Yes, Virginia, There Are Good Lesbian Movies

A week late with my best-of watch list for 2025? Yeah, seems about right. I mean if the United States can roll back its policies to 1939 Germany, I can be a little late on my pop culture calendar, right? Just so we’re all clear, we’re the bad guys this time around. By a lot.

So I actually saw more movies this year, and liked more of those movies. (But not Marty Supreme, I did not like Marty Supreme and would like those two-and-a-half hours back.) Here’s a look, in no particular order, at the movies that moved me in 2025. Oh, and they also had to be gay, because it’s my blog and I make the rules. And, again, none for you, Marty Supreme.

Come See Me In the Good Light

Can a movie about someone dying make you fall in love with life? Well, if it’s a movie about queer poet Andrea Gibson and their life with a terminal diagnosis, it just might. Lyrical in expected and unexpected ways, this movie produced by Tig Notaro follows Andrea and their wife Megan Falley as they navigate the end of their life. And even though we all know how this story ends, you will feel better for having watched – I promise.

Hedda

Yes, I found a screener and was able to watch (suck it, Amazon Prime). And what a ride this movie is thanks to the kinetic energy caused by gender-swapping the lover from male to female in this adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen play. Tessa Thompson is magnetic as the titular ambitious socialite lead, alongside Nina Hoss (who we last saw as Cate Blanchett’s long-suffering wife in “Tár”) as her former lover. Let’s just say the party does not go well for pretty much anyone.

Sorry, Baby

Eva Victor’s directorial debut is a quiet yet arresting story about a young woman dealing with her sexual assault by a trusted mentor. That does not sound like something fun to watch, I know. Yet “Sorry, Baby” manages to be both gripping and moving – while purposely not showing the actual assault. Instead, the movie is about how we move on with our lives, in both mundane and profound ways, after trauma. Victor, who uses she/them pronouns, also makes her best friend in the film queer with a nonbinary partner. Also there’s a cat, which defacto makes it gay.

Lesbian Space Princess

You should watch this movie for its name alone. But, it’s also a sweet, funny, topical, empowering and all-together fun ride through space and time. The chronically anxious Princess Saira of Planet Clitopolis gets dumped by her girlfriend who then gets captured by Straight White Maliens and then must summon her labrys to rescue her. Yes, everything I just typed happens in the movie, and more. Honestly, just go watch and enjoy this weird and wonderful super gay little Aussie animated gem.

Stranger Lesbians

Who knew that after nearly a decade of being overrun by rampaging demogorgons, illicit military research projects and a spider-legged hive-minded demon from another dimension, the answer to ending the madness in little old Hawkins, Indiana was queerness.

[SPOILERS FOR THE FINAL SEASON AHEAD…]

Yes, that’s right, everyone is gay on “Stranger Things.” Just kidding, only Robin and Will (and Vickie, who thank goodness she made it – even if the lack of major character death toll in the final season remains up for debate). Still, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge that the most popular TV show of the moment portrayed coming out, and queerness in general, as key to unlocking super powers. Being gay saved the world, a lot!

For as much as the Christo-fascist right hates queerness and especially transness, the real reason isn’t their so-called religious beliefs. They don’t truly give a shit about all that stuff written in a book all those years ago. But they do care about people being authentically themselves because that leads to happiness and, more importantly, less ability to control. Also, for some of the loudest, angriest voices it’s about suppressing things in themselves as well. But, duh, we knew that already.

So thanks to this little sci-fi coming-of-age show for making friendship, gayness and believing in each other cool as hell. You still can’t make me want to play D&D, but I appreciate those who do. Also, no queer characters were killed in the making of this show (though, admittedly, jury is out on Barb’s sexuality. RIP to the O.G.) Thoughts on the final season? Also Robin going to Smith at the end? Lesbian chef’s kiss.

Music Monday: Silky Start

What if I told you there was a time when a group of sapphics went on national television and sang a song about how hot it is to be queer and makeout while dressed like prom kings/queens complete with tiaras? And what if I told you that was only four years ago? Ah, those were the days. Also, for some reason, James Corden had a national TV show then. Well, at least that’s over. So I guess the future really is better. Or, uh, parts of it still are.

Vacation Vixen: Lena & Gillian Redux

End 2025 with The Mothers fury. Begin 2026 with your joyous hippie aunts who’ve been "roommates" since college. Why couldn’t these two be in a rom-com, and not a gritty western? Oh well,

Vacation Vixen: Lucy & Julien

I mean, if these two aren’t just the cutest, most Ralph Lauren pair you’ve ever seen. It’s like the cute preppy heartthrob in the 80s high school movie, but lesbians. And so on theme, Lucy and Julien, given the first day of 2026 is a Thursday.

Be Kind, 2026

Judy for Christmas, Julie for New Year’s Eve. This year has been, unquestionably, hard – personally, politically, as a whole damn country. I hope you found some bright spots amid the chaos and cruelty. May 2026 bring more joy, more justice, more compassion and more care. Let’s all tak a cup o’ kindness yet, and cheers to a better New Year. Be kind, 2026.

Vacation Vixen: Two Annes

Look at that, two Annes with an E at once. Admittedly, I never watched Amybeth McNulty’s “Anne with an E,” mostly because i loved Megan Follow’s “Anne of Green Gables” so much. But I will stan that sisterhood forever.

Vacation Vixen: Lena & Gillian

Clearly, they chose violence. And is there a more fitting way to remember 2025? I’m taking most of this week off. But I will leave you with the Vixens, and double the Vixens at that. It’s been a hard year. We deserve this.

My Weekend Winter Crush

No, I will never tire of this song. Especially not as long as it keeps being reincarnated like this recent acoustic version with Ingrid Michaelson and Broadway stars Jessica Vosk and Abigail Sparrow. The most hauntingly beautiful seasonal song remains haunting and beautiful, shepherding us back through another long winter's night. Happy weekend, all.

A Merry Little Christmas

For 2025, only the most melancholic Christmas song would do. And, well, you can never go wrong with Judy Garland. For all who celebrate, have yourself a merry little Christmas. May you find joy and merriment wherever you can today.

Cup of Brandi

Could you imagine strolling around doing your last-minute shopping and Brandi Carlile is caroling on the corner? It’s like a miracle on Lesbian Street. That’s a free one, Hallmark. I’ll be expecting it next year. Until then, merry Christmas Eve to all who celebrate, and to all a good night.

Cinema Francophile

I am bound and determined to go out of this infernal year on a high note. So here is Jodie Foster acting in French in her new feminist noir caper “A Private Life.” All I know is Jodie plays a psychiatrist who speaks French and wears glasses. Like I said, 2025 has been a doozy. I’ll take my high notes where I can get them, preferably in French.

Music Monday: Merry(ish) and Gay

I’m still trying desperately to get into that Christmas vibe. And if Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings can’t do it, no one can. Granted, we’re gearing up for a very rainy Christmas here in Northern California. But, hey, it could be worse I guess. At least we’re not among the soulless ghouls inhabiting the White House right now. Evil really does make you ugly, it’s the strangest thing. But joy, joy on the other hand is always beautiful.Happy Monday before Christmas, kittens (or, you know, just another Monday for all who don’t celebrate).

My Weekend (Holiday Day) Crush

‘Twas the night before the night before Carol Aird Day, and all through the house, all the lesbians were “forgetting” their gloves because, well, anything to avoid going on the apps. Ah, yes, Dec. 21, that most sacred of lesbian holidays. This year even falls on a Sunday, like the original day did. We are truly blessed. Don we now our gay apparel? Don’t mind if I do. Happy weekend and Carold Aird Day, all.