Last month, many cinephiles and casual moviegoers reveled in "Barbenheimer," the internet phenomenon that began in anticipation of the simultaneous theatrical release of two major films: Greta Gerwig's "Barbie'' and Cristopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer." The event has been hailed as America's big return to the movies. And while that's true, there's also another — albeit more subtle — cinematic phenomenon that has been occurring in tandem.
The latter is the surge in queer films, specifically silly, feel-good queer films. LGBTQ+ representation in film has been at an all-time high in recent years but lately, there's been an uptick in queer-centric comedies and romances. In August, audiences have been able to watch the son of the U.S. president and the grandson of the British king start an unlikely romance in Prime Video's rom-com "Red, White & Royal Blue"; a pair of lesbian besties start their own fight club in the newly released teen sex comedy "Bottoms"; and an aspiring queer toy designer struggle to navigate the New York City art scene in A24's surrealist comedy "Problemista."
