The holiday season is punctuated by many joyful moments. Whether it's families reuniting, buying presents for loved ones, or marveling at Christmas decorations blanketed in snow, the holidays are synonymous with happiness. And a key component of said happiness is the non-exhaustive list of fluffy and heartwarming holiday films.
In media, the LGBTQ+ community, in particular, has garnered growing support and representation over the last few years. Queer holiday films have become more and more common, including the new release Happiest Season. This is important because, not only is it queer representation, but it also demonstrates that queer characters can have complex stories, as well as happy endings.
Happiest Season (2020)
This recent release follows a couple, Harper and Abby, as they prepare to celebrate Christmas in Harper's home town. Things take a turn for the awkward when Abby reveals that she lied about coming out to her parents. Soon, the couple finds themselves navigating their relationship through Harper's family situation, her father's mayoral candidacy, and the holidays as a whole.
The film has since garnered positive reviews. Entertainment Weekly describes the movie as "a smart, heartfelt comedy whose small flaws are easily blotted out by bigger charms."
The Christmas House (2020)
The Christmas House follows Bill and Phyllis, a married couple who invites their grown sons home for Christmas to re-enact a family tradition. In between the festivities, the main characters have to work through individual struggles, from struggling with acting work to adopting a child.
This Hallmark movie made strides by being the first to have a same-sex couple at the forefront. Actor Jonathan Bennett describes the experience as "an honor" and that "this movie is the most important to [him] because this character matters."
I Hate New Year's (2020)
This 2020 comedy follows Layne Price, a rising music star suffering from writer's block. On the advice of a fortune teller, she goes to Nashville, Tennesse, with her best friend, Cassie Holmes. As Layne navigates overcoming her writer's block, Cassie navigates her growing romantic feelings for her best friend.
The Pop Break praises the film by saying that "it actually gives the viewer a romance worth rooting for." They also praised the many musical performances, saying that "the music is so strong that the film over-relies on it."
Dashing In December (2020)
This upcoming holiday movie follows Wyatt Burwall returning to his family's ranch in Colorado to try and convince his mother to sell it. During his stay, he meets their new ranch hand, Heath Ramos, who has dreams of saving the ranch.
The trailer portrays an adorable Christmas story about tackling loneliness and finding love when one least expects it. Set against a gorgeous, country backdrop and a cozy, rural atmosphere, the film promises to be a feel-good movie perfect for the season.
Holiday Heart (2000)
This 2000 Hallmark film follows Holiday Heart, a drag queen, who befriends Wanda, a single mother struggling with addiction, and her daughter, Niki. Taking place around Christmas, the film explores the themes of homophobia, addiction, loneliness, and the importance of mutual support.
The film has a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with particular praise for leading man, Ving Rhames. New York Magazine praised Rhames' acting, stating that "Holiday Heart... is more proof, if anyone needs it, that Ving Rhames can do anything."
Make The Yuletide Gay (2009)
This 2009 romantic comedy follows Olaf "Gunn" Gunnunderson as he returns home for the holidays. Fearing his family's prejudice if he does come out, he goes back into the closet to survive Christmas. Things quickly become complicated when his boyfriend, Nathan (played by Degrassi: The Next Generation's Adamo Ruggiero), pays him an unexpected visit.
Film Inquiry's Amanda Stern praised the movie, calling it "a light, fluffy holiday movie that makes you happy."
The Family Stone (2005)
This 2005 holiday movie follows Meredith Morton (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) joining her boyfriend, Everett Stone, for the holidays. Meredith, due to her conservative nature, struggles to fit in with Everett's liberal family. One of the side plots in the movie involves Everett's younger brother, Thad, trying to adopt a child with his husband, Patrick.
In an interview with Vulture, Sarah Jessica Parker recalls a particular scene where Meredith confronts Thad and Patrick about the possibility of having a gay child. She says that "I didn’t want anything about that to be easy, and I didn’t want it to feel familiar."
Scrooge And Marley (2012)
This movie puts an LGBTQ+ spin on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". It follows Ebeneezer "Ben" Scrooge, a successful piano bar owner who is visited by the ghost of his late friend, Jacob Marley. Following Marley's warnings to Ben about changing his ways, the latter is then visited by three ghosts throughout Christmas night as they show him the many ways that his life could go.
A Rotten Tomatoes reviewer praised the movie, stating that "this unique, silly and modern telling of the tale was rather refreshing" and calling it a "holiday 'recommend'."
A New York Christmas Wedding (2020)
This Netflix movie follows Jennifer, a young bisexual woman, as she begins questioning her impending marriage. However, when she saves the life of Azrael, he reveals himself as her guardian angel and gives her a second chance at falling in love with her best friend, Gabriella, with whom she had fallen out with.
Reviewer Carmen Phillips had significant praise for the film in terms of its casting, asking "when have you ever in your life, and I truly do mean ever, seen a gay Christmas love story with a woman of color lead?"
The Christmas Setup (2020)
This upcoming Lifetime movie follows New York City lawyer, Hugo, as he returns to his hometown of Milwaukee for the holidays. His mother (played by the incomparable The Nanny's Fran Drescher) soon begins matchmaking and trying to set him up with his old high school crush, Patrick.
The trailer promises a hilarious, awkward, and over the top movie about surviving family over the holidays (despite their best intentions) and discovering what you truly want.