15 Movies Accused of Queer-Baiting That Never Delivered

As a moviegoer, I’ve been following the ongoing debate about ‘queer-baiting,’ and it’s something I see happening way too often. Basically, it’s when a film’s marketing or the movie itself implies a relationship between LGBTQ+ characters, hoping to draw in viewers who are eager for that kind of representation. But then, that relationship never actually happens! You get a lot of lingering looks and suggestive comments, leading you to believe something romantic is brewing, only to be disappointed. It feels like studios are trying to appeal to a more progressive audience without fully committing, possibly to avoid issues with censorship in certain international markets. I’ve noticed this tactic in a few films lately, and they’ve all sparked a lot of discussion about storylines that ultimately led nowhere.

‘Sherlock Holmes’ (2009)

Guy Ritchie’s film version of Sherlock Holmes really emphasized the close, often combative, relationship between Holmes and Watson. Many people watching saw their constant arguing and physical closeness as hinting at romantic feelings, rather than just a strong friendship. The movie deliberately played with this idea, suggesting a connection without ever explicitly confirming any romantic attraction. Robert Downey Jr. even added to the speculation during interviews, while the story itself kept their relationship purely platonic.

‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019)

I was so excited by the hints in the marketing that Finn and Poe might finally become a couple! Oscar Isaac and John Boyega had amazing chemistry, and so many of us were really hoping to see that develop into something special over the course of the trilogy. I was honestly disappointed when the film ultimately gave them separate romantic interests with characters we’d just met. Disney promised a groundbreaking LGBTQ+ moment, but it ended up being a very quick, almost throwaway kiss between two background characters. It just didn’t feel like the payoff we’d been hoping for.

‘Beauty and the Beast’ (2017)

As a big Disney fan, I remember a lot of buzz around the live-action Beauty and the Beast because director Bill Condon said we’d finally see an explicitly gay moment with LeFou. People were really hoping for a substantial storyline about his feelings for Gaston, something that would actually develop the character. What we got, though, was a quick dance with another man during the big ballroom scene at the end. It made headlines, sure, but honestly, the actual on-screen representation lasted only a few seconds. It felt a little disappointing after all the anticipation.

‘Pitch Perfect’ (2012)

Fans quickly noticed a strong connection between Beca and Chloe throughout the movie, and many hoped they would become a couple. Over the course of three sequels, the films hinted at a romantic possibility while ultimately portraying them as close friends. Marketing for the franchise often emphasized their bond, suggesting a deeper connection than just friendship.

‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)

In this Marvel movie, Steve Rogers puts his life on hold to protect his lifelong friend, Bucky Barnes, from being hunted worldwide. The deep connection between them is the central emotional core of the story, taking precedence over any rules or other relationships. Some viewers have interpreted Captain America’s unwavering loyalty to Bucky as something more than just friendship. However, the film pushes a traditional romantic storyline by having Steve end up with Sharon Carter, even though their connection isn’t fully developed.

‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ (2021)

Kelly Marie Tran, who voiced the main character Raya, discussed seeing the character as queer in interviews. The complex relationship between Raya and Namaari, with its conflict and eventual forgiveness, reminded many viewers of romantic storylines. Their meaningful glances and past connection led some to expect a romantic confession by the end of the film. However, Disney maintained a purely platonic relationship between the characters, even though both the audience and Tran herself sensed a deeper connection.

‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ (2018)

J.K. Rowling had previously stated that Dumbledore was gay, leading fans to anticipate his romantic history with Grindelwald would be a key part of this movie series. However, the first film only hinted at their connection through ambiguous references and a magical pact, never clearly defining their relationship. It wasn’t until the next movie in the series that the characters explicitly spoke about their love for each other.

‘Thor: Ragnarok’ (2017)

Tessa Thompson played Valkyrie knowing the character is bisexual in the original comics. A scene showing her with a female partner was filmed, but it didn’t make it into the final movie. While the film hinted at her past as a warrior and showed her enjoying a drink, it didn’t explicitly address her sexuality. Fans had to wait for a later movie to see confirmation of her identity.

‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ (2018)

As a fan, I was really excited when the screenwriter, Jonathan Kasdan, shared that Lando Calrissian is pansexual! Donald Glover totally nailed the role, and there were definitely moments – like his playful interactions with Han and even a droid – that hinted at it. But honestly, the movie itself never directly said he was pansexual, it just showed him being a charismatic and stylish guy. It felt a little weird that they talked about it beforehand, but then didn’t really show it in the film itself, you know?

‘Bend It Like Beckham’ (2002)

The movie centers around Jess, who secretly plays soccer despite her parents’ disapproval. A misunderstanding arises with her friend Jules, leading her parents to believe they are romantically involved. The film initially uses the suggestion of a lesbian relationship for comedic effect, but later establishes both girls as heterosexual. Despite this controversial use of queer identity to further the stories of straight characters, the film remains popular with audiences.

‘Power Rangers’ (2017)

When the movie was first released, many people were excited about Trini being presented as the first LGBTQ+ superhero in a big film series. One scene included a character asking if Trini was having relationship problems, but it wasn’t specified if the problems were with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Trini didn’t confirm anything and the movie didn’t explore her identity any further. Because of this, many felt the initial excitement about her inclusion didn’t match the small amount of information actually shown in the final version of the film.

‘Luca’ (2021)

The film centers on two young sea monsters who disguise their true identities to experience the human world. Many viewers connected with their story, seeing it as a metaphor for the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face when coming out to families who might not accept them. While director Enrico Casarosa stated the film was intended to portray a close childhood friendship, some fans felt this dismissal overlooked a perfectly reasonable interpretation of the story’s themes.

‘Magic Mike XXL’ (2015)

The film’s sequel gained a large following within the gay community due to its celebration of male relationships and exploration of sexuality. A memorable scene in a drag club showcases male performers voguing and positively engaging with the LGBTQ+ community. However, despite this inclusivity, the central characters consistently remain straight, and the film hints at the potential for same-sex attraction without ever fully developing a queer narrative for them.

‘Frozen II’ (2019)

A huge online campaign gained international attention as fans hoped the next movie would give Elsa, the Ice Queen, a female love interest. Elsa isn’t interested in boys and is instead focused on understanding herself and learning about her family. While it’s unusual for a Disney princess to not have a romantic storyline, the filmmakers didn’t portray her as LGBTQ+. They chose to keep her relationship status open to interpretation, rather than directly addressing fan requests.

‘Cruella’ (2021)

I really loved the character Artie in the movie! He’s this super stylish guy, a total glam rock fan, and he becomes friends with the main hero. Honestly, his look and the way he acts were clearly inspired by queer culture and David Bowie – it was amazing. It was a little disappointing though, because while he felt so authentically queer-coded, the filmmakers didn’t actually give him a boyfriend or ever state his sexuality outright. He’s a fantastic sidekick who helps the female lead, but it felt like his own story, especially romantically, was left unfinished.

Tell us which movie on this list disappointed you the most in the comments.

2025-12-02 18:46