Discover the passion and emotion of Spanish cinema with our selection of the top 16 Spanish lesbian films. These films explore love, desire, and the complexities of human relationships while celebrating the beauty and diversity of LGBTQ+ narratives. Whether you are a fan of Spanish cinema or simply looking to expand your cinematic horizons, these films are sure to captivate and inspire.
1. Carmen y Lola（2018）
“Carmen y Lola” is a 2018 Spanish film about two young Roma girls who fall in love despite the societal and cultural challenges they face. Directed by Arantxa Echevarría, the film explores their forbidden same-sex romance and the pressures they encounter from their families and community. It is a heartfelt and thought-provoking portrayal of love and resilience in the face of adversity.
2. Julieta (2016)
Directed by the legendary Pedro Almodóvar, this Spanish drama tells the story of Julieta, a middle-aged woman whose past comes back to haunt her when she discovers that her estranged daughter is living in the same city. Julieta’s past unfolds through a series of flashbacks, revealing a tumultuous love affair with another woman that left a lasting impact on her life.
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3. Room in Rome (2010)
This intimate Spanish drama, directed by Julio Médem, explores the passionate and transformative encounter between two women who spend a single night together in a hotel room in Rome. As they reveal their deepest secrets and desires, the two women develop a connection that transcends their physical encounter, leaving a lasting impression on both of them.
4. The Firefly (2013)
This magical realist drama, directed by Ana Maria Hermida, tells the story of Lucia and Mariana, two women brought together by the tragic death of Lucia’s brother, who was also Mariana’s fiancé. As they bond over their shared grief, the two women develop a deep and powerful connection that evolves into a passionate love affair.
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5. Girl Gets Girl (2015)
This Spanish romantic comedy, directed by Sonia Sebastián, follows the adventures of Inés, a woman who returns to her hometown in Spain after a decade away in Miami. As she reconnects with her friends and family, Inés also navigates her complicated love life, which includes an old flame, a new crush, and a few unexpected twists along the way.
6. Rara (2016)
“Rara” is a Chilean-Argentinian co-produced film directed by Pepa San Martín. Based on true events, the movie tells the story of a mother living with her lesbian partner and her two daughters. The film focuses on the struggles of a family dealing with societal pressure and unfair treatment. Although “Rara” is not a Spanish production, it is in the Spanish language, making it a suitable recommendation for a Spanish-language lesbian-themed film.
7. Las herederas (2018)
Chela (Ana Brun) and Chiquita (Margarita Irun) are a long-term lesbian couple. Chela, a passive and introverted painter, prefers to stay at home, hiding behind her easel, while Chiquita takes charge of household affairs. As time passes, Chiquita’s efforts alone cannot sustain their finances, and gradually their economic situation worsens.
Disaster strikes when financial problems lead to Chiquita being sent to prison, forcing Chela to leave home and venture into the real world. She becomes a taxi driver and experiences the warmth and harshness of society. During this time, Chela meets a girl named Angy (Ana Ivanova).
8. Elisa & Marcela (2019)
The story begins in 1898 in the city of La Coruña, northwest Spain. Marcela (Greta Fernández), a new student in a monastery, meets Elisa (Natalia de Molina), a girl with whom she quickly forms a deep friendship that gradually transforms into innocent love.
Such forbidden affection was not allowed at that time. To separate them, Marcela’s father sends her to another school in Madrid. Three years pass in the blink of an eye, and now Elisa works as a teacher in a small village. Marcela, determined, travels there to find her, and the two lovers reunite. However, their love cannot withstand the criticisms of society. Elisa chooses to leave, while Marcela marries a man.
9. Eloïse (2009)
Alicia (Diana Gómez) is a beautiful 18-year-old girl. For her, youth does not bring freedom and happiness but rather pressure and family constraints, leaving her feeling frustrated and in pain. By chance, Alicia meets the mysterious Eloïse (Ariadna Cabrol), whose unconventional behavior captivates her. As time goes by, the distance between Eloïse and Alicia diminishes, and Alicia realizes that her feelings for Eloïse are more than just friendship.
Under Eloïse’s guidance, Alicia’s soul and body gradually find liberation. However, Alicia’s conservative and rigid mother sees this as a negative development and does everything in her power to obstruct their relationship. Will this pure and passionate connection in a murky world receive blessings?
10. My Mother Likes Women (2002)
Sofia (Rosa María Sardà) is a single mother raising three daughters: Elvira (Leonor Watling), Sol (Silvia Abascal), and Jimena (María Pujalte). Unknown to them, Sofia is a lesbian, and she has suppressed her passionate feelings for the sake of her daughters. Finally, when she believes her daughters are old enough to handle the truth, Sofia introduces her young girlfriend Alaska (Eliska Sirová) to them. The girls’ reaction is unexpected and makes Sofia realize they are not ready for her “sudden” transformation.
The three girls decide to join forces and plot to drive away this “stepmother” who is almost their age. However, Alaska is a clever and gentle woman who uses her wisdom to resolve the challenges one by one.
11. A love to keep (2006)
Pilar and Elvira, two teachers in Spain during the waning years of the Franco era, become friends, then roommates, then ardent lovers. But their blissful time together ends abruptly because during this period in Spain, their love is illegal. When Pilar’s domineering mother discovers her daughter’s Sapphic propensity, she institutionalizes her, despite her father’s objections, telling the doctor to do whatever it takes to “cure” her daughter.
For years, Elvira searches for Pilar, writing letters to every asylum in Spain, and imploring Pilar’s parents to tell her where she is. But Pilar’s mother is resolute. When Elvira finally locates the asylum on her own, the guards refuse her entry, and the emotional anticlimax brings her to her knees.
She continues teaching, all the while pining in misery for her one true love. But her plight cannot compare with that of Pilar, who must endure drastic behavioral conditioning and isolation as part of her “therapy”. Drained of all her will, and traumatized by the relentless, harsh treatment, Pilar finally convinces her doctor she has lost all attraction to women. Only then does the asylum release her. In the custody of her parents, who severely restrict her comings and goings, she functions as a shadow of her former self.
One fateful evening, Elvira shows up at her doorstep, and Pilar’s mother turns her away once more. Watching from an upstairs window, Pilar’s father witnesses the crestfallen Elvira. Incapable of allowing this injustice to continue any further, he sneaks Pilar some money and instructs her to escape and find the happiness she deserves.
Pilar at once finds Elvira, and for a time, they rejoice in their reunion, openly displaying their affection in public. “It’s not like it used to be”, Elvira tells her, explaining that times have fortunately changed. But the difficult years have taken their toll, both physically and mentally. Though Pilar loves Elvira deeply, the memories of her ordeal will not quickly fade, and the scars again test their bond.
12. 80 egunean (2010)
Axun, 70 years old, comes to the hospital to take care of her daughter’s ex-husband but unexpectedly discovers that the woman taking care of the patient in the next bed is her former dear friend Maite. Although they haven’t seen each other for many years, their friendship remains strong. They chat and confide in each other just like they did 50 years ago. They enjoy the joy of reunion, but soon Axun discovers Maite’s lesbian identity, which leaves her torn between reason and her inner impulses.
13. I Love Her (2017)
This story revolves around Natalie, a musician who moves to a big city to pursue fame. In her new surroundings, she not only finds a great opportunity for her career but also falls in love with Anna, another girl. Despite their differences, one being poor and the other rich, one being a musician and the other unable to hear or speak, their love binds them together. However, their own fears hinder their happiness. They both struggle with doubts and pain. When they finally find courage in their hearts, it seems like it might be too late. But does true love have a time limit?
14. Notes Apart Season 1-2 (2016-2017)
Sara, an apathetic teenager, receives art history tutoring from Helena. Little do they know that these simple art lessons will become a personal journey for Sara to accept herself.
15. Tierra de Lobos Season 1-3 (2010-2013)
In 1875, the Bravo brothers, Cesar and Roman, lose their partners during a robbery in Portugal. They return to their hometown to find only a barren land and a dilapidated thatched house. With these limited resources, they must start anew, leaving their past behind. However, their aspirations are shattered by the powerful and strict landowner, Robe. Robe dictates the actions of the poor villagers as he pleases, seeing the arrival of these two outsiders as a threat to his dictatorship.
16. Las Pelotaris 1926 Season 1 (2023)
The series follows Chelo, Idoya, and Iz, three pelota players who strive to achieve their dreams in the 1920s. They are determined to break free from societal constraints and live life on their own terms.
These top 16 Spanish lesbian films offer a diverse and captivating selection of love stories that celebrate the beauty and complexity of LGBTQ+ relationships. Whether you are a fan of Spanish cinema or simply looking to expand your cinematic horizons, these films are sure to inspire and captivate.
