Let’s face it – endless straight couples finding love beneath the mistletoe can get repetitive.
Thankfully, recent years have given us some seriously charming gay holiday romances. From Netflix gems to Hallmark breakthroughs, here are 13 Christmas films putting queer joy front and center.
1. A Keller Christmas Vacation (2025)
Hallmark’s latest family adventure follows the dysfunctional Keller siblings – Cal, Dylan, and Emory – as their parents surprise them with a European Christmas cruise down the Danube River.
Cast: Jonathan Bennett, Brandon Routh, Eden Sher, Anand Desai-Barochia
Behind the Scenes: Jonathan created this story based on his own family dynamics, describing it as “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation meets Hallmark.” The film features a touching subplot about family acceptance and illness.
Why you’ll love it: Dylan (Bennett) navigating his relationship with boyfriend William while stuck on a boat with his siblings brings both laughs and heart. The film delivers a gay Ferris wheel proposal with a Christmas Tree ring – yes, really – plus stunning European Christmas market scenery.
Bennett’s character isn’t relegated to a side plot; his romance is woven into this genuinely heartfelt family story that deals with real issues like illness and reconciliation.
Where to watch: Hallmark on Prime Video
2. The Groomsmen: Second Chances (2024)
Hallmark’s first movie to feature a gay wedding as the lead storyline follows Danny, a former MLB player turned coach, who realizes he’s fallen for his best friend Zack – just as Zack gets engaged to someone else.
Cast: Jonathan Bennett, Alexander Lincoln, Tyler Hynes, BJ Britt
Fun Fact: This film won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV. It’s part of The Groomsmen trilogy, which explores three best friends navigating love and weddings across Greece, Italy, and Bulgaria.
Why it’s groundbreaking: When Zack asks Danny to be his best man AND wedding planner for his Greece destination wedding, the emotional stakes couldn’t be higher. Alexander brings incredible depth to Zack, making their connection feel authentic and earned.
The film doesn’t shy away from the complicated feelings of loving your best friend, and the ending – featuring that historic gay wedding in Greece – is absolutely worth the journey.
Where to watch: Hallmark on Prime Video
3. The Christmas Setup (2020)
Lifetime made history with their first LGBTQ+ holiday film, following Hugo as he returns home for Christmas – only to discover his mom has been scheming to reunite him with his high school crush Patrick.
Cast: Ben Lewis, Blake Lee, Fran Drescher
Fun Fact: Ben and Blake are married in real life, which explains why their on-screen chemistry is absolutely electric!
Why it’s irresistible: There’s something incredibly satisfying about a meddling mom whose matchmaking actually works out perfectly. Fran Drescher as the ultimate supportive parent is everything we need, and watching two people who genuinely adore each other play characters falling in love? Pure magic.
Where to watch: Amazon’s Prime Video
4. Single All The Way (2021)
Netflix’s debut gay holiday rom-com delivers all the warm fuzzies as Peter convinces his best friend Nick to pretend to be his boyfriend for Christmas. Naturally, his matchmaking family has other plans.
Cast: Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Jennifer Coolidge
Behind the Scenes: The filmmakers intentionally crafted a story free from coming-out drama or family rejection, focusing purely on holiday romance and joy.
Why you’ll love it: This is the gay Hallmark movie we always deserved. Michael Urie and Philemon have fantastic chemistry, Jennifer Coolidge absolutely steals the show (naturally), and the whole thing feels like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket. It’s unapologetically sweet without any heavy drama.
Where to watch: Netflix
5. Season’s Greetings from Cherry Lane (2024)
The sequel to 2023’s Christmas on Cherry Lane returns to the magical house at 7 Cherry Lane, weaving together stories from 1951, 2003, and 2024 – with the present-day timeline focusing on gay couple Mike and Zian.
Cast: Jonathan Bennett, Vincent Rodriguez III, plus ensemble cast across three timelines
Behind the Scenes: This innovative trilogy connects different families across decades, all celebrating Christmas in the same beloved home. The way the stories interweave creates genuinely surprising emotional moments.
Why you need to watch it: Mike and Zian are navigating the possibility of expanding their family through adoption, dealing with very real anxieties about parenthood and keeping secrets from each other. Their storyline gets equal weight with the other couples across time, showing that love and family challenges are universal. The ending brings all three timelines together in a way that’ll absolutely wreck you (in the best way).
Where to watch: Hallmark on Prime Video
6. The Holiday Sitter (2022)
Hallmark’s first gay-led Christmas movie broke barriers when Sam, a workaholic bachelor, agrees to babysit his niece and nephew – then catches feelings for their gorgeous neighbor Jason.
Cast: Jonathan Bennett, George Krissa
Behind the Scenes: Jonathan Bennett (yes, Aaron Samuels from Mean Girls) helped shape the story to ensure authentic representation while keeping that classic Hallmark feel.
Why you need to watch it: Imagine Home Alone meets gay romance – minus the slapstick chaos, plus adorable kids and genuine heart. The film proves Hallmark could do inclusive storytelling without sacrificing any of their signature warmth. It’s sweet, it’s charming, and it represents real progress.
Where to watch: Hallmark on Prime Video
7. Dashing in December (2020)
A sophisticated New York financier heads home to his family’s ranch, only to fall for the rugged ranch hand who’s been keeping the business alive. Cowboy romance with holiday sparkle!
Cast: Peter Porte, Juan Pablo Di Pace
Fun Fact: This film brilliantly combines two beloved genres – holiday romance and cowboy love stories – into one irresistible package.
Why it works: Think Brokeback Mountain with a guaranteed happy ending and Christmas lights. The snowy ranch scenery is absolutely stunning, and the chemistry between our city boy and country charmer will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Where to watch: Amazon’s Prime Video
8. Make the Yuletide Gay (2009)
College student Olaf “Gunn” Gunnunderson lives openly at school but goes back in the closet when visiting family for Christmas. Everything gets complicated when his boyfriend Nathan shows up unannounced.
Cast: Keith Jordan, Adamo Ruggiero, Kelly Keaton
Behind the Scenes: One of the earliest gay Christmas films to tackle coming-out storylines with humor rather than melodrama.
Why it’s special: Despite its modest budget, this charming comedy captures the incredibly relatable struggle of navigating family dynamics during the holidays. The pun in the title alone is iconic, and it addresses real issues while keeping things light and entertaining.
Where to watch: Dekkoo via Prime Video
9. A New York Christmas Wedding (2020)
We couldn’t leave out our lesbian friends! Jennifer’s Christmas hatred runs deep due to past losses, but when a mysterious angel shows her an alternate reality where she ended up with childhood best friend Gabby instead of her fiancé, everything changes.
Cast: Nia Fairweather, Adriana DeMeo, Cooper Koch
Behind the Scenes: Takes the classic “what if” holiday story and gives it a fresh queer twist with genuine emotional depth.
Why it stands out: If you love both Christmas movies and parallel universe stories, this delivers on both fronts. It’s basically It’s a Wonderful Life with sapphic romance! Bonus: Cooper Koch of Monsters fame appears, which is definitely worth mentioning.
Where to watch: Tubi
10. The Christmas House (2020)
This groundbreaking Hallmark movie centers on the Mitchell family’s holiday reunion, including gay couple Brandon and Jake anxiously awaiting news about adopting their first child.
Cast: Jonathan Bennett, Brad Harder, Treat Williams
Fun Fact: The first Hallmark Christmas movie featuring a gay couple in a main storyline – a true milestone moment.
Why you’ll get hooked: Finally, a holiday film showing gay couples as part of the bigger family picture! The adoption storyline brings genuine emotional depth that’ll have you reaching for tissues. Fair warning – there’s significant focus on the straight siblings too, but Brandon and Jake’s story holds real weight.
Where to watch: Amazon’s Prime Video
11. 24 Nights (1999)
Jonathan believes in Santa Claus and spends 24 nights writing letters asking for true love. When he meets handsome Toby (who unfortunately has a boyfriend), things get beautifully complicated.
Cast: Kevin Isola, David Burtka, Aida Turturro
Fun Fact: One of the earliest gay Christmas films ever made, paving the way for today’s more mainstream LGBTQ+ holiday movies.
Why it’s magical: Sometimes the best holiday films dare to be different. This whimsical tale blends childhood Christmas wonder with adult romance in a truly unique way that still holds up decades later.
Where to watch: Currently not available to stream. But you can get the DVD.
12. 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 lead roles, bringing genuine musical theater charm to the holiday romance genre.
Why you’ll treasure it: Who doesn’t love a second-chance romance paired with a treasure hunt? The chemistry between the leads practically crackles off the screen, and the holiday setting adds extra magic to their emotional reunion.
Where to watch: Amazon’s Prime Video
13. The Perfect Wedding (2012)
A Christmas weekend gets messy 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 spirit and family chaos. The film tackles serious themes while keeping things festive and light – perfect when you want something with actual depth to your holiday viewing.
Where to watch: Amazon’s Prime Video
Whether you’re craving light-hearted fun or something with deeper emotional stakes, these films prove that holiday romance absolutely isn’t just for straight couples anymore.
Grab your favorite festive drink, get cozy under a blanket, and let these charming stories warm your winter nights!
Want more? Check our list of 11 gay romance films