Every year I tell myself I’m going to be That Gay Who’s Fully Committed to the Holidays™, indulging in the magic of hot bevys, cozy fits, and gatherings with my gaggle. But every year the season sneaks up on me and sprints right past me. One way I try to slow things down is by kicking back with holiday movies. And of course I want them to feature a gay storyline. So, if you’re looking for some flicks to get you in the spirit, here are 12 gay holiday movies to make your season merry and bright.
Make the Yuletide Gay
Synopsis: Holiday chaos erupts when a closeted college kid’s boyfriend visits him at home with his unsuspecting parents.
Why you should watch it: This movie leans all the way into campy humor with a parade of double entendres, mostly delivered by Olaf’s clueless but progressively modern parents. While the acting can be a little rough, the film makes up for it with earnest heart. There are many LGBTQ+ films that center on coming out, but few are wrapped in holiday cheer. Plus there’s a merry cast keeping the whole thing warm and goofy including Olaf’s Christmas-obsessed mom, his forgetful pothead dad, and his fiercely supportive high school girlfriend.
Where you can see it: Prime Video, YouTube, AppleTV
Shared Rooms
Synopsis: Three gay holiday stories intertwine with love, family, and new connections.
Why you should watch it:
Where you can see it: Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Tubi
Dashing in December
Synopsis: Wyatt comes home for the holidays with plans to sell his family ranch, but finds holiday magic and unexpected love.
Why you should watch it: Like most Hallmark Christmas movies, Dashing in December gives us a big-city workaholic returning to a snow-dusted small town, but this time, it comes with a handsome ranch hand and a playful cowboy backdrop, plus it puts a gay romance at the center. It checks every classic holiday movie box (family tension, career crossroads, an opposites-attract romance) but makes it gay. My favorite scene has to be a romantic dance between the two leads set to Kacey Musgraves’ “Oh, What a World,” which alone makes this one worth saddling up for.
Where you can see it: Prime Video, AppleTV
The Christmas Setup
Synopsis: A lawyer’s holiday trip home reignites an old flame and forces him to rethink his career.
Why you should watch it: Yes, this movie leans into the familiar holiday setup of a big-city yuppie returning home and reconnecting with his high school crush, but it works really well. The real magic comes from the undeniable chemistry between the two leads, who happen to be real-life husbands, which gives the romance some authenticity you don’t often see in made-for-TV holiday films. But TBH, the true star is Fran Drescher, who is absolute perfection as Hugo’s meddling mom. It’s a genuinely satisfying love story with surprisingly little cheese.
Where you can see it: Prime Video, Philo, Fandango at Home, The Roku Channel
The Holiday Exchange
Synopsis: Two men swap homes for the holidays from LA to the small-town of Brilfax and spark romance.
Why you should watch it: The premise of swapping a home for the holidays is a common trope in rom-coms by now but turns out to be surprisingly fun in this movie. It’s light-hearted and exactly the kind of comfort viewing a holiday rom-com should be. Plus, Real Housewife Kyle Richards delivers an unexpectedly standout performance that gives the whole movie an extra spark.
Where you can see it: Prime Video, YouTube, The Roku Channel
The Christmas House
Synopsis: A TV star and his brother return home for the holidays, reviving old traditions and facing big life changes.
Why you should watch it: The Christmas House is saccharinely sweet Hallmark fare where every character is at a personal crossroads, which sounds like it should add up to emotional heft but instead plays like pleasant background noise for when you’re half-watching, half-scrolling. Jonathan Bennett’s character and his husband make a second attempt at adoption. It’s cozy but never quite reaches the depth its premise promises.
Where you can see it: Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Philo
The Holiday Sitter
Synopsis: A holiday babysitting gig turns romantic when a workaholic uncle teams up with the handsome neighbor next door.
Why you should watch it: Jonathan Bennett as Sam, a New York City uncle with an extreme fear of children, is…a stretch. He’s not just out of place in the holiday festivities, he feels out of place on planet Earth. But George Krissa as Jason, the gay handyman neighbor, is full Disney Prince handsome, and my bags are packed to move to this fictional suburban town immediately. The premise does feel refreshingly modern for Hallmark: Sam’s sister and her husband have to leave town immediately because the baby they’re’s adopting is about to be born. Meanwhile, Jason is also navigating the adoption process himself. It’s rare to see queer parenthood in a holiday rom-com. While the romance feels a bit rushed and forced, the payoff is so satisfying.
Where you can see it: Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Philo
Christmas on Cherry Lane
Synopsis: Three couples at different life stages face big holiday turning points, all connected by one home on Cherry Lane.
Where you can see it: Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Philo
A Keller Christmas Vacation
Synopsis: A holiday river cruise through Europe pushes three drifting siblings to face life changes and find their way back together.
Why you should watch it: A Christmas European excursion is a fresh backdrop for the reconnecting adult siblings. The acting may be a bit wooden but luckily there isn’t a ton of forced comedy, the movie instead leans on situational humor and emotion. The siblings set sail with secrets and then stumble into romantic entanglements. It’s not the strongest Christmas movie, but it’s an enjoyable and heartfelt watch.
Where you can see it: Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Philo
The Christmas Baby
Synopsis: Erin and Kelly take in a baby before Christmas, only to realize they may want him to become part of their family forever.
Where you can see it: Hallmark+
Last Exmas
Synopsis: After a decade apart, exes Maggie and Julianne reunite for Christmas and discover their spark might not be so over after all.
Where you can see it: Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Philo
You Are Not Me
Synopsis: When Aitana comes home for the holidays with her girlfriend and son, she discovers her parents treating a stranger as their daughter, hiding a dark secret.
Where you can see it: Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Philo
And that’s a full sleigh’s worth of queer holiday cheer to get you through the season. If you’ve watched any of these or think I missed a future classic, come yell about it with me on Bluesky or Threads, where the discourse is always festive. And if Christmas isn’t your favorite holiday, you can always check out my list of horror films for Halloween that’ll scare you straight.
Film stills and promotional images are the property of their respective copyright holders. Used here under fair use for commentary and review. All opinions and takes are my own.
