For the past decade, LGBTQ+ films have gradually shifted from their typical bleak and depressing tropes, instead venturing into the world of diverse and mostly happier and hopeful stories — from rom-coms to even horror.
And as such, it is only expected that the community will also get some good ol’ holiday-themed movies; ones with a hefty serving of butterflies-in-your-stomach moments and, of course, a dash of cringe and cliches.
Unfortunately, the list of queer flicks that embody our guilty pleasure holiday Hallmark movies isn’t that long, but after scouring the internet, here are four films worthy enough to be included in your Christmas morning marathon.
‘Carol’ (2015)
While it may not feel as “Christmas-y” as the others on this list, ‘Carol’ offers warmth much like lounging around a hearth during a cold Christmas Eve evening.
Starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, the movie revolves around aspiring photographer Therese (Mara) and Carol (Blanchett), an older woman going through a difficult divorce whom Therese meets around Christmas time and eventually forms a forbidden affair with.
This romantic drama by director Todd Haynes takes the viewer on a journey riddled with longing and tension, filling one with so much anticipation akin to waiting for the moment you can finally open your presents.
And who knows? Maybe what you see may just surprise you.
‘Single All the Way’ (2021)
Of course, the gays cannot miss out on the ‘Hallmark’ treatment, and ‘Single All the Way’ is just the movie for that.
Directed by Michael Mayer, ‘Single All the Way’ is about Peter, whose family’s judgment about his “perpetual single status” forced him to convince his best friend Nick to come home with him for the holidays and pretend that they are finally in a relationship.
A friends-to-lovers storyline and a meddling family hell-bent on making sure that the two main characters realize their feelings for each other?
Well, isn’t that just the perfect formula for a cliche and feel-good Christmas rom-com?
This Netflix original stars Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Luke Macfarlane, and the iconic Jennifer Coolidge.
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‘Happiest Season’ (2020)
Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Aubrey Plaza and Dan Levy in one lesbian Christmas movie? Phenomenal.
‘Happiest Season’ is a 2020 romantic comedy about Abby (Stewart) and Harper (Davis), who both decide to go home to Harper’s family for Christmas.
Things start going south when Abby’s plans to propose to her girlfriend during the holiday are derailed after she finds out that Harper is not yet out to her parents.
While it is a rom-com, the romantic aspect is not entirely the main focus of director Clea DuVall’s ‘Happiest Season’.
Instead, it highlights a plethora of experiences familiar yet somehow rather unique to queer individuals — the desire to have your family’s acceptance and being true to yourself, all while ensuring that you do not ruin what is perhaps the best thing that ever happened to you.
The all-star cast really is just the cherry on top.
‘Two Doors Down’ (2022)
‘Two Doors Down’ isn’t exactly a movie, but it is a standalone episode from the 2022 dramedy Netflix series ‘Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings’, so it still counts.
Set during a New Year’s Eve weekend, Tyler (played by Andy Mientus) must navigate his sister’s big-budget wedding while hiding the fact that he is gay and in a relationship with his mother’s employee and wedding planner, Cole (Michael J. Willett).
However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Tyler is not the only one hiding a secret.
Directed by Wendey Stanzler, with Parton and Mark B. Perry as the writers, ‘Two Doors Down’ is inspired by one of Parton’s songs of the same name.
Much like Parton’s classic and iconic songs, ‘Two Doors Down’ can also surely spark some love and hope in the hearts of its viewers.
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