31 LGBTQ+ Teen Rom-Coms Like Love Simon That Will Have You Crying and Laughing
Teen rom-coms and coming-of-age stories have been a staple of cinema for decades. While these genres gained widespread popularity in the 1980s, it wasn’t until 2018 that a teen rom-com with a fresh, inclusive twist emerged. Love, Simon tells the story of a teenage boy, Simon, grappling with the challenges of coming out—an experience that many viewers could relate to, yet one rarely depicted in mainstream films of the genre. Unlike many previous films, Simon's journey is not about punishment or torment for his sexuality, but about navigating love, acceptance, and self-discovery. This refreshing approach helped Love, Simon resonate with both younger and older audiences alike, earning its place as one of the first LGBTQ-inclusive mainstream teen rom-coms.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.
The film’s significance goes beyond just its storytelling. Love, Simon contributes to the larger conversation about LGBTQ+ representation in film, especially in mainstream media targeted at younger audiences. As Shelia O’Malley pointed out in her review for RogerEbert.com, films like Call Me by Your Name and Blue is the Warmest Color were pivotal in normalizing LGBTQ+ love stories, but Love, Simon stands out for bringing such themes to a teenage demographic. It’s a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ visibility in cinema.
If you loved Love, Simon and are looking for more teen films that embrace similar themes of identity, love, and acceptance, here are some excellent picks that should be on your watchlist:
1. Alex Strangelove (2018)
In Alex Strangelove, Daniel Doheny plays Alex Truelove, a high schooler caught between his desire to lose his virginity to his girlfriend (Madeline Weinstein) and his growing feelings for a boy named Elliot. The film is a modern take on the teen rom-com, blending humor and heart in a way that mirrors Love, Simon. While the movie's tone can feel a bit self-aware at times, its message of embracing one’s true identity resonates strongly with viewers. Critics like Entertainment Weekly noted its clever, albeit bold, approach to the coming-out narrative.
2. Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Although Call Me by Your Name is not your typical teen rom-com, it’s an essential watch for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ love stories. Set in the sun-drenched Italian countryside, it follows 17-year-old Elio as he embarks on a passionate romance with an older man, Oliver. While the film's mature themes and R-rating make it more suited to older viewers, the depiction of love and self-discovery is timeless. For fans of Love, Simon, Call Me by Your Name offers a more intense, yet equally beautiful, exploration of coming-of-age and identity.
3. The Thing About Harry (2020)
This film takes a playful look at a long-running friendship between two young men, Sam and Harry, who begin to realize their feelings for one another may go beyond friendship. Rated TV-14, The Thing About Harry is a sweet rom-com with relatable characters and a strong LGBTQ+ presence, making it a delightful addition to any watchlist. Grey's Anatomy fans will especially appreciate the cast, which includes Jake Borelli, known for his role as Dr. Levi Schmitt on the show.
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Based on Stephen Chbosky’s best-selling novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows Charlie, a shy, socially awkward teen, as he navigates high school, friendship, and his own emotional trauma. While not exclusively an LGBTQ+ story, the film includes elements of LGBTQ+ representation and features a character who is grappling with his own identity. The film’s universal themes of belonging, trauma, and self-discovery are coupled with an unforgettable soundtrack, making it a must-watch for anyone who loved the heartfelt, introspective nature of Love, Simon.
More Movies Like Love, Simon:
- Booksmart (2019)
- Geography Club (2013)
- Akron (2015)
- Moonlight (2016)
- Edge of Seventeen (1998)
- Boys (2014)
- Shelter (2007)
- The Way He Looks (2014)
- Handsome Devil (2016)
- Hidden Kisses (2016)
- Latter Days (2003)
- Being 17 (2016)
- Beautiful Thing (1996)
- Water Lilies (2007)
- Lost and Delirious (2001)
- Dating Amber (2020)
- Life Partners (2014)
- Every Day (2018)
- Weekend (2011)
- Lady Bird (2017)
- Boy Erased (2018)
- The Half of It (2020)
- North Sea Texas (2011)
- Giant Little Ones (2018)
- Heartstone (2016)
- My Own Private Idaho (1991)
- Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)
These films, like Love, Simon, explore themes of self-discovery, love, and the complexities of navigating identity, whether it’s as a teenager or an adult. Each one brings something unique to the table, from heartfelt moments to rich, character-driven storytelling.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