Streaming Queer: December 2022
The end of the year brings the return of some of the most amusing and chaotic shows of our time. What are the holidays for if not escaping obligatory parties and diving into the most binge-able content streaming networks have to offer?
If leaning into Christmas cheer is your vibe, we've got a fun twist on a Tim Allen classic, as well as Our Lady of Christmas Hits, Mariah Carey, performing at Madison Square Garden to set the mood. Otherwise, we recommend the forbidden romance, queer family drama, and deadly mysteries. Ho ho ho, Merry Streaming!
"The Santa Clauses"
This series is perfect for fans of Tim Allen's classic Christmas movies, but it's also an entertaining twist on the wholesome holiday vibes. While he doesn't feature much in this trailer, out actor Kal Penn stars in one of the leading roles as an entrepreneur (and adoring single father to a charming little girl) who needs to up his delivery company's output in order to compete with Amazon and satisfy his board. When he sees Santa and his reindeer disappear in the sky one night, he decides that perhaps Christmas magic is real — and more importantly, he becomes highly motivated to figure out how to harness the illusive technology that allows Santa to travel the globe in one night for his own business. He may even go so far as to become the next Santa so that he can find out...
"The Santa Clauses" is now streaming on Disney+ with new episodes every Wednesday.
"Sort Of" Season 2
The second season of this tender, award-winning comedy continues its celebration of everyday queerness, found family, and navigating self-love as a queer person among your biological family. Genderfluid millennial Sabi (Bilal Baig) straddles various identities — at the queer bar where they work, with the family they nanny for, being their full self at home with their big Pakistani family, and as a child of immigrants in Canada. This season their dad unexpectedly returns home from Dubai, the bar may close down, and they decide to lean into all kinds of love.
"Sort Of" season 2 premieres December 1 on HBO Max.
"Gossip Girl" Season 2
The Gen Z "Gossip Girl" reboot returns with its badass lesbian character Monet (Savannah Lee Smith) committed to rising up the ranks to take It Girl Julien's place in their society's hierarchy. Queer throuple Audrey, Aki, and Max wrestle with the idea of telling people about their polyamorous relationship; Georgina Sparks (of "you can tell Jesus that the bitch is back" fame) shows up, targeting the over-involved teachers; and somehow the students attend the coveted Met Gala. Where does Luna (trans goddess Zión Moreno) stand in all this drama? Only one way to find out... XOX
"Lady Chatterley's Lover"
Queer actor Emma Corrin leads this romantic drama, with Jack O'Connell as their lover, in an adaption of the controversial classic novel. "Lady Chatterley's Lover" is the tale of a woman no longer in love with her aristocrat husband, who begins an affair and then falls in love with the gameskeeper of her husband's estate. It's about sex and desire; about finding yourself amidst (and despite) society's expectations of a woman and of a marriage. This Netflix film looks seductive, lush, and captivating.
"Lady Chatterley's Lover" premieres December 2 on Netflix.
"Emily in Paris" Season 3
"Emily in Paris" is messy, ridiculous and filled with glorious, decadent outfits — and we love her for it! There was a huge cliff-hanger at the end of season 2: Now that Gabriel and Camille are back together, will Emily run to a long-distance relationship with Alfie? What did she decide about her career trajectory? Between the chaotic brand campaigns she's involved in at work and her tangled love life, we never know what Miss Emily is going to do next... Â But we do know that she'll be very American and very passionate, making silly mistakes and making friends along the way, all while looking fabulous. C'est magnifique!
"Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To All"
The queen of Christmas will perform her classic holiday tunes in a new two-hour concert special titled "Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To All!" Filmed at Madison Square Garden, the concert features Carey performing a selection of her festive holiday hits, including the iconic "All I Want for Christmas Is You." This is gonna be the perfect treat to enjoy with friends, family, fairylights adorning the room, and a delicious festive feast.
"Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To All!" will be available to stream December 20 on Paramount+.
"Matilda: The Musical"
The film's already gone viral through clips of the children dancing, particularly "red beret girl" who is giving her everything to the performance. "Matilda: The Musical" is not a remake of the '90s film that we grew up with, and instead is an adaptation of the long-running stage musical. But the story and its powerful magic remains! Matilda's become a queer icon in the sense that she's feeling like an outsider, seeking hope in books, and finding home through the power of kind teachers. This film looks to be leaning into its camp qualities, especially with her parents, and Emma Thompson is magnificent (if terrifying) as Miss Trunchbull.
"Matilda: The Musical" premieres December 25 on Netflix.
"Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery"
Canonically gay Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig in a high-waisted summer linen suit) finds himself investigating a murder on an extravagant holiday trip filled with old friends. Miles Bron (Edward Norton) has invited a group of people from his past to play a game of hidden puzzles and cryptic clues on his Greek island, only for a real murder to take place. Queer actor Janelle Monáe, a flamboyant Kate Hudson, and the iconic Kathryn Hahn are among the cast of dramatic friends now entangled in a murder investigation.
"Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" premieres December 23 on Netflix.