Nothing beats unwinding with a good movie. It just so happens that some of the best movies ever made feature transgender, crossdressing, or drag themes.
In this post, I’ve compiled a list of ten must-see transgender and gender bending films that should be on your watch list.
I’ve also included a list of reader-recommended favorites for your viewing pleasure!
1. The Danish Girl (2015)
The Danish Girl is based on the life of painter Lili Elbe, who transitioned to female in 1930s Denmark.
Lili undergoes the world’s first gender reassignment surgery with the support of her wife, Gerda, in this beautiful story of unconditional love.
2. Ma Vie En Rose (1997)
This Golden Globe-winning Belgian film offers a rare look at a child’s transgender experience.
Ma Vie en Rose tells the story of Ludovic, a young boy who identifies as a girl and wishes to live as one despite the disapproval of his family and community.
3. Transamerica (2005)
Despite the controversy of a cisgender woman (Felicity Huffman) playing a transgender character, Transamerica helped bring attention to trans issues back in 2005.
Bree, a transgender woman in the final stages of her transition, discovers she fathered a son 17 years ago. They take a road trip, and Bree must confront him with the truth about who she truly is.
4. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
This cult classic musical comedy features Brad and Jane, whose car breaks down during a thunderstorm. They wander into the mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a crossdressing scientist, and encounter a house full of eccentric characters.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is three hours of campy fun and one of those movies everybody should see.
5. Some Like It Hot (1959)
Some Like It Hot was groundbreaking for defying the gender norms of its time. In this 1959 film starring Marilyn Monroe, two male musicians witness a mob murder.
To avoid being killed themselves, they disguise themselves as women and join an all-female band. All sorts of hilarious complications ensue in this classic comedy.
6. Tootsie (1982)
Tootsie is another gender bending classic comedy to add to your list.
Michael Dorsey, a failed actor, disguises himself as a woman to land a role on a soap opera. He gets the part and becomes a celebrity. This leads to issues when he falls for the leading actress.
7. Kinky Boots (2005)
2005 was a banner year for transgender films and Kinky Boots is a must-see.
Charlie Price inherits his father’s shoe factory, which is about to go bankrupt. To save the family business, Charlie is inspired to change the product to drag footwear after meeting the performer, Lola.
8. All About My Mother (1999)
Pablo Almodóvar, a Spanish director, is well-known for his inclusion of trans characters and performers.
In All About My Mother, Manuela’s son Esteban is killed in an accident. She goes to Barcelona to share the news with Esteban’s father, who is now living as a transgender woman.
9. Disclosure (2020)
Disclosure is a documentary that examines how transgender people are portrayed in the media.
It includes insights from Laverne Cox, Alexandra Billings, and Candis Cayne, among other prominent trans actresses, performers, and filmmakers sharing their experiences.
10. Paris is Burning (1990)
Paris is Burning is the original documentary that inspired the hit TV show, POSE.
It examines the drag ballroom culture of Harlem, NYC in the 1980s and shows the community’s experiences with transphobia, homophobia, and racism during that time period.
What are YOUR favorite transgender / crossdressing movies?
Needless to say, it was hard to narrow down this list to just 10 movies! Have you seen any of these films? If so, what did you think of them?
I’d love to know which transgender / crossdressing movies YOU recommend. Please share in the comments below!
Love,
Lucille
Reader Recommended Movies
P.S. Thank you ladies for the excellent movie recommendations that have been pouring in! I’m going to keep a running list here for your viewing pleasure.
- To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)
- Freebie and the Bean (1974)
- I Am Divine (2013)
- I Want What I Want (1972)
- The New Girlfriend (2014)
- The Christine Jorgensen Story (1970)
- Anything Possible (2022)
- Dawn, Her Dad and the Tractor (2021)
- Just like a Woman (1992)
- Boy Meets Girl (2014)
- Soldier’s Girl (2003)
- Outrageous (1977)
- Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde (1971)
- Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
- Victor/Victoria (1982)
- Normal (2003)
- Myra Breckinridge (1970)
- The Celluloid Closet (1995)
- Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2021)
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I didn’t see this among all the great suggestions but I’m very fond of “Connie and Carla”. Nia Vardarlos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) took elements of “Some Like It Hot” and “Victor Victoria” and created a heartwarming story of two down on their luck actresses (Vardalos and Toni Collette) who run afoul of the mob and end up hiding out by posing as drag performers who become the hit of a small club. A very original and important angle is Vardalos’ love interest (David Duchovny) who comes to the club in an effort to reconnect with his “black sheep” brother(Stephen Spinella) who also performs there. It’s a movie with a lot of heart that’s a lot of fun and one that portrays love and acceptance rather than preaching about it.
I forgot to mention “No Way to Treat a Lady” which features Rod Steiger en femme. He’s a serial killer who uses disguises to get close to his victims. George Segal is the detective hunting him. Adapted from a William Goldman (The Princess Bride) novel it’s a thriller with a black comedy edge.
I just loved ❤️ watching
all of these 10 movies,
and the other ones in addition too.
My fav or all time is:
I Want What I Want.
I felt like it was the CD story of my life.
I always look for
new TG/CD movies for me
to watch while I am dressed up
Femme.
Also, one of my top fav
TG Movies is the amazing
Christine Jorgensen Story,
that really made a CD impact
on me.
It motivated me to try
to be like her after her surgery
And it goes on and on… The list is getting bigger. Thanks for the reminders of some flicks I enjoyed, kinda forgot about. Here are a few more titles:
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Boys Don’t Cry
Victor/Victoria
Yentl
Normal
Myra Breckinridge
The Celluloid Closet
So many movies, so little time!
Love these suggestions Joan, thank you!
Another good one is “Everybody’s talking about Jamie”
¿What about “Priscilla Queen of desert”?
Great Top-10 and nice “others”, but please let’s not forget these absolutely “must see” British films: The Crying Game, and my all-time favorite Different For Girls.
I agree. The Crying Game is brilliant.
La Cage Aux Folles, and its newer incarnation, The Birdcage, are excellent, although the movie, and the Broadway production with the same name, have been re-worked to death.
The scene where Georges is trying to teach Albin to walk like a man is hilarious. The opening number (all sing in male voices) is a great intro. Before I was living completely as a woman, I drooled through the can-can number.
No list can be complete without “GIrl” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8254556/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2%5Bimg%5D20211224102110339iOS.jpg%5B/img%5D