Happiest Season is a 2020 holiday rom-com starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis that premiered on Hulu. The basic premise: Abby (Stewart) plans to propose to her girlfriend Harper (Davis) during their Christmas visit to Harper's family—only to discover that Harper hasn't actually come out to her conservative parents yet. Cue five days of closeted chaos, family dysfunction, and holiday stress.
It's directed by Clea DuVall (yes, the actress from But I'm a Cheerleader), and features a stacked cast including Dan Levy, Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie, and Mary Steenburgen. It was marketed as the first major studio LGBTQ+ holiday rom-com, which was a big deal when it came out.
Here's the thing: Happiest Season exists in this interesting cultural moment where it's both groundbreaking and... kind of not? For many LGBTQ+ families, seeing a queer love story centered in a mainstream holiday movie was genuinely moving. For straight families, it might be one of the first times they've watched a holiday rom-com where the central couple is two women, which normalizes queer relationships in a genre that's been aggressively heterosexual.
But it also got plenty of criticism for being a pretty painful watch—Harper treats Abby terribly throughout most of the film, the "staying closeted" plot feels dated to some viewers, and the happy ending feels unearned to many. Dan Levy's character literally gives a speech about how Harper doesn't deserve Abby, and... he's not wrong.
Still, for families with LGBTQ+ kids, or families who want to broaden their kids' media diet to include diverse stories, this movie opens up important conversations about coming out, family acceptance, and what healthy relationships actually look like.
Age Appropriateness: This is rated PG-13, and that feels about right. There's no sex, minimal language, and the most "mature" content is some kissing and romantic tension. I'd say ages 13+ is the sweet spot, though mature 11-12 year olds could handle it fine if you're watching together.
The real question isn't "is there inappropriate content?" but rather "will my kid understand and engage with these themes?"
Key Themes to Consider:
-
Coming out and family acceptance - The entire plot revolves around Harper being terrified to tell her parents she's gay. This could be incredibly validating for LGBTQ+ teens, or it could be heavy for kids who aren't ready to process that fear.
-
Relationship dynamics - Harper lies to Abby repeatedly, asks her to pretend to be straight, and basically gaslights her for most of the movie. This is actually a great teaching moment about what healthy relationships DON'T look like.
-
Family dysfunction - Harper's family is a mess—competitive sisters, emotionally distant parents, and a father whose approval everyone desperately craves. It's realistic but can be uncomfortable to watch.
-
Holiday stress - If your family already has complicated holiday dynamics, this movie might hit too close to home or be cathartic. Your mileage will vary.
Teens who connect with this movie usually fall into a few camps:
LGBTQ+ teens appreciate seeing themselves in a mainstream holiday movie, even if they have critiques about the execution. Representation matters, and for many queer kids, this was the first time they saw a Christmas movie that felt like it was for them.
Rom-com fans enjoy the genre conventions—the misunderstandings, the will-they-won't-they tension, the big romantic gesture at the end. It hits familiar beats while centering a queer relationship.
Teens navigating their own coming out may find Harper's fear and struggle deeply relatable, even if they wish she handled it better. The movie validates how scary it can be to tell your family who you really are.
If you're planning a family viewing, here are some conversation starters:
Before watching: "This is a romantic comedy about a woman who hasn't told her family she's gay. It deals with some heavy stuff about family acceptance and honesty in relationships."
During/after watching:
- "What did you think about how Harper treated Abby? Would you want to be in a relationship like that?"
- "Why do you think Harper was so afraid to tell her parents?"
- "Did the ending feel realistic to you? Do you think they should have stayed together?"
- "What would you do if a friend asked you to hide an important part of who you are?"
For LGBTQ+ kids specifically: This can be a good opening to talk about coming out, family acceptance, and what support looks like. You might ask: "Do you feel like you can be yourself in our family?" or "What would make you feel more supported?"
Happiest Season is far from perfect, but it's a culturally significant movie that opens up important conversations. It's not "brain rot" holiday content—it's actually quite thoughtful, even when it's frustrating.
If you have LGBTQ+ teens or teens who are questioning, this movie might be meaningful to watch together. If you're a family that wants to normalize queer relationships and have conversations about acceptance, it's a solid choice for ages 13+.
Just be prepared for some uncomfortable moments, both in terms of Harper's behavior and the family dynamics. And maybe have a follow-up movie ready that shows a healthier queer relationship—Heartstopper is a great palate cleanser if you need one.
Want to explore more LGBTQ+ content for teens? Check out our guide to LGBTQ+ shows and movies for teens
.
Wondering how to talk to your kids about coming out and acceptance? Start here.
Looking for more holiday movies that aren't the same old stuff? We've got you covered.