Christmas is just around the corner, so it’s high time for a rec list of movies to watch while you cosy up with some hot chocolate. Those are basically all new releases, since Happiest Season coming out last year gave studios a kick to bring us more LGBT Christmas movies. Finally. And no, I’m not including Single All the Way on my list, because you probably already know about it (and because, well, I didn’t really enjoy it much).
I made a part one to this, with gay Christmas movies, two years ago, and I obviously encourage you to check it out, but also I have to be honest: most of the good stuff came out since then.
There are also 11 movies on this list and that’s because one of them is a short feature, so it’s like a cute little bonus.
Dashing in December (2020)
dir. Jake Helgren
Letterboxd
Rep: gay mc, gay Colombian American mc
Why Should I Watch It?
This might be one of my favourite Christmas movies, actually. It’s perfectly cheesy, exactly in the way you’re hoping for. There’s some enemies-esque dynamic to the guys when they first meet, which adds nice flavour to the romance. There’s cute wintery scenerie, there are horse riding dates, there are the sweetest confessions… Really, this movie has it all. And! there’s Andie MacDowell. What more could gay people possibly want?
I Hate New Year’s (2020)
dir. Christin Baker
Letterboxd
Rep: half-Korean American lesbian mc, Filipino American lesbian mc, lesbian side characters
Why Should I Watch It?
Technically it’s about New Year’s Eve and not Christmas, but really, it’s only a week of difference, and the Christmas lights are still all over the city. So I say it totally counts. And this is the most heartwarming friends to lovers situation in the world. Even the side characters, who would have been the bad guys if this movie was made by anyone else, are actually like a lesbian gift.
Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas (2019)
dir. Theresa Bennett
Letterboxd
Rep: Asian American lesbian character, Black lesbian character
Why Should I Watch It?
Okay, yes, the lesbians here aren’t the main characters. But listen! They still get a lot of screen time. Enough to get some proper character development and for their relationship to have some problems & growth. Possibly the only Christmas movie involving death that’s actually hilarious and wholesome. Absolutely in my personal top three.
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
dir. Satoshi Kon
Letterboxd
Rep: trans mc
TW: transphobia, misgendering, mentions of past parental abuse, death, physical abuse, suicide attempts
Why Should I Watch It?
Imagine this: three homeless friends find an abandon child in the garbage & do their best to find her parents. What ensues is a sometimes hilarious and sometimes dangerous journey to achieve that goal. Everything and everyone is connected, nothing in this story is simple and what it looks like at the first glance. The theme of motherhood is also very prevalent, especially when it comes to the trans woman main character.
A New York Christmas Wedding (2020)
dir. Otoja Abit
Letterboxd
Rep: Afro-Latina bi mc, Italian American lesbian li
Why Should I Watch It?
People either love or hate this movie, I haven’t seen any ambivalent opinions about it. Obviously, I’m in the group that loves it. It’s a Christmas miracle! This movie looked at the tired “bury your gays” trope and decided that actually, it can spin it on its head. And bring us some holiday joy. It’s weird, I will admit, but it’s also extremely romantic.
The Christmas Setup (2020)
dir. Pat Mills
Letterboxd
Rep: gay mc & li
Why Should I Watch It?
I like this movie because it’s just a silly rom-com, about a mother who tries very hard to set her son up with someone. And it happens to be gay. The main conflict of the movie has nothing to do with closets and coming out of them, or any other forms of homophobia. Instead it’s simply about a couple facing some tough life choices. It’s cheesy in the best (gayest) way.
Season of Love (2019)
dir. Christin Baker
Letterboxd
Rep: deaf lesbian mc, poc sapphic mc, Chinese American lesbian mc, bi mc, Latina sapphic mc, sapphic mc, gay deaf side character
Why Should I Watch It?
It’s only two years old, but I feel like it’s fair to say this movie is already a bit of a classic. At least for the lesbians. Christin Baker has truly never missed. (Yes, there are three of her movies on this list, what of it?) This movie is special because it has not one, not two, but three sapphic couples. And what’s even better, each of them has to deal with totally different obstacles. Brings back your faith in love, and also the Christmas spirit.
Silent Night (2021)
dir. Camille Griffin
Letterboxd
Rep: lesbian character, Black lesbian character
TW: blood, death, murder, mention of past paedophilia, classism
Why Should I Watch It?
Okay, first things first. This is not a Christmas movie in the sense we’re used to. It’s not a happy cheesy romcom. It is happy at times, but. It’s quite difficult to talk about this movie without spoilering all the big things that make it so great. So let’s just say this: the lesbian couple is to die for, one of them being an asshole & the other a literal ray of sunshine; the black humour is excellent; Keira Knightley is beautiful as always. Just be prepared to get a bit traumatised!
Under the Christmas Tree (2021)
dir. Lisa Rose Snow
Letterboxd
Rep: sapphic mc, Black sapphic mc
Why Should I Watch It?
Kind of cheating, because this movie only comes out next week. But also, I feel like it’s my duty to let you know about it, in case you weren’t already aware. Based on the trailer, we can expect some sweet, sweet gay panic & a very wholesome romance. And let’s be real, isn’t that all we want from our Christmas movies?
Edit after watching: is it the best sapphic Christmas romcom? Very possible!
Christmas at the Ranch (2021)
dir. Christin Baker
Letterboxd
Rep: lesbian mc & li
Why Should I Watch It?
If you look at this and you’re reminded of Dashing in December, you would be absolutely correct (well, at least for like the first 20 minutes of the movie). But hear me out: we’re gay and our favourite form of art is fanfiction – we live for endless renditions of the same tropes & plots. And frankly, 90 minutes of lesbians at a ranch, bickering and sharing a bed for warmth, and riding out at night… It’s that the dream?
The Syed Family Xmas Eve Game Night (2021)
dir. Fawzia Mirza
Letterboxd
Rep: Pakistani Muslim sapphic mc, Puerto Rican nonbinary li
Why Should I Watch It?
This short feature premiered at festivals, but I don’t think you can watch it online yet. I’ve seen it compared to Shiva Baby (a very stressful but fun movie about a bi girl attending a shiva and meeting there her sugar daddy & a girl she used to have a crush on), and that alone makes me desperate to watch it. The trailer also promises amazing family dynamics. Interestingly, this is the only movie on the list with an established relationship between the main couple.
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