Gay Movies with ACTUAL Happy Endings
I'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.
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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- DirectorMischa KampStarsGijs BlomKo ZandvlietJonas SmuldersA sexually awakening gay teen athlete finds himself in a budding relationship with his mutually attracted relay race teammate.Sweet and simple kind of movie of decent quality. Coming-of-age, coming to terms with your sexuality, and first love.
- DirectorGreg BerlantiStarsNick RobinsonJennifer GarnerJosh DuhamelSimon 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.Not a perfect film, and actually quite low on gay content, but still an uplifting movie.
- DirectorJim FallStarsChristian CampbellJohn Paul PitocTori SpellingThe misadventures of two young gay men, trying to find a place to be alone, one night in Manhattan.Campy as hell, but definitely not a downer.
- DirectorCraig ChesterStarsCraig ChesterMalcolm GetsParker PoseyFollows two New York city couples -- one heterosexual and one gay who explore the peaks and the valleys of their respective relationships.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.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsRobin WilliamsNathan LaneGene HackmanA 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.
- DirectorC. Jay CoxStarsWes RamseySteve SandvossMary Kay PlaceA promiscuous gay party animal falls for a young Mormon missionary, leading to crisis, cliché, and catastrophe.
- DirectorDaniel RibeiroStarsGhilherme LoboFabio AudiTess AmorimLeonardo 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.
- DirectorAndrew NackmanStarsParker YoungEvan ToddChord OverstreetA car mechanic in a small, working class town comes out of the closet to his unsuspecting, blue-collar best friends.
- DirectorJonah MarkowitzStarsTrevor WrightBrad RoweTina HolmesWhen his college dreams are sidelined by family obligations, a young man finds comfort in surfing with his best friend's brother.
- DirectorAndré TéchinéStarsSandrine KiberlainKacey Mottet KleinCorentin FilaDamien 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.
- DirectorJim HansenStarsJeffery SelfMatthew McKelligonBryan SafiA gay mixture of "Dexter" and "Gilmore Girls" blending witty banter, pop culture, reference and good old-fashioned murder!This is a really dark movie full of murder and gallows humor, but it does have a happy ending for the main pair.
- DirectorSean Paul LockhartStarsJack BrockettSean Paul LockhartLaura ReillyA 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 and Tyler's half sister who hires Chris to kill her late brother's gay lover. The lover, ANDREW WARNER, stands to inherit half of the families multi- million dollar company left to him by Tyler. Tyler's half sister JACKIE TONWSEND has other plans for the young and unassuming Andrew. All goes to plan even though Chris has fallen in love with the young Andrew. Andrew grows suspicious, the plan is reveled and it's every man and woman for themselves. A fortune will go to the last one standing.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.
- DirectorHettie MacdonaldStarsGlen BerryLinda HenryScott NealJamie 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.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.
- DirectorDarren SteinStarsMichael J. WillettPaul IaconoSasha PieterseWhat happens after Tanner is outed by his classmates and becomes the title "gay best friend" for three high school queen bees?
- DirectorDong-Eun LeeStarsBae Jong-okLee Won-geunYoon-ho JiA story of a mother who goes through emotional turmoil after discovering a long-kept secret about her son.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.
- DirectorJames IvoryStarsJames WilbyRupert GravesHugh GrantTwo 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.
- DirectorFrancis LeeStarsJosh O'ConnorAlec SecareanuGemma JonesSpring. 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.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!
- DirectorPapu CurottoStarsIgnacio RogersEsteban MasturiniJoaquín ParadaTwo boyhood chums, separated soon after sexually awakening together, re-meet as young men with unspoken sexual tensions lying between them.
- DirectorThomas BezuchaStarsArye GrossEric SchweigTim DeKayBig Eden is a small, fictional northwestern Montana town.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.
- DirectorStephen FrearsStarsSaeed JaffreyRoshan SethDaniel Day-LewisAn ambitious Pakistani Briton and his white boyfriend strive for success and hope when they open a glamorous laundromat.
- DirectorCraig JohnsonStarsMichael AbelaDaniel DohenyBrendan ArcherAlex, 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.
- DirectorThomas R. SmythStarsMitch BiggsHarry JohnsonLuc AntonyAfter 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, and thrill seeker. This support group is different from others because of its "hands on" approach to therapy. Group leader, Tom, encourages the guys to share stories and experiences while challenging them to face their fears head on. Enjoy steamy alley encounters, intimate one-on-one sessions, and voyeuristic figure studies. These guys guys need your help on the road to recovery. JOIN TODAY!Just so you know, this is porn. Softcore porn with a low budget but... it technically counts.
- DirectorAndrew AhnStarsJoel Kim BoosterBowen YangMargaret ChoA 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.
- DirectorChristian FaureStarsCyrille ThouveninStéphan Guérin-TilliéÉva DarlanAfter 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.FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
- DirectorJ.C. CalcianoStarsHouston RhinesNoah SchuffmanMatt LewisA gay man nearing 30, and in a 7-year relationship rut, taps into an otherworldly Internet ad that starts omnisciently controlling his life.FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
- DirectorAnnemarie van de MondStarsMajd MardoJosha StradowskiJenny Arean6 time Award winning romantic comedy about two young men, from mixed backgrounds, falling love ...and their clashes with their overbearing mothers.FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
- DirectorMichael MayerStarsMichael UriePhilemon ChambersLuke MacfarlaneDesperate 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.
- DirectorMauro CarvalhoThiago CazadoStarsThiago CazadoPaulo SousaJuliana ZancanaroReserved 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.FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
- DirectorDidier BivelStarsPatrick TimsitBarbara SchulzBruno PutzuluNathan 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.FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
- DirectorKerstin KarlhuberStarsMichael GrantTom WopatGregory HarrisonA 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.
- DirectorJon GarciaStarsNick FerrucciBenjamin FarmerHannah BarefootChris 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.FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
- DirectorSasha KingBrian O'DonnellStarsMatthew FriasCailan RoseLuis Gabriel CañasWhen 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.FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a HEA for the main couple.
- DirectorYen TanStarsBailey BassMarcus DeAndaYesenia GarciaRecovering 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 home with his current live-in ex-boyfriend by spending much of his spare time visiting a different, comatose, ex-boyfriend, who was in a recent accident. Impervious to the monotony of their blue-collar world, they maintain an unwavering yearning for romance. The emotional isolation the two men have grown accustomed to is captured in a subtle, optimistic, poetic fashion while avoiding melodrama. The film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and was also screened at several other film festivals in the US and Canada, including a variety of both traditional and LGBT themed fests.FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not seen this film, but it is said to have a hopeful ending.
- DirectorJoel EdgertonStarsLucas HedgesNicole KidmanJoel EdgertonThe son of a Baptist preacher unwillingly participates in a church-supported gay conversion program after being forcibly outed to his parents.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.
- DirectorMatthew LópezStarsTaylor Zakhar PerezNicholas GalitzineUma ThurmanWhen 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.