15 Most Festive LGBTQ Christmas Movies
We're cuddling up to watch these all season long.
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It's a banner year for LGBTQ representation in holiday movies, with both Hulu and Hallmark releasing new flicks with LGBTQ characters in the lead. And at least seven more have come out in 2020 with some sort of queer representation. Lifetime aired the first gay kiss to appear in one of the channel's holiday movies just last year. "Compared to previous years, and the amount of LGBTQ-inclusive films that are out, it's like night and day," GLAAD's CEO and president, Sarah Kate Ellis told CNN."We've really gone from zero to 100." It's not just Christmas movies that are seeing better representation either; this year saw the highest percentage of LGBTQ characters onscreen since GLAAD first started tracking those numbers 20 years ago. But don't wave your Pride flags for the entertainment industry just yet, because we still have a long way to go (read our LGBTQ rights timeline). Of an estimated 879 regular characters on broadcast scripted prime-time programming, only about 10% (or 90 characters total) are explicitly LGBTQ, GLAAD reports.
Seeing LGBTQ characters onscreen makes members of the community feel seen. Straight couples may not blink an eye at who's under the mistletoe, but seeing two people who look like you in the media (especially for young or still-closeted LGBTQ people) can validate those who may not have anywhere else to turn. Here's our favorite holiday films that do just that, with some new options and old favorites. If we've missed yours, let us know in the comments. We're always looking for the next great flick.
Carol
Based on the novel The Price of Salt, this film follows the forbidden love affair of Therese, a struggle photographer and Carol, a socialite going through a divorce. It's gorgeously shot, positively rippling with tension, and oh, takes place at Christmastime.
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Happiest Season
This Hulu holiday film made a big splash when it came out this year. Harper (Mackenzie Davis) brings her girlfriend Abby (Kristen Stewart) home to meet her family, but on the way there, she reveals a catch: Harper's not out to her family yet. Abby agrees to pretend to be her straight roommate and, well, chaos ensues. We laughed, we cried, we debated in the group chat all the way through.
Friendsgiving
Those of us who have a zany crew will see themselves in this movie about a quiet Thanksgiving between friends Molly and Abbey that turn into offbeat, hilarious chaos. If you've ever invited one pal to dinner and then had them show up with add-ons that change the whole vibe, press play on this one.
I Hate New Year's
Layne is a budding star with a bad case of writer's block. She heads back to Nashville for New Year's to try and break through, but finds love where she least expects it. If you're staying home when the calendar finally leaves 2020 behind, turn this on instead of the ball drop.
The Christmas House
As tends to happen around the holidays, Phylis and Bill Mitchell summon their grown sons Mike and Brandon home for the holidays to recreate the Christmas house. But there's a lot going on. Brandon and his husband Jake are anxiously awaiting details about adopting their first child, while Mike reconnects with Andi, his high school sweetheart.
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Dashing in December
Get your cowboy boots ready: Christmas cynic Wyatt Burwall returns home for the holidays to convince his mom to sell the family's Colorado ranch. But Wyatt falls for hunky ranch hand Heath Ramos, who dreams of saving the property (not to mention its Winter Wonderland attraction). Watch to find out if he melts Wyatt's Grinchy heart.
Twinkle all the Way
Wedding planner Cadence joins forces with Henry, the owner of a Christmas decoration company, to make a holiday wedding at Snowview Lodge really special. They grow closer as they continue working together, but a snowstorm threatens to ruin it all. This movie features the first kiss between two men on a Lifetime Christmas movie. You love to see it.
Tangerine
After she learns her pimp was unfaithful, trans sex worker Sin-Dee enlists the help of her friend Alexandra to get back at him. As they tear through Los Angeles on Christmas, things get rowdy. This one's decidedly not for kids, so watch after yours go to bed if you've got little ones around.
The Christmas Setup
This classic Christmas movie plot with gay main characters feels like sipping a hot cocoa. Hugo and Patrick are growing closer as they enjoy the season together, but then Hugo gets offered a promotion across the pond in London. He has to decide what matters most: his career or their budding love story.
Let It Snow
A snowstorm in a small town brings a group of young people together, and the love stories are as plentiful as the flurries. One of those centers on Dorrie and Kerry, a lesbian couple. It's as light and fluffy as new-fallen snow, and the perfect watch for a lazy December afternoon.
Make the Yuletide Gay
With lots of winks and nods to its own cheesiness, this campy holiday romp follows themes lots of us will recognize. Nathan has nowhere to go for the holidays, so he surprises his boyfriend Olaf. Turns out, Olaf has his own bombshell: He hasn't told his family he's gay. This one's as sweet as a Christmas cookie.
Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas
Jess goes on an amazing first date with Ben but then accidentally "ghosts" him when she dies in a car crash on the way home. She wakes up as a ghost and, with the help of her best friend Kara, has to settle her unfinished business. Sure, Kara's love for her girlfriend Mae is a subplot, but it's still an adorable movie.
Holiday Heart
Holiday Heart is a drag queen who takes in drug addict Wanda and her daughter Nikki, forming a chosen family that's full of love and acceptance. It gets a bit dramatic, but Holiday's portrayal is honest, empathetic, and totally heartwarming.
Red Lodge
This 2013 movie is renamed The Unattainably Perfect Gay Christmas on Amazon Prime, but it's a great holiday watch by any name. Jordan proposes to his boyfriend Dave in the days before Christmas, but he waffles about his decision. As you can imagine, that makes for one awkward family holiday.
A New York Christmas Wedding
As her wedding approaches, Jennifer still feels like there's something missing in her relationship with her fiancé, David. Then, she meets an angel who shows her what her life would have been like if she'd gotten together with her childhood best friend Gabrielle instead. A queer Christmas story with a woman of color as the lead? All the way in.
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