Last year only gave us three new queer holiday films, which was quite the downturn from 2021 where we had a slew! Thankfully, there’s a couple more queer Christmas films premiering for 2023. The queer holiday film oeuvre has simply exploded in the last decade – and it’s amazing to witness. At this point, there’s just about a queer Christmas film, short, or series for everyone to enjoy.
We actually have quite a wide variety of topics this year too. Not only are there TWO queer films from Hallmark, one featuring a gay couple while the other features a lesbian couple, but we’re getting another lesbian queer holiday film from Tello. Additionally, there’s a new queer holiday short film making it’s rounds around the film circuits. In addition, we get another queer holiday slasher film. And if that’s not enough, there’s supposedly still another gay holiday romance premiering… but more on that one at the end.
Either way, I’m sure you can find something to enjoy this holiday season as you cuddle up with your significant other in front of the fire… ok, ok… it’s more likely you’re cuddling up in front of the TV – especially if you’re about to watch a queer Christmas film! But the point is that there is something you can watch during this magical time of year where YOU are represented. Whether you consider yourself queer, gay, bisexual, lesbian, trans, pansexual, asexual, et al. And that’s perhaps the most magical part of sharing these queer holiday films with you.
So grab that cup of cocoa, curl up under the blanket, and read on to discover the 6 NEW Queer Holiday Films premiering in 2023!
Grab “The COMPLETE Checklist of ALL Queer Holiday Films, Shorts, & Series!”
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6 6 NEW Queer Christmas Films & Shorts for 2023
Between a lifelong career of playing Santa at private parties, and working a second job as a caretaker for a forgetful sundowner, a working class actor decides to hang up his red suit and make this his final holiday season. On his last day before retirement, a sweet non-binary kid reminds him the spirit of the holiday.
I have to confess that I haven’t had the chance to watch “Remember It’s Christmas” yet – mainly because it’s still making the rounds on the short film circuit! But between the synopsis and from what other folks are saying, it’s supposedly a great queer holiday short film. I cannot wait to watch it!
Unfortunately Remember It’s Christmas is not currently available to watch at this moment.
The holidays are crazy for single mom, Jane. As best (wo)man in her ex-husband’s Christmas wedding, she’s in charge of the bachelor party, as if she doesn’t have enough on her plate running the family farm since her father passed away. She’s keeping it all together with a little moral support from her mother and the kindhearted holiday-loving Givens family until she falls for Sue, the wedding planner. After bumbling her way through a few encounters, the two end up on a date. Meanwhile, a snowstorm strikes, Jane’s ten year old daughter is having an existential crisis, and one tiny mistake throws everything into a state of chaos. Jane’s going to need a little Christmas magic to clean up the mess she’s made, before it’s too late.
Tello’s latest lesbian Christmas film, “A Holiday I Do” is a welcome addition to the queer holiday oeuvre. There’s something romantic and special about a queer romance set on a farm, amid snowfall and twinkling lights! But of course, you can’t have all of that without some drama first. Unfortunately, that is where “A Holiday I Do” falls a bit short. Perhaps it’s a tad cliché itself, but there were so many of the classic Hallmark Christmas movie tropes that I actually felt I was watching a Hallmark film, or other prior films. It felt unoriginal at times, like I’ve seen certain elements before. Now that doesn’t mean it’s not a cute film! It certainly is! So I encourage everyone to watch “A Holiday I Do” as it certainly will help you get into the Christmas spirit!
Watch A Holiday I Do on Tello.
Set in idyllic Angel Falls. A year after saving her town from a psychotic killer on Christmas Eve, Winnie Carruthers’ life is less than wonderful – but when she wishes she’d never been born, she finds herself in a nightmare parallel universe and discovers that without her, things could be much, much worse. Now the killer is back, and she must team up with the town misfit to identify the killer and get back to her own reality.
This queer holiday film took me a bit by surprise – I hadn’t caught any wind of it until after it was released! However, I can see why it didn’t register on my radar – very few people realised it was a queer film until they were finally able to watch it (or read the reviews). Now, it certainly IS a queer film! Not only does the main protagonist, Winnie, end up with a girlfriend at the end of the film, but her brother is also gay along with their alternate universe’s aunt. However, the LGBTQ aspects to the film are almost a bit too pandering, which says a lot since the film is supposed to be a horror twist to the classic Christmas film, “It’s A Wonderful Life”. The writer mentioned in an interview that initially only the brother was gay, however the lesbian?/bisexual?/pansexual? part to Winnie’s character developed during filming. Overall, it isn’t a horrible queer Christmas slasher film – but the film has some issues. I leave it to you to decide if it’s worth watching.
Watch It’s A Wonderful Knife on Prime Video and Shudder.
A young couple preparing to welcome their first child; an empty-nester and her fiancé ready to start a new chapter; and a couple who unexpectedly have the chance to expand their family on Christmas Eve celebrate the holiday as they navigate these turning points in their lives.
“Christmas on Cherry Lane” is one of Hallmark’s 2023 additions to the queer Christmas film oeuvre – and I LOVED it! I will admit that I was a bit puzzled on why the film focuses on three couples and only one are gay, especially after last year’s “The Holiday Sitter” which centered on a gay couple. Were we sliding backwards in inclusivity? However while watching “Christmas on Cherry Lane”, everything started falling into place. And I actually have to hand it to Hallmark – they gave us a NEW twist in a Christmas film; one I have not seen, which pleased me even more! Now, I won’t give away the twist because it’s actually quite magical how everything is brought together in the end. But I can say for sure that Mike and Zian, our cute gay couple play a significant part in this heartwarming story. I highly encourage you to watch “Christmas on Cherry Lane”!
Watch Christmas on Cherry Lane on Hallmark Movies Now.
Daniella has recently moved to New York to pursue an art career and decides to stay in town to share the holidays with her circle of artist friends, instead of going home to see her sweet, if overbearing parents. Amelia is a talented entertainment lawyer trying to stay focused on her work after a broken engagement. When Daniella and Amelia are set up by their parents, they agree to pretend that they are dating, to appease them for the holidays. However, as they spend time in each other’s worlds, they soon build a connection that is deeper than either of them could have hoped for.
Unfortunately “Friends & Family Christmas” hasn’t premiered yet, so I haven’t had the chance to watch it! However, it’s one of Hallmark’s 2023 additions to the queer oeuvre. As this queer holiday film focuses on a lesbian romance, it helps balance the gay couple in Hallmark’s other 2023 film. I’m excited to watch this lesbian Christmas film!
Watch Friends & Family Christmas on Hallmark Movies Now, premiering on December 17.
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.
Announced back in April this year, “The Holiday Exchange” stars Taylor Frey, Kyle Richards, and Rick Cosnett. With a script penned by Frey and directed by Jake Helgren, who also directed “A Christmas to Treasure”, it’s a queer Christmas film that’s eagerly awaited. Except there is no announced release date. And it’s already halfway through December. Frankly, at this point I’d be surprised if it makes an appearance this holiday season but it isn’t Christmas yet. But until then, we don’t even have a film poster. We’ll just have to wait and see – and watch other queer holiday films while we wait for “The Holiday Exchange” to premiere.
Unfortunately The Holiday Exchange has not been released, and does not have a premiere date set.
Final Thoughts
So what do you think? Given that some of these films have already premiered, have you seen those yet? Are you anxious to see those that haven’t? Let me know in the comments below. And remember, if there isn’t a queer Christmas film premiering in 2023 that floats your boat, there’s plenty more!
For a full list of ALL Queer Christmas films, check out “The COMPLETE Checklist of ALL Queer Holiday Films, Shorts, & Series!” This clickable PDF checklist not only includes EVERY queer holiday film out there, but links back to my Queer Films, Shorts, & Series Database with information on WHERE to watch/buy/stream each film (if available)!
