Sleigh bells are ringing! Santa is coming! And the yuletide? You better believe we’re going to make it gay.
The Christmas season is once again upon us, bringing with it a slew of holiday specials, shopping stresses and Mariah Carey blasting everywhere. But one thing many people look forward to most of all during the holiday season are the movies.
And no, I’m not talking about Die Hard; I’m talking about cheesy, over-the-top Christmas movies full of the magic of Christmas and the meaning of love and as many Christmas trees as can be shoved into a single shot.
Last year marked a banner year for LGBTQ2S+ holiday fare, with the wide release of the Kristen Stewart-starring problematic fav, Happiest Season. And now, 2021 features the release of more LGBTQ2S+ Christmas movies than ever before.
But how do 2021’s queer festive offerings stack up? And where can you watch this year’s crop of gay apparel?
Here’s what you need to know about some of this year’s queer holiday movies and specials that will surely jingle your bells.
Single All The Way (Netflix)
Netflix has been pushing this one hard, and for good reason. It’s got everything: Jennifer Coolidge, a fake relationship, that “oh no, there’s only one bed” trope, the magic of Christmas and truly so much more. As Coolidge says in the trailer: “The gays just know how to do stuff.” Single All the Way dropped on Dec. 2 on Netflix.
Christmas at the Ranch (Tello Films)
Does this look like a good movie? Probably not. Will I still watch it? Obviously. Billed as “the third queer lady holiday rom-com movie from director Christin Baker,” Christmas at the Ranch follows the classic holiday movie narrative of one character having to go home to save something beloved (in this case, their family’s ranch) and finding unexpected love there. Honestly, I’m just here for lesbian cowboys. It dropped Dec. 1.
The Bitch Who Stole Christmas (VH1)
If you watched the RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season finale and still can’t get “Hey Sis, It’s Christmas!” out of your head, this film’s for you. Featuring more than 20 Drag Race alum, along with mamma Ru herself, the true measure will be if it surpasses the very high acting standard set out by Drag Race acting challenges. It dropped Dec. 2 on VH1.
Under the Christmas Tree (Lifetime)
Lesbians! A Christmas tree! Elise Bauman from the Carmilla web series! This Lifetime original has it all. It also introduces the concept of a “Christmas tree whisperer” to the world, which is something we all definitely need. Ricki Lake also makes a supporting appearance as the friend who makes the big “magic of Christmas” speech, so you know it’s going to be good. The movie premieres on Lifetime on Dec. 19.
A Jenkins Family Christmas (BET+)
A huge inheritance left behind by a family member, but only if the whole family comes together for Christmas?! Say it ain’t so! That’s the premise of this family romp, which features themes of coming together, faith and acceptance, along with what looks to be an adorable gay proposal. It’s streaming now on BET+.
The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls (Hallmark)
Amidst all of the Happiest Season furor last year, charming Hallmark original The Christmas House, starring Jonathan Bennet of Mean Girls fame, almost got lost in the shuffle. But the franchise is back with an expected sequel this year to follow up on Hallmark’s first queer offering—this time, we assume, with even more Christmas and even more houses. It drops on Hallmark Dec. 18.
12 Dates of Christmas (HBO Max)
Now this one’s not a movie, but as a long-time fan of the queer season of Are You The One? I’m too intrigued not to include it on this list. Three eligible singles each go on 12 Christmas-themed dates to find the perfect love to bring home for the holidays. But on the show’s second season, airing this month, two of the three singles are queer! Which means we get all of the hallmarks of a great queer dating show: messy hot tub makeouts, awkward ask-outs and all of the drama we’ve come to love.
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