When we think of holiday films, we think of families getting together to love and laugh in front of warm fires and on cold streets. For years, LGBT people viewed these films and didn’t see themselves as the main characters. That’s why gay holiday films are so important: they finally give gay men the same romantic comedies that straight couples have enjoyed for years.
This guide will show you the best gay Christmas films, as well as some lesser-known gay Thanksgiving flicks and even gay rom-coms for New Year’s Eve. These films weave queerness into the fun, craziness and enchantment of the holiday season, from heartwarming family comedies to small-town romances and late-night parties.
Gay Christmas Movies: A Cozy Holiday Guide
Single All the Way (2021)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Romantic Comedy | 📅 2021
Plot Summary
To avoid family pressure about being single, Peter convinces his best friend Nick to join him for Christmas and pretend they’re dating. But Peter’s mom has other plans, setting him up with her handsome trainer James.
Review
This gay Christmas movie is not just about romance—it’s about family acceptance. I loved how open and supportive Peter’s mother, sister, nieces, and nephews were toward him, making the holiday feel warm and safe. Even when his mom pushes him toward a blind date, it comes from love and a desire to see him happy at home. It’s cheesy, but in the best holiday way.
Dashing in December (2020)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Romantic Drama | 📅 2020
Plot Summary
Wyatt returns to his rural hometown for Christmas, where he meets Heath, a ranch hand. Over snowy days, sparks fly as they are forced to confront choices about where they truly belong.
Review
If you’ve ever seen a Hallmark or Lifetime holiday film, the formula will feel familiar: boy meets boy, sparks fly, conflict arises, and a happy ending follows. But seeing this well-worn template applied to a gay romance feels refreshing. It’s a heartfelt film that proves queer love belongs in cozy Christmas storytelling too.
The Christmas Setup (2020)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Romantic Comedy | 📅 2020
Plot Summary
Hugo travels back to Milwaukee to spend Christmas with his mom and unexpectedly reconnects with Patrick, his high school crush. But just as their love rekindles, Hugo receives a career opportunity in London, forcing him to choose between ambition and home.
Review
The film delivers classic holiday romance beats, but the real charm lies in the casting. Ben Lewis and Blake Lee—married in real life—bring genuine chemistry to the screen. I couldn’t help but smile knowing their off-screen love story made this on-screen romance even sweeter.
Make the Yuletide Gay (2009)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Comedy, Family Drama | 📅 2009
Plot Summary
College sweethearts Olaf and Nathan must separate for the holidays. Olaf returns to his conservative family, where he hides his sexuality. But Nathan decides to surprise him by showing up unannounced, leading to a Christmas full of chaos, laughter, and truth.
Review
This indie gem feels like a queer holiday fairytale. Olaf and Nathan are like two elves breaking a spell, choosing love over secrecy. It’s funny, awkward, and ultimately very touching—a reminder that love, even when hidden, finds a way to shine through during the holidays.
The Holiday Sitter (2022)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Romantic Comedy | 📅 2022
Plot Summary
Sam agrees to babysit his niece and nephew over Christmas. With the help of his handsome neighbor Jason, he learns more about family and finds an unexpected romance.
Review
It has all the ingredients of a gay Christmas rom-com—family, kids, a kind neighbor, and festive love. Still, compared to earlier trailblazers in the genre, it feels a little flat in execution. Predictable story and slightly uneven acting hold it back, but it’s still worth a cozy watch.
Those Who Hate Christmas (2018)
🇮🇹 Italy | 🎬 Romantic Comedy (Short Film) | 📅 2018
Plot Summary
For one couple, Christmas has always been a dreaded holiday. Yet this year, even with plenty of reasons to avoid it, they find that love transforms the season into something beautiful.
Review
Sometimes the best holiday gift really is your partner. Sweet, short, and full of warmth, this gay holiday short adds a dash of equality and tenderness to the season. It’s like a gentle reminder that love itself is the holiday.
Thanksgiving gay films
The Thing About Harry (2020)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Romantic Comedy | 📅 2020
Plot Summary
Directed by Peter Paige, this Valentine’s Day road trip rom-com follows Sam, an openly gay man from a small town in Missouri, and his former high school rival Harry. On their way to a friend’s engagement party, they end up sharing a car ride—and eventually a motel room—that sparks new feelings neither expected.
Review
The storytelling is simple, sometimes even soapy, but it’s easy on the eyes and accompanied by a great soundtrack. Beneath the familiar rom-com formula lies a utopian heart: a world where coming out young doesn’t ruin you, and love eventually finds its way. It may not reinvent the genre, but it delivers exactly what a gay holiday romance should—sweet, charming, and hopeful.
The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Ensemble Comedy-Drama | 📅 2000
Plot Summary
On his birthday, Dennis hosts a party where his friend Cole quickly connects with Kevin, a handsome newcomer. But Cole soon moves on, leaving Kevin heartbroken. Dennis steps in with quiet support, and a genuine bond grows between them—though Kevin still struggles to accept his sexuality.
Review
This isn’t about flashy looks or high drama—it’s about the everyday lives of gay men, portrayed with both humor and heartbreak. The details feel lived-in and authentic: friends squabbling, chosen family gathering, love stumbling in unexpected ways. It’s a film that mixes laughter with tenderness, and it shows how community holds us together.
New Year’s Eve Gay Films
Adam & Steve (2005)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Romantic Comedy | 📅 2005
Plot Summary
In bustling New York City, Adam meets Steven and a sweet romance begins to grow. But their connection takes a twist when they realize they actually met 15 years earlier during a drunken one-night encounter that ended in disaster. Now, as the past resurfaces, they must decide if love can overcome old shame.
Review
This film feels like a classic straight rom-com reimagined with two men in the lead—and that’s exactly its charm. It borrows every trope in the book, from meet-cute awkwardness to supportive friends and messy misunderstandings, but it works because it’s unapologetically gay. Light, silly, and perfect for single gay men looking for comfort viewing, or couples wanting a fun two-person holiday watch.
New Year’s Eve (2011)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Ensemble Romantic Comedy | 📅 2011
Plot Summary
Set in New York’s Times Square on December 31, the film follows multiple characters navigating love, loss, and hope as the new year approaches. From a cancer patient’s last wish to a mother-daughter conflict, to romantic missteps and reunions, the film weaves together stories of renewal.
Review
Though not a gay film, its sprawling ensemble captures the universal emotions of New Year’s Eve—anticipation, regret, and fragile hope. Watching it reminded me how even cliché holiday films can unexpectedly move you. While LGBTQ+ representation here is minimal, the film still works as a backdrop of love and fresh starts, something that resonates with queer viewers too.
FAQ: Gay Holiday Films
Some of the most popular gay holiday films include Single All the Way (2021), Dashing in December (2020), The Christmas Setup (2020), and the indie classic Make the Yuletide Gay (2009). These films bring queer love into the heart of festive traditions.
Yes! Netflix’s Single All the Way (2021) is one of the most well-loved gay Christmas movies, offering a cozy rom-com set during the holiday season. Other titles may rotate on Netflix depending on your region.
There are fewer gay Thanksgiving films, but The Thing About Harry (2020) includes a road trip home for the holiday, and ensemble films like The Broken Hearts Club (2000) feature Thanksgiving dinner scenes that highlight the importance of chosen family.
New Year’s Eve has inspired a few queer rom-coms, such as Adam & Steve (2005) and Trick (1999), both of which feature memorable holiday moments and romantic resolutions as the clock strikes midnight.
For decades, holiday movies centered only on heterosexual couples. Gay holiday films are important because they bring LGBTQ+ love stories into the traditions of Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Eve, showing that queer joy and romance belong in the festive season too.
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