There’s nothing quite like burrowing under a heap of cosy blankets during the festive season and settling in for a marathon of queer cinema. Whether you’re after warm-hearted romcoms, boundary-pushing indies, or winter-set dramas with queer resonance, this list offers a range of LGBTQ+ Christmas films that make ideal holiday viewing.

The Holiday Exchange
The Holiday Exchange brings a classic Christmas romcom premise into the queer sphere. Wilde (Taylor Frey) swaps homes with Oliver (Rick Cosnett) through an LGBTQ+ house-sitting app, only to discover unexpected romance waiting in each destination. Their separate but parallel journeys create a charming, heartfelt festive watch.

Tangerine
This sundrenched technical Christmas film follows trans sex worker Sin-Dee Rella across Los Angeles on Christmas Eve after she discovers her boyfriend’s infidelity. Shot on an iPhone and bursting with energy, it may not follow the usual Christmas movie rules, but its themes of chosen family and loyalty root it firmly in queer festive canon.

Happiest Season
If you prefer your holiday films to be just a little devastating, Happiest Season delivers a warm yet complicated portrait of a lesbian couple navigating a conservative family Christmas. Starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis, and co-written and directed by Clea DuVall, it balances humour and emotional weight with ease.

Carol
A modern staple, Carol remains one of the most beloved queer winter films. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara ignite the screen in this 1950s-set romance about forbidden love, longing, and liberation. Elegant, chilly, and gorgeously crafted, it captures both the magic and melancholy of the season.

Last Exmas
Featuring small-town awkwardness in which two former lovers repeatedly (and reluctantly) collide during the holidays. It’s a playful twist on festive tropes, packed with unresolved feelings and comedic tension.

Pillion
For viewers seeking something more risqué, this offers a decidedly naughty Christmas story that’s earned cult appeal, ideal for those craving something spicier than the usual festive fare.

Oh What Fun
Chloë Grace Moretz stars as the middle child bringing her girlfriend—played by Devery Jacobs—home to Texas for Christmas. Her siblings barely blink; they’re simply exasperated because she brings a different partner home every year. It’s a modern queer family comedy with heart.

Female Trouble
For a touch of camp chaos, John Waters’ Female Trouble opens at Christmas and spirals delightfully from there. Divine’s outrageous performance ensures an unforgettable ride.

The Bitch Who Stole Christmas
RuPaul leads a self-described “draggiest Christmas movie ever” packed with fashion drama, camp humour, and festive spectacle.

Christmas on Cherry Lane
Queer representation shines in this Hallmark movie following three couples, including Jonathan Bennett and Vincent Rodriguez III, as they navigate major life changes during the holidays.

Rent
Beginning and ending on Christmas Eve, Rent is a fixture in LGBTQ+ Christmas cinema. It is a powerful musical exploring love, loss, and community during the AIDS crisis.

The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special
The Jinkx & DeLA Holiday Special offers singing, dancing, comedy and much more to get you in the mood for the festive season.

The Higher Spirit
Coming home for the holidays might be a challenging experience for the Higher-Mills family. Mixed backgrounds, lesbians, adopted daughters and their partners all come together in this queer Christmas cinema full of deep and meaningful messages about love, pain and family.

These are just a few of the amazing queer Christmas films you can watch this holiday season. So what are you waiting for? Pick one and get cosy!