have sad endings. I'm not including TV shows, which usually have happy endings (thankfully!) or movies that are inspired by TV shows, because you typically can't watch them without seeing the show. Movies that got shows later are obviously still included.
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1. Boys (2014 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 78 min | Drama, Romance, Sport
A sexually awakening gay teen athlete finds himself in a budding relationship with his mutually attracted relay race teammate.
Director: Mischa Kamp | Stars: Gijs Blom, Ko Zandvliet, Jonas Smulders, Ton Kas
Votes: 16,166
Sweet and simple kind of movie of decent quality. Coming-of-age, coming to terms with your sexuality, and first love.
2. Love, Simon (2018)
PG-13 | 110 min | Comedy, Drama
Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends and all of his classmates: he's gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.
Director: Greg Berlanti | Stars: Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel, Katherine Langford
Votes: 125,955 | Gross: $40.83M
Not a perfect film, and actually quite low on gay content, but still an uplifting movie.
3. Trick (1999)
R | 89 min | Comedy, Music, Romance
The misadventures of two young gay men, trying to find a place to be alone, one night in Manhattan.
Director: Jim Fall | Stars: Christian Campbell, John Paul Pitoc, Tori Spelling, Brad Beyer
Votes: 9,226 | Gross: $2.05M
Campy as hell, but definitely not a downer.
4. Adam & Steve (2005)
R | 99 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
Follows two New York city couples -- one heterosexual and one gay who explore the peaks and the valleys of their respective relationships.
Director: Craig Chester | Stars: Craig Chester, Malcolm Gets, Parker Posey, Chris Kattan
Votes: 3,277 | Gross: $0.31M
This movie is a weird, gross-out comedy, which you can find more often in the obscure area of gay cinema. Regardless, if you're okay with lots of toilet humor and some cringe, this one has a happy ending.
5. The Birdcage (1996)
R | 117 min | Comedy
A gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to put up a false straight front so that their son can introduce them to his fiancée's right-wing moralistic parents.
Director: Mike Nichols | Stars: Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest
Votes: 100,704 | Gross: $124.06M
6. Latter Days (2003)
R | 107 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A promiscuous gay party animal falls for a young Mormon missionary, leading to crisis, cliché, and catastrophe.
Director: C. Jay Cox | Stars: Wes Ramsey, Steve Sandvoss, Mary Kay Place, Amber Benson
Votes: 18,585 | Gross: $0.82M
7. The Way He Looks (2014)
Not Rated | 96 min | Drama, Romance
Leonardo is a blind teenager searching for independence. His everyday life, the relationship with his best friend Giovana, and the way he sees the world change completely with the arrival of Gabriel.
Director: Daniel Ribeiro | Stars: Ghilherme Lobo, Fabio Audi, Tess Amorim, Lúcia Romano
Votes: 27,677 | Gross: $0.10M
8. Fourth Man Out (2015)
Unrated | 86 min | Comedy, Drama
A car mechanic in a small, working class town comes out of the closet to his unsuspecting, blue-collar best friends.
Director: Andrew Nackman | Stars: Parker Young, Evan Todd, Chord Overstreet, Jon Gabrus
Votes: 10,846
9. Shelter (II) (2007)
R | 97 min | Drama, Romance, Sport
When his college dreams are sidelined by family obligations, a young man finds comfort in surfing with his best friend's brother.
Director: Jonah Markowitz | Stars: Trevor Wright, Brad Rowe, Tina Holmes, Jackson Wurth
Votes: 24,044 | Gross: $0.14M
10. Being 17 (2016)
Unrated | 114 min | Drama, Romance
Damien lives with his mother Marianne, a doctor, while his father is on a tour of duty abroad. He is bullied by Thomas, whose mother is ill. The boys find themselves living together when Marianne invites Thomas to come and stay with them.
Director: André Téchiné | Stars: Sandrine Kiberlain, Kacey Mottet Klein, Corentin Fila, Alexis Loret
Votes: 7,261 | Gross: $0.05M
11. You're Killing Me (2015)
Unrated | 88 min | Comedy, Crime, Horror
A gay mixture of "Dexter" and "Gilmore Girls" blending witty banter, pop culture, reference and good old-fashioned murder!
Director: Jim Hansen | Stars: Jeffery Self, Matthew McKelligon, Bryan Safi, Edi Patterson
Votes: 480
This is a really dark movie full of murder and gallows humor, but it does have a happy ending for the main pair.
12. Triple Crossed (2013)
Unrated | 99 min | Mystery, Romance, Thriller
A man is out to kill a person he swore on his best friend's death bed to protect. CHRIS JENSEN is torn between his allegiance to his fallen friend, TYLER TOWNSEND, who died in Afghanistan ... See full summary »
Director: Sean Paul Lockhart | Stars: Jack Brockett, Sean Paul Lockhart, Laura Reilly, Tellier Killaby
Votes: 660
This movie is... so bad. So, so bad. But also kind of interesting? And...different from what you usually see in gay films. The one lead is really hot and not a bad actor. The other lead is a bratty twink type who started in porn and has the acting skills to prove it. If you can get past his cringe-worthy performance, maybe you can appreciate this one.
13. Beautiful Thing (1996)
R | 90 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Jamie is a shy teenager, often bullied at school. His neighbour Ste has a rough time at home, being beaten by his father and brother. This issues bring them together and they find that what they feel for each other is more than friendship.
Director: Hettie Macdonald | Stars: Glen Berry, Linda Henry, Scott Neal, Tameka Empson
Votes: 25,763 | Gross: $1.50M
Honestly, I remembered this movie having a bittersweet ending, but apparently I was wrong. I saw it when I was a teenager, so I'll default to the people who say it's a happy ending.
14. G.B.F. (2013)
R | 92 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
What happens after Tanner is outed by his classmates and becomes the title "gay best friend" for three high school queen bees?
Director: Darren Stein | Stars: Michael J. Willett, Paul Iacono, Sasha Pieterse, Andrea Bowen
Votes: 11,430
15. In Between Seasons (2016)
PG-13 | 115 min | Drama
A story of a mother who goes through emotional turmoil after discovering a long-kept secret about her son.
Director: Dong-Eun Lee | Stars: Bae Jong-ok, Lee Won-geun, Yoon-ho Ji, Yong-geun Bae
Votes: 402
More about the developing relationship between a mother and her comatose son's boyfriend, but the ending is hopeful, even though the film focuses on the pain of its various cast members.
16. Maurice (1987)
R | 140 min | Drama, Romance
Two English school chums find themselves falling in love at Cambridge. To regain his place in society, Clive gives up Maurice and marries. While staying with Clive and his wife, Maurice discovers romance in the arms of the gamekeeper Alec.
Director: James Ivory | Stars: James Wilby, Rupert Graves, Hugh Grant, Denholm Elliott
Votes: 23,598 | Gross: $3.13M
17. God's Own Country (2017)
Not Rated | 104 min | Drama, Romance
Spring. Yorkshire. Young farmer Johnny Saxby numbs his daily frustrations with binge drinking and casual sex, until the arrival of a Romanian migrant worker for lambing season ignites an intense relationship that sets Johnny on a new path.
Director: Francis Lee | Stars: Josh O'Connor, Alec Secareanu, Gemma Jones, Ian Hart
Votes: 35,578 | Gross: $0.34M
Forewarning, this movie is really gross in some ways. You've got some animal death, typical gross farm stuff, and young men who have no qualms with getting busy without washing their hands, or crotches, post-urination. That aside, their relationship is really intense and interesting. If I hadn't been gagging for half of it, I would have liked it a lot more. Still a good film, though!
18. Esteros (2016)
Not Rated | 83 min | Drama, Romance
Two boyhood chums, separated soon after sexually awakening together, re-meet as young men with unspoken sexual tensions lying between them.
Director: Papu Curotto | Stars: Ignacio Rogers, Esteban Masturini, Joaquín Parada, Blas Finardi Niz
Votes: 4,881
19. Big Eden (2000)
PG-13 | 118 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Big Eden is a small, fictional northwestern Montana town.
Director: Thomas Bezucha | Stars: Arye Gross, Eric Schweig, Tim DeKay, Louise Fletcher
Votes: 4,903 | Gross: $0.51M
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this movie. I know, I know, I should have by now. But everyone says it's a feel-good gay film, so it's here.
20. My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)
R | 97 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
An ambitious Pakistani Briton and his white boyfriend strive for success and hope when they open a glamorous laundromat.
Director: Stephen Frears | Stars: Saeed Jaffrey, Roshan Seth, Daniel Day-Lewis, Richard Graham
Votes: 17,305 | Gross: $2.45M
21. Alex Strangelove (2018)
TV-MA | 99 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Alex, high school class president, nerd and a straight A student, has been dating Claire a long time. They decide to sleep together but then he meets a gay guy and he's confused.
Director: Craig Johnson | Stars: Michael Abela, Daniel Doheny, Brendan Archer, Madeline Weinstein
Votes: 19,545
22. Group Therapy (2004 Video)
Unrated | 72 min | Comedy
After a string of anonymous sexual encounters, Aaron decides to get help. In Group Therapy, he meets other guys with similar sexual dysfunctions: exhibitionist, confused, solo sex, ashamed,... See full summary »
Director: Thomas R. Smyth | Stars: Mitch Biggs, Harry Johnson, Luc Antony, Mike Angel
Votes: 74
Just so you know, this is porn. Softcore porn with a low budget but... it technically counts.
23. Fire Island (I) (2022)
R | 105 min | Comedy, Romance
A group of queer best friends gather in Fire Island Pines for their annual week of love and laughter, but a sudden change of events might make this their last summer in gay paradise.
Director: Andrew Ahn | Stars: Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Margaret Cho, Conrad Ricamora
Votes: 13,634
24. Juste une question d'amour (2000 TV Movie)
88 min | Drama, Romance
After his gay cousin dies from hepatitis, young Laurent, who lives with his best friend Carole, falls in love with Cedric, a plant scientist. He's afraid to inform his conservative parents that he is gay.
Director: Christian Faure | Stars: Cyrille Thouvenin, Stéphan Guérin-Tillié, Éva Darlan, Caroline Veyt
Votes: 6,082
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
25. eCupid (2011)
TV-14 | 95 min | Comedy, Romance
A gay man nearing 30, and in a 7-year relationship rut, taps into an otherworldly Internet ad that starts omnisciently controlling his life.
Director: J.C. Calciano | Stars: Houston Rhines, Noah Schuffman, Matt Lewis, Andy Anderson
Votes: 2,419
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
26. Just Friends (2018 TV Movie)
80 min | Comedy, Romance
6 time Award winning romantic comedy about two young men, from mixed backgrounds, falling love ...and their clashes with their overbearing mothers.
Director: Annemarie van de Mond | Stars: Majd Mardo, Josha Stradowski, Jenny Arean, Tanja Jess
Votes: 4,842
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
27. Single All the Way (2021)
TV-PG | 99 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Desperate to avoid his family's judgment about his perpetual single status, Peter convinces his best friend Nick to join him for the holidays and pretend that they're now in a relationship.
Director: Michael Mayer | Stars: Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Luke Macfarlane, Barry Bostwick
Votes: 19,598
28. Cousins (2019)
Not Rated | 83 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Reserved and solitary, young Lucas lives with his religious aunt in a tranquil country town. When his aunt charitably agrees to let his cousin, Mario, fresh out of jail, stay for a while, mischief and joy affect the whole little community.
Directors: Mauro Carvalho, Thiago Cazado | Stars: Thiago Cazado, Paulo Sousa, Juliana Zancanaro, Duda Esteves
Votes: 2,115
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
29. Hidden Kisses (2016 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 87 min | Drama
Nathan goes to a high school party and meets Louis. The two find themselves out of sight and kissing, but someone takes a photo of them. When the photo is placed online, a storm overtakes their lives.
Director: Didier Bivel | Stars: Patrick Timsit, Barbara Schulz, Bruno Putzulu, Bérenger Anceaux
Votes: 5,184
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
30. Fair Haven (2016)
Not Rated | 90 min | Drama
A young man returns to his family farm, after a long stay in ex-gay conversion therapy, and is torn between the expectations of his emotionally distant father, and the memories of a past, loving relationship he has tried to bury.
Director: Kerstin Karlhuber | Stars: Michael Grant, Tom Wopat, Gregory Harrison, Susan Aser
Votes: 3,558
31. The Falls: Testament of Love (2013)
Not Rated | 123 min | Drama, Romance
Chris and RJ reunite five years after coming out to their families and their church as gay men, where the factors that led to their separation are revealed as they mourn the death of their mutual friend Rodney.
Director: Jon Garcia | Stars: Nick Ferrucci, Benjamin Farmer, Hannah Barefoot, Bruce Jennings
Votes: 1,941
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
32. Akron (2015)
Not Rated | 88 min | Drama, Romance
When Benny and Christopher, college freshmen, meet at a football game and fall in love, a tragic event from the past threatens to tear them apart.
Directors: Sasha King, Brian O'Donnell | Stars: Matthew Frias, Cailan Rose, Luis Gabriel Cañas, Alexander Mariani
Votes: 3,343
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
33. Pit Stop (2013)
Not Rated | 80 min | Drama, Romance
Recovering from an ill-fated affair with a married man, Gabe finds solace in the relationship he maintains with his ex-wife and daughter. On the other side of town, Ernesto evades life at ... See full summary »
Director: Yen Tan | Stars: Bailey Bass, Marcus DeAnda, Yesenia Garcia, Bill Heck
Votes: 1,891
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a hopeful ending.
34. Boy Erased (2018)
R | 115 min | Biography, Drama
The son of a Baptist preacher unwillingly participates in a church-supported gay conversion program after being forcibly outed to his parents.
Director: Joel Edgerton | Stars: Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Joel Edgerton, Russell Crowe
Votes: 42,157 | Gross: $6.79M
This isn't a romance, so we don't see what precedes the HEA exactly, but it has a happy ending and happy relationship nonetheless.
35. Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)
R | 118 min | Comedy, Romance
When the feud between the son of the American President and Britain's prince threatens to drive a wedge in U.S./British relations, the two are forced into a staged truce that sparks something deeper.
Director: Matthew López | Stars: Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine, Uma Thurman, Jemma Redgrave
Votes: 48,358
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