As we head into Pride month, we’re celebrating everything the LGBTQ+ community stands for, while reflecting on the struggles and challenges still present around the world. The good news is that, unlike the past two years, we can now celebrate in person – and that’s made doubly exciting by the fact that 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the first UK Pride.

To maintain our excitement level throughout the entire month, we’ve rounded up all our favourite queer films and shows, which you can enjoy in On Demand. As well as that, you can immerse yourself in a full weekend of LGBTQ+ films with the Sky Cinema Pride HD pop-up channel from Friday 10 June to Monday 13 June (CH 410). See below for some of the movie highlights.

Queer As Folk

Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Box Sets. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Box Sets

Other TV shows, notably EastEnders and Brookside, had featured gay characters but QAF was the first British TV drama to focus entirely on gay people. Step back in time to late 90s/early 00s Canal Street, to immerse in the lives of Stuart, Vince and Nathan, three friends living, working and partying in Manchester.  

Will & Grace

Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Box Sets. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Box Sets

Will (Eric McCormack) is a successful gay corporate lawyer in the Big Apple. And his best friend Grace (Debra Messing), an interior designer, needs a place to crash for a couple of days. Spoiler… it’s not a couple of days. All 11 seasons, both the original and the revival, are available now.

The Legend Of The Underground

Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Box Sets. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Box Sets

This eye-opening documentary film flits between Harlem and Lagos, exposing the archaic discrimination and punishment of young gay and non-conformist Nigerians, spread across two continents.

Football’s Coming Out

Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Box Sets. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Box Sets

Blackpool FC’s Jake Daniels won support and praise when he came out recently, but openly gay male footballers remain a rarity in the elite tier of the game. Homosexuality in football has long been considered a taboo topic, but what has to happen for that to change?

Positive

Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Box Sets. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Box Sets

This Sky Original docuseries shines a light on the UK’s 40-year history with HIV. From the first recorded case in 1981 to today’s widely available treatments, we hear from those who have first-hand experience with the virus, discussing how the stigma has shifted over past four decades.  

The Rising

Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Box Sets. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Box Sets

In this supernatural crime drama, Neve Kelly (Clara Rugaard) discovers she’s dead and now exists as a ghost. Distraught and frustrated with her new reality, she resolves to track down her killer with the help of Alex (Nenda Neururer), one of the few people who can see her. As they investigate, the pair grow closer – but will the tragic circumstances keep them apart for ever? 

Tig Notaro: Drawn

Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Box Sets. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Box Sets

This animated stand-up show by celebrated US comic Tig Notaro is made even funnier when her sketches and anecdotes are brought to life with precision-timed cartoons.

Sugar Rush

Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Box Sets. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Box Sets

When 15-year-old Kim (Olivia Hallinan, Lark Rise To Candleford) relocates from London to Brighton with her embarrassing family, she longs for the bright lights of the capital. That is, until she becomes infatuated with the delightful Sugar (Lenora Crichlow, Being Human) and her devil-may-care attitude. The only problem is, Sugar isn’t gay…

Pride on Sky Cinema

Milk

Friday 10 June, 8pm, Sky Cinema Pride HD (CH 410). Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Movies. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Movies

Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk in the true story of a gay rights activist campaigning for a seat on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors during the 1970s. But even when he does finally reach office, his fight isn’t over. Penn won an Oscar for his portrayal of Milk, as did Dustin Lance Black (aka Mr Tom Daley!) for the screenplay.

Philadelphia

Saturday 11 June, 8pm, Sky Cinema Pride HD (CH 410). Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Movies. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Movies

This legal drama follows lawyer Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks), who attempts to conceal his sexual orientation and AIDS diagnosis from his employer. But when a colleague becomes suspicious about his condition and some paperwork conveniently goes missing, Beckett is dismissed from his company. Certain he’s been set up, he takes his employers to court, with help from previous legal rival Joe Miller (Denzel Washington). This is another multiple Oscar winner, including Hanks for Best Actor.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Movies. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Movies

This coming-of-age drama, scripted and directed by Stephen Chbosky (based on his own novel), centres around Charlie, a neurotic 15-year-old who suffers with depression. He’s relieved when he starts high school and befriends a new social group who help him come to terms with his true self.

Pride on the Virgin Media Store

Moonlight

Buy or rent it now. Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Virgin Media Store. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Store

“At some point, you gotta decide for yourself who you wanna be… Can’t let nobody make that decision for you.” That’s the advice offered by Juan (Mahershala Ali) in Moonlight, and it’s advice that young Chiron – played at different stages of life by Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes – struggles to follow as he faces up to poverty, violence and intolerance. Winner of three Oscars including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Ali, this is a moving and often troubling story of a black man coming to terms with his sexuality.

Pride

Buy or rent it now. Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Virgin Media Store. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Store

In the midst of the 1984 miners’ strike, a group of gay and lesbian activists realise the police have only stopped harassing their community because their attentions are elsewhere. This leads the group to campaign for financial support for the families affected by the walkout – an eye-opening experience for everyone involved. Uplifting and moving by turns, this stars Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West and Ben Schnetzer. 

The Swimmer

Rent it now. Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Virgin Media Store. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Store

Talented swimmer Erez (Omer Perelman Striks) is competing for a place on his national Olympic team. During training, he meets fellow swimmer Nevo (Asaf Jonas), with whom he shares an electric bond. And when his coach warns Erez to keep his distance, it only stokes his desires.

Great Freedom

Buy or rent from Monday 6 June. Tivo users, find it in Home > On Demand > Virgin Media Store. Virgin TV 360 and Stream users, find it in Home > Box Sets & Movies > Store

The war in Germany has ended, but liberation is not guaranteed for all. Hans (Franz Rogowski) is captured and locked up under a penal code criminalising homosexuality. On the inside, he forms an unlikely bond with cellmate Victor (Georg Friedrich).