Initially there was some concern over what queer holiday films we would get this year. Hallmark, for example, noted earlier in the year that they were planning more LGBTQ content – but then when the actual line up was revealed, it didn’t seem like they upheld their statement. There was little talk from the other major networks of new queer Christmas films either.
But I actually wasn’t too upset. We’ve had a SLEW of new queer holiday films over the last few holiday seasons – and many of them are so good that folks continue to watch them this year! (In contrast, many folks only watch Hallmark’s holiday films the year they come out. Although part of that is many of the less popular ones are harder to find.) Plus, the amount of new queer holiday films has always ebbed & flowed. We had 8 new queer holiday films in 2021, but then only 3 films in 2022. Last year, we had 6 new queer Christmas films for 2023.
But once I started to dig a bit deeper, I discovered a LOT of new queer Christmas films and series coming out this year. There are 11 new ones – and FOUR of them are from Hallmark!
There’s also quite a decent variety in this year’s new LGBTQ content:
- Two holiday series: one has a gay couple and the other is a reality competition with our gay icon Jonathan Bennett as host plus a gay contestant
- Tello released their annual sapphic holiday film
- One sequel to one of last year’s holiday film
- A music special
- and a handful of new films!
At this point, all 11 of these queer holiday films and series have been released. So grab a cup of cocoa, curl up with a blanket beside your Christmas tree, and put on one of these Queer Christmas Films or Series and ENJOY!
Grab “The COMPLETE Checklist of ALL Queer Holiday Films, Shorts, & Series!”
It’s just $10.00!
11 NEW Queer Holiday Films & Series for 2024
Wilde has just sold his company, but facing the holidays as a single man, he decides to swap houses on an LGBTQ app with handsome, Brilfax-bred Oliver. In their efforts to escape their woes, each end up meeting respective handsome locals in the forms of Julius and Henry, who will spice up their visits. In the process romance ignites in both sunny L.A. and a charming, snowy town called Brilfax.
The Holiday Exchange” was announced for the 2023 holiday season, but then they didn’t release it and we were left hanging. Thankfully, this queer holiday film was finally released in time for the 2024 season – and I cannot be more excited! This gay take on a Christmas house swap is cute and a delight to watch. I’ve already seen it a handful of times because it keeps putting a smile on my face and warms my heart.
The characters may not be the most relatable in their actual lives (they’re all rich and living quite well), but the experiences they each go through are what we can connect with: facing the holidays being single with the hope of a Christmas romance. Even I can overlook the use of many holiday film tropes used because that’s how entertaining this queer holiday film is. Go watch The Holiday Exchange today!
“The Holiday Exchange” premiered on October 1 and can be watched on Prime Video, and Tubi.
It’s Christmas, so come with us on a blood-soaked sleigh ride to the conservative hometown of trans true-crime podcaster, Lola. Worried about the town’s reaction to her transition, Lola is ready to take on anyone this holiday season! However, she didn’t expect that person to be a Santa masked killer – paying grisly homage to the town’s own haunted legend, The Toymaker. Now Lola – who has her own connection to the original Toymaker murders – must put an end to these gruesome murders.
When I sat down to watch “Carnage for Christmas”, I was excited. We’re stepping away from the cliche holiday romcoms and instead get treated to a holiday slasher, spearheaded by a trans character, AND portrayed by a trans actress. And I loved it! Jeremy Moineau does an amazing job as Lola, and the entire story of a crime podcaster returning home where a true serial killer from the town’s past reawakens is a fresh take with a queer twist. It’s not a perfect film with a rather short runtime and some elements that easily identity the film as an independent film. But I was actually captivated and enjoyed this trans holiday film. It’s definitely worth watching!
“Carnage For Christmas” premiered on October 22 and can be watched on Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Shudder.
Ten men compete in a series of festive challenges that will showcase their acting chops and their holiday spirit. Jonathan Bennett hosts while these lovable guys vie to become the next Hallmark leading man.
I was rather mixed when I learned that Hallmark planned “Finding Mr. Christmas” – and even more surprised when it was announced that Jonathan Bennet is hosting! However, I was afraid that being Hallmark, they would straight-wash the heck out of this competition. (And I knew for sure that they were looking for Mr STRAIGHT Christmas…). Overall, this reality series is still quite enjoyable. And I even had some high hopes for our one queer contestant: Daxton! While they may have included him as the token gay competitor and he had great initial promise, unfortunately he had to step back from the competition due to health injuries. It may not be the gayest competition in town, but still rather enjoyable to watch. Plus, we get more Jonathan Bennet!
“Finding Mr. Christmas” premiered on October 31 and can be watched on Hallmark+ and Prime Video.
In pursuit of a fairytale romance with the man of her dreams, Layla must race through New York City to get her hands on the hottest ticket in town: the sold out Pentatonix Christmas Eve Concert.
One of the many new additions to the Christmas film oeuvre for 2024 is “Meet Me Next Christmas”. This film combines a rather cute meet-cute storyline with Pentatonix – literally! – except the twist is that perfect guy for Layla is not the guy she’s trying to meet up with. Even though this is a twist that we can see coming from the start, this premise helps keep some of the rather quirky situations in line.
However, is it a queer holiday film? Sadly, no it’s not. Our LBGTQ storyline comes in towards the end with Teddy’s flamboyant brother – and a ballroom competition. Throw in a couple drag queens and a lip syncing contest and we finally see some queer elements. But they’re stereotypical and other than another hurdle along the way for the Pentatonix ticket, it’s not quite relevant to the otherwise straight plot. Now is “Meet Me Next Christmas” entertaining? Sure – we get performances from Pentatonix! Overall, it’s an enjoyable holiday film, but it’s not a queer holiday film.
“Meet Me Next Christmas” premiered on November 6 and can be watched on Netflix.
Follows five families in Oak Bay, Oregon, who live on the same cul de sac, as they deal with the joys and stress of coming home for the holidays.
Hallmark gave us a couple LGBTQ storylines in their 2024 lineup, and “Holidazed” is one of them wrapped up as a series. I actually enjoyed how they created a series that deals with five families living in the same cul-de-sac, each with their own dramas. After we are introduced to everyone in the first episode, the subsequent episodes gradually give into each family. Naturally their stories intermingle, a few even more so than others! And despite everything seeming to fall apart, things come together in the end in the entertaining finale.
But my focus is on just one family: the Lin family. Ted brought his fiancé Marcus home to meet his family and plan their wedding – until his grandmother shows up and puts everyone in a panic mode. Comedy ensues because not only is Ted not out to his grandmother, but she mistakingly assumes that Marcus is engaged to Ted’s sister! Oops. As I noted, everything comes together in the end – including a last minute gay Christmas wedding. While this series takes a bit longer to watch than a Christmas film, this queer holiday series is certainly entertaining and worth binging.
“Holidazed” premiered on November 14 and can be watched on Hallmark+ and Prime Video.
Sam hates the holidays. Bailey loves the holidays. On a lonely Valentine’s Day the two meet-cute, quickly bond, and become friends. With every passing holiday Sam and Bailey spend together, they fall further in love with each other.
Every year, Tello Films releases a new lesbian holiday film. For 2024, we were gifted “The Holiday Club” I had reservations, because ever though I’ve quite enjoyed some of their prior queer holiday films, I did not enjoy Alexandra Swarens’ other films. After watching “The Holiday Club”, I feel like we actually got a white elephant gift. Quite frankly, I was bored right from the very first scene because the meet-cute was everything but cute. I actually started to work on other stuff while the movie continued playing.
So where did this film go wrong? The biggest issue is Alexandra Swarens not only wrote and directed this holiday film, but she stars in it. I have yet to watch a film where someone tackles all three key roles and the resulting film is actually entertaining. But I also felt like the little chemistry there was between Sam and Bailey was forced. Between the cringe-inducing dialogue, horrible cinematography elements, and a pace so slow that a snail would out-pace it – I was disappointed because the overarching premise has so much potential! Honestly, skip “The Holiday Club” and watch one of Tello’s better lesbian Christmas films.
“The Holiday Club” premiered on November 26 and can be watched on Tello, Prime Video, and Apple TV+.
Rose works as an interior designer in Chicago. When her brother, who is working on a project to renovate a house for the local council, faces budget cuts, he calls on Rose to help complete the project. Rose travels back home to Ohio to assist him, but this also means she has to work with her brother’s business partner, Brysen. And if that weren’t enough, she discovers that Brysen is living with her brother and aunt, meaning she also has to share a bathroom with him-a real challenge since she doesn’t like him at all. There’s a lot to handle, and not just the construction project.
At first glance, “Deck The Walls” was not on my radar for queer holiday films. However I’m starting to wonder if that was part intentional on Hallmark, because while it may not be the greatest addition to the queer holiday film oeuvre, this certainly is a queer Christmas film. The brother Sal is gay, although it’s not confirmed til the movie is almost over – about the same time that it’s revealed that video reporter Jake is also gay. The connection between these two guys is rather cute, even though we don’t even get a kiss out of what is clearly a budding potential relationship.
Taking a step back, I actually wonder if this is part intentional on Hallmark, in a means to almost disguise even more queer characters from marketing but sidelining the queer story and keeping it almost platonic in order to appease their rather religious and conservative audience. But whether intentional or not, “Deck The Walls” is a queer holiday film – and it’s not as cringeworthy as some of their other intentional queer films!
“Deck The Walls” premiered on November 29 and can be watched on Hallmark+.
Karen is disillusioned with Christmas this year and decides to distance herself from her chosen family. However, she soon realizes her mistake and finds herself in a vulnerable position on Christmas Eve. Seeking solace, she reaches out to an old flame.
I’m not quite sure what to think about “A Not So Straight Christmas”. The synopsis intrigued me, as it’s an ensemble film full of queer folks and how they all live together. It actually reminded me a bit like “Tales of the City” – except the matriarch of this queer found-family is Calpernia Addams. Calpernia is a transgender woman and activist who’s story was told in the queer drama, “Soldier’s Girl.” However, in the end I got a bit lost and bored. The film wasn’t bad, but not much stood out either. So I leave it to you to give this queer holiday film a watch and decided for yourself.
“A Not So Straight Christmas” premiered on December 1 and can be watched on Prime Video and Hulu.
Maggie and Julianne are ex-girlfriends who unexpectedly rekindle the spark during a hometown visit for the holidays. Are they meant to be? They’ll have to navigate their feelings, the gossiping town, and ghosts of exes past to find out.
“Last ExMas” is a pleasantly decent lesbian holiday film. At first, I wasn’t sure about another film using the storyline about high school exes both end up home for the holidays and fall in love again trope. But it was rather well handled both in the script and how the film was pieced together. Part of me would’ve been fine if Maggie’s more recent ex-girlfriend didn’t randomly show up. And really, who proposes to someone they just broke up with? Thankfully, everything gets wrapped up nicely in the end and we get our romantic lesbian makeup kiss. If you’re looking for a sapphic holiday film this year, “Last ExMas” is worth watching!
“Last ExMas” premiered on December 3 and can be watched on Prime Video, and Apple TV+.
In 1951, a doctor wants to make the holiday special for his worried wife before he is shipped out to serve in Korea, but when she suffers a minor fracture to her arm his carefully planned out Christmas Eve plans are upended. In 2003, a newly married couple who are always in agreement about everything hosts two sets of in-laws for Christmas Eve for the first time and find that they may not have had as much in common as they thought they did. And in 2024, a couple tries to arrange special Christmas surprises for each other but keeping them a secret may be harder than they thought.
I was anxiously awaiting this sequel to 2023’s “Christmas On Cherry Lane”, and I was curious how they were going to extend the stories this year. But overall I enjoyed it! Now it needs noted that this is one of three “sequels” released in 2024 but because of how the original interwove three different stories together, “Seasons Greetings on Cherry Lane” is the only one with a queer story. And that’s our cute family with Mike, Zian, and their adopted daughter Tina. Naturally there’s a bit of drama, which is only made comical by Jonathan Bennett’s acting style! But I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the other two new family stories. If you enjoyed “Christmas On Cherry Lane”, then I’m sure you’ll equally enjoy “Season’s Greetings From Cherry Lane”!
“Season’s Greetings From Cherry Lane” premiered on December 5 and can be watched on Hallmark+.
Pop icon Sabrina Carpenter jingles all the bells in her first ever variety music special.
I wasn’t quite sure whether to include this TV Christmas music special, partly because it’s not quite a film but I also was unsure whether or not it was even queer. To be honest, I have no idea who Sabrina Carpenter and am unfamiliar with her music. But I knew that queer pop star Chappell Roan is one of the guests, so I gave it a shot. Overall, I was not that impressed. Although I was surprised that we had another queer moment during the skit about the ghosts of “partners” mimicking the classic visit of Scrooge’s ghosts. But in the end, I wouldn’t call this music special queer – and I probably won’t watch it again. If you enjoy Sabrina Carpenter’s music, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy this holiday performance. Otherwise, I’d watch something else.
“A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter” premiered on December 6 and can be watched on Netflix.
And that’s a wrap on Queer Christmas 2024!
So what do you think of this year’s new queer holiday films & series? I was quite pleased with a handful of this year’s films, but was a tad disappointed with a few. Especially Hallmark, as it felt like they tried to bury our gay characters amid ensemble films. But overall, I think 2024 was a good year for queer Christmas films.
And remember, there are PLENTY more queer holiday films out there to watch from prior years!
