2022 is just underway, but this year is already shaping up to be one for the books in terms of queer cinema excellence. The lineup includes groundbreaking dramas, swoonworthy romantic comedies, must-see biopics, surrealistic horror films, and even a documentary about a controversial queer icon. Here are the films we can't wait to get our eyes on this year.
1. Scream - January 14
The iconic Scream franchise returns for its fifth installment and introduces its first queer character, Mindy Meeks-Martin, played by out actor Jasmin Savoy-Brown. In theaters January 14.
2. The Last Thing Mary Saw - January 20
Isabelle Fuhrman, Stefanie Scott, and Rory Culkin star in this queer period horror film about religious oppression and forbidden desires set in 1843. On Shudder January 20.
3. Catch the Fair One - February 11
Real-life boxer Kali Reis stars as a down-and-out queer boxer who is on a mission of revenge on sex traffickers she believes are responsible for kidnapping her missing sister. In theaters and digital on February 11.
4. The Fallout - February 11
Jenna Ortega stars as queer student Vada Cavell struggling with her depression following a mass shooting at her California high school. She also navigates romantic attractions to her classmates Mia Reed (Maddie Ziegler) and Quinton Hasland (Niles Fitch), with whom she hid in a bathroom during the shooting. On HBO Max January 27.
5. Great Freedom - March 4
Set in post World-War II Germany, this Austrian drama follows Hans Hoffmann (Franz Rogowski) who's imprisoned several times for being gay and during his time in prison shares an intimate relationship with his cellmate, Hans Hoffmann (Franz Rogowski), who is serving a life sentence for murder. The film took home the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at the 2021 at the Cannes Film Festival and is Austria's entry for the best International film festival for this year's Academy Awards. In theaters March 4.
6. Downton Abbey: A New Era - March 18
The Grantham's and their loyal staff invite viewers to join them on a new adventure at their Yorkshire country estate for the holidays as they head into a new era: the 1930s.
7. Everything Everywhere All At Once - March 25
In this sci-fi adventure from A24, Michelle Yeoh stars as an aging immigrant who must save the world by crossing the multiverse. In theater March 25.
8. Thor: Love and Thunder - July 8
Taika Waititi returns to direct this sequel to Thor: Ragnarok in which queer superhero Valkyrie (played by out actor Tessa Thompson) is reportedly on the lookout for a queen to join her on the throne of Asgard. In theaters July 8
9. Bros - Aug. 22
This super-queer romantic comedy was written by and stars Billy Eichner is at the top of our must watch list, despite there being sparse details about the plot. What we do know is that cast is full of queer folks we love including Bowen Yang, Ts Madison, Guillermo Diaz, and Luke Macfarlane as Eichner's love interest. In theaters August 22.
10. Doctor Strange and Multiverse of Madness - May 6
This latest chapter in the Marvel cinematic universe sees Doctor Strange dealing with the consequences of a forbidden spell which led to the opening of the multiverse. But more importantly, it will introduce lesbian super hero American Chavez, played by Xochitl Gomez. In theaters May 6.
11. Lightyear - June 17
Beloved character Buzz Lightyear gets his origin story -- well, technically, it's the character that inspired the action figure in the Toy Story series. It's complicated, but more importantly, it's reportedly "substantially" queer inclusive. In theaters June 17.
12. Nope - July 22
While details about the plot of Jordan Peele's latest foray into the horror genre are sparse, just knowing it's staring out queer actors Keke Palmer and Barbie Ferrerira is enough to guarantee it a spot on our must-watch list. In theaters July 22.
13. I Wanna Dance with Somebody - December 23
Naomi Ackie stars as Whitney Houston in this biopic from the writer of Bohemian Rhapsody. It will focus on the iconic singer's life story, charting her rise to stardom. It will reportedly not shy away from including her love affair with her best friend and personal assistant Robyn Crawford. In theaters December 23.
14. Am I OK?
Directed by wife team Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne, this film follows two best friends, One and Lucy, as they face two major life changes: one is moving abroad and other comes out as gay. The film stars Dakota Johnson and Sonoya Mizuno. It's set to premiere at Sundance.
15. Beauty
This upcoming Netflix original, written by Lena Waithe, follows and an up-and-coming singer who enters into a romance with her butch best friend. Release date is TBA on Netflix.
16. Benediction
This biopic follows the life and loves of British poet and soldier Siegfried Sassoon during World War I. It depicts his openly critical attitude toward the war, his marriage to a woman who knew about his sexuality, and his on-and-off romance with composer and actor Ivor Novello. Release date is TBA.
17. Dope Queens
This romantic thriller is set in San Francisco's famed Tenderloin, the world's first legally recognized trans district, and follows three friends, Goldie (Alexandra Grey), Blake (Pierson Fode), and Angel (Trace Lysette), during a wild night on the streets. Release date is TBA.
18. Fire Island
Joel Kim Booster and Bowen Yang star in this romantic comedy inspired by Pride and Prejudice. In Fire Island, they head out for a weekend vacation to Fire Island for fun with friends and plenty of rose. Release date is TBA.
19. Framing Agnes
This unique film blends fiction and nonfiction in order to bring an important story in trans history to light. A cast of trans actors discover a case file from a 1950s gender clinic and confront the legacy of a young trans woman who was "forced to choose between honesty and access." Framing Agnes is set to premiere at Sundance. Release date is TBA.
20. Girl Picture
Premiering at Sundance, this Finnish film focuses on a three friends, Emma, Mimmi, and Ronkko, as they discover first love and navigate thier sex lives on a quest to find pleasure. Release date is TBA.
21. Hellraiser
This reboot of the the popular horror franchise goes back to the more explicitly queer source material written by Clive Barker and casts trans actor Jamie Clayton as the leader of the cenobites, Pinhead. Release date is TBA on Hulu.
22. The History of Sound
This queer period piece stars Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor as two men setting out to record the lives, voices, and music of their countrymen during World-War I. It's based on the Pushcart Prize-winning story by American author Ben Shattuck. Release date is TBA.
23. Love in Color
This coming-of-age queer love story stars Auli'i Cravalho and Rowan Blanchard who fall for one another while running on a track team together. Release date is TBA on Hulu.
24. Marte Um (Mars One)
Set in Brazil following the inauguration of a right-wing president, Marte Um follows one working class family, including a queer daughter who's falling in love with another woman, as they try to navigate thier lives. The film premieres at Sundance but the release date is still TBA.
25. The Last Chapter
This documentary, which won the Queer Lion Award at the 2021 Venice International Film Festival, follows 63-year-old French dom Bernard Guyonnet and his submissive younger lover, Italian filmmaker Gianluca Matarrese, after the BDSM master retires. Release date is TBA.
26. My Fake Boyfriend
This romantic comedy from director Rose Troche stars Keiynan Lonsdale and Dylan Sprouse and follows a young man who makes up a boyfriend on social media to keep his ex lover out of his life, but ends up meeting the person who just might be the love of his life. Release date is TBA.
27. My Policeman
Harry Styles and Emma Corrin star in this period romance based on Bethan Roberts's 2012 novel of the same name about a love affair that would have been illegal, let alone legal, in1950s England. Release date is TBA.
28. Nothing Compares
This documentary, which premieres at Sundance, follows the fascinating and tumultuously life of Irish singer Sinead O'Connor. It follows her career and controversial moments including her infamous Saturday Night Live appearance, her struggles with mental health, and her conversian to Islam. Release date is TBA.
29. Potato Dreams of America
Based on a wild but true story, Potato Dreams of America follows openly gay writer-director Wes Hurley's move from Russia to America when his mother becomes a mail order bride and marries a much older and eccentric man. Release date is TBA.
30. Rustin
Directed by George C. Wolfe (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom), written by Dustin Lance Black, and produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground, this film is a must-watch this year, especially with Coleman Domingo as civil and gay rights icon Bayard Rustin. Release date is TBA on Netflix.
31. See You Then
Exes reconnect a decade after they've split up and one of the former partners has transitioned. Release date is TBA.
32. Terrorizers
This psychological thriller set in Taipei City, Taiwan, follows four people caught in a love quadrangle, which is complicated by an act of jealous violence. Release date is TBA.
33. To Kill the Beast
Set in Argentina this drama follows 17-year-old Emilia, who travels to a small town to stay with her aunt who runs a hostel and -- amid local stories that a beast is out killing during the night -- takes up with an older woman who is staying there. Release date is TBA.
34. What If?
Billy Porter will make his directorial debut with this sweet trans love story. Based on a real life Reddit post, this story follows a boy who posts on social media about his secret crush on a trans girl at school, and the internet encourages him to pursue her.
35. We’re All Going To The World’s Fair
This surrealistic horror film from trans filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun follows a young teenager named Casey, who spends all her time online, taking part in a mysterious horror game, but the lines between fantasy and reality soon begin to blur.
36. Whistler Camp
This horror film coming from Blumhouse is being described as a queer empowerment story set at a gay conversion camp. Starring Theo Germaine, Kevin Bacon, and Anna Clumsy. Release date is TBA on Peacock.
