Let’s be honest – watching straight couples fall in love under the mistletoe gets old fast.
Fortunately, the past few years have blessed us with some seriously cute gay holiday romances. From Netflix originals to Hallmark firsts, here are 10 Christmas films that put queer joy front and center.
1. Single All The Way (2021)
Netflix’s first gay holiday rom-com hits all the right notes with its story of Peter, who convinces his bestie Nick to pose as his boyfriend for Christmas. But his matchmaking family has other plans…
Cast: Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Jennifer Coolidge
Behind the Scenes: The filmmakers deliberately created a story without coming out drama or family rejection, focusing instead on pure holiday joy.
Why you’ll love it: If you’ve ever wanted Hallmark movies but make it gay, this is your Christmas wish come true. The chemistry between Michael Urie (of Ugly Betty fame) and Philemon Chambers is adorable, Jennifer Coolidge steals every scene (as usual), and the whole thing feels like a warm holiday hug.
Where to watch: Netflix
2. The Christmas Setup (2020)
Lifetime’s first LGBTQ+ holiday movie follows Hugo, a New York lawyer who returns home for Christmas only to find his mom playing matchmaker with his old high school crush Patrick.
Cast: Ben Lewis, Blake Lee, Fran Drescher
Fun Fact: The lead actors are married in real life, which explains their incredible on-screen chemistry!
Why it’s irresistible: When your meddling mom’s matchmaking actually works out? Dreams do come true! Plus, Fran Drescher, as the ultimate supportive mom, is everything we needed.
Where to watch: Amazon’s Prime Video
3. The Holiday Sitter (2022)
Hallmark’s first gay-led Christmas movie proves that sometimes the best gifts come when you least expect them. When Sam agrees to babysit his niece and nephew, he doesn’t expect to fall for their handsome (of course) neighbor Jason.
Cast: Jonathan Bennett, George Krissa
Behind the Scenes: Jonathan Bennett (you might remember him as Aaron Samuels from Mean Girls) helped develop the story to ensure authentic representation.
Why you need to watch it: It’s like Home Alone meets gay romance, minus the slapstick violence. The kids are adorable, the romance is sweet, and it proves Hallmark is finally getting with the program.
Where to watch: Hallmark+ / Hallmark+ on Prime Video
4. Dashing in December (2020)
A sophisticated New York financier returns home to his family’s ranch, only to find himself falling for a rugged ranch hand who’s keeping the family business alive. Think cowboy romance with a holiday twist!
Cast: Peter Porte, Juan Pablo Di Pace
Fun Fact: The film combines two beloved genres – holiday romance and cowboy love stories.
Why it works: Think Brokeback Mountain meets Hallmark, but with a happy ending guaranteed. The stunning winter ranch scenery alone is worth the watch, but it’s the charm between our leading men that’ll keep you hooked.
Where to watch: Amazon’s Prime Video
5. Make the Yuletide Gay (2009)
College student Olaf “Gunn” Gunnunderson is out and proud at school, but back in the closet at home. When his boyfriend Nathan shows up unexpectedly for Christmas, holiday chaos ensues.
Cast: Keith Jordan, Adamo Ruggiero, Kelly Keaton
Behind the Scenes: One of the earliest gay Christmas films to tackle coming out during the holidays with humor rather than heavy drama.
Why it’s special: Despite its low budget, this charming comedy captures the relatable struggle of navigating family dynamics during the holidays. Plus, the pun in the title? Iconic.
Where to watch: Dekkoo via Prime Video
6. The Christmas House (2020)
This groundbreaking Hallmark movie follows the Mitchell family’s holiday reunion, including gay couple Brandon and Jake who are anxiously awaiting news about adopting their first child.
Cast: Jonathan Bennett, Brad Harder, Treat Williams
Fun Fact: First Hallmark Christmas movie to feature a gay couple in a main storyline.
Why you’ll get hooked: Finally, a holiday movie that shows gay couples as part of the bigger family picture! The adoption storyline will have you reaching for the tissues in the best possible way. Just be warned – there’s a lot of focus on the straight couples as well…
Where to watch: Peacock / Amazon’s Prime Video
7. A New York Christmas Wedding (2020)
We had to include at least one title for our lesbian friends: Jennifer hates Christmas due to past losses, but when she meets a mysterious angel, she’s shown an alternate reality where she ended up with her childhood best friend Gabby instead of her fiancé.
Cast: Nia Fairweather, Adriana DeMeo, Cooper Koch
Behind the Scenes: Takes the classic “what if” holiday story template and gives it a fresh queer twist.
Why it stands out: If you love both Christmas movies and parallel universe stories, this one’s for you. It’s like “It’s a Wonderful Life” but with sapphic romance! Oh, and there’s a big bonus: Cooper Koch of Monsters’ fame…
Where to watch: Tubi
8. 24 Nights (1999)
Jonathan believes in Santa Claus and spends 24 nights writing letters asking for true love. When he meets the handsome Toby (who has a boyfriend – uh oh…), things get complicated in the best possible way.
Cast: Kevin Isola, David Burtka, Aida Turturro
Fun Fact: One of the earliest gay Christmas films, paving the way for today’s more mainstream LGBTQ+ holiday movies.
Why it’s magical: Sometimes the best holiday movies are the ones that dare to be different. This whimsical tale combines childhood Christmas magic with grown-up romance in a way that’s totally unique.
Where to watch: Currently not available to stream. But you can get the DVD.
9. A Christmas to Treasure (2022)
When their beloved neighbor passes away, six estranged friends reunite for a holiday treasure hunt, leading to rekindled romance between Austin and his former best friend Everett.
Cast: Taylor Frey, Kyle Dean Massey
Behind the Scenes: Features Broadway veterans in the lead roles, bringing musical theater charm to the holiday romance genre.
Why you’ll treasure it: Who doesn’t love a second-chance romance with a treasure hunt twist? The chemistry between the leads is electric, and the holiday setting adds extra magic to their reunion.
Where to watch: Amazon’s Prime Video
10. The Perfect Wedding (2012)
A Christmas weekend turns complicated when Paul, a recovering alcoholic, meets Gavin, who’s pretending to be his ex-boyfriend’s current partner. As wedding planning unfolds, so does unexpected romance.
Cast: Eric Aragon, Jason T. Gaffney, James Rebhorn
Fun Fact: Won the Bud Abbott Award for Feature Length Comedy at the Garden State Film Festival.
Why it works: It’s like your favorite romantic comedy mixed with holiday charm and family drama. The film tackles serious themes while keeping things light and festive – perfect for when you want something with a bit more depth to your holiday viewing.
Where to watch: Amazon’s Prime Video
Whether you’re looking for light-hearted fun or something with a little more drama, these films prove that holiday romance isn’t just for straight couples anymore.
Grab some hot cocoa, curl up under a blanket, and let these charming stories warm your winter nights!
- Want more? Check our list of 11 gay romance films