Chosen families have been synonymous with the queer experience. Indeed, per Psychology Today, the term originated within the LGBTQ+ community, referring to the non-biological kinship bonds that a lot of queer people make as they find a supportive network of people that would typically come from biological families. For many LGBTQ+ characters in TV and film, queer narratives often consist of a character either finding or already existing — and, more significantly, thriving — within their chosen family.

Hollywood has historically demonized queer people on-screen, or, in many instances, portrayed them using tired trope that give characters zero substance and are, for LGBTQ+ audiences, frustrating to watch. LGBTQ+ cinema's history is riddled with less-than-ideal representations. However, as time has progressed, we have seen better and more respectful LGBTQ+ representation on our screens.

and since the Hays Code ended in 1968, Hollywood was slowly able to tell stories which mirrored the real-life experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. There's been a shift in focusing on queer narratives driven by those with queer experiences. Part of this shift has seen the inclusion of the importance of happy endings, which often lie in the discovery of one's chosen family. Here are our picks for the best films that show that successfully.

8 The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower was released in 2012 and is a coming-of-age drama written and directed by Stephen Chbosky, based on his own 1999 novel of the same name. The film is narrated from Charlie's (Logan Lehrman) POV. Charlie, who is a struggling after a recent suicide attempt, befriends a group of outcasts. This includes Patrick (Ezra Miller) and Sam (Emma Watson). They bond through their shared experience of not fitting in, and the film features moving moments where they discuss life and their future. The film features an unapologetic queer character who loves himself and possesses depth of character, which is a refreshing portrayal. It’s an enjoyable film that highlights the power of a chosen family.

Related: 12 Groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Movies of the 21st Century

7 Tangerine

Tangerine is a 2015 comedy-drama directed by Sean Baker, and features performances from Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, and James Ransone. The plot focuses on two transgender sex works named Alexandra (Taylor) and Sin-Dee-Rella (Rodriguez) in West Hollywood. They discover that Sin-Dee-Rella’s boyfriend has been unfaithful while she has been in prison, which results in their comedic quest to find out more information. The movie was shot entirely on an iPhone 5S, and is a genuinely funny film that depicts sex work in a tone that does not feel distasteful or preachy.

6 The Birdcage

The Birdcage, released in 1996, was directed by Mike Nichols and starred Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dianne Wiest, Dan Futterman, Calista Flockhart, Hank Azaria, and Christine Baranski. This was one of the first mainstream movies that, per BBC, positioned gay characters as likable characters that the viewer would naturally root for. The story depicts Armand (Williams) and Albert (Lane) who are a couple preparing for a visit from their conservative in-laws. They try to conceal their identity in a humorous way, which displays the difference between chosen and real families.

5 Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Rocky Horror Picture Show was completely original when it was released in 1975, and combines the horror and comedy genres in the format of a musical. The film is about exploring sexual and gender freedom, and helped to popularize the era of ‘midnight movies’, which became a safe space for LGBTQ+ pictures to be screened. The film has remained culturally significant and is a monumental viewing experience for many LGBTQ+ young people who are beginning to explore the themes, which are portrayed on screen, in their own lives. The film depicts chosen families on-screen, however, has also created a strong fan base who have found a community among each other.

4 Punks

Punks was released in 2000 and stars Rockmond Dunbar, Seth Gilliam, Renoly Santiago, Jazzmun, and Dwight Ewell. The film focuses on a group of gay friends, exploring Black gay life through themes of identity and belonging. The film was hugely popular at film festival, but issues with copywriting over the use of Sister Sledge music resulted in distribution issues, which hindered its success. The film depicts chosen families in a way which is beautiful, placing friendship at the forefront of all that it does.

Related: Best Movies About Black LGBTQ+ Characters, Ranked

3 The Broken Hearts Club

The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy was released in 2000, directed and written by Greg Berlanti. The movie was one of the first to celebrate the beauty of a chosen queer family, depicting the lives of people who join a gay softball team while navigating the complexities that accompany dating in the queer world. The film does not lace the queer experience with tragedy, but rather with joy and companionship, which is refreshing to experience.

2 Pink Flamingos

Pink Flamingos is a 1972 film created by John Waters and is part of what Waters calls the ‘Trash Trilogy’, also featuring Female Troubles and Desperate Living. The film stars Divine as Barbs Johnson, who is a criminal proud to be the ‘filthiest person alive’. The characters that are presented here relish in filth rather than glamour. The film celebrates difference in an absurd and over the top, grotesque fashion, which is a commentary on the beauty of not fitting in. It’s a significant film in queer history and continues to unite new waves of queer people with its impact.

1 Paris is Burning

Paris is Burning is a monumental documentary that represented a significant change in LGBTQ+ representation on-screen. The film was created by Jennie Livingston and depicts a vibrant underground ballroom scene in 1990 New York City. The film allows a window into the glamorous elements of ballroom culture while also depicting the daily dangers that the community faced. Paris is Burning portrays the importance of community and chosen family in navigating a dangerous world and is a truly monumental piece of film history.