5 Diverse Christmas Films to Watch this Holiday Season
Well, 2020 has been one helluva year - I think we’re all feeling in need of a little festive joy! Christmas films are a staple of that cosy holiday vibe, but they can begin to feel formulaic. Too often, these films feature a white nuclear family and fail to reflect the broader spectrum of people who love to celebrate the holiday season.
Below is a list of films with diverse LGBT+, Black, Asian and Latinx rep to shake up your December viewing. Varying from the unconventional-with-a-slight-festive-twist to the full-frontal embodiment of Christmas spirit, this list will have something for everyone, grinch or big kid at heart!
1. Carol
What It’s About: When Terese, a department store worker yearning for more out of life, serves the enigmatic Carol while she searches for Christmas gifts, it marks the beginning of an unforgettable relationship.
Representation: Central lesbian relationship.
Mini-Review: Carol isn’t explicitly Christmassy, but set during the festive period. Perfect if you’re looking for a break from cheesy Christmas films, the film can best be described as a melancholic sapphic love story set against the decadent backdrop of 1950s New York.
Where to Watch: Watch now on All 4.
2. The Best Man Holiday
What It’s About: This is the sequel to the film The Best Man, but it can also stand alone if you haven’t seen the original. Four old friends and their partners gather for a Christmas reunion. They’re all trying to keep personal struggles from one another, but as fronts crumble and tensions rise, it’s going to be a memorable holiday season.
Representation: Black main cast.
Mini-Review: Watch if you like emotional, tear-jerking films at this time of year! The Best Man Holiday will make you laugh and cry in equal measure - it starts off as a comedy so I was surprised by the tragic turn of events in the second half. However, the film is still heartwarming, hopeful and full of Christmas spirit.
Where to Watch: Watch now on Netflix.
3. Let It Snow
What It’s About: When their small town is snowed in on Christmas Eve, a quirky group of teenagers must pull together to create their best holiday season ever - aided only by a late-opening Waffle Town, a wannabe DJ, a crazy conspiracy-theorist lady and a whole lot of Christmas spirit.
Representation: LGBT+, Black and Asian protagonists.
Mini-Review: Let It Snow is based on a collection of three interconnected short stories, one of which is written by John Green - which basically tells you all you need to know! It’s gloriously cheesy, and the ideal film to watch when you need an uplifting storyline and a guaranteed happy ever after.
Where to Watch: Watch now on Netflix.
4. Nothing Like the Holidays
What It’s About: Another great reunion story - in Nothing Like the Holidays a large Puerto Rican family come together for Christmas, but their parents drop a bombshell that means it could be their last family Chrismas together.
Representation: Latinx main cast.
Mini-Review: Nothing Like the Holidays is a riotous and fast-paced comedy drama, sprinkled with sweetness and tender ‘you can’t kill ‘em so you’re going to have to live with ‘em’ family moments.
Where to Watch: Watch now on Amazon Prime.
5. Tangerine
What It’s About: When sex worker Sin-Dee is released from a short prison stint on Christmas Eve, she discovers that her boyfriend has been unfaithful while she was behind bars. With her best friend Alexandra in tow, she sets about taking revenge and discovers her real priorities in the process.
Representation: Black transgender protagonists.
Mini-Review: Tangerine is the most unconventional Christmas film I’ve ever watched, but I’m so glad I did! It’s fierce and funny, but also a poignant reminder of the melancholy that the festive period can bring to the surface for those already struggling.
Where to Watch: Watch now on Amazon Prime.
Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains Amazon affiliate links - any purchases made through these links will earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the magazine up and running. But we’ll only link to films we’ve watched, reviewed and are sure you’ll enjoy!
Written by Florence Edwards
