The Boys in the Band is a 2020 American drama film directed by Joe Mantello, based on the 1968 play of the same name by Mart Crowley, who also wrote the screenplay alongside Ned Martel.

Crowley had previously adapted The Boys in the Band for a 1970 film version directed by William Friedkin[1] and starring the original 1968 Off-Broadway cast.

[2] The film stars the full roster of players from the play's 2018 Broadway revival, comprising a cast of exclusively openly-gay actors.

A hustler called "Cowboy" arrives earlier than Emory expected and mistakes Michael for Harold, kissing him on the lips.

Alan tries to leave again but is stopped by Michael, who informs everyone that they are playing a party game: everyone must use the telephone to call the one person they truly believe they love.

On April 18, 2019, Ryan Murphy announced that the play The Boys in the Band would be adapted for Netflix, as part of his US$300 million deal with the streaming platform.

Matt Bomer said, of performing the play on-stage, that "I heard a guttural gasp the first time one of these slurs was used that I remembered and realized how powerful they really are".

[14] In an interview ahead of the Netflix premiere, director Joe Mantello told the Associated Press: "I do not believe the erasure of things that make us uncomfortable is progress ... My responsibility is to the story.

[15] On the same day the film was available for streaming, a 30-minute mini-documentary was also released, directed by Joel Kazuo Knoernschild with Mart Crowley reflecting on the legacy of the story.

The site's critics' consensus reads: "The Boys in the Band brings the classic stage play back to the screen with a well-acted adaptation containing surprising — and poignant — modern relevance.

"[17] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 70 out of 100 based on 19 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

[18] Owen Gleiberman of Variety praised the performances, saying "What holds the movie together, apart from Quinto's dreamy geek mystique and delectable delivery of every line, is the tormented passion that Jim Parsons brings to it.

"[19] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a positive review and wrote: "The Boys in the Band in many ways is dated and formulaic.

But it's also very much alive, an invaluable record of the destructive force of societal rejection, even in a bastion of liberal acceptance like New York City.

Despite its flaws, this consistently engaging film provides a vital window for young queer audiences into the difficult lives of their forebears.