‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a marathon of queer Christmas movies? As the temperatures drop outside and you cuddle up inside your homes in your proverbial ugly sweater, grab some hot cocoa and settle in for a festive film fest that celebrates love in all its shades.
Besides festive cooking shows and movies featuring Christmas motifs like Santa Claus, audiences can now add some rainbow cheer to their holiday watchlist. These movies are groundbreaking in their own way as they portray same-sex relationships in a mainstream light, leading towards better acceptance.
From the hijinks of A Christmas Setup (2020) to mushy new Holiday movies like The Holiday Club (2024), there’s a queer Christmas movie out there to suit every taste.
This year has been particularly generous, with additional offerings like The Holiday Exchange (2024), a queer take on Nancy Meyers’ classic 2006 rom-com The Holiday starring Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black. The house-swapping romance drama could be a fun watch for fans of the original Christmas classic.
Whether you’re in the mood for a heartwarming drama, a side-splitting comedy, or something slightly spooky, this holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in some ‘queer’ cheer.
On that note, here are the…
10 best queer Christmas movies to watch this year
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The Holiday Club (2024)
Cast: Makaela Shealy, Alexandra Swarens, Danielle Meyer, Maddie Small
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Synopsis: Sam (Shealy), a reserved computer programmer who recently relocated to the Midwest, finds herself captivated by Bailey (Swarens), who has a strong aversion to holidays. Nevertheless, Bailey remains committed to her business, crafting seasonal delights that appeal to the local Ohio community. Soon, Sam starts grappling with her growing feelings for Bailey, ultimately questioning whether they should maintain their friendship or explore something deeper.
Why should you watch it: The Holiday Club is a must-watch queer movie for this holiday season, offering a refreshing take on the traditional rom-coms. With its picturesque small-town setting, adorable chemistry between the leads, and a heartwarming friends-to-lovers storyline, this film is sure to leave you feeling merry.
Carol (2015)
Creator: Todd Haynes
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, John Magaro, Cory Michael Smith, Jake Lacy, Kyle Chandler
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Synopsis: Carol Aird (Blanchett), an older woman facing the challenges of a tumultuous divorce, enters into a secretive love affair with Therese Belivet (Mara), a young female photographer. Their initial spark quickly evolves into a more serious connection. As Carol seeks liberation from her marriage, her husband (Chandler) begins to scrutinise her capabilities as a mother, particularly as her bond with Therese and her close friendship with Abby (Paulson) come to the forefront.
Why should you watch it: This film is based on Patricia Highsmith’s influential novel, The Price of Salt. Blanchett’s portrayal of the titular role of Carol garnered widespread acclaim, leading to nominations from prestigious awards such as the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Critics Choice Movie Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Unlike the usual happy and gay Christmas movies, Carol is all about deep emotions and heartbreak.
Tangerine (2015)
Creator: Sean Baker
Cast: Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, James Ransome, Mickey O’Hagan
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
Synopsis: LA-based trans sex worker Sin-Dee (Rodriguez) finds out from best friend Alexandra (Taylor) that her boyfriend Chester (Ransome) has been cheating on her with a cisgender woman while she’s been in prison. Sin-Dee tears through town on Christmas Eve searching for the boyfriend who broke her heart.
Why should you watch it: Tangerine was filmed using three iPhone 5S smartphones back in 2015 and is one of the most hilarious queer Christmas movies you will ever watch. It is no pity party but a fun film that puts the trans experience to the forefront without reducing them to victims. The film set an example for casting trans actors in trans roles.
The Christmas Setup (2020)
Creator: Pat Mills
Cast: Ben Lewis, Blake Lee, Fran Drescher, Ellen Wong, Chad Connell
IMDb rating: 6.8/10
Synopsis: Hugo Spencer (Lewis) is a successful New York corporate lawyer who is sent to his small hometown of Milwaukee for the holidays to close a deal. There, he reconnects with his high school friend and crush, Patrick Ryan (Lee), who is now a single father. As Hugo spends more time with Patrick and his son, he begins to reevaluate his priorities and consider a different path in life.
Why should you watch it: The Christmas Setup is a heartwarming holiday romance that your heart craves in winter. With its charming leads, witty banter, and cosy small-town setting, this film is the perfect addition to your holiday watchlist. What sets it apart is its thoughtful exploration of identity, community, and the complexities of coming home as a queer person.
Happiest Season (2020)
Creator: Clea DuVall
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Mary Steenburgen, Alison Brie, Dan Levy
IMDb rating: 6.6/10
Synopsis: Abby Holland (Stewart) plans to propose to her girlfriend, Harper Caldwell (Davis), at Harper’s family’s annual Christmas dinner. However, things take a complicated turn when Abby discovers that Harper is not out to her family, forcing her to pretend to be Harper’s straight roommate instead of her partner.
Why should you watch it: This Kristen Stewart-starrer Hulu film is one of the most prominent sapphic films made in recent years. It generated immense buzz among the LGBTQ+ community, especially because of the movie’s lead actor Stewart who came out as queer in 2017. Although marketed as a romantic comedy, the film defies genre conventions, instead offering a heartwarming and nuanced exploration of love, identity and family dynamics.
The Holiday Sitter (2022)
Creator: Ali Liebert
Cast: Jonathan Bennett, George Krissa, Chelsea Hobbs, Everett Andres, Mila Morgan
IMDb rating: 6.6/10
Synopsis: Workaholic bachelor Sam Dalton (Bennett) is blackmailed by his sister and brother-in-law to babysit their two children before the holidays. Not a family person, especially in understanding children, Sam receives help from their handsome neighbour Jason DeVito (Krissa) only to find himself entwined in an unexpected Christmas romance.
Why should you watch it: The first Hallmark holiday movie to feature an LGBTQ couple as the lead, this heartwarming movie is the perfect antidote to the winter blues, serving up a generous helping of holiday cheer, romance, and joy. One of the standout aspects of The Holiday Sitter is its clever nods to pop culture. In one memorable scene, Bennett’s character drops the iconic line “stop trying to make fetch happen”, a reference to the 2004 hit film Mean Girls, in which Bennett had a featuring role.
Single All the Way (2021)
Creator: Michael Mayer
Cast: Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Kathy Najimy, Barry Bostwick, Luke Macfarlane, Jennifer Coolidge
IMDb rating: 6.2/10
Synopsis: To escape his family’s interrogation of his perpetual singlehood, Peter (Urie) persuades his close friend Nick (Chambers) to accompany him home for the holiday season and feign a romantic relationship. However, the scheme takes an unexpected turn when Peter’s mother (Najimy) arranges a blind date for him with her attractive trainer, James (Macfarlane).
Why should you watch it: Single All The Way was Netflix’s first ever Christmas movie focusing on a gay romance. The movie offers tons of entertainment, especially with Jennifer Coolidge playing Peter’s cool Aunt Sandy.
Dashing in December (2020)
Creator: Michael Mayer
Cast: Peter Porte, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Andie MacDowell, Caroline Harris, Carlos Sanz, Katherine Bailess
IMDb rating: 6.2/10
Synopsis: Upon returning home for the holidays, Wyatt Burwall (Porte), a prim and proper city boy, aims to persuade his mother Deb (MacDowell) to sell their family’s ranch in Colorado. However, an unexpected romance blossoms between Wyatt and the charming new ranch hand, Heath Ramos (Pablo Di Pace). Heath aspires to preserve the cherished property and its enchanting Winter Wonderland attraction while rekindling the spirit of Christmas in Wyatt’s heart.
Why should you watch it: It’s sweet, it’s gay and it’s the perfect love story of finding love in an expected place. The movie stars the iconic Andie MacDowell as Wyatt’s mother Deb, making it a compelling watch.
Friends & Family Christmas (2023)
Creator: Anne Wheeler
Cast: Humberly González, Ali Liebert, Gabriela Reynoso, Christopher Shyer, Samantha Cole
IMDb rating: 6.1/10
Synopsis: Photographer Dani (González) finds herself overwhelmed by the chaos of Christmas events and a surprise visit from her parents. Desperate for a solution, Dani asks her friend Amelia (Liebert), a successful lawyer, for help. The two women concoct a plan to pretend to be a couple, hoping to simplify Dani’s holiday season. However, as they navigate the challenges of fake dating, real feelings begin to blossom.
Why should you watch it: With its lighthearted tone, relatable characters, and festive atmosphere, Friends & Family Christmas is a feel-good film that will leave viewers smiling and feeling uplifted. What sets this film apart is its thoughtful portrayal of female friendship and love.
Let It Snow (2019)
Creator: Luke Snellin
Cast: Isabela Merced, Shameik Moore, Odeya Rush, Mitchell Hope, Liv Hewson, Kiernan Shipka, Anna Akana, Jacob Batalon
IMDb rating: 5.9/10
Synopsis: On Christmas Eve in Laurel, Julie Reyes (Merced) meets rising pop star Stuart Bale (Moore) on a train, and after a series of misadventures, they bond over lunch, where Julie opens up about her mother’s illness and her college plans. Meanwhile, Waffle Town employee Dorrie (Hewson) navigates her relationships with best friend Addie (Rush) and cheerleader Kerry (Akana), while Tobin (Hope) tries to confess his feelings to his best friend Angie (Shipka). As the night unfolds, the storylines converge at Keon’s (Batalon) party, where secrets are revealed, relationships are formed, and Julie and Stuart share a romantic kiss, making plans to meet again in New York.
Why should you watch it? Based on the bestselling novel by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle, the LGBTQ Netflix title boasts a talented young cast that delivers a stellar performance. What makes Let It Snow truly special is its thoughtful portrayal of diverse characters, relationships, and experiences, all set against the magical backdrop of a snowy Christmas Eve.
(Hero and featured image courtesy: IMDb/The Holiday Club/The Holiday Sitter)
Frequently Asked Questions
‘The Holiday Exchange’ (2024), ‘A Christmas Setup’ (2020), ‘Carol’ (2015) and ‘Happiest Season’ (2020) are some of the best Christmas movies to watch this year.
‘The Holiday Exchange’ (2024) and ‘The Holiday Club’ (2024) are some new Christmas movies that released in 2024.
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Kratagya Rathore could possibly be your passport into the world of style, grooming, skincare, and mindful living. Fashion is as imperative to him as his daily 10,000 steps count. He is a raconteur, almost living his life in a musical; A social firefly who is also fluent in silence. A journalism grad, Kratagya has previously worked for Times Internet and The Times of India.
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