Transgender Movie Recommendations
This is a list of movies with transgender themes or actors. It doesn't include cross-dressing movies such as Tootsie or Mrs. Doubtfire because those movies—as wonderful as they are—tend not to deal with transgender issues. Initially it only included movies that would be safe to share with family and friends, but enough people objected about leaving out some of the true stories with tragic endings, so be sure to screen them before sharing. Please email additions and corrections.
Boy Meets Girl (2014)
A sex-positive movie about growing up trans in a small town. Hint: It's not all bad. Transsexual actor Michelle Hendley gives a wonderful performance.
Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story (2014)
In some ways a typical American adult FTM transition story, and also an especially nice example of transitioning with self-acceptance and without shame.
Albert Nobbs (2011)
Glenn Close plays a 19th-century woman who disguises herself as a man to avoid poverty and is inspired when she meets another woman doing the same. This quiet film took several Oskar nominations and other awards.
Becoming Chaz (2011)
Documentary of the FTM transition of the child of Sunny and Cher, Chastity, becoming Chaz. Very honest. I felt I was there.
Romeos (2011)
A young German FTM struggles with love.
Tomboy (2011)
I can't tell if the title role is about a tomboy, t-boy, a boi or dyke. This French movie shows some of the earliest difficulties in the life of someone otherly gendered. It is also nice to see more TG movies showing that end of the spectrum.
It's a Boy Girl Thing (2006)
Typical unwitting body-swap comedy but who doesn't love a good forced feminization story now and then?
A Soap (2006)
Trans slice-of-life movie. Touching love between a transsexual woman and a genetic woman both floundering and helping each other.
20 Centimeters (2005)
Spanish movie about a narcoleptic transwoman trying to navigate difficult relationship issues while attempting to save enough for her bottom surgery.
Transamerica (2005)
Feliclity Huffman gives an Oscar-worthy performance of a transwoman reconciling her past on the eve of her final surgery. She was nominated for best actress but the award went to Reese Witherspoon for her work in Walk the Line. I can hardly see how one could compare the two works but then I am very biased. Maybe not enough of the judges bothered to see the movie.
Wild Side (2004)
Transsexual actor Stéphanie Michelini gives an extremely intimate portrayal of some of the joys and difficulties of being transgendered.
Beautiful Boxer (2004)
True story of the public transition of a Thai boxer.
Normal (2003)
Reasonably realistic story of a man transitioning within marriage. Most people assume that a married person transitioning implies devorce, but it is important to realize that this is not always the case. Even sexual attraction can survive even when the partner's sexual orientation does not change.
Soldier's Girl (2003)
Warning, this true story is tragic and the movie contains some graphic violence, but it is also a true story and the movie is well done.
The Badge (2002)
Mysterious death of a transsexual woman. Somewhat educational look at what it means to be transgendered in America.
The Cockettes (2002)
Good documentary on a early San Francisco drag phenomenon.
Venus Boyz (2002)
A fascinating glimpse into the worlds of drag kings and female-to-male transsexuals.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
By far my favorite TG movie.
Princesa (2001)
Extremely realistic look at the life of a typical transsexual sex worker. Respectfully shows that being non-op is an acceptable choice.
Southern Comfort (2001)
Excellent documentary on transsexual lives and relationships featuring a beautiful relationship between an MTF and a FTM.
Wonder Boys (2000)
Contains a transgender minor character as the girlfriend of the character played by Robert Downey Jr. Notable only in that her TG status doesn't become an issue or a joke.
Better Than Chocolate (1999)
Another nice little story with a transgender character who's just another character.
Boys Don't Cry (1999)
Very big and excellent biography of FTM transgender Brandon Teena.
Flawless (1999)
Realistic story underscores the common humanity of a drag queen as discovered by a redneck character played by Robert DeNiro.
All About My Mother (1999)
Just a fun movie involving a family member who has transitioned.
Ma Vie en Rose (1997)
A touching story about a feminine boy who resists societal conditioning to be masculine.
Different for Girls (1996)
A story of deep friendship.
To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995)
Drag queen road movie. Not very deep but who can resist watching Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze in drag!
Wigstock: The Movie (1995)
Penetrating documentary into the lives of drag queens.
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
M. Butterfly (1993)
An amazingly good film.
The Crying Game (1992)
Love among the trans-folk.
Just Like a Woman (1992)
Realistic look at some of the personal problems experienced by transgenders.
Orlando (1992)
A rather boring movie IMHO, but main character experiences life from both sides and is therefore notable.
Prelude to a Kiss (1992)
Another movie where people experience life from both sides, but this one is fun, sensitive, and romantic.
Switch (1991)
A remake of Goodbye Charlie. Very funny.
Myra Breckinridge (1970)
The main character changes her sex to exact revenge. From the Gore vidal novel that shocked the nation. Movie techniques are far ahead of their time.
Goodbye Charlie (1964)
Another died-and-sent-back-to-earth-fix-mistakes movie but with a twist: He's got to do it in a woman's body.
Resources for new t-girls and transwomen
Return to the Superliminal home page