20 Best LGBTQ Christmas Movies of All Time

As someone who has grown up watching Christmas films that rarely reflected my own experiences or those of my community, I am overjoyed to see the surge of LGBTQ+ Christmas movies that are now available. These films not only enrich the holiday genre but also provide representation for everyone, ensuring that we all can find ourselves in stories of love, family, and joy during this festive season.

Historically, members of the LGBTQ community were frequently sidelined or underrepresented in Christmas-themed films, appearing only as supporting characters offering brief hints of diversity amidst the central narrative.

Nevertheless, the environment is evolving, and the increasing focus on diversity within the movie business has led to an abundance of LGBTQ-themed Christmas movies. In this article, we will delve into some of the top picks from this genre, highlighting their distinct qualities.

Instead of most standard Christmas films emphasizing heterosexual relationships, LGBTQ-themed Christmas movies shine with colorful leads and a wide range of viewpoints. These films resonate not just within the LGBTQ community but with anyone yearning for an innovative and delightful holiday movie viewing.

1. ‘Single All the Way’ (2021)

‘The movie “Single All the Way” adopts a well-known narrative structure, yet offers an appealingly fresh perspective by introducing a charming gay theme, making it ideal viewing during the festive Christmas period.’

Peter, together with his closest companion, travels back to New Hampshire to pretend a romantic involvement and alleviate his mother’s concerns about his unmarried state.

Yet, Peter’s mom’s early Christmas present plan takes an unforeseen twist as he and his closest friend start to cultivate sincere feelings for one another. This shift in their bond tests the initial facade of their friendship dynamics.

2. ‘Under the Christmas Tree’ (2021)

Instead of many diverse LGBTQ Christmas films that primarily highlight male same-sex relationships, ‘Under the Christmas Tree’ offers a heartwarming tale revolving around a lesbian couple. This marks Lifetime’s inaugural foray into lesbian holiday movies, making it an engaging film worthy of your attention this season.

In a serendipitous encounter, Alma and Charlie meet up as Charlie discovers an ideal tree for the Maine Governor’s Holiday Celebration tucked away in Alma’s garden.

3. ‘Happiest Season’ (2020)

Title ‘Happiest Season’ features actress Kristen Stewart from ‘Twilight’, starring in a movie that was marketed as a romantic comedy, but it deviates from that genre. Instead, the film offers a distinct storyline that makes it worth watching if you’re seeking an enjoyable LGBTQ-themed movie during the Christmas season.

“What makes ‘Happiest Season’ appealing is its touching narrative, which is beautifully brought to life by a stellar cast featuring Aubrey Plaza and Mackenzie Davis, whose charm matches that of Kristen Stewart.

Featuring outstanding performances by Kristen Stewart, Aubrey Plaza, and Mackenzie Davis, this movie delivers a touching and captivating narrative.

4. ‘Christmas at the Ranch’ (2021)

At ‘Christmas on the Ranch’, we find a well-known storyline given a fresh spin, introducing a businesswoman from the city who goes back to her little hometown during the festive season, mirroring the common theme of a small-town girl moving to the big city. However, this time, there’s an LGBT angle added to the narrative.

Instead of sticking to the usual storyline, the main character develops feelings for the ranch worker, forming a touching romantic relationship between two females. Although the storyline may be expected and somewhat cliché, the movie still manages to be endearing, making it an enjoyable choice for the upcoming holidays.

5. ‘Imagine Me and You’ (2005)

In a time when Hollywood wasn’t as diverse as it is now, ‘Imagine Me & You’ stood out as a pioneering film in mainstream LGBTQ romance. At her own wedding, the protagonist, Rachel, finds herself drawn to Luce and their friendship deepens.

Over time, Rachel discovers that Luce identifies as a lesbian, and this revelation piques her curiosity despite being contentedly married. This situation, in turn, prompts her to contemplate her own sexual identity, as she finds herself attracted to Luce.

6. ‘Season of Love’

‘The tune ‘Season of Love’ isn’t merely catchy, it’s also an engaging romantic comedy film that delves into lesbian relationships set against the backdrop of the Christmas season.’

In simpler terms, ‘Season of Love’ could be considered as a lesbian counterpart to ‘Love Actually’, given its approach of showcasing multiple interconnected love stories.

7. ‘The Christmas Setup’ (2020)

Over the holiday season, Lifetime debuted ‘The Christmas Setup,’ marking their foray into LGBT Christmas movie productions. This heartwarming tale centers around two attractive and athletic gentlemen who portray a couple on screen, yet are married off-camera as well. Although there may be instances of predictable storytelling in this film, rest assured it offers its own unique charms.

‘The Christmas Setup’ narrates the story of Hugo, who returns to Milwaukee during Christmas with his friend for a heartwarming reunion with his mother. There, he reconnects with an old crush, Patrick – now a successful tech entrepreneur. With the encouragement of her matchmaking mom, Hugo eventually develops a romantic connection with Patrick.

8. ‘The Bitch Who Stole Christmas’ (2021)

Indeed, it’s a film featuring RuPaul. Notably, this is RuPaul’s debut in a Christmas movie. In the storyline, RuPaul embodies a character reminiscent of the Grinch, but with a gay twist. The role assigned to RuPaul is that of a fashion editor, who dispatches a reporter to a town excessively enamored with Christmas celebrations.

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much more than a town filled with holiday cheer, but little did I know that this place held so much more!

9. ‘City of Trees’ (2019)

The film titled ‘City of Trees’ chronicles the life of Ainsley, a young woman in her twenties, as she returns home during the festive season to spend time with her family.

She’s been back home for quite some time now, yet she acknowledges that she must confront the lingering adolescent emotions she abandoned when she parted ways with her hometown years ago.

With respect to this topic, the film primarily revolves around Ainsley, exploring her struggle to comprehend her past that she had abandoned, coinciding with her reunion with Sophie, who has evolved significantly during Ainsley’s absence. This portrayal offers an indie-style ambiance due to its simplicity and heartfelt sincerity.

10. ‘Dashing in December’ (2020)

In the spirit of December, here comes another movie with a rural backdrop. But this tale takes a unique twist as it centers around a group of gay men. The story unfolds when the protagonist, Wyatt, returns home to discover his mother’s plans to sell the family ranch.

Initially, Wyatt swaps his business suits for his trusty cowboy trousers, diving right into assisting with the family ranch. It was during this ranch work that Wyatt crossed paths with Heath, sparking a swift and passionate romance that could only be described as a cowboy-style love affair between the two.

In a similar vein, it’s somewhat reminiscent of ‘Brokeback Mountain’, yet it carries a more hopeful tone. Additionally, there’s a magical moment during the festive season, much like a Christmas miracle, that enables the main characters to have their wishes and fulfill them, figuratively speaking.

11. ‘Carol’ (2015)

The movie titled ‘Carol’ stands out as one of the most beloved Christmas films featuring lesbians ever made, largely due to the exceptional acting skills showcased by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Their performances in this production were truly captivating. This film is an adaptation of the lesbian pulp novel ‘The Price of Salt.’

In the 1950s, the movie unfolds the romantic tale of Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara’s characters, each grappling with personal challenges in their lives.

Over the Christmas season, Carol delves into the blossoming romance between the two protagonists, who serendipitously crossed paths when Blancett accidentally left her winter gloves on the toy counter where Mara was employed. This incident prompts Mara to track down the glove’s owner, and the narrative unfolds from there.

12. ‘The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls’ (2021)

‘The movie titled “The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls” is, in fact, a follow-up to the initial film “The Christmas House.” Notably, “The Christmas House” is among the earliest contemporary Christmas movies to focus on queer themes.’

Let’s discuss this movie first as it appears to be the superior choice between the two. Although ‘The Christmas House 2’ does not heavily emphasize an LGBT couple, it’s still commendable due to its strong focus on family dynamics.

In this movie, the central idea revolves around familial rivalry, where brothers-in-law, Brandon and Jake, engage in a contest with their cousin Mike, each vying to demonstrate superior home décor skills.

13. ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas’ (2021)

‘The movie ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas’ is a continuation of the popular NBC show ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.’ If you want to fully appreciate the film, watching the series first is recommended. However, even if you haven’t seen the entire series, you can still enjoy the movie and it could serve as an introduction to the series for you.’

‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas’ continues from where the show ended, finding Zoey making holiday plans without her father. Later, she reconnects with her friend who provides support during preparations. The film offers many callbacks to the popular musical series, even though it was unfortunately canceled.

14. ‘The Jenkins Family Christmas’ (2021)

After their father’s passing, sisters Baneatta and Beverly are making an effort to uphold their cherished Christmas customs despite harboring feelings of animosity towards each other.

Firstly, a new, mysterious half-sibling emerged with an intention of spoiling the festive gatherings. Additionally, Baneatta’s gay child, Kenny, symbolizes LGBTQ representation within the movie; he introduces his partner Logan during their holiday visits to their family home.

In contrast, it seems that Kenny and Logan encountered a rather unfavorable response from their family, as our film delves into the topic of acceptance during the holiday season.

15. ‘With Love’ (2021)

Amazon’s Prime debuted its first-ever LGBTQ holiday movie, but it’s more accurately described as a five-part miniseries. This unique production explores various holidays throughout the year in each episode.

Absolutely, you’ll be joining us to watch the Christmas special here. Although the central character isn’t a queer one (she’s caught up in a love triangle with two men), the LGBTQ representation is present through Lily’s brother, Jorge, who returns home for Christmas. Additionally, trans model Isis King appears as the family’s cousin named Sol in the storyline.

16. ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’ (2017)

Absolutely, I understand your surprise at finding a zombie musical among holiday LGBTQ films. However, give ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’ a chance as it’s an unexpected gem that offers an engaging narrative, making it worth watching beyond its unique genre combination.

‘Anna and the Apocalypse’ revolves around a chilling zombie outbreak that strikes during the festive season in a quaint Scottish town. Notably, Anna’s loyal lesbian friend is portrayed, who bravely joins forces with her to combat hordes of ravenous undead creatures.

17. ‘Let it Snow’ (2019)

The movie ‘Let it Snow’ focuses mainly on the Gen Z demographic due to its narrative style geared towards young adults. Notably, this film adapts a three-part story penned by various writers including John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle.

In the heart of winter, I find myself immersed in a story where a tight-knit group of us teens are trapped in our town by an unrelenting blizzard. There’s no end in sight to this storm. However, the movie offers more than just survival – it delves into the nuanced lives of its characters. This is particularly true for Dorrie, a character who adds a unique layer to the story. She harbors feelings for a cheerleader who’s yet to openly acknowledge her own identity.

18. ‘Moonlit Winter’ (2019)

Instead of sticking with our typical selection of English-focused LGBTQ films, we’re excited to present a heartwarming Asian LGBT Christmas movie filled with the essence of love.

The film, titled ‘Moonlit Winter,’ may not strictly be about Christmas, but it takes place during the winter season. This heartwarming tale follows a single mother and her adolescent daughter as they travel from South Korea to the chilly lands of Hokkaido, Japan.

The motivation behind this action stems from the mother’s desire to express feelings that have been bottled up, triggered by a letter from a woman she had fallen for long ago. As she navigates her way back to her past self, she finds herself immersed in love once more, amidst a picturesque winter landscape.

19. ‘A New York Christmas Wedding’ (2020)

Titled ‘A New York Christmas Wedding’, this heartwarming tale recaptures the essence of a small-town Christmas, evoking nostalgia reminiscent of the protagonist’s renewed emotions toward her childhood best friend, whom she secretly harbored affection for all those years.

In the film, Jenny grapples with doubts about marrying her forthcoming spouse upon reconnecting with her childhood friend. This encounter stirs up old emotions. Then, mysteriously, a guardian figure whisks her away to an alternate world where she experiences a day-long romance with her childhood friend as her lover instead.

20. ‘The Holiday Club (2024)

Initially, Sam detests festive seasons, whereas Bailey enjoys them. On a rather solitary Valentine’s Day, they serendipitously meet, connect swiftly, and form a friendship. As more holidays pass, Sam and Bailey spend time together, deepening their affection for one another.

The increasing number of LGBTQ Christmas films not only adds depth to the traditional holiday film category but also provides a platform where everyone can find relatability in tales about love, kinship, and happiness during the holidays. Whether you’re seeking tender romance, family-oriented drama, or cheerful festivities, these movies cater to various tastes, making this holiday season more inclusive and enjoyable for all.

2024-12-17 10:45