Overhyped Queer Holiday Movies

Over the last few years, we’ve seen a big rise in holiday movies featuring LGBTQ+ characters and stories. Big movie studios and TV networks are now making an effort to include everyone in their winter-themed films. Because these movies are often the first of their kind, they get a lot of attention from marketing and online buzz. Looking at the themes and impact of these films helps us understand how holiday entertainment is changing. This list highlights some of the most popular and well-received movies in this growing category.

‘Happiest Season’ (2020)

This charming romantic comedy features Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis as a couple heading home for the holidays. The story revolves around a woman who realizes her girlfriend hasn’t told her parents they’re together. The film gained attention for being one of the first big studio holiday rom-coms to center on a lesbian couple. It’s a heartwarming and funny look at family acceptance and the usual stress of the holidays, all set during a traditional Christmas celebration. When it was first released, it was very popular on streaming services.

‘Single All the Way’ (2021)

Peter invites his best friend, Nick, home for the holidays to avoid family questions about being single. While visiting, his mother tries to set him up on a blind date with a trainer. The movie follows familiar romantic comedy themes like pretending to date someone and realizing feelings for a close friend. It’s special because it’s the first gay holiday rom-com made by Netflix, and stars well-known actors like Michael Urie and Jennifer Coolidge.

‘The Holiday Sitter’ (2022)

This Hallmark Channel movie centers around Sam, who takes care of his niece and nephew over Christmas break. He gets help from a charming neighbor with everything from household chores to holiday fun. What makes this film different is its focus on a gay romance – a move for traditional holiday programming. The story explores themes of family, responsibility, and finding unexpected connections during the holidays, ultimately ending with a heartwarming romance typical of the season.

‘The Christmas House’ (2020)

This heartwarming holiday movie centers on the Mitchell family, who come together to decorate their house for the season. The story follows one son and his husband as they eagerly await news about adopting a child. Notably, this is Hallmark’s first holiday film to feature a married same-sex couple. The movie weaves together several storylines about family traditions and important life events, and stars Robert Buckley and Jonathan Bennett.

‘The Christmas Setup’ (2020)

When Hugo goes home to Milwaukee for the holidays, his mother tries to set him up with someone he had a crush on in high school. As they reconnect, Hugo also has to decide whether to accept a big job offer in London. This heartwarming movie is the first holiday film from Lifetime to focus on an LGBTQ+ love story. It’s filled with classic holiday cheer, like community festivals and bake sales, and stars real-life husband and wife, Ben Lewis and Blake Lee.

‘Dashing in December’ (2020)

Wyatt goes home to his family’s ranch, hoping to talk his mother into selling it. While there, he meets a charming ranch hand who’s dedicated to keeping the holidays cheerful. The movie is a heartwarming blend of Western themes and a romantic comedy, focusing on the value of family traditions and discovering love when you least expect it. It originally aired on Paramount Network as part of their holiday lineup.

‘Under the Christmas Tree’ (2021)

This Lifetime movie tells the story of Alma and Charlie, who meet while searching for the ideal Christmas tree. Charlie is a professional tree finder tasked with finding a special evergreen for the governor’s holiday party. Though they initially disagree about the perfect tree, Alma and Charlie begin to fall for each other. The film centers on the connection between the two actresses and uses classic holiday elements like community spirit and the magic of the season.

‘A New York Christmas Wedding’ (2020)

Jennifer is getting ready to walk down the aisle, but she’s feeling uncertain. Just when she needs it most, a guardian angel appears and shows her a glimpse of a different life – one where she pursued a relationship with her childhood best friend. The movie is a heartwarming story about what could have been and finding the bravery to be true to yourself. It mixes a touch of magic with the feel-good vibes of a classic holiday film, and also features a diverse cast and tackles important real-world issues.

‘The Bitch Who Stole Christmas’ (2021)

This movie is a funny parody of classic holiday films, starring queens from a well-known drag competition show. It follows a fashion journalist, obsessed with work, who’s sent to a small town to cover their Christmas festival. The film playfully pokes fun at common holiday movie clichés, with over-the-top costumes and humor geared towards fans of drag. It originally aired on VH1 as a lighthearted and comedic break from traditional, sentimental holiday movies.

‘Season of Love’ (2019)

This heartwarming indie film tells the stories of three lesbian couples during the holidays. Their lives connect as they experience the joys of new love and the ups and downs of established relationships. It’s notable as one of the first big holiday rom-coms made specifically for queer women, and it features a diverse and inclusive cast. Each couple’s journey offers a unique look at love and connection during the festive season.

‘Let It Snow’ (2019)

A big snowstorm on Christmas Eve disrupts life in a small town, especially for a group of high school students. The movie follows several of them as they deal with relationships and social challenges, and their stories become intertwined. A key part of the plot involves a secret love affair between two girls. Based on a well-known young adult book, the film is a coming-of-age story with a beautiful, snowy setting and is available to stream on Netflix.

‘Friendsgiving’ (2020)

Okay, so I just watched this movie about two best friends trying to pull off a huge Thanksgiving dinner, and let me tell you, it’s a hilarious mess! Things get totally out of control when a bunch of unexpected people show up. It’s got a really fun, diverse cast of characters – there’s this one woman figuring things out after a breakup, and it’s cool to see her journey. The humor is mostly from awkward situations, and it’s really sweet seeing how these friends have become a sort of family of choice. Kat Dennings and Malin Akerman are fantastic in the leads. Honestly, it’s a really relatable movie about the stress of hosting the holidays and how complicated friendships can be.

‘Make the Yuletide Gay’ (2009)

Olaf is a college student visiting his family for the holidays, but he’s keeping his relationship a secret. When his boyfriend, Nathan, unexpectedly arrives, Olaf’s secret is put at risk. The movie humorously and touchingly portrays the fallout of coming out to his family during a holiday celebration. It quickly became popular within the LGBTQ+ community as one of the first films to tackle this subject during the holiday season, and highlights the value of being truthful and accepting yourself.

‘Carol’ (2015)

This film, set in the 1950s, tells the story of a forbidden love affair between a young photographer and a woman recently separated from her husband. Taking place during Christmas, the movie is visually striking with beautiful costumes and sets. It was praised by critics for its acting and direction by Todd Haynes. Though not a typical Christmas comedy, its beautiful winter aesthetic often connects it with the holiday season. The film deeply explores the societal pressures and complex emotions of its characters.

‘Tangerine’ (2015)

As a real cinema lover, I was completely drawn in by this film! It’s set on Christmas Eve in LA and follows two trans women as they try to track down a boyfriend who’s been unfaithful. What’s really cool is it was all shot on smartphones – giving it a really unique look. It’s not your typical heartwarming holiday story, though. It’s raw and fast-paced, focusing on the realities of life on the fringes. What struck me most was how genuine it felt, with incredibly energetic performances that really brought the story to life. It’s a powerful film about friendship and just trying to survive.

‘Christmas at the Ranch’ (2021)

During the holidays, a woman who works in the city goes back to her family’s ranch, which is facing financial trouble. While trying to save the ranch, she connects with one of the ranch hands, and a romantic relationship blossoms. The movie follows a classic holiday story arc – a city person finding love in the countryside – and emphasizes the value of family history and the heartwarming feeling of the holidays. It’s a heartwarming story in the style of Hallmark movies, with a central romance between two women.

‘A Jenkins Family Christmas’ (2021)

This film follows two sisters as they navigate their first Christmas at home after losing their father. While trying to keep cherished family traditions alive, they confront their mother and each other about long-held secrets. The arrival of one sister’s girlfriend adds to the tension and leads to surprising discoveries. The story beautifully portrays grief and the complexities of family relationships during the holiday season. It’s a feature film with an all-Black cast, released on a popular streaming platform.

‘Merry & Gay’ (2022)

This heartwarming movie tells the story of a Broadway star who goes home for the holidays and reconnects with her former high school sweetheart. As they revisit old feelings, they also have to deal with their mothers’ interference. The film is about finding your way back home and rediscovering love, all set to a cheerful, musical backdrop with plenty of holiday spirit. It’s designed to be a fun and festive watch.

‘A Christmas to Treasure’ (2022)

When a cherished neighbor passes away, a group of childhood friends comes together for a treasure hunt he planned before his death. As they follow the clues, two former best friends begin to reconnect, reminding them of the power of shared memories and the importance of community. The movie unfolds with a clear story, leading to a heartwarming and romantic ending, all set amidst the cozy atmosphere of winter and holiday traditions.

‘Christmas on the Farm’ (2021)

A pampered New Yorker unexpectedly inherits an Australian farm and pretends to be a seasoned farmhand to land a book deal. With the help of her cousin and best friend, she tries to keep up the charade when a publisher visits during the summer holidays. The movie is a lighthearted romantic comedy filled with funny mishaps, and it offers a fresh twist on traditional holiday stories by taking place in the Australian summer. It premiered on streaming services during the holiday season.

‘Candy Cane Candidate’ (2021)

I recently watched this movie about Julia, who goes back home after a tough time in her career and decides to run for city council. It’s fun because her old high school rival is running too, and their competition gets pretty intense – both professionally and, surprisingly, romantically! The whole thing unfolds during the holidays, which makes for a really cozy and heartwarming feel. It’s exactly the kind of feel-good, inclusive holiday movie that’s been popping up a lot on cable lately, and I totally loved it.

‘Holiday Heartbreak’ (2020)

This heartwarming holiday special tells the story of a man repeatedly struck by bad luck in love. His daughter, as a playful curse, is the cause! The film follows his hilarious attempts to reverse the curse before the holidays are over. With a diverse cast, it’s a funny and touching story about family and finding real connection, and also includes a sweet romance between the daughter and someone she’s interested in. It originally aired as a special on a major TV network.

‘The Jinglebell Jubilee’ (2023)

This heartwarming movie tells the story of a city planner and a local volunteer who team up to save their town’s historic community center before the annual holiday festival. As they work together to plan and decorate for the event, they unexpectedly fall in love. The film celebrates the strength of community spirit and the charm of small-town traditions, offering a familiar holiday romance with a fresh, gay couple at its heart. It ends with a joyful festival and a loving moment for the two main characters.

‘Our Christmas Journey’ (2021)

This heartwarming film tells the story of a mother raising a teenage son with autism, and her struggles and triumphs during the holidays. As she seeks independence, she finds unexpected support in a new relationship. The movie also follows her son as he navigates his own holiday experiences. Critics have celebrated the film’s realistic portrayal of neurodiversity, family strength, and its diverse cast, all set against a festive backdrop and dealing with relatable, real-life issues.

‘The Holiday Exchange’ (2024)

I recently watched this really charming movie about two guys who decide to switch homes for Christmas. One was stuck in a rut and needed a cozy, snowy escape to a small town, while the other wanted to trade that in for sunshine and a beach. It wasn’t just about the change of scenery, though. Both of them ended up meeting someone special and really figuring things out about themselves. What I loved was how the movie used the whole house swap idea to show off different Christmas traditions and beautiful locations. It was a big release on a streaming service during the holidays, and honestly, it was exactly the kind of feel-good movie I needed.

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

In this sequel, the Mitchell brothers face off in a nationally televised Christmas decorating competition. As they try to win, they have to deal with their usual sibling squabbles alongside the challenges of their everyday lives and families. The film also continues the story of the beloved gay couple from the first movie, now as parents. It’s a heartwarming story about the power of family and the joy of holiday traditions, brought to life by the returning original cast.

‘Checkin’ It Twice’ (2023)

This heartwarming movie follows a hockey player and a real estate agent whose paths keep crossing. As they team up to protect their town’s beloved ice rink, a romance blossoms. The film also features a touching story about a same-sex couple within the supporting cast, blending the excitement of sports with the cozy feel of a holiday romance. Ultimately, it’s a story about working together and the strength of community spirit during the holidays.

‘A Cowboy Christmas Romance’ (2023)

A city-dwelling real estate professional goes back to her roots, hoping to persuade a determined rancher to sell his property. While there, she reconnects with the cowboy way of life and finds herself falling for a woman in town. The movie looks at the clash between new development and the values of rural life, featuring a heartwarming lesbian love story and playfully incorporating familiar Western and holiday themes. It premiered as part of a holiday-themed series on a well-known cable channel.

‘Rent’ (2005)

This movie is based on the beloved Broadway musical and tells the story of a group of friends navigating life and love in New York City. The film follows them through a full year, starting on Christmas Eve, and powerfully depicts the impact of the HIV epidemic. It’s known for its memorable LGBTQ+ characters and relationships, and explores themes of staying true to yourself and finding family when you need it most. The story begins and ends during the Christmas season.

‘The Family Stone’ (2005)

Every year, the Stone family’s holiday get-together is full of both love and conflict. This year, the eldest son brings home a very proper girlfriend, adding to the usual drama. Meanwhile, another brother and his partner, who are planning to adopt a child, come to visit. The film is a funny and touching story about the complicated realities of family life, with all its hidden challenges. Featuring a fantastic cast including Diane Keaton and Sarah Jessica Parker, it’s become a beloved holiday tradition for many because of how truthfully it portrays family bonds and tensions.

Please share your thoughts on these holiday films in the comments.

2025-12-24 17:50