14 Best Transgender Movies of All Time – Politicians remain diplomatic about them, and many religions condemn them, but we are pleased to state that cinema is the only public media that dares to talk about the life of transgender people in a ridiculous way. This article is an ode to such cinema, which attempts to focus on transgender people in order to open a discourse about the people in the transgender community. This list includes films that discuss them while remaining true to their cinematic values. So, here is a list of the best movies about transgender people. Some of the best movies on transgender people may be available on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
14. In a Year With 13 Moons (1978)
‘In A Year With 13 Moons’ is a German film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, whose main character Elvira Weishaupt is possibly the most unusual and intriguing on our list. Erwin undertakes a gender reassignment surgery on the spur of the moment, identifying herself as Elvira. The film depicts the character’s sexual identity, feelings, and emotions, as well as the world, which regrettably ignores the loneliness and desperation of individuals in need. The film has a stunning performance by Volker Spengler, as well as quirky cinematography.
13. Beautiful Boxer (2003)
The 2003 film is a beautiful and dramatic portrayal of the life story of Thai boxer, former Muay Thai champion, actress, and model Parinya Charoenphol. She was labeled male at birth, but at an early age, she had a deep affiliation with the gender identity of a woman. Accepting her identity, Parinya took to boxing to support her family and pay for gender-reassignment surgery. In ‘Beautiful Boxer,’ boxing gloves and glossy nails eradicate all kinds of preconceptions and come together in a core character whose strength and dedication are an encouragement to all.
12. Tomboy (2011)
‘Tomboy’ is an excellent example of French filmmaking. It’s well-paced and tranquil, and the viewer is free to respond to the picture in their own unique way, without being influenced by anything other than what’s on the screen. One can’t help but admire how French films employ music so little to elicit an emotional response from the spectator. The youngsters in the film are simple, free, and completely convincing.
Zoé Héran is simply outstanding as Laure, a 10-year-old gender nonconforming child who feels stuck in their own body due to society’s perspective. When a girl in the neighborhood misidentifies Laure as a boy, the latter chooses to continue living as one for the rest of his life, even adopting the name “Mickal.” That is, until the truth is revealed. ‘Tomboy’ is a fantastic depiction of a young person navigating life while exploring gender identity, fresh connections, and cultural standards.
11. Hedwig and The Angry Inch (2001)
Hedwig is a transgender lady who has to live with a “angry inch” when a sex reassignment surgery goes wrong. She is directed by John Cameron Mitchell. The film follows a strong, confident, and energetic German lady as she travels with her rock band to the United States to support her former gay lover, who stole her songs after she supported him as a musical mentor and partner.
Hedwig recounts aspects of her life and gives us insight into her tangled past and gender identity throughout her electrifying musical odyssey. The famous figure of Hedwig, directed and led by John Cameron Mitchell as the gorgeous protagonist from Mitchell and Stephen Trask’s 1998 Broadway musical, is certainly one of a kind that has remained in one’s memory even after so many years. Hedwig, go!
10. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert (1994)
‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of Dessert,’ starring Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, and Terence Stamp as the lead trio, follows two gay drag queens and a middle-aged transgender woman as they decide to get in a shiny silver-colored bus named Priscilla and drive across the Australian desert to put on some drag shows for the people of a remote town called Alice Springs.
The showgirls face numerous homophobic encounters on their journey from Sydney to the vacation town in Central Australia. Not allowing anything stand in their way, the trio also engages in intense chats in which they learn a secret or two about each other, resulting in a tighter friendship. Looking for a film that is passionate, hilarious, timely, and glamorous? Add this to your to-do list!
9. Soldier’s Girl (2003)
‘Soldier’s Girl’ is a heartbreaking film that will affect you because of Lee Pace’s flawless performance and the fascinating tale based on the heartbreaking true story of Barry Winchell and Calpernia Addams. The Frank Pierson-directed film does not preach, instead focusing on a love story between a young Army private and a transgender nightclub performer that ends in tragedy when a coworker becomes enraged and swears to destroy their life.
8. Boy Meets Girl (2014)
The plot of ‘Boy Meets Girl’ centres around Ricky, a transgender young woman who lives in rural America but wishes to come to New York City to study fashion and make it big in the fashion world. In New York, she meets Francesca, a wealthy woman who accepts her for who she is, and they begin an affair. Francesca and Ricky’s relationship affects many individuals, including Ricky’s best friend, Robby.
This film has a fantastic cast and a fantastic script that was crafted with a no-holds-barred approach and empathy. It deals on many facets of living as a transgender person and accurately captures the feelings. Michelle Hendley gives a gutsy and inspiring portrayal as the protagonist character Ricky.
7. Transamerica (2005)
‘Transamerica,’ written and directed by Duncan Tucker and partially based on conversations between Tucker and his then-roommate Katherine Connella, is about a transgender woman named Bree Osbourne who is ready to change her life by undergoing sex-reassignment surgery. Bree’s life, however, takes a dramatic turn when she discovers she has a son named Toby who is on bail. As a result, she starts on a mission to make amends and reconnect with her estranged son.
6. Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Apart from being a terrific film, ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ tells the story of Ron Woodroof, a Texas native who went out of his way in the 1980s to find efficient AIDS treatment for patients living with the disease, soon after he was diagnosed as HIV positive himself. The film follows Ron Woodroof, a mustachioed rodeo cowboy who begins dealing in experimental AIDS treatments after discovering he is HIV positive. He meets Rayon, a drug-addicted transgender woman with HIV, at a hospital, and the two shake hands for employment.
After first being hostile to Rayon, Ron gradually warms up to her endearing attitude, and the two gradually form an understanding and respectful friendship, forcing Ron to look within himself and change for the better. Although the portrayal and evolution of Rayon’s character received mixed to unfavorable reviews, the lovely bond between Ron and Rayon will undoubtedly make you smile.
5. The Danish Girl (2015)
Tom Hooper’s ‘The Danish Girl,’ based on David Ebershoff’s 2000 novel of the same name, is enhanced by outstanding performances by Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander. It follows Gerda Wegener, a portrait artist who asks her artist husband to stand in for a woman model for one of her paintings. When this deed inspires Gerda’s husband to embark on a voyage of self-discovery, things take an unforeseen turn.
Lili is a character that many people can deeply connect with because it invites the spectator to accompany her on her journey of enlightenment as she attempts to completely grasp her gender dysphoria and the various issues she must confront as a result of the shift in her life. Inspired by the true biography of a Danish painter, the character of Lili captures the intensity of being one of the first few people in the twentieth century to undergo documented sex reassignment surgery.
4. Boys Don’t Cry (1999)
Based on Brandon Teena’s true life, this dramatized account follows Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank), a young transgender man who explores his gender identity and sexuality in a tiny community in rural Nebraska. Brandon is the victim of a heinous hate crime not long after he begins dating a young girl named Lana.
The film offers an engrossing and honest portrayal of toxic masculinity and violence against members of the LGBTQ+ community. Even after nearly two decades, ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ remains one of the most impactful films on the predicament of transsexual people.
3. Ma Vie en Rose (1997)
‘Ma Vie en Rose,’ or ‘My Life in Pink,’ is the narrative of Ludovic, a transsexual child who is assigned male at birth but identifies as female. The little boy enjoys dressing up as a girl and fantasizes about marrying his sweetheart, Ken. The well-developed storyline and excellent performance by main actor Georges Du Fresne give the film a warm and emotional tone that distinguishes it from the others on the list. As the film unfolds, the character faces harsh truths, rejections, and bullying for realizing his true identity. Ludovic, on the other hand, does not let anyone’s perspective determine who he is.
2. All About My Mother (1999)
‘All About My Mother,’ a great film by Pedro Almodóvar, tackles a set of societal issues centered on a transgender lady, a theme that feels perfectly natural and reasonable given the director’s ongoing interest and exploration of powerful female characters. The film follows Manuela, an Argentine nurse who is grieving the death of her son, Esteban, in an accident.
Soon after, Manuela travels to Barcelona in search of Esteban’s father, Lola, a transgender woman who never met Esteban. Apart from Lola, Manuela reconnects with an old friend, Agrado, a transsexual sex worker, and Lola’s pregnant girlfriend Rosa, and undergoes a radical shift in viewpoint.
1. The Crying Game (1992)
The less information you have about this film, the better. The film, which stars Jaye Davidson, Forrest Whitaker, and Stephen Rea, revolves around Fergus, an Irish Republican Army member who strikes up a friendship with an IRA hostage – a black British soldier Jody — who is oblivious of the wild trip he is about to embark on. ‘The Crying Game,’ written and directed by Neil Jordan, is a superbly written and executed psychological thriller that provides a unique exploration of identity, betrayal, love, and atonement.