Catch the queer double-release craze: film fans are lining up for Girls Like Girls and Leviticus, both out Friday, June 19, offering a sapphic rom-com and a gutting queer horror in one wild cinema day , perfect for Pride Month plans and conversation.

Essential takeaways

  • Two very different films: Girls Like Girls is a sweet coming-of-age sapphic romance, while Leviticus is a dark queer horror with intense emotional stakes.
  • Director debuts and pedigree: Hayley Kiyoko makes her directorial debut with Girls Like Girls; Leviticus is written and directed by Adrian Chiarella.
  • Strong online buzz: Social feeds are comparing the releases to Barbenheimer, dubbing it a “gay Barbenheimer” double-bill that’s trending among queer audiences.
  • Themes to expect: Expect tender first-love moments in the rom-com and heavy themes of community backlash and supernatural torment in the horror.
  • Viewing tip: Pair them back-to-back if you can , plan a palate cleanser (a coffee or a light snack) between films to shift gears.

Why this feels like a queer Barbenheimer moment

There’s something delicious about two tonal opposites landing the same day, and people online have noticed. The Barbenheimer meme made the idea sticky: cinemas suddenly became events, friends made double-date plans, and moviegoing felt communal again. Substitute Barbie and Oppenheimer with a tender sapphic debut and an unsettling queer horror, and you get the current internet fever.

Social posts are playful and proud, with cinephiles already scheduling double features and sharing reaction memes. If you love the idea of a seesaw of emotions , laughter followed by goosebumps , this is the moment to go to the cinema with pals.

Girls Like Girls: sweet, relatable, and soft-focus romance

Hayley Kiyoko’s Girls Like Girls arrives as a warm, coming-of-age tale about Coley discovering attraction and first love after moving towns. The film leans into the small, exact moments , longing glances, late-night confessions , that make sapphic rom-coms feel both personal and universal.

If you liked intimate queer dramas that put feeling first, this will land. It’s the sort of film that makes you want to text every friend who’s ever had their heart broken and say, “This one’s for you.” For a cinema night, pick comfy seats and maybe bring a box of tissues , for happy tears.

Leviticus: horror that bites where it hurts

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum sits Leviticus, a horror piece grounded in a conservative Australian town whose homophobic backlash summons a supernatural entity to torment two queer boys. The film uses scares and metaphor in equal measure, and it’s been nudging critics and fans toward this season’s must-watch horror list.

This isn’t jump-scare fluff; it leans into dread and the social realities queer people face in hostile environments. Go in ready for an unsettling experience , and maybe avoid watching it alone at night if you’re easily rattled.

What critics and the director say about the themes

Critics and interviews suggest Leviticus isn’t just horror for horror’s sake; it’s been discussed as an allegory for conversion therapy and communal violence, and the director has talked about multiple interpretations of its symbolism. That depth is part of why it’s generating sustained conversation beyond the initial screams.

Meanwhile, commentary around Girls Like Girls celebrates representation that feels lived-in and affectionate. That balance , one film offering catharsis through terror, the other through tenderness , gives audiences two rare chances to see queer stories told very differently on the same day.

How to plan the perfect double feature

If you’re tempted to take the plunge, here’s a simple plan: book the earlier slot for the heavier film so you’re not carrying the dread home, then follow with the lighter Girls Like Girls as your emotional cool-down. Bring a small snack for the interval, choose seats with easy exits if you need a breather, and consider going with a friend who shares your comfort level with horror.

For Pride events, cinemas might host themed screenings or post-show talks , keep an eye on local listings. Either way, this double release is a neat way to celebrate queer storytelling in two very different flavours.

It’s a small cinematic moment that feels celebratory and sharp at once , grab your ticket and pick your vibe.

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