Movies Like Love, Simon: Heartfelt Teen Rom-Coms with LGBTQ+ Themes

Teen rom-coms and coming-of-age stories have been a staple in cinema for decades, but it wasn't until 2018 that a film like Love, Simon hit the mainstream—one that portrayed a teenager navigating the struggles of coming out while still offering the same feel-good, funny vibes we associate with the genre. Simon Spier, the protagonist, faces a pivotal moment in his life: he's trying to figure out how to come out to his family and friends. The groundbreaking part? Unlike many previous stories, Simon isn’t punished or stigmatized for his sexuality. Instead, his coming-out journey is woven seamlessly into the plot, aligning Love, Simon with the best teen rom-coms we grew up watching.

The significance of Love, Simon extends far beyond its lighthearted premise. As film critic Sheila O'Malley noted in her review for RogerEbert.com, the movie joins other groundbreaking films like Call Me by Your Name and Blue Is the Warmest Color, where characters aren't vilified for their sexuality. But Love, Simon stands out as a mainstream film targeted at young audiences, making it a milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in teen films.

If you adored Love, Simon and are looking for more heartfelt teen rom-coms with LGBTQ+ themes, here are some recommendations that capture the same spirit of self-discovery, love, and acceptance.

Where to watch movies like love movies like corpse bridemovies like 9 songs movie like 365 day movies like 500 days of summer movies like about time movie like call me by your name watch american psycho movies like mid90sis available to stream on Netflix,Prime Video,Disney+, Hulu etc,more movies on similar-list.com and trendflicks similar-movie.com.

1. Alex Strangelove (2018)

Alex Strangelove follows Alex Truelove (played by Daniel Doheny), a high school senior who’s focused on navigating the pressures of school, friends, and his relationship with his girlfriend, Claire (Madeline Weinstein). However, things get complicated when Alex begins to develop feelings for Elliot, a boy in his class. As the film unfolds, Alex grapples with his emerging identity. While the movie has been criticized for being "aggressively self-aware" and playing with some comedic tropes, it shares a similar underlying message to Love, Simon: the importance of accepting your true self. Alex Strangelove blends humor with introspection, making it an enjoyable yet thought-provoking watch.

2. Call Me by Your Name (2017)

While Call Me by Your Name isn’t a traditional teen rom-com, it beautifully explores the coming-of-age experience of Elio, a young man who embarks on a transformative summer romance in Italy. The film dives deeper into the complexities of sexuality, desire, and heartbreak than Love, Simon, and it certainly appeals to a more mature audience due to its intense themes and sensual undertones. Set in a picturesque Italian landscape, the film is as much about self-discovery as it is about first love, and it's an unforgettable cinematic experience for anyone exploring queer themes in romance.

3. The Thing About Harry (2020)

This charming rom-com features two high school friends, Sam and Harry, who reconnect years later as young adults. While initially hesitant about their feelings for each other, their relationship deepens over time, making it a sweet exploration of love and identity. Although rated TV-14, the film does include mature themes and some implied sexual situations, so it's best suited for older teens. The Thing About Harry has a feel-good vibe and offers a fresh perspective on LGBTQ+ relationships, making it a perfect follow-up for fans of Love, Simon.

4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower isn’t just a movie about growing up; it's about confronting personal demons, finding friendship, and exploring one's sexual identity. The film centers on Charlie (Logan Lerman), a shy, introspective teenager who must navigate the challenges of high school while coming to terms with past trauma. With standout performances from Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, the film offers a poignant depiction of the struggles teens face, particularly those grappling with their sexual orientation. While not explicitly an LGBTQ+ film, it’s an essential watch for anyone interested in how relationships evolve and self-discovery plays a role in adolescence.

More Movies Like Love, Simon to Add to Your Watchlist

If you enjoyed Love, Simon and these films, you may also want to explore the following titles, which beautifully explore LGBTQ+ themes within the teen and young adult genres:

• Booksmart (2019) – A hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age comedy about two best friends who are determined to make the most of their senior year.


• Geography Club (2013) – A story of a group of high school students navigating their identities and relationships, often with humor and heart.


• Akron (2015) – A romance between two college students that explores love, family, and self-acceptance.


• Moonlight (2016) – An Academy Award-winning film that follows a young man as he grapples with his sexuality and identity across three pivotal moments in his life.


• Edge of Seventeen (1998) – This lesser-known film takes a nuanced look at adolescence, featuring themes of sexuality and self-discovery.


• Boys (2014) – A quiet and tender story about a teen’s first love and the complicated emotions that come with it.


• Shelter (2007) – A heartfelt film about a young man who explores his identity and love while dealing with personal and family struggles.


• The Way He Looks (2014) – A Brazilian film about a blind teenager who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and love when he meets a new classmate.


• Handsome Devil (2016) – A witty Irish film that explores the relationship between two high school boys in a strict boarding school setting.


• Hidden Kisses (2016) – A French film that depicts the challenges a young gay boy faces in a conservative environment.


• Latter Days (2003) – A romance between two men from very different worlds, offering a deep look at identity and love.


• Being 17 (2016) – A French drama about two high school boys navigating their evolving friendship and blossoming love.


• Beautiful Thing (1996) – A tender and uplifting British film about two working-class teenage boys who fall in love.


• Water Lilies (2007) – A French film that delves into the complexities of teen girl friendships and emerging sexual identities.


• Lost and Delirious (2001) – A coming-of-age film about a love affair between two girls at a boarding school.


• Dating Amber (2020) – A funny and moving story about two high school friends who pretend to be a couple to avoid being bullied for their sexuality.


• Life Partners (2014) – A romantic comedy that explores the changing dynamics of friendship and love as one of the main characters comes to terms with her sexuality.


• Every Day (2018) – A unique, heartfelt film about a teenager who falls in love with someone who inhabits a different body every day.


• Weekend (2011) – A beautiful, realistic depiction of a fleeting but life-changing weekend romance between two men.


• Lady Bird (2017) – While primarily a mother-daughter drama, this coming-of-age story also touches on identity and self-acceptance in the context of the protagonist’s sexual awakening.


• Boy Erased (2018) – A powerful drama about a young man’s journey through conversion therapy and his struggle to reconcile his identity with his family’s expectations.


• The Half of It (2020) – A modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, focusing on a shy, introverted girl who helps a jock woo the girl she secretly loves.


• North Sea Texas (2011) – A Belgian coming-of-age film about a boy’s journey to understanding his sexual identity.


• Giant Little Ones (2018) – A poignant film about two high school boys who confront their feelings for each other and the impact it has on their lives.


• Heartstone (2016) – A story about two boys in a small Icelandic town exploring their friendship and budding sexual identities.


• My Own Private Idaho (1991) – Directed by Gus Van Sant, this film explores the turbulent lives of two young men as they navigate love, friendship, and their place in the world.


• Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013) – A deeply emotional film about the passionate relationship between two young women, exploring love, heartbreak, and self-discovery.

If you're looking to explore more stories that reflect the same heartfelt themes of Love, Simon, these films offer rich and diverse portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters navigating their identities, love, and friendship. Each one contributes to the ongoing evolution of LGBTQ+ representation in cinema, providing fresh perspectives on the universal journey of self-discovery.movies like la la land movies like the maze runner movies like my fault movies like crazy stupid love 2 movies like heartstopper movies like red white royal blue movies like the bikeriders movies like totally killer movies like white house down movies like cruel intentions movies like were the millers 2 movies like mean girls movies like society of the snow movies like erin brockovich movies like pacific rim movies like pans labyrinth 2 movies like eyes wide shut movies like the wizard of oz movies like extraction movies like mission impossible movies like silence of the lambs movies like dunkirk movies like truth or dare movies like love dont cost a thing movies like narnia movies like red notice movies like the choice movies like the lost city movies like moneyball movies like old movies like enola holmes movies like the zone of interest movies like how to be single movies like independence day movies like cruella movies like the mist movies like in time movies like bad santa movies like arthur the king movies like palm springs movies like the little things movies like the call movies like were the millers movies like need for speed movies like blood diamond movies like my fault movies like alice movies like sharknado movies like the magic of ordinary days movies like the notebook movies like the silence of the lambs movies like 500 days of summer movies like the tomorrow war movies like there will be blood movies like the duff movies like la confidential movies like toy story movies like city of god movies like almost famous movies like raya and the last dragon movies like fear movies like blink twice movies like self reliance movies like taxi driver movies like brokeback mountain movies like beauty and the beast movies like the summer i turned pretty movies like amelie movies like argo movies like annabelle 2 movies like jaws 2 movies like point blank movies like promising young woman 2 movies like pans labyrinth 2 movies like jojo rabbit 2 movies like a star is born 2 movies like erin brockovich movies like society of the snow movies like rebel ridge movies like precious movies like brave 2 movies like starship troopers 2 movies like office space movies like aladdin 2 movies like anna 2 movies like inside man movies like hit man movies like margin call movies like anatomy of a fall 2 movies like hustle 2 movies like looper 2 movies like five feet apart movies like i know what you did last summer movies like prey 2 movies like monster house movies like point break movies like venom movies like the lighthouse movies like a family affair movies like searching movies like apollo 13