Queer joy in film for Pride 2026
Every Pride Month, it can feel a bit disheartening to scroll through film lists packed with tragic queer stories. The trope is so common it even has a name: “bury your gays.” But amidst all that, it’s worth remembering the power of queer joy in cinema – because, sometimes, happiness is a radical act. So, if you’re looking to celebrate rather than sob this June, here are a few films that put joy front and centre.
D.E.B.S. (2004) dir. Angela Robinson
A 2004 spy movie might not be your first pick for queer joy, but D.E.B.S. is far more than it seems. In a world where a hidden section of the SATs identifies future spies, four young women are recruited into the elite D.E.B.S. (Discipline, Energy, Beauty, Strength) academy –among them is top student Amy.
Assigned to take down the infamous criminal Lucy Diamond (who Amy is coincidentally researching for a school project), things go off track when the team interrupts Lucy’s blind date. When Amy and Lucy meet, sparks immediately fly, and Lucy even offers to help with Amy’s assignment. As their relationship develops, both begin to open up in ways they never have before – Amy, for instance, confesses she’d rather go to art school than continue as a model agent.
Without giving too much away, the film delivers a satisfyingly happy ending, despite obstacles like Amy’s clingy ex-boyfriend and the fact they’re technically on opposite sides of the law. It’s kitschy, camp, and undeniably fun, but also surprisingly heartfelt and ahead of its time. If a sapphic enemies-to-lovers spy romcom sounds like your thing, this one’s a must-watch. It’s the kind of film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, which makes its sincerity land even more.
Illustration: Ciaragh McHugh / The Boar
Nimona (2023) dir. Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
A more recent release, Nimona (2023) adapts the beloved 2015 graphic novel into a vibrant, action-packed story about identity, belonging, and – yes – queer joy.
The film follows Ballister Boldheart, a knight framed for the murder of his kingdom’s queen and who has been forced to go on the run – even from his boyfriend, Ambrosius. Along the way, he teams up with Nimona, a chaotic, shapeshifting outsider who proudly defies labels and expectations.
While the film doesn’t shy away from heavier themes, especially Nimona’s experiences of rejection and isolation, it balances them with warmth, humour, and ultimately, hope. The joy here isn’t just romantic (though Ballister’s relationship is central), but also found in friendship, self-acceptance, and chosen family. It’s a reminder that queer joy can take many forms – and all of them matter. Its bold animation style also reinforces its message of embracing difference rather than hiding it.
But I’m a Cheerleader (1999) dir. Jamie Babbit
Another sapphic romcom, but with a twist. Set in a conversion camp, But I’m a Cheerleader turns an unlikely premise into a sharp, colourful satire.
The film follows Megan, a seemingly perfect high school cheerleader who finds herself unable to connect with her boyfriend. Concerned, her parents stage an intervention and send her to a ‘rehabilitation’ camp. There, she meets a cast of equally sceptical teens and begins to discover her true self.
Despite tackling serious issues like homophobia and rejection, the film leans into exaggerated visuals and humour to keep things engaging rather than bleak. There are darker moments, but they’re balanced by a hopeful, affirming ending that makes the journey worthwhile. It’s bold, funny, and still feels fresh decades later. Its stylised, candy-coloured world cleverly undercuts the harmful ideology it critiques.
Queer stories don’t have to end in tragedy to be meaningful. Sometimes, they’re at their most powerful when they celebrate love, resilience, and joy
Hopefully, this has inspired you to try one of these – or revisit a joyful favourite – this Pride Month and beyond. Queer stories don’t have to end in tragedy to be meaningful. Sometimes, they’re at their most powerful when they celebrate love, resilience, and joy. And that’s something worth seeking out, both on and off screen.
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