Here’s 10 LGBTQ+ Christmas Movies To Get You In The Holiday Spirit
Snowflake catching, snowball making, the smell of fresh baked goods. Winter love is definitely in the air. And what’s that shining star on top of the tree? Oh yeah, LGBTQ+ Christmas movies! These films infuse the season with extra charm and sparkle, offering another take on love stories and family dynamics. Whether it's a romance under the mistletoe or a delightful comedy of holiday mishaps, these Christmas movies are a fabulous watch that reminds us to celebrate love and individuality during this merry season. So, grab your hot cocoa and snuggle up for a ride through these heartwarming and inclusive tales that light up the holidays with love and laughter. Pop Culture Planet contributor Paola Cardenas breaks down the best queer Christmas movies to watch this holiday szn.
Dashing In December
Returning to Colorado for the holidays, New York financier Wyatt (Juan Pablo Di Pace) has plans to convince his mother to let him sell his family’s ranch. After meeting the new ranch manager Heath (Peter Porte), Wyatt’s priorities take a drastic turn into romance. He’s left caught between focusing on his career life back in New York and creating something more meaningful in his countryside hometown.
The film has stand out characters, beautiful winter scenery, and explores themes of acceptance and the importance of following one's heart.
Dashing in December is streaming on Prime Video.
Carol
Set in the 1950s, Carol revolves around Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), a young photographer, and Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), an elegant woman going through a divorce. They meet when Carol searches for a doll to give her daughter. This simple meeting evolves into a deep connection, sparking a forbidden romance in a time when same-sex relationships were heavily stigmatized.
It delicately explores themes of love, desire, and societal expectations. Nuanced storytelling and outstanding performances by Blanchett and Mara enhance the intensity and complexities of love.
Carol is available on Netflix.
Happiest Season
Directed by Clea DuVall, Happiest Season follows Abby (Kristen Stewart) as she plans to propose to her girlfriend Harper (Mackenzie Davis) during a family Christmas celebration. There’s just one problem… Harper hasn’t come out to her conservative family yet. Now Abby must navigate the challenges of concealing their relationship while dealing with Harper's quirky family dynamics and reevaluating the future of their romance.
This film brings all the heartwarming holiday themes of love and acceptance while offering humor and charm by the supporting cast, including Dan Levy and Aubrey Plaza.
Watch Happiest Season on Hulu.
The Holiday Sitter
Aaron Samuels? No! More like Jonathan Bennett as Sam Dalton, a workaholic stuck babysitting his niece and nephew during the holidays.
Sometimes the best Christmas plans fall apart, especially for Sam as he was planning to celebrate the holiday in Hawaii. Not knowing how to deal with kids, he recruits the help of his neighbor Jason (George Krissa). However, they unexpectedly fall for each other while raising this pseudo family. This film is a feel good and charming romance-drama that encapsulates a unique bond between two handsome gay men, their quirks, ambitions, and ultimately their love.
The Holiday Sitter is available on Prime Video.
Single All The Way
Rom-com Single All the Way follows Peter (Michael Urie), a gay man who enlists his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to pose as his boyfriend during a holiday visit to his family since he’s tired of them always asking about his relationship status. But, of course, there’s a twist — Peter’s family is trying to set him up with James (Luke Macfarlane)! As the holiday festivities ensue, Peter finds himself caught in a love triangle of real and fake relationships.
The film, praised for its LGBTQ+ representation and lighthearted humor, is an exploration of themes related to family, friendship, and romance. With its inclusive and heartwarming story, it’s wonderful movie to watch during the holiday szn.
Single All The Way is on Netflix.
Season Of Love
A lesser-known film, but equally important to the selection of LGBTQ+ Christmas movies — Season Of Love.
The film follows three interconnected couples as they navigate love, heartbreak, and changes through the holiday season. Among these couples are musician Sue (Dominique Provost-Chalkley) and long-distance girlfriend Janey (Janelle Marie), deaf brewery owner Kenna (Sandra Mae Frank) and the welder she hired Lou (Jessica Clark), and Iris (Emily Goss) and Mardou (Laur Allen).
What could be better than a diverse group of friends finding love together during this magical holiday season?
A Jenkins Family Christmas
After losing their father a year ago, sisters Baneatta (Regina Taylor) and Beverly (Kim Coles) carry on with Christmas traditions without butting heads. Things start to take a turn for the worse when Brianna (Tammy Townsend) hits Baneatta with news that she’s her half sister. Baneatta does not react well to this and even more so if she finds out her oldest daughter Simone’s (Ashley Love-Mills) marriage is over. Then younger brother Kenny (Anthony Chatmon II) decides to bring his boyfriend Logan (Derek Chadwick) home for Christmas. It’s all chaos from here for the Jenkins family.
Although Kenny’s relationship is not the main plot, the film talk about interracial LGBTQ+ relationships that will resonate with audiences. Plus the movie’s comedic and dramatic performances make it a must watch — especially when it’s revealed there’s a major secret looming over them all.
Secrets are unveiled at A Jenkins Family Christmas on BET+.
Let It Snow
A group of high school students find their lives unexpectedly intersecting when a major snowstorm hits their small town on Christmas Eve. Julie (Isabela Merced) meets pop star Stuart (Shameik Moore) on a train, Tobin (Mitchell Hope) pines for his best friend Angie (Kiernan Shipka), and Dorrie (Liv Hewson) discovers her feelings for her best friend Addie (Odeya Rush). Meanwhile, a keg of beer travels through the snowy landscape, leading to a series of amusing and heartwarming events.
One of the central storylines involves Dorrie, a lesbian character, navigating her feelings for her best friend Addie. The film handles Dorrie's storyline with sensitivity, depicting the complexities of teenage relationships and self-discovery. Moreover, this movie contributes to LGBTQ+ representation in holiday-themed movies for young adults, a genre where such inclusivity has historically been limited.
Let It Snow is available on Netflix.
The B**** Who Stole Christmas
If you’re a RuPaul’s Drag Race fan, the feature length drag queen holiday movie The B**** Who Stole Christmas will have you laughing non-stop.
The story follows Olivia (Krysta Rodriguez), an ambitious reporter who works for ruthless fashion editor Hannah Contour (RuPaul). She sends Olivia to investigate the small town of Tuckahoe’s annual Winter Ball. While there, she discovers the campy personalities of the women in the competition played by a roster of drag queens from past seasons of Drag Race. However, Olivia ends up uncovering a bigger plot that could destroy the holidays.
Drag has historically been a safe haven and a platform for self-discovery within the LGBTQ+ community. These spaces provide individuals with the opportunity to experiment with their gender presentation in a supportive environment, which the film emphasizes. Overall, the performances, with their extravagant costumes and theatricality, celebrate the beauty of individuality and authenticity.
Drag the Halls with The B**** Who Stole Christmas on Paramount+.
The Christmas Set Up
In Lifetime’s first LGBTQ+ movie, we meet lawyer Hugo Spencer (Ben Lewis) who is returning home to Milwaukee with his best friend Madelyn McKay (Ellen Wong) over Christmas. His mother Kate Spencer (Fran Drescher) sets up a list of chores and Christmas activities for her sons Hugo and Aiden. When Hugo runs into old high school crush Patrick Ryan (Blake Lee), his mom tries to set them up.
Their quick connection leads to full fledged romance, but there’s one thing in the way. Hugo receives a major call from his boss about a promotion in London. Like many of the films in this genre, it captures the spirit of the season, delivering feel-good vibes, festive decorations, and the warmth of holiday traditions.
Will Hugo choose love or his career? Christmas Set Up is available on Prime Video.
