Drag has always existed, and will always exist. Alas, the art form still faces relentless challenges — lately, a swarm of anti-drag laws, bans, and smear campaigns.

Now more than ever, it’s important to engage with local drag, support drag artists, and watch the (very few!) shows that highlight these LGBTQ+ creators.

Below is a list of drag-related reality competition shows airing now or coming up soon in October. Let’s get to it.

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📺 Currently Airing/Streaming

RuPaul's Drag Race UK (Season 8)

This eighth and final season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK has been bittersweet, as we recently learned that the BBC did not renew the series for a 2027 season.

Despite the BBC’s cancelation, World of Wonder has already picked up the franchise and is working on the first-ever RuPaul's Drag Race UK All Stars. So keep calm and carry on, babes.

Watch: WOW Presents Plus

Drag Race España (Season 6)

Los Javis are having a moment right now with La Bola Negra. For fans of the RuPaul queendom, Los Javis have been beloved regular judges on Drag Race España for more than a handful of seasons.

Hosted by Supremme de Luxe and featuring a sickening cast, the show continues to thrive even six seasons (and an All Stars spinoff) later.

Watch: WOW Presents Plus

King of Drag (Season 2)

King of Drag, a groundbreaking reality show centered on drag kings, is back for its sophomore season.

This time, host Cameron Esposito is joined by guest judges including Academy Award-winning Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and drag artists like Yvie Oddly, Ginger Minj, and King Molasses. (The latter won King of Drag season 1.)

Watch: Revry

Drag Duel (Season 4)

Category is… create your own platform, sis!

Best known for his RuPaul’s Drag Race recaps, YouTube creator The Drag Detective has created an impressive and innovative drag competition series titled Drag Duel, now in its fourth season and with a cast of competitors who are fiercer than ever.

Watch: Drag Duel via YouTube

Drag Race Philippines (Season 4)

One of the most exciting shows in the entire franchise, Drag Race Philippines, is back for a fourth season. With Jiggly Caliente’s passing, this is the first season of the Filipino show without her as a regular judge. Another loss was season 4 competitor Misua, who reportedly passed away in April.

These may sound like reasons not to watch season 4. We can also argue that there’s no better way to honor Jiggly’s legacy in mainstream culture, or the impact of Filipino drag like Misua, than to keep supporting this show.

Watch: WOW Presents Plus

⏭️ Coming Soon

The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula (Season 7)

Premiere date (season 7): October 27

Boo, b**ch! Dracmorda Boulet and Swanthula Boulet are back for a seventh season of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula.

The Emmy-nominated competition series for “drag monsters” has promised lots of twists, turns, and traitors in season 7. Sounds like a bloody good time, eh?

Watch: Shudder

Corrida das Blogueiras (Season 8)

Premiere date (season 8): October 27

Even though Corrida das Blogueiras isn’t a literal drag competition series (it centers digital creators and has challenges associated with being an influencer), it is inexcusable to keep it off the list.

The hit reality competition series has featured drag queens like Lorelay Fox throughout all eight seasons, and has also crowned multiple drag artists as winners — like drag queen Kitty Kawakubo, who won season 7.

If you’re curious to watch Corrida das Blogueiras season 8, go right ahead: the show drops episodes entirely for free on YouTube, both live and on-demand. Its back catalog of seven seasons is also available for free on YouTube.

Watch: Live or on-demand on DiaTV's and Diva Depressão's YouTube channels.

Editor’s note: Schedules are always subject to change, including new projects, updated releases, and more. For the latest, read this live post on the Queer.Media Substack page.

The last few years have been terrible for queer visibility in film. Recent GLAAD studies show that only 20.4% of films released in 2025 had LGBTQ+ characters — down from 23.6% in 2024, and even 28.5% in 2023.

The good news: Audiences are actively seeking out queer movies, and plenty of stories are ready to meet that demand. Check out the new and upcoming titles below, coming to screens (big and small) near you.

Scorch Marks

Release date: October 1, 2026

Main cast: Brandon Shypkowski, Chris Salvatore, Vander Von Odd, Tiffany Shepis, Peter Stickles, Fayna Sanchez, Michael Varrati

Story: As the apparent sole survivor of an apocalyptic event, a disgraced man is faced with another kind of terrorizing force: the ghost of his abusive ex.

Release details: Streaming on Dekkoo.

Follow: @mydekkoo

The Cuckoo Clock

Release date: October 2, 2026

Main cast: Hana Hahn, MaKenna DeCaro, Laura Drake, Rodman Bolek

Story: Penny falls for Megan, a home-health nurse caring for her grandmother. As Megan suddenly disappears, a sinister cuckoo clock suggests that Penny’s grandma might know more than she seems.

Release details: U.S. theatrical events and screenings.

Follow: @thecuckooclockofficial

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

Release date: October 2, 2026 (streaming)

Main cast: Hannah Einbinder, Gillian Anderson, Jasmin Savoy Brown

Story: A young queer filmmaker takes over an iconic slasher franchise and seeks out its infamously reclusive star. Upon meeting, the revival of a film series becomes a delirious exploration of fandom, desire, and bloody horror.

Release details: Streaming on MUBI.

Follow: @welcometocampmiasma

Next Year

Release date: October 4, 2026 (Out On Film)

Main cast: Jelani Alladin, Zach Martens, Sherz Alethaha

Story: From filmmakers Guto Barra and Peter DiMario, Next Year is a haunting drama set in a not-so-distant dystopian future where homosexuality is illegal. The story centers on a father grieving the loss of his husband and navigating this new surveillance state.

Release details: Special screenings and VOD availability. More T.B.A.

Follow: @nextyearfilm

Big Girls Don’t Cry

Release date: October 9, 2026

Main cast: Ani Palmer, Rain Spencer, Noah Taylor, Tara Canton

Story: In rural New Zealand in 2006, Sid grapples with sexual curiosity and the desire to be accepted among older girls. But a season of experimentation and rebellion can bring painful consequences.

Release details: Limited U.S. theatrical release.

Follow: @biggirlsdontcry.xx

La Bola Negra

Release date: October 16 (U.S. theatrical); December 2, 2026 (streaming)

Main cast: Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close

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Story: Three generations of men navigate desire, love, and inherited silence across Spain in 1932, 1937, and 2017. The film draws on the writings and legacy of Federico García Lorca.

Release details: Limited U.S. theatrical release and set for streaming on Netflix.

Follow: @labolanegrafilm

A Talent for Murder

Release date: October 23, 2026

Main cast: Helen Mirren, Alden Ehrenreich, Olivia Cooke, Juliet Stevenson

Story: Novelist Patricia Highsmith, creator of Tom Ripley, confronts a young literary agent in a tense psychological thriller. The film fictionalizes an encounter involving the openly lesbian author.

Release details: U.S. theatrical release.

Follow: @bleeckerstfilms

Dorothy

Release date: October 23, 2026

Main cast: Keerthy Suresh, Rishikanth, and Sananth

Story: Two best male friends living in rural Tamil Nadu, India in the 1990s have their lives forever changed after meeting a compassionate transgender woman named Dorothy.

Release details: Streaming on Netflix.

Follow: @dorothythefilm

Fatherland

Release date: October 23, 2026

Main cast: Sandra Hüller, Hanns Zischler, August Diehl, Anna Madeley, Devid Striesow

Story: In 1949, novelist Thomas Mann and his daughter Erika travel across a divided Germany after years in exile. Their journey exposes strains within the family alongside the country’s struggle with its recent history.

Release details: Limited U.S. theatrical release and streaming on MUBI.

Follow: @mubi

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Before I Do

Release date: October 25, 2026 (OUTshine screening)

Main cast: Michael Hsu Rosen, Cole Doman, Robin de Jesús, Nico Greetham, Jared Reinfeldt

Story: Days before his wedding, John Michael reunites with close friends that includes his best man and former flame, Alex, for a lakeside bachelor party weekend. As the party gets started, old romances resurface and new attractions emerge within the group.

Release details: Film festivals and special screenings. More T.B.A.

Follow: @beforeidofilm

On the Road (En El Camino)

Release date: October 28, 2026

Main cast: Víctor Prieto Simental, Osvaldo Sánchez, Víctor Manuel Aguirre

Story: A young drifter named Veneno secures a ride with a trucker, Muñeco, through Northern Mexico. As desire develops between them, Veneno’s past threatens their growing intimacy.

Release details: Film festivals and special screenings. More T.B.A.

Follow: @animaldeluzfilms

Manhood

Release date: October 28, 2026 (Los Angeles screenings)

Main cast: William Moore, Ruben Ramirez, David Smith

Story: Bill Moore, an entrepreneur based in Dallas, Texas, makes the case for penis enlargement procedures to become as commonplace as applying Botox.

Release details: U.S. theatrical tour in select cities, film festival screenings, and expected for streaming on WOW Presents Plus.

Follow: @manhood.film

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Bernardo Sim is the founder and editor-in-chief of the Queer.Media newsletter and platform. A passionate storyteller, content creator, and builder, he’s worked in media for over 15 years.

Born and raised in Brazil, Bernardo has lived in the U.S. for nearly two decades, speaks four languages, and identifies as queer. You can find him on Instagram. He’s also on Threads, Bluesky, and X.