Films everyone must watch, according to me.

I must confess that, as a former film major (undergrad), I have committed the ultimate sin. The only content I consume on a daily basis are cartoons or RuPaul’s Drag Race. That being said, there are a select few films that I cannot recommend enough. I believe that everyone on Earth should watch these movies. Since I can’t lock each of you in my living room and feverishly rant at you for hours, I have put them here.

Please watch these films. THIS IS NOT SPONSORED.

Disco’s Revenge (2024)

A crowd of people dancing at a disco party with a large disco ball overhead and colorful lights; text overlaid reading 'Disco's Revenge' and 'The Rise, Fall & Incredible Rebirth of Disco'.

“Disco. Never. Died. DISCO'S REVENGE is a pulsating deep dive into the very soul of disco music and its impact across genres and history. Told by the people who created it, nurtured it, and in turn, discovered themselves on the dancefloor.” — IMDB

I watched this on a flight and was covered in goosies the whole time. Those funky toons transcended me out of that fart filled cage and into an era I’m so envious to have missed.

Fire of love (2022)

Two scientists in protective suits standing near a large flowing lava wall with the text 'fire of love' at the bottom.

“Intrepid scientists and lovers Katia and Maurice Krafft died in a volcanic explosion doing the very thing that brought them together: unraveling the mysteries of volcanoes by capturing the most explosive imagery ever recorded.” — IMDB

A film that is visually as beautiful as the story it tells. I still think about Katia and Maurice everytime I find a cool litle rock.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021)

A poster featuring a miniature figure with a camera and shoes hanging from a parachute, titled 'Marcel: The Shell with Shoes On' with additional text about a documentary film.

“A cash-strapped documentary maker decides to make his newest documentary about a mollusk shell he finds living in his Airbnb with his friends.” — IMDB

If I’m being transparent, I’ve only seen this film once, and I’m not sure I could handle seeing it again. I watched this in theaters shortly after losing my grandmother, and god did it destroy me. Not only did I have to physically suppress my throat from making audible whaling noises from how badly I was crying, but I also got my chewing gum lodged in my gullet as well. Safe to say the memories of this film lasted as long as the gum in my tummy.

Paris Is Burning (1990)

Black and white promotional poster for the film 'Paris Is Burning', featuring a woman with voluminous curly hair in 1980s fashion, standing with her hand on her hip, with a background of seated silhouettes.

“A chronicle of New York's drag scene in the 1980s, focusing on balls, voguing and the ambitions and dreams of those who gave the era its warmth and vitality.” — IMDB

Ok, this is the one where I would sit you down and ask you whether or not you’ve seen this film or not. Regardless of your answer, I’d give you a little smack because that’s how serious I take this. THIS IS FUNDEMENTAL QUEER CULTURE. It’s not always a ball, but it’s magic.

Ratatouille (2007)

The animated movie poster for Disney Pixar's Ratatouille showing a rat dressed as a chef holding a spoon, a young man cooking in a kitchen with a city view, and a female chef and a stern male chef in the background, with a large blue sign that says 'Ratatouille' at the top.

“A rat who can cook makes an unusual alliance with a young kitchen worker at a famous Paris restaurant.” — IMDB

I honestly feel like I don’t even need to explain this one.

CLIMAX (2018)

Red poster for the film "Come as You Are" with multiple people lying or sitting around on the floor, some in provocative poses, and a DJ setup on the left side.

French dancers gather in a remote, empty school building to rehearse on a wintry night. The all-night celebration morphs into a hallucinatory nightmare when they learn their sangria is laced with LSD. — IMDB

Horrific, so well done. Showed this to my roommates, and it gave them a panic attack… just thought I would put that out there. Cinematographically, this is a masterpiece.