Must-Watch Gay and Lesbian Christmas Rom-Coms Ruining Classic Family Traditions

The holiday season has traditionally been filled with a very specific type of romantic comedy but recent years have seen a wonderful explosion of diverse storytelling. These movies bring queer joy and complicated family dynamics to the forefront of the festive genre while still keeping all the cozy vibes people love. You can expect plenty of snowy small towns and secret romances and heartwarming reunions that shake up the old fashioned tropes. This list highlights some of the best gay and lesbian stories that are making their own mark on the winter holidays. It is time to update your seasonal watch list with these fresh and inclusive tales of love.

‘Happiest Season’ (2020)

The story follows a young woman named Abby who plans to propose to her girlfriend during a family holiday dinner. She soon realizes that Harper has not actually come out to her conservative parents and the two must pretend to be just roommates. This leads to a series of awkward and funny situations as they try to keep their secret hidden in a small town. The film features a large cast of talented comedy actors who help bring the chaotic family energy to life. It explores the difficulty of being yourself while trying to meet high expectations from the people you love.

‘Single All the Way’ (2021)

Peter is tired of being the only single person at his family Christmas and asks his best friend to pose as his boyfriend. His mother has other plans and sets him up on a blind date with a handsome local trainer. The plot centers on the realization that Peter might have been looking for love in the wrong places while his soulmate was right in front of him. This movie is known for its bright and cheery atmosphere and a very supportive family that wants the best for everyone. It delivers all the classic tropes of a holiday romance with a refreshing queer perspective.

‘The Holiday Sitter’ (2022)

A workaholic man named Sam agrees to look after his niece and nephew while his sister and her husband are away. He finds himself completely out of his element and recruits a handsome neighbor named Jason to help him manage the kids. The two spend the week preparing for the holidays and bonded over the challenges of parenting and festive traditions. This story is the first of its kind to air on a major holiday network with two men in the lead roles. It combines sweet moments with a lot of humor about the chaos of caring for energetic children.

‘The Christmas Setup’ (2020)

Hugo returns to his hometown with his best friend and is immediately pushed into a romantic situation by his meddling mother. She introduces him to his former high school crush Patrick and the two start to spend a lot of time together. They work on a project to save the local historic train station while discovering that their old feelings are still very strong. The movie is celebrated for featuring a real life married couple in the lead roles which adds a layer of genuine chemistry. It follows the traditional structure of a small town romance while celebrating queer identity and community history.

‘Dashing in December’ (2020)

Wyatt is a high flying financier who returns to his family ranch to convince his mother to sell the property. He meets a handsome ranch hand named Heath who is determined to show him the true magic of the winter season. The two men initially disagree on the future of the land but eventually find common ground through their love of local traditions. This film uses the beautiful backdrop of a snowy ranch to create a very romantic and visually stunning atmosphere. It deals with the conflict between professional ambitions and the desire for a simple and meaningful life.

‘Under the Christmas Tree’ (2021)

Charlie is a professional who finds the perfect tree for a major holiday celebration in a private backyard. She has to convince the owner of the property named Alma to part with the massive evergreen which has deep sentimental value. The two women spend time together as they negotiate the fate of the tree and find themselves developing a strong attraction. This story focuses on the sparks that fly between two career driven women who have very different views on the holidays. It is a lighthearted and cozy film that highlights the beauty of finding love when you least expect it.

‘Season of Love’ (2019)

This film tells the interconnected stories of three different lesbian couples navigating their lives during the holiday season. One couple is dealing with the pressure of a new engagement while another is just starting to discover their feelings for each other. The third storyline follows a pair of friends who realize their relationship might be something more than just platonic. It is designed to feel like a classic ensemble romantic comedy with multiple perspectives and a festive atmosphere. The movie emphasizes the importance of community and the various ways people experience love and joy.

‘Christmas on the Farm’ (2021)

An Australian author named Clementine writes a book about her life on a fictional farm and finds herself in a difficult spot when a publisher wants to visit. She has to pretend that her real life matches the idyllic descriptions in her writing with the help of her brother and his boyfriend. A handsome publishing executive arrives and starts to fall for Clementine while she struggles to keep the charade going. The movie is a comedy of errors that uses the unique setting of the Australian outback during the summer holidays. It is a playful take on the fake identity trope with a fun supporting cast.

‘The Christmas House’ (2020)

A family comes together to revive their beloved tradition of turning their home into an elaborate holiday display. One of the sons returns with his husband while they are in the middle of a stressful process to adopt their first child. The story focuses on the bonds between the brothers and their parents as they deal with personal struggles and festive cheer. This film was a milestone for its network as it featured a prominent gay couple in a mainstream holiday movie. It captures the warmth of family life and the excitement of starting new chapters together.

‘Make the Yuletide Gay’ (2009)

Olaf is a college student who is out and proud at school but hides his sexuality from his parents when he goes home for the holidays. His secret is threatened when his boyfriend Nathan unexpectedly shows up at the front door and pretends to be a straight friend. The two must navigate the awkwardness of the situation while trying to keep their relationship under wraps. This is an early example of a queer holiday romantic comedy that uses humor to explore the tension of being in the closet. It focuses on the importance of being honest with yourself and the people who care about you.

‘Let It Snow’ (2019)

A massive snowstorm hits a small town on Christmas Eve and brings together a group of high school seniors whose lives become intertwined. One of the central stories follows a girl named Dorrie who is dealing with a complicated crush on a classmate. The film captures the feeling of teenage romance and the excitement of a town transformed by a winter blizzard. It is based on a popular young adult novel and features a diverse cast of characters navigating friendship and love. The festive setting provides a magical backdrop for the various emotional journeys the teenagers take.

‘A New York Christmas Wedding’ (2020)

Jennifer is a woman who is about to get married but starts to have doubts about her life choices as the holiday approaches. An angel appears and gives her a chance to see what her life would have been like if she had pursued a romance with her childhood best friend. She finds herself in an alternate reality where she is engaged to a woman and living a completely different life. The movie explores themes of regret and the power of true love to transcend time and space. It uses the magical elements of a holiday fable to tell a deeply personal story about identity.

‘The Bitch Who Stole Christmas’ (2021)

A fashion obsessed journalist is sent to a small town that is obsessed with Christmas to write an expose on their holiday festival. She finds herself caught up in a fierce competition involving a group of colorful characters played by famous drag queens. The movie is a campy and over the top parody of traditional holiday films with lots of puns and dramatic costumes. It features a huge cast of stars from a popular reality competition show and leans into a very self aware humor. This is a great choice for viewers who want a high energy and unconventional festive experience.

‘Christmas at the Ranch’ (2021)

Haley is a city girl who returns to her family ranch to help save it from financial ruin before the holidays. She meets Kate who is the ranch hand responsible for keeping the place running and the two initially do not get along. As they work together to organize a holiday event they begin to see each other in a new light and form a romantic connection. The film is a classic enemies to lovers story set against the backdrop of a beautiful horse ranch in winter. It focuses on the value of hard work and the importance of preserving family legacies.

‘A Christmas to Treasure’ (2022)

A group of childhood friends reunites in their hometown for a special holiday treasure hunt that was designed by a beloved neighbor. Two of the friends who had a falling out years ago are forced to work together to solve the clues. As they move through the challenges they start to reconnect and address the feelings they have been avoiding for a long time. The movie highlights the strength of lifelong friendships and the way the holidays can bring people back together. It is a sweet and nostalgic story about finding love while revisiting the past.

‘Merry & Gay’ (2022)

A Broadway star returns to her small hometown for the holidays and runs into her high school girlfriend who never left. The two women are cast in the local Christmas pageant and have to spend a lot of time rehearsing together. Their old sparks quickly reignite but they have to decide if their different lifestyles can ever truly work in the long run. The film features musical performances and a very festive small town atmosphere that feels very cozy. It explores the idea of returning to your roots and finding happiness in the places you once tried to escape.

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

The Mitchell family returns for another holiday adventure where the two brothers compete to see who can create the most spectacular light display. Mike and his husband are now settled into their lives but find themselves caught up in the friendly rivalry between the siblings. The story balances the humor of the competition with heartfelt moments about parenthood and family support. It continues the story of the characters from ‘The Christmas House’ while adding even more festive chaos and decoration. The movie celebrates the idea that family traditions can grow and change over time.

‘Friends & Family Christmas’ (2023)

Dani and Amelia are two women who are tired of being pressured by their families to find partners during the holidays. They decide to pretend to be in a relationship to get their parents off their backs while they focus on their own lives. As they attend various festive events together they realize that their fake romance is starting to feel very real. This film follows the popular fake dating trope while providing a sweet and modern look at queer romance. It emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries with family while remaining open to new possibilities.

‘Christmas on Cherry Lane’ (2023)

This movie tells the stories of three different families living in the same house at different points in time during the holiday season. One of the storylines features a gay couple who are preparing to host their first Christmas together while navigating some unexpected surprises. The narrative jumps between the decades to show how the house and the people inside it have changed over the years. It is a heartwarming look at the traditions that connect different generations and the diverse ways people celebrate. The film uses a unique structure to deliver a powerful message about home and belonging.

‘The Jinglebell Jubilee’ (2023)

A city man travels to a small town to help his friend organize a massive holiday festival and ends up meeting a charming local schoolteacher. They work together to plan the events and find themselves bonding over their shared love of the season and their community. The story is filled with classic holiday activities like tree lighting ceremonies and town parades that create a very magical feel. It is a gentle and romantic story that focuses on the simple joys of the holidays and the connections people make. The film highlights the importance of contributing to the happiness of those around you.

‘Looking for Her’ (2022)

Taylor is a woman who mistakenly believes she has found the perfect girl for her family holiday party but things do not go as planned. She hires an actress to play her girlfriend for the weekend so she does not have to face her family as a single person. The two women have to maintain the act through various family dinners and holiday traditions while starting to develop genuine feelings for one another. This is a playful take on the fake dating trope that features a lot of chemistry between the leads. It explores the tension between wanting to please family and being true to your heart.

‘A Jenkins Family Christmas’ (2021)

Two sisters return home for the holidays after the passing of their father and try to keep their family traditions alive. One of the sisters brings her new girlfriend home which causes some tension and surprises within the family dynamic. The story deals with the challenges of grief and the way families can come together to support each other during difficult times. It features a lot of humor and heart as the characters navigate their changing roles and relationships. The movie is a soulful look at the importance of family legacy and the power of love to heal.

‘Holiday Heartbreak’ (2020)

A man who has been unlucky in love discovers that his family has been cursed with bad relationships for generations during the holidays. He has to find a way to break the curse before Christmas so he can finally find true happiness with the person he loves. The story is a fun and energetic comedy that features a lot of physical humor and romantic tension. It explores the idea of fate and the things people are willing to do to find their soulmate. The film uses the holiday setting to add a layer of whimsy and magic to the romantic journey.

‘Twinkle All the Way’ (2019)

Two single parents who are both wedding planners join forces to create an incredible holiday themed wedding for a high profile client. While the main romance focuses on the two planners there is a very prominent gay couple who is getting married. The film shows the process of planning a massive festive event and the many challenges that come with it. It is a very bright and cheerful movie that celebrates the beauty of winter weddings and the joy of finding a partner. The story emphasizes that everyone deserves a magical holiday celebration regardless of their path in life.

‘Scrooge & Marley’ (2012)

This is a modern and queer retelling of the classic holiday story about a man who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. Ben Scrooge is a bitter man who has turned his back on his community and the people who care about him. The film follows him as he revisits his past and sees the potential of his future through a very specific lens. It features musical numbers and a cast of characters that bring a fresh perspective to the familiar tale. The story is a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness and the possibility of redemption at any age.

‘Shared Rooms’ (2016)

This film follows three different stories of gay men who are dealing with various relationship issues during the week between Christmas and New Year. One story involves a couple who takes in a teenage relative who has been kicked out of his home. Another plot centers on two men who meet through a phone app and find a deeper connection than they expected. The third storyline explores the rekindling of a past romance during a holiday party. It is a grounded and realistic look at queer life and the various ways people seek connection during the winter season.

‘The Family Stone’ (2005)

An uptight businesswoman accompanies her boyfriend to his eccentric family home for the Christmas holidays. One of the brothers is gay and deaf and he brings his partner along for the celebration which adds to the busy household dynamic. The story explores the friction between different personalities and the deep love that holds the family together through difficult moments. It is a more dramatic take on the holiday romantic comedy genre with plenty of emotional scenes and realistic conflicts. The movie is well known for its talented ensemble cast and its depiction of a modern and complicated family.

‘Christmas at the Golden Dragon’ (2022)

When a beloved local Chinese restaurant announces it is closing for good several people in the community have to figure out their holiday plans. The film follows multiple storylines including a romance involving a gay couple who are regulars at the restaurant. It shows how the place has served as a hub for the community and the different ways it has impacted their lives. The story is a heartwarming look at the importance of small businesses and the connections people form in their neighborhoods. It celebrates the diversity of holiday traditions and the power of coming together to support one another.

‘With Love’ (2021–2023)

This television series follows the Diaz siblings as they search for love and purpose during several different holidays throughout the year. The Christmas episodes focus on the family gathering and the various romantic entanglements of the characters including a prominent gay romance. Each episode captures the unique energy of a specific holiday and the way it affects the characters relationships and personal growth. It is a vibrant and modern story that highlights the beauty of a large and supportive Latino family. The show balances humor and heart to provide a very comprehensive look at modern love and identity.

Please share your thoughts on which of these inclusive holiday romances is your favorite to watch in the comments.