12 Best Movies To Watch Like My Policeman

"My Policeman" is both a love story and a story about learning to love yourself. Set in the mid-20th century and based on Bethan Robert's 2012 novel, the film follows closeted gay police officer Tom Burgess (Harry Styles), who falls in love with museum curator Patrick Hazlewood (David Dawson) while married to local school teacher Marion Taylor (Emma Corrin).

With his career and social life at threat if his secret relationship is ever made public, Burgess must navigate a world where homosexuality is still illegal. At its heart, "My Policeman" is a deeply emotional love story, but it's also a stark reminder of the oppression queer people had to contend with in 1950s England.

If you enjoyed the film and are looking for more of the same, there are a number of other similar movies that may be right up your alley. From stories of secret love to gay romances and period dramas, these films all have something in common with "My Policeman" that should appeal to those who enjoyed the Amazon release.

One of the more obvious recommendations for any fan of "My Policeman" is "Another Country." The 1984 romantic drama is set in the first half of the 20th century, not too far before the events that take place in the 2022 film, with a cast that includes Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Cary Elwes, and Robert Addie.

Unlike "My Policemen," there's no love triangle at the heart of the story, and the relationships of the main character aren't really the center of attention. The narrative follows Guy Bennett — one of the only openly gay pupils at his public school — and Tommy Judd — an outsider due to his Marxist beliefs. After a crackdown at the school prompted by the suicide of a student who was caught in a sexual relationship with another boy, Bennett starts to come to terms with his own sexuality, while also understanding how he may be forced to keep that part of his identity hidden away.

Released to a positive reception from most critics, "Another Country" is a compelling story led by an exceptional cast of future stars, and it should easily satisfy fans of "My Policeman."

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Directed by noted Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci, "The Dreamers" is a 2003 movie inspired by the novel "The Holy Innocents" by author Gilbert Adair. The writer also penned the screenplay for the film, which stars Michael Pitt, Eva Green, and Louis Garrel.

The plot of "The Dreamers" follows American exchange student Matthew, who arrives in Paris and quickly strikes up a friendship with twins Isabelle and Théo. His relationship with both siblings quickly turns intimate, yielding a complicated love triangle and a lot of sexual experimentation. As Matthew's relationship with Isabelle progresses, Théo becomes jealous of the pair, leading to further complications and discussions about what the three want.

Like "My Policeman," "The Dreamers" is a story about sexual awakening and discovery, channeled through the main character. Both films also deal with how the world might perceive their respective lovers if their secrets were exposed. "The Dreamers" has more going on than just a love story, however, as it's also loaded with political themes tied to the Paris student riots of 1968. The film received somewhat mixed reviews, with some feeling that it didn't live up to its potential. However, Roger Ebert awarded it four stars, praising the artistry and poignant story and calling the film "extraordinarily beautiful."

A television film produced by the BBC, "Christopher and His Kind" is an adaptation of the autobiography of the same name by Christopher Isherwood. It tells the true story of Isherwood as he left England for Germany and encountered a collection of friends and lovers before attempting to return to his home country with his partner Heinz Neddermeyer. Featuring "Doctor Who" and "House of the Dragon" star Matt Smith in the lead role, the cast also includes Douglas Booth, Toby Jones, and Imogen Poots.

"Christopher and His Kind" is an obvious choice for fans of "My Policeman" for a couple of reasons. It's yet another period drama, largely taking place in the 1930s, although the setting is somewhat different as Germany is the location where much of the action happens. It's also a story of persevering in the face of oppression, with the rise of the Nazi regime playing a major role in the story. And of course, there's a deep romantic relationship at the heart of the story, with Isherwood and Neddermeyer trying to find a place where they can settle down and live in peace.

The film received plenty of praise from critics, with Sam Wollaston of The Guardian calling it "a tender, touching, personal story of self-discovery."

The 2020 Netflix film "The Boys in the Band" is based on Mart Crowley's 1968 play of the same name. Directed by Broadway legend Joe Mantello, the film features a cast made up of openly gay actors that includes Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer, Charlie Carver, and Zachary Quinto.

The story follows a group of friends — all adult gay men — who've gathered for a birthday party in Manhattan. Things get a bit complicated when host Michael (Parsons) receives a call from his old college friend Alan (Brian Hutchison), who later joins the festivities. His arrival sparks a series of arguments, confrontations, confessions, and reconciliations that can be difficult to watch at times because of the sheer emotional intensity of it all.

"The Boys in the Band" is a different type of drama film compared to "My Policeman." There's a wider group of main characters and no central love triangle. However, it does deal with rejection and how people deal with the trauma they've experienced — something that Tim, Patrick, and Marion all have to grapple with in "My Policeman" — as well as the pain caused by suppressing your own identity. As many critics have said, it's also just a riveting film from start to finish.

Based on Paul Rudnick's play of the same name (and adapted by Rudnick himself), 1995's "Jeffrey" is a story about struggle and love during the AIDS epidemic. The plot tracks the eponymous Jeffrey, a gay man living in New York City who's hesitant to fall in love because he fears losing those he cares about to the virus. However, that's before he meets and falls in love with a man named Steve. As his feelings for Steve grow, Jeffrey has to confront his own fears so that he can fully enjoy their time together or risk losing it all. The cast stars Steven Weber as Jeffrey and features the likes of Patrick Stewart, Michael T. Weiss, Sigourney Weaver, and Bryan Batt.

In many ways, "My Policeman" is a film about people accepting who they are and choosing to live a life of happiness rather than hiding themselves away. "Jeffrey" is the same in that respect, with the story ultimately being about overcoming fear and instead embracing love above all else. Having earned strong reviews, the film manages to capture the essence of what made the play so successful, with particular praise for Stewart's performance as the flamboyant decorator Sterling.

The 2005 Western romantic drama "Brokeback Mountain" is directed by Ang Lee and stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in the two lead roles. The film, which is based on a short story by Annie Proulx, played a significant role in bringing queer cinema into the mainstream, opening up opportunities for filmmakers to tell stories that they might otherwise not have been able to (via Insider).

The plot follows two cowboys who end up falling in love while working together on the titular Brokeback Mountain herding sheep. However, the pair can never live happily together as life gets in the way, with each man marrying and having children. While they obviously continue to have feelings for each other, the relationship remains strained.

"Brokeback Mountain" was met with near-universal acclaim from critics and quickly became a huge hit, winning numerous awards including several Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs. The Library of Congress has even included the movie in the National Film Registry for preservation. Much of the praise centered on the deeply emotional story and the performances from both Ledger and Gyllenhaal. Philip French of The Guardian called the story of "Brokeback Mountain" "extremely moving, tragic even." If you haven't watched this classic yet, now is a great time.