LGBTQ+representation inanimationhas been on the rise for the past few years, but it’s not nearly as accepted as we hope it would be, at least wherecertain major studiosare concerned. Indeed, television movies, independent animators, and Japanese movies based on Mangas, for instance, have mostly been the ones allowing space for queer voices to be heard and stories to be told.
Update July 28, 2025: In honor of the release of Nimota, this article has been updated with even more great LGBTQ+ animated films.
That said, in recent years, Disney and Pixar have been taking a step forward by including more queer characters and allowing them to show intimacy in the same way straight characters do. Even still, when compiling this list, there wasn’t that much to choose from, but let’s take a look at 25 LGBTQ+ animated movies that you should check out next.
25Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs (2008)
The second of four straight-to-videoFuturamafilms,Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backscontinues immediately after the events ofBender’s Big Score. After time travel shenanigans leaves a nasty gash in the universe, the tear draws the attention of a planet-sized creature called “Yivo.” After Fry finds himself literally and figuratively attached to Yivo via a purple tentacle, the fate of the planet lies in the artificial hands of Bender and the rest of Earth’s robots once Yivo crosses over through the hole in the universe.
WhileThe Beast With a Million Backsis definitely one of the weaker films in the direct-to-video tetralogy, it’s notable for featuring two unique LGBTQ+ characters: Colleen, a new love interest for Fry who enters a polyamorous relationship, and Yivo, a character whose non-binary orientation is surprisingly progressive for the late 2000s.
24Adolescence of Utena (1999)
A follow-up film toRevolutionary Girl Utena,Adolescence of Utena,tells the story of Utena Tenjou, a high school student who inadvertently finds herself caught up in a series of intense fencing duels at Ohtori Academy. When it’s revealed that the duels will determine who wins favor with the “Rose Bride,” Anthy Himemiya, a series of revelations will see the two immersed in a world of magic, metaphor, and more in an anime film for the ages.
Related:Best Movies from LGBTQ+ Women Filmmakers, Ranked
Noted for placing an even bigger emphasis on the relationship between Utena and Anthy compared to the anime series,Adolescence of Utenais often cited as one of the more popular examples of LGBT-friendly anime along withYuri on IceandPrincess Jellyfish. It also happens to be incredibly surreal, dividing critical opinions with its bizarre sequences and abstract symbolism.
23Queer Duck: The Movie (2006)
Based on the web seriesQueer Duck,Queer Duck: The Moviewas the first film to air on the gay-themed channel Logo. The adult animated film is set in the 1960s, back when queerness was still a crime. It focuses on the titular Queer Duck, who wakes up one day realizing that being gay is not worth it when everyone is so against it. He falls in love with a Broadway actress, but, during his journey, he meets different characters who are part of the gay rights movement: drag queen Rex, his lover Openly Gator, a homophobic bigoted priest, Conan O’Brien, Bi-Polar Bear. In the end, Queer Duck realizes he’s gay to stay.
22Harmony (2015)
Directed by Michael Arias and Takashi Nakamura for Studio 4°C,Harmonyis a Japanese animated science fiction film. Set in a futuristic world where, after many civil wars, peace has finally been established, there is no personal autonomy as society is severely controlled. Three young women fight against this idea by deciding to commit suicide together. Two of them survive, and when they meet after many years, they start learning the truth about this so-called “perfect world.” The mild lesbian sensuality makesHarmonyall that more tragic.
21Out (2020)
As both Disney and Pixar’s first short to feature a gay main character,Outis a nine-minute-long short. It follows a man who has not yet come out to his parents. However, once he accidentally swaps mind with a dog, things get a little bit easier for him. It was shortlisted for the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.
20Storks (2016)
Storksis a 3D-computer-animated adventure comedy focusing on a former stork company who were in charge of delivering babies to families. The company now acts as a package delivery business instead, but that soon changes when they accidentally create a baby and are forced to bring it home. Although a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” moment, the movie includes both a lesbian and a gay couple in the ending sequence. This was a big step in the right direction as it shows queer people as parents, which used to be frowned down upon in animation.
19Strange World (2022)
As the years pass, we can see more vivid queer representations in animation. In that sense,Strange Worldintroduces Walt Disney Animation Studios' first openlyLGBTQ+ lead character, Ethan Clade. As Disney’s seventh sci-fi movie, the film follows three generations of a family who have to overcome their differences to save a miracle planet.Strange Worldoffers a multicultural embrace in an exotic environment.
18Lightyear (2022)
Instead of taking place inToy Story’s fictional universe,Lightyearis rather introduced as a movie that theToy Storycharacters themselves have seen. It follows Buzz Lightyear as a human as he tries finding his way back home from an abandoned planet alongside his crew. The character of Alisha Hawthorne, Buzz’s friend, shares a kiss with her female partner at the end of the movie, which caused the movie to bebanned in many countries. What an uproar a simple kiss can cause…
17South Park: The Movie (1999)
Based on the animated sitcomSouth Park,the plot ofSouth Park: The Moviefollows four friends who sneak into the cinema to watch an R-rated Canadian movie, after which they start swearing profusely. It causes an uproar and moral panic against Canada’s influence. The movie satirizes themes of censorship and scapegoating, as well as the Disney Renaissance.South Parkwas already known for normalizing the gay community, but with this movie, they’ve put a funny twist on it by coupling Satan and Saddam Hussein.
16Wendell & Wild (2022)
Directed by Henry Selick, from a screenplay from both Selick and Jordan Peele,Wendell & Wildis a stop-motion horror comedy. It tells the story of two devious demon brothers who have to fight their arch-enemy. When a girl named Kat accidentally summons the brothers, chaos ensues. Kat’s best friend is the first ever trans character in a stop-motion: Raúl, an artistic Latino trans boy.
