Looking for a fun way to celebrate Pride Month or support queer creators and artists? If not, then bye, Felicia! But seriously, there are two big releases happening this weekend you should be aware of: Leviticus and Girls Like Girls.
I’m super stoked to watch both of these films, which are drastically different in nearly every aspect. Leviticus is a horror film that tackles homophobia in a new, intense way we haven’t seen before, while Girls Like Girls is a much lighter romantic flick, based on Hayley Kiyoko’s 2023 book and her music. What do they both have in common? Celebrating young love in their own way.
About Leviticus
Directed by Adrian Chiarella, the new queer horror film stars Joe Bird as Naim, a teenager living in a small, religious town. Naim’s newfound secret romantic relationship with his classmate Ryan, and subsequent discovery of Ryan’s dalliances with another boy, Hunter, have terrible consequences. This movie looks super dark, holds a lot of tension, and is recommended for any horror fan at large. I can’t wait to see it and all of its layers.
Read our review, which reviewer Eric Goldman states “Adrian Chiarella’s Leviticus is an involving, meaningful, and legitimately creepy horror movie. Chiarella’s story about gay youth being punished for simply being the way they are is emotional and thoughtful while also simply working well as a horror story, blending the real-life prejudices that inspired it with the supernatural curse laid upon its characters in a highly effective manner.”
About Girls Like Girls
In this film, teenager Coley navigates intimacy after her mother’s passing when she moves to a small town. She meets Sonya and new feelings and confusion emerges, as self-doubt hinders their connection. Coley can’t help it anymore, and gets pulled into Sonya’s world, learning to lean into her emotions. It’s a sweet tribute to Hayley’s coming out ballad in 2015, Girls Like Girls, which expanded into a novel in 2023 with the same name, and now this film in 2026!
For More:
In case you missed it, we have special clips from the film’s director and lead actor as part of IGN Live exclusives from our Pride Panel earlier this month. Catch it at the beginning of the panel after the trailer:
You can catch both films across US theaters this weekend, starting Friday, June 19th. Happy Pride!
Lindsey (she/her) is IGN’s Director of Audience Development and Commerce. She’s been at IGN since 2021 and has a background in SEO, especially in the gaming, entertainment, and tech media spaces.
