• Log in
    PoliticsBusinessA&ETransgenderBisexualityReligionFamiliesVoicesVideo
    OUTPrideOut TravelerPLUSADVOCATE CHANNEL
    SubscribeSubscriber ServicesEmail Newsletter Signup
    CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
    © 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
    All Rights reserved
    Advocate.comAdvocate.com
    Scroll To Top

    By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accept

    15 LGBTQ+ Christmas Films to Make the Yuletide Even Gayer

    Advocate.com Editors

    15 LGBTQ+ Christmas Films to Make the Yuletide Even Gayer

    Merry Gay Christmas to All!

    Merry Gay Christmas to All!

    From Clea DuVall's Happiest Season to Hallmark's The Christmas House franchise, there has been a number queer Christmas films in recent years. That's a major change to a genre that has historically excluded LGBTQ+ people -- and a change some television networks aren't necessarily happy with.

    Below, you'll find some of the latest and best LGBTQ-focused movies about queer folks that you can stream this weekend (and really any time of year).

    Since it's probably too late to get off Santa's naughty list, just sit back and make that Yuletide gay with these queer productions.

    Related: 21 Movies That Queered Christmas

    The Holiday Sitter

    The Holiday Sitter

    Out actor Jonathan Bennett stars in Hallmark's first gay-focused Christmas movie along with George Krissa, Matthew James Dowden, Chelsea Hobbs, Nathan Parrott, Everett Andres, Mila Morgan, Amy Goodmurphy, Todd Matthews, and Ross Linton, among others.

    The official logline for the movie reads: "Sam is a workaholic bachelor who babysits his niece and nephew before the holidays when his sister and her husband have to go out of town. Completely out of his element, he recruits help from their handsome neighbor Jason and finds himself in an unexpected romance."

    In a recent interview with The Advocate's sibling publication Out, Bennett, "The Hallmark Channel is for everyone, The Holiday Sitter is for everybody."

    He addees, "So to be a part of this movement that is making sure that the people watching these amazing Christmas movies feel like they're represented on screen... it is so important."

    Dashing in December

    Dashing in December

    What's better than gay cowboys? Gay cowboys at Christmas! And that's exactly what Dashing in December delivers when Wyatt (Peter Porte), a New York City financier, connects with his roots and a handsome ranch hand on his mom's ranch/Winter Wonderland attraction when he returns home for the holidays to try to convince her to sell the place. While visiting his mother, Deb, played by Andie MacDowell, Wyatt meets Heath (Juan Pablo Di Pace) and the attraction is palpable. Cue the Brokeback Mountain, God's Own Country gay ranch vibe, albeit with a decidedly happier ending for all.

    Happiest Season

    The first LGBTQ+-focused holiday rom-com backed by a major studio, Happiest Season is directed by Clea DuVall and written by her and her writing partner Mary Holland. It tells the story of Harper (Mackenzie Davis) and Abby (Kristen Stewart), who run into problems when, as they are headed home for the holidays to visit Harper's overachieving family, Harper reveals some crucial information. The movie costars Holland, Dan Levy, Victor Garber, Mary Steenburgen, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, and Ana Gasteyer. It's a full-on same-sex romantic comedy with all of the holiday fixings. And it also features a soundtrack of all LGBTQ+ musicians that is the icing on the gingerbread people cookies.

    The Christmas House

    The Christmas House

    Hallmark has gotten into the gay Christmas movie game in recent years. In 2020, the channel released The Christmas House, starring Jonathan Bennett (Mean Girls) as Brandon and Brad Harder as Jake, a gay couple returning home for the holidays while also anxiously awaiting a call from an agency about adopting their first child. Treat Williams and Sharon Lawrence star as Brandon's parents in this sure-to-be heartwarming movie from the network renowned for its wholesome fare.

    The Christmas House 2

    The Christmas House 2

    In the sequel to 2020's The Christmas House, the Mitchell brothers, Brandon (Jonathan Bennett) and Mike (Robert Buckley), find themselves in an unseasonably heated sibling rivalry for the ages, and their parents Bill (Treat Williams) and Phylis (Sharon Lawrence) have to manage it.

    The Christmas Setup

    The Christmas Setup

    On the network known for its made-for-TV movies, Lifetime's The Christmas Setup stars real-life husbands Blake Lee and Ben Lewis, who fall in love all over again on-screen. Lewis plays Hugo, a New York City lawyer who goes to Milwaukee with his best friend, Madelyn (GLOW's Ellen Wong), to spend Christmas with his mom, played by The Nanny's Fran Drescher. A meddling matchmaker who also runs the local holiday festivities, Hugo's mom, Kate, arranges for him to run into his old crush Patrick (Lee), who's home from his high-powered job in Silicon Valley. The hitch? Hugo is offered a job in London just as things begin to get good.

    The Bitch Who Stole Christmas

    The Bitch Who Stole Christmas

    Emmy-winning TV icon and Drag Race legend RuPaul got in on all of the gay cheer by releasing her very own special holiday special for VH1, aptly entitled The Bitch Who Stole Christmas!

    "In the draggiest Christmas movie ever made, a workaholic big-city fashion journalist is sent to a Christmas-obsessed small town to dig up a story when she finds herself in the middle of cut-throat housewives, a high-stakes "Winter Ball" competition, and a sinister plot that could destroy Christmas fore-evah!" reads the films official description.

    Written by Connor Wright and Christina Friel and directed by Don Scardino, the film stars Mama Ru alongside a whole slate of amazing talent including Krysta Rodriguez, Andy Ridings, Michelle Visage, Ginger Minj, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Peppermint, Jan Sport, Jaymes Mansfield, Latrice Royale, Gottmik, Morgan McMichaels, Porkchop, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, Chad Michaels, Heidi N Closet, Kelly Mantle, Kimora Blac, Laganja Estranja, Manila Luzon, Mayhem Miller, Pandora Boxx, Raven, Rock M. Sakura, Kylie Sonique Love, Kim Petras, Charo, and Anna Maria Horsford.

    Single All the Way

    Single All the Way

    Directed by Tony winner Michael Mayer and starring a stacked cast that includes Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Luke MacFarlane, Barry Bostwick, Jennifer Robertson, and comedy screen legends Jennifer Coolidge and Kathy Najimy, Single All the Way is Netflix's highly-anticipated, first gay holiday film and tells the story of a gay man named Peter who is "desperate to avoid his family's judgment about his perpetual single status," according to the film's official (and relatable AF) description.

    Rent

    Rent

    The entire film takes place between Christmases, so we say this iconic queer musical (and broadway show) is a perfect holiday treat to celebrate love, happiness, and friendship -- and also the importance of friendship.

    Tangerine

    Tangerine

    The debut film of Sean Baker that was filmed on iPhones, Tangerine focuses on two trans women sex workers over the course of Christmas Eve in Los Angeles after one of the women finds out that her partner (who is also her pimp) cheated on her. They're out for some yuletide revenge.

    Christmas at the Ranch

    Christmas at the Ranch

    While a woman (Laur Allen) tries to save her family's ranch during the holiday season, she falls in love with the ranch hand (Amanda Righetti) who's wished for love. It's a total queer twist on the city slicker returning home for the holidays trope, but we're here for the sapphic romance.

    Merry & Gay

    Merry & Gay

    Merry & Gay stars Dia Frampton as a Broadway star Becca who returns to her hometown in December and falls back in love with her high school sweetheart, Sam (played by nonbinary actor Andi Rene Christensen. While Sam doesn't quite take to Becca again after their history together, they discover the sparks again while working on the town's Christmas variety show. Featuring a diverse cast that includes nonbinary and trans characters, Merry & Gay is swell addition to the queer Christmas family.

    A Jenkins Family Christmas

    A Jenkins Family Christmas

    Drama and secrets get exposed in this brand new, queer-inclusive family saga that features a gay couple played by Broadway actor/photographer Anthony Chatmon II and out model Derek Chadwick!

    "After the loss of a loved one, the Jenkins Family attempts to carry on with their Christmas traditions while learning to navigate a new normal," the official description of the film (which, from the trailer, even features a proposal between the two queer characters) reads.

    Under the Christmas Tree

    Under the Christmas Tree

    Under the Christmas Tree is Lifetime's first-ever lesbian romance.

    "Marketing whiz Alma Beltran (Elise Bauman) and Christmas tree whisperer Charlie Freemont (Tattiawna Jones) cross paths when Charlie finds the perfect tree for the Maine Governor's Holiday Celebration - right in Alma's back yard," the film's official description reads. "While they initially spar, romantic sparks soon begin to fly between the two women as the enchanting tree and some Christmas fairy dust from the town's patissiere extraordinaire (Ricki Lake) bring out the best in them and spark each other to take leaps of faith and fight for love and Christmas magic."

    Carol

    Carol

    Carol, about a soon-to-be-divorced New Jersey socialite and a mother who falls for Therese, the shopgirl who is, as Carol notes, "flung out of space," earned six Oscar nominations, even if it was snubbed in the Best Picture category. Still, it was the first Oscar-worthy love story about a female couple in which a man does not steal focus and that doesn't end in disaster or death for the women. In fact, the hopeful ending of both the film and the novel it's based on offer a possible happily-ever-after for Carol (Cate Blanchett) and Therese (Rooney Mara).

    Carol begins during the days before Christmas and includes Carol and Therese consummating their desire during a road trip on New Year's Eve. There's a Santa hat, Christmas tree shopping, booze, family turmoil, and the glow of Christmas lights reflecting off of snowy surfaces. Watching Carol for Christmas has become a bit of a holiday tradition, especially among queer women.

    Latest Stories

    Sen. Edward Durr of New Jersey, Rep. Savannah Maddox of Kentucky, and Sen. Mark Steffen of Kansas
    Politics
    Badge
    gallery

    Here Are the 21 States Trying to Ban Gender-Affirming Care

    February 01 2023 2:34 PM
    LGBTQ+ Athletes
    Sports
    Badge
    gallery

    27 LGBTQ+ Sports Legends Who Dominated Their Field

    January 13 2023 8:00 AM
    Queer Golden Globes
    Arts & Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    14 LGBTQ+ Golden Globes Nominees

    January 10 2023 6:02 PM
    Memoriam
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    In Memoriam: 21 LGBTQ+ Notables Who Died in 2022

    December 30 2022 6:21 PM
    Healey DeSantis Griner
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    The Biggest LGBTQ+ Stories of 2022

    December 30 2022 7:00 AM
    36 Pics of Inhibitions and Shirts Coming Off at Hebro's Jewbilee Party
    Photography
    Badge
    gallery

    36 Pics of Inhibitions and Shirts Coming Off at Hebro's Jewbilee Party

    December 29 2022 3:23 PM
    Queer Saints
    Religion
    Badge
    gallery

    30 LGBTQ+ Religious Saints Throughout History

    December 27 2022 8:01 AM
    best songs
    Music
    Badge
    gallery

    The 12 Best Songs By Queer Artists in 2022

    December 24 2022 11:44 AM
    Grindr
    Business
    Badge
    gallery

    Grindr Unwraps Its Sexy & Fun Top Trends of 2022

    December 23 2022 11:43 AM
    Queer Christmas
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    21 Movies That Queered Christmas

    December 23 2022 8:00 AM
    World AIDS Day ball
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    24 Photos of The Center Honoring HIV Awareness & NYC's Ballroom Scene

    December 22 2022 3:00 PM
    Provincetown Holly Folly
    Arts & Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    97 Cheery Photos of Provincetown's Holly Folly Holiday Bash

    December 19 2022 4:38 PM
    Crip
    Art
    Badge
    gallery

    Queer and Disabled Lives Beautifully Intersected

    December 18 2022 12:08 PM
    Advocate People of the Year luncheon
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    15 Images of Queer Joy at The Advocate's People of the Year Party

    December 08 2022 8:04 PM
    Susan Collins, Mitt Romney, and Todd Young
    Politics
    Badge
    gallery

    Who Are the 12 Republican Senators Who Voted for Marriage Equality?

    November 29 2022 6:40 PM
    sex work
    Sexy Beast
    Badge
    gallery

    26 Things Gay Sex Workers Want You to Know

    November 28 2022 10:29 AM
    Robert Giard
    Photography
    Badge
    gallery

    22 Photos of LGBTQ Writers, Artists, & Activists of the '80s and '90s

    November 28 2022 9:01 AM
    Queer Big Apple Corps Marching Band
    Voices
    Badge
    gallery

    Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Is Ready to Make Queer History

    November 24 2022 6:00 AM
    Club Q victims
    Crime
    Badge
    gallery

    Photos: Who Were the 5 Victims of the Club Q Shooting?

    November 21 2022 7:35 PM
    Trans Deaths in 2022
    Transgender
    Badge
    gallery

    Here Are the Trans Americans Killed in 2022 So Far

    November 20 2022 2:40 PM