A handful of years ago, it was difficult to find sapphic movies or shows. They were simply not readily available. We were so starved of them that we would rush at some of the worst films out there simply because there happened to be a WLW couple in the plot (Below her mouth, anyone?). Any visibility and representation were welcomed. If general sapphic films were difficult to find, what do you think happened when I googled holiday sapphic films? I found everything but what I needed.
You can imagine my surprise when I googled sapphic holiday films today and a host of them popped up(and it also turns out I’ve seen most of them?)! Just last year I wrote a similar article and I didn’t find as many as I did today. A lot of them are a few years and decades old, too. They just weren’t marketed as visibly as other films. I am happy to share that changes every day. The diversity in media and how and what is easily distributed and marketed to the masses continues to expand year after year, and I am here for it!
Below is a curated list of some of the most cheesy and heart-warming sapphic films I could find. Some are coming out stories, others forbidden love. We get to see normalised queerness, queerness in the midst of what many would call insanity, and subplot queer stories we get to fall in love with. The one thing they all have in common is that despite the plot, they’re all holiday-themed!
Keep reading to peruse our sapphic holiday film list!
*Some spoilers ahead.
Happiest Season
Synopsis: Meeting your girlfriend’s family for the first time can be tough. Planning to propose at her family’s annual Christmas dinner–until you realize that they don’t even know that she’s gay–is even harder. When Abby learns that Harper has kept their relationship a secret from her family, she begins to question the girlfriend she thought she knew.
Review: Just watched this wonderful cinematic masterpiece and I just want to say I don’t regret that hour and 41 minutes of my life. I really recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a good romance movie that accurately represents and showcases the reality of coming out. Or to anyone who likes good movies in general. I especially love the scene where John is telling Abby about how everyone has a different experience with coming out. That scene is sooo wholesome and heartwarming and is also extremely accurate because everyone has a different experience with things like that and anyone who has had to go through it knows how truly scary it is because you don’t know how their families and loved ones are going to react to that information. In conclusion great movie, 100% recommend. Not to homophobes tho!!!!!
Let it Snow
Synopsis: A snowstorm hits a small midwestern town on Christmas Eve, bringing together a group of highschool students. They soon find their friendships and love lives colliding, and come Christmas morning, nothing will be the same.
Sapphic Storyline: The movie will also feature a same-sex romance between two characters. In the trailer they show a little clip of both of them- “That girl and I had a thing,” says Dorrie. “Have you ever been with someone and you stay up until like 4am just talking about everything, and you’re like I can’t believe I get to exist at the same time as you?”- and all I’ll say is what follows in the movie is a cute, somewhat cliche(but we love cliches) storyline but it’s a precious addition to the many stories we get to watch.
In an interview with GayStarNews Liv who plays Dorrie said; “There are several different love stories and holiday tales and I get to play a lesbian, which is great. Lesbians have Christmas too!”
Review: Listen, I know most people wouldn’t like this movie, particularly those who’ve read the book expecting a 100% adaptation. It is NOT for everyone, it’s aimed towards the teen/young adult audience. It checks every romcom box you can expect, it’s predictable & cliche, and nothing new that you’ve already seen before. And yet despite all that, I REALLY enjoyed this. And I don’t just say that to every new Xmas movie as of recently.
Every character was relatable and likeable, the relationships were easy to invest into and root for, the soundtrack was on point, the cinematography & direction was solid, and the young cast here pulled their weight and did really solid across the board.
My honest advice is- don’t be afraid to enjoy something because you’re worried about what other people think. Leave your expectations (if any) at the door, go into this movie fresh, and it might just pleasantly surprise you, like it did with me. All in all, it’s a YA “Love, Actually” and there’s nothing wrong with that. Also, for those who have read the book, try not to compare it to the movie TOO much. Plus, you can never go wrong with a Xmas/winter romcom or similar movies like this, especially during the holidays.
Carol
Synopsis: Set in New York City, Carol tells the story of a forbidden affair between an aspiring female photographer, Therese who spots the beautiful, elegant and older woman Carol perusing the doll displays in a 1950s Manhattan department store. It turns out Carol is going through a difficult divorce and soon the two women develop a fast bond that becomes a love with complicated consequences.
Review: Carol is an emotional, classic. A masterpiece. A literal work of art. Everything is so perfect; the script, the directing, the casts, the performances, the scores, the cinematography. Cate Blanchett nailed the elegant, beautiful, yet traumatized Carol spectacularly. While Rooney Mara was also excellent portraying the innocent, curious, self-confused Therese. I love all the subtle gestures and looks between Carol and Therese throughout the movie. You understand them clearly just the way they communicate with each other by body language. In my opinion, Carol is the best WLW movie of the century. If not, at least it’s the BEST WLW film I’ve ever watched in my entire life.
Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas
Synopsis: A woman is left with unfinished business when she accidentally dies on the way home from a first date. With the help of her best friend, she endeavours to move on to the afterlife.
Sapphic Storyline: In the Freeform movie Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas, Kimiko Glenn and Aisha Dee portray timeless holiday romcom best friends facing an unforeseen festive romantic comedy dilemma. Jess, played by Dee, tragically passes away and comes back as a ghost. Meanwhile, Glenn’s character, Kara, a tea enthusiast, finds herself developing feelings for Mae, a graduate student. As the narrative progresses, their queer romance flourishes and seamlessly integrates into the overall storyline.
Review: As with any creative medium you have to contextualize it in order to appreciate it. This is a made for TV movie about Christmas from a historically poor performing network. That said, this movie felt pretty fresh. There was real comedy happening, the characters felt thought out and responsive in a human way. As opposed to the myriad of archetypes and plot devices, this relied on story and character interaction to drive it forward. It earned every scene and didn’t do anything half way. The actors clearly understood the plucky tone and each one had a distinct voice. I genuinely enjoyed this movie and feel like it will hold up for future feel good needs.
The Christmas Lottery
Synopsis: A man who wins the lottery tries to bring his estranged daughters together for Christmas. When his wife loses the ticket, the family members put aside their differences to help find the ticket and in doing so, finally learn to come together.
Sapphic Storyline: One of the daughters is married to a woman, and I appreciate how ‘normal’ their relationship is. It’s depicted as we hope it can be someday– without any narratives surrounding coming out or struggles. Instead, the focus is on two women who are together right from the beginning, presenting a refreshing portrayal of their love story.
Review: Growing up, I never really paid much mind to Christmas movies but in the past few years, I have started to consume them heavily. This movie was exactly what I look for. It is at it’s heart a movie about a family and that is often what I’m thinking of around the Holidays. The cast is superb. Sure, if you’re like me, you might be instantly attracted because of Reginald VelJohnson (who is excellent) but the rest of the cast really brings this one home. Kay Washington as the matriarch of the family strikes a perfect tone, reminding me of my own family history with, well, that would be a spoiler. The daughters (played by Candiace Dillard, Brave Williams and Asia’h Epperson) are so great, each highlighting different problems and personalities. The supporting cast is impossible not to like (even Spyder!). Do yourself a favor and make this part of your own Christmas story.
Under the Christmas Tree
Synopsis: Romantic sparks fly between Alma and Charlie when Charlie finds the perfect tree for the Maine governor’s holiday celebration right in Alma’s backyard.
Sapphic Storyline: Charlie, a tree whisperer and an employee for the Governor of Georgia who’s always on the go, arrives in Camden, Maine in search of the perfect tree for the upcoming lighting ceremony. When she discovers the ideal tree, she learns that it belongs to the proprietors of a longstanding Christmas holiday store, a family legacy spanning over a century. Alma, the daughter set to inherit the business, is reluctant to sell. Initially, Charlie’s professional obligations keep her connected to Alma, but as enchantment and love fill the air, both women begin questioning whether the predefined paths set for them are the ones they truly desire to follow.
Review: This movie is freaking adorable! And that simple adorableness is actually what makes it subversive.
I Hate New Year’s
Synopsis: Experiencing writer’s block, rising music star Layne Price reluctantly visits a mysterious fortuneteller whose flamboyant advice she misconstrues. Heading home to Nashville, Tenn, for New Year’s Eve, Layne hits the town with BFF Cassie Holmes. While Cassie plans to finally confess that her feelings have evolved into more than friendship, Layne is too focused on bumping into her elusive ex to notice.
Review: Director Christin Baker uses all the props of social media and the standard nuances of a classic New Year’s Eve night out to deliver a “happy and gay” comedic love story, one that will be happily rewatched every holiday season.
Merry Happy Whatever
Synopsis: Merry Happy Whatever takes place over the week or so around Christmas at the Quinn household. The story follows Don Quinn as he struggles with different stresses of the holidays. They are further complicated as Emmy, the youngest of the family, brings home her boyfriend Matt from California.
Sapphic Storyline: At the start of season one, Alan expresses a desire for a divorce from Kayla. In response, Kayla opts to spend the holidays at the Quinn household. While staying there, she confides in Matt about her genuine feelings and attraction to women. Despite briefly reconciling with Alan, they ultimately decide to part ways. Kayla relocates to her childhood bedroom and maintains a friendship with Matt as she navigates this uncharted emotional territory.
Review: It was honestly one of the best shows I have watched. The mix between the fun and the sad parts were perfect. Although the storyline isn’t unique, every episode is worth watching and very enjoyable. I can’t wait for a season 2!
Sense 8 2X01
Synopsis: A group of people around the world are suddenly linked mentally, and must find a way to survive being hunted by those who see them as a threat to the world’s order. Sense8, season 2, episode 1, scandals and celebrations deepen the Sensates’ bond as they rebuild their lives and try to outsmart Whispers. This episode is called A Christmas Special.
Sapphic Storyline: From the very first episode in season one we fall in love with one of the many couples we get to experience through this masterpiece that is Sense8; Nomi and Amanita.
Review: Watch this entire show! It’s an absolute mindf-ck. It’s also gay as h-ll! I can’t say anything else. It’s too good. It deserves to be experienced authentically without spoilers but I’ll give you this
