Major LGBTQ+ films coming in 2026, from Kristen Stewart’s debut to the Heartstopper finale
Peter Hujar’s Day, Hearstopper Forever and The Chronology of Water are all set for 2026 releases. (Picturehouse Entertainment/Netflix/BFI)
Peter Hujar’s Day, Hearstopper Forever and The Chronology of Water are all set for 2026 releases. (Picturehouse Entertainment/Netflix/BFI)
2025 has been an amazing year for LGBTQ+ cinema, but 2026 is set to be just as exciting for film!
From a directorial debut from the iconic Kristen Stewart to the Heartstopper finale to a campy lesbian horror, here’s what to look out for next year:
The History of Sound
Internet’s boyfriends Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor are lovers in this upcoming World War I historical romantic drama. Directed by Oliver Hermanus – who directed three episodes of Nicholas Galitzine’s gay historical drama Mary & George – the film is based on a short story by Ben Shattuck.
The History of Sound will follow the relationship of the two young soldiers, Lionel (Gladiator II‘s Mescal) and David (Challengers‘ O’Connor), as they meet in 1916 and then travel together in the summer of 1919 to rural New England, where they record folk songs.
History of Sound is out in the UK on January 23.
The Chronology of Water
Kristen Stewart is returning to the big screen, but this time as a director. Her directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, is a force of nature and a piercing adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2011 novel of the same name. Stewart’s psychological drama follows a young woman (Imogen Poots) who escapes trauma through writing and swimming.
It’s a challenging watch but a poignant perspective on addiction and motherhood through the eyes of a queer woman. The film also marks the first project from Nevermind Pictures, the production company set up by Stewart, Stewart’s wife, screenwriter-producer Dylan Meyer and producer Maggie McLean.
The Chronology of Water is out in the UK on February 6.
Peter Hujar’s Day
Ben Whishaw offers a wholly singular performance in Passages director Ira Sachs’ latest drama, Peter Hujar’s Day. Whishaw plays the titular, real-life gay photographer who is best known for his often candid black-and-white portraits in the 70s and 80s.
The film orbits Peter in conversation with writer Linda Rosenkrantz (Rebecca Hall) in 1974. What seems like a simple recounting of his day becomes a vibrant portrait of New York culture and artistic ambition.
Peter Hujar’s Day is out in the UK on February 6.
Mother Mary
One of the most highly anticipated 2026 films is David Lowery’s psychological drama-thriller-horror Mother Mary. The film will see Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel play estranged best friends reuniting, but there’s something more to their friendship that meets the eye.
Hathaway is said to play Mother Mary, a “Lady Gaga-Taylor Swift hybrid”, while Coel is Sam, her former best friend and costume designer. Furthermore, the film will be scored by original music, written and produced by Jack Antonoff, Charli XCX and FKA Twigs.
Mother Mary is scheduled to be released in April 2026.
Stop! That! Train!
RuPaul fans listen up, the star’s Drag Race film is set to premiere in May of next year, and it stars from of our drag queen favs. Stop! That! Train! follows best friends and train stewardesses Tess (Ginger Minj) and DeeDee (Jujubee), who trade their roles at the Stank Rail for the Glamazonian Express.
However, the camp comedy is far from smooth sailing. The pair must join forces with first-class attendants (Brooke Lynn Hytes, Marcia Marcia Marcia, Symone) and President Gagwell (RuPaul) when a catastrophic “Stormaganza” threatens to derail the high-speed train.
Stop! That! Train! is set to be released on May 29.
Hearstopper Forever
2026 will see us bid farewell to the beloved Heartstopper universe. The Netflix hit show is concluding its final chapter with a film that is set to tie up the story told through three previous seasons.
Adapted from Alice Oseman’s upcoming sixth graphic novel, as well as the novella, Nick and Charlie, Heartstopper Forever will mark the end of Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) and Charlie Spring’s (Joe Locke) queer teen love story.
Hearstopper Forever is due to be released in 2026.
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma
The upcoming third feature from critically acclaimed I Saw the TV Glow director Jane Schoenbrun is Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. The film stars Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson and Hacks’ Hannah Einbinder.
The film follows a queer filmmaker who is hired to direct a reboot of the infamous Camp Miasma slasher franchise. However, when the director becomes obsessed with the ‘final girl’ actress in the original movie, these two women descend into a psychosexual mania.
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is due to be released in 2026.
The Housekeeper
Adapted from Rose Tremain’s short story and forthcoming novel, The Housekeeper is a fictionalised telling of the inspiration behind Du Maurier’s classic gothic tale Rebecca. Pulp Fiction’s Uma Thurman and Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor will be helming this evocative romance set in the wild landscape of Cornwall.
Danni (Thurman) is a housekeeper working for the wealthy Lord DeWithers (Anthony Hopkins) when she meets novelist Daphne Du Maurier (Dynevor). Also, this 1930s secret lesbian romance is bound to include twists and turns with mounting desire, deceit, ambition, fear and legacy.
The Housekeeper is expected to have a UK release in 2026.
Forbidden Fruits
The upcoming horror Forbidden Fruits is an adaptation of Lily Houghton’s play Of the Women Came the Beginning of Sin, and Through Her We All Die. The film has an impressively stacked cast, including Hustlers’ Lili Reinhart, The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Lola Tung, You’s Victoria Pedretti, Barbie’s Alexandra Shipp and Emma Chamberlain in her debut performance.
The film is set to follow a young woman who secretly runs a witchy femme cult. However, when a new woman enters their realm, their sisterhood is questioned. Equal parts camp and thrilling, make sure Meredith Alloway’s film is on your 2026 LGBTQ+ film watchlist.
Forbidden Fruits is expected to have a UK release in 2026.
