Baby it is cold outside! The nights are long and the winter lights are sparkling, which means it is time to snuggle down with your favourite streaming service and work your way through all your lesbian Christmas movie favourites. To help you sift through the sometimes daunting choice of movies available we have compiled a list of our favourite lesbian Christmas films below so all you need to do is click and enjoy.
Lesbian Christmas Movies and Where To Stream
In no particular order, we present to you, lesbian Christmas movies (cue the mistletoe, Christmas candle and matching PJs).
1. Happiest Season
To start us off, we have a film that is fast becoming a fully-fledged classic lesbian Christmas movie for all at Nonchalant HQ. Kirsten Stewart and Mackenzie Davis star in Happiest Season. This highly anticipated film with a whole load of star power and a big budget was all anyone talked about Christmas 2020. If that passed you by, check out our full review of Happiest Season.
The story follows Harper (Mackenzie Davis) as she invites her girlfriend Abby (Kirsten Stewart) to her family’s Christmas for the first time. Whilst Abby initially sees this as a perfect opportunity to get to know Harper’s family and puts plans in place to propose, Harper fills her in on one slight issue: she’s not out to her family and they must pretend to be friends for the entirety of the trip. What could go wrong? We loved the characters and the relatable story, especially Harper and Abby trying to find some alone time in amongst the family Christmas. The script is filled with great jokes and (spoiler alert) there is a super Christmassy happy ending.
A small mention for Aubrey Plaza for a perfect performance as Riley, ‘the one that got away’. Swoon.
2. Under the Christmas Tree
Under the Christmas Tree was Lifetime’s first Christmas movie featuring a lesbian romance, and we are thrilled to say it didn’t disappoint. As for a lesbian Christmas movie, yes, it is a little cheesy and a little predictable but gives all the Christmassy feels. The movie is wholesome, and cheery and delivers everything you expect from a Lifetime movie. The perfect complement to a cosy night in snuggled-up with your favourite person and a big box of Quality Street.
The film follows workaholic and marketing executive Alma (Elise Bauman) as she meets Charlie (Tattiawna Jones). Alma is on the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree for the Maine Governor’s Holiday Celebration, which happens to be, wait for it, in Alma’s backyard. Gasp. Of course, all isn’t plain sailing for the pair at the start of the movie as their two worlds collide, but soon both characters are looking pretty lovingly towards each other… We’ll let you enjoy the rest.
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3. A New York Christmas Wedding
There is something for everyone to enjoy in A New York Christmas Wedding. It holds its own as a small-budget, indie movie despite some shaky-looking camera work. The story pivots around Jennifer (Nia Fairweather) as she is preparing for her wedding on Christmas Eve in New York City.
In what feels like a nod to Dicken’s classic A Christmas Carol, Jennifer is paid a visit by her guardian angel just before the ceremony. He shows her what life could have been like if she hadn’t denied her feelings for her childhood friend, Gabby (Adriana DeMeo). Prepare yourself for a lot of feelings.
4. Silent Night
Ok, this recommendation is a little rogue: it isn’t entirely a lesbian-focused movie and it is pretty dark (lol, have we lost you yet?). The reason it has ended up on our lesbian Christmas movie list is because it’s a rare British offering and the cast includes an excellent lesbian couple. Plus, it is totally a nuts, genre-bending story which includes Christmas with a side of apocalypse.
Nell (Keira Knightley), Simon (Matthew Goode) and their son Art (Roman Griffin Davis) are hosting their annual Christmas dinner for their old-school friends and families. The movie is set in a beautiful English estate in the countryside. You get an insight into the politics that runs through any friendship group intermingling with the stresses of Christmas prep, but there are clues that something else is going on…. The viewer slowly learns that there is a huge toxic cloud is approaching the UK, that will wipe out everything in its path, meaning this will be the last ever time the group see each other.
The lesbian couple of the group are Bella (Lucy Punch) and Alex (Kirby Howell-Baptiste). Queer actress Lily-Rose Depp also features in the movie so this has something for everyone.
5. Carol
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara star in this beautifully elegant drama set in 1950’s New York. Carol (Cate Blanchett) plays an unhappy, divorcing woman who falls instantly for the beautiful, doe-eyed, department store assistant Therese (Rooney Mara). The film follows the pair and their blossoming yet forbidden love. Sarah Paulson gives a great performance as Carol’s easy-going former lover turned confidante, Abby. If you love Cate Blanchett as much as we do, go check out our reviews of some more of her best movies.
6. Christmas at the Ranch
If you love a cheesy, easy watch, this is the lesbian Christmas movie for you. Christmas at the Ranch, by Tello Productions, (the same production company behind Season of Love and I Hate New Years), completes this trilogy of Christmassy queer female-focused movies with this cowgirl rom-com.
Shout out to Christin Baker over at Tello.
The story follows Haleye (Laur Allen), who returns to her family ranch to try and save it from financial ruin. When she meets the ranch hand Kate (Amanda Righetti), the two get off on the wrong foot. However, as you can guess, they soon make up and end up falling for each other.
Admittedly there are no gold stars for the storyline – it’s one we are all familiar with, but throw this on with a festive candle, and it’s sure to give you all the feels!
7. Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas
Ok, so this has a subplot of a lesbian relationship but a good one at that so hear us out.
In Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas, Jess (Aisha Dee) has the best date of her life with Ben (Kendrick Sampson), only to die in a car crash on her way home. Jess wakes up as a ghost and Ben thinks Jess is ghosting him after not receiving a reply to a string of messages.
The only people who can see and hear Jess her spirit are Ben, and her best friend Kara (Kimiko Glenn). Jess enlists Kara’s help to find Ben and set the record straight. Kara and her relationship with her girlfriend Mae (Jazz Raycole) is a fantastic subplot of the movie.
8. Let it Snow
While Let It Snow (2019) is not specifically centred around a lesbian storyline, it does feature diverse characters and relationships. The movie focuses on three interconnected love stories during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, exploring various romantic angles.
If you’re into cosy movie nights, Let It Snow is a perfect pick. It’s a festive teen romantic comedy set during a snowstorm in a small town. Think love, friendship, and a sprinkle of holiday magic. So, grab some popcorn, get comfy, and enjoy the winter vibes!
9. Lez Bomb
Lez Bomb (2018) is a comedy film written and directed by Jenna Laurenzo. The story revolves around a young woman who brings her girlfriend home for Thanksgiving, intending to come out to her conservative family. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she discovers that her family has some surprising secrets of their own.
It’s a hilarious and heartwarming exploration of family dynamics, love, and self-discovery, with a queer twist. If you’re into comedies that pack a punch and deliver some great laughs while also touching on important themes, Lez Bomb is worth checking out!
10. Merry & Gay
This one is an absolute must.
Embarking on a journey to chase her dreams, stage actress Becca left her quaint hometown, leaving her high school sweetheart, Sam, with a broken heart in Nashville. Having thrived in her successful career, Becca is now set to return home for Christmas, unaware that her romantic story is about to reclaim the spotlight. Thanks to the festive match-making efforts of their friends and family, Becca’s love life is poised to take centre stage during the holiday season.
11. The Christmas Lottery
Again, this one doesn’t centre around a lesbian couple, but the storyline is fun and it does feature a lesbian couple (wehey). Gerald extends an invitation to his daughters to partake in his $10-million-dollar lottery win. In exchange for their portion, the sisters are tasked with mending their strained relationship. However, when their mother misplaces the winning ticket, the family is thrust into a race against time to locate it and mend their familial bonds before the arrival of Christmas Day.
Deidre (Asia’h Epperson), the eldest sister navigates life as a lesbian with her charming wife, Belinda (Phyli’cia Lloyd), who, despite her talent for baking delectable cakes, faces estrangement from her homophobic family.
Happy viewing and happy holidays, no matter what you celebrate!
Team Nonchalant x
Nat is a London native currently living and working in South East London. After a six year stint in Asia Nat is enjoying all the fun London has to offer. Nat is Most likely to be found taking photos, cooking, exploring London’s galleries or spending too much money on food. (Also on a constant quest to find the best Chinese food in London)
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Thank you for writing this!!! So good to have some queer movies lined up for the season x