The Best LGBTQ TV Shows and Movies of 2022

When browsing a given year’s best movies and shows, it’s helpful for screenwriters to find connections in a curated selection of movies. Maybe it’s the year the studio hits the box office, or the year the indie darling blows up. Maybe 2022 will see an increase in stories about the rise of fascism or good asses.Heck, even noticing broader trends – like potential revival of theatrical films or The streaming content boom may be over – Can give a list a sense of purpose or clarity.

But when it comes to our picks for the best LGBTQ movies and shows of 2022, there’s a refreshing lack of common ground. Comedies like “Brothers” and “Fire Island” were given major distribution platforms by Universal and Searchlight, respectively. Dramatic shows like “Blessing” and “Inspection” made their mark with festival buzz and critical acclaim. This year’s top awards contenders are also odd, from “Tár” to “Everything Everywhere All at Once” — films that defy neat labels and require digging.

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Televisions are equally comprehensive. Two of the medium’s top genres — medical drama and true crime mystery — upended their minds with “This Will Hurt” and “Staircase,” respectively. “Harley Quinn” continued to redefine the Joker’s former sidekick as her own supervillain, while “A League of Their Own” builds on the classic film with new characters, a fresh plot, and a gay subtext. Simple, bold. When it comes to boldness, “P-Valley” is unique on television — including its first season — and “Our Flag Means Death” captivates audiences with its surprisingly central romance. A large number of devout followers.

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Gay movies and queer shows still feature plenty of cryptic characters and painful coming out arcs, but the best of them do so with nuance and compassion, re-challenging them while finding and empathizing ways to connect with your audience. Many LGBTQ-centric movies and TV also revel in the joy and fun because they know audiences need (and a lot of) both. Here’s IndieWire’s Best of 2022 list of viewing experiences for every mood, occasion and feeling. For some, the only common resemblance is their queer subject matter—sometimes, a cherished theme in itself.

Ali Foreman, Marcus Jones, Proma Khosla, Ryan Lattanzio, Sarah Shachat and Brian Welk contributed to this list.

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