Overview
A holiday gathering turns into a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- awkward
- christmas viewing
- date night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film a heartfelt, cheerful LGBTQ+ holiday romantic comedy elevated by appealing performances and ensemble charm.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Harper hides her relationship with Abby and her sexuality from her family during the Christmas holiday.
The annual family Christmas gathering becomes the setting for secrets, rivalries, awkwardness, and reconciliation.
Abby discovers that Harper's family does not know she is gay, creating sustained dramatic irony around their interactions.
The film combines a lesbian relationship and coming-out conflict with the conventions of a widely accessible Christmas romantic comedy.
Films like Happiest Season, and why
The Family Stone
shared queer romance, family pressure, warm holiday comedy, and coming out themes
Imagine Me & You
shared lesbian relationship, romantic comedy structure, heartfelt identity conflict, and ensemble humor
Love Actually
shared christmas setting, romantic misunderstandings, family secrets, and feel-good comedy
The Half of It
shared queer coming out narrative, romantic tension, and sincere comedic tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Clea DuVall
- Release Date
- 2020-11-26
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (1348)
Cast
- Kristen Stewart
- Mackenzie Davis
- Mary Steenburgen
- Victor Garber
- Alison Brie
- Mary Holland
- Dan Levy
- Burl Moseley
- Aubrey Plaza
- Sarayu Blue
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Happiest Season about?
- A Christmas marriage proposal turns into a comic and heartfelt test of love when Abby discovers her girlfriend Harper is still closeted to her family.
- What is Happiest Season like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Happiest Season as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Happiest Season violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Happiest Season.
- What did critics think of Happiest Season?
- Critics generally found the film a heartfelt, cheerful LGBTQ+ holiday romantic comedy elevated by appealing performances and ensemble charm.
- Which films are like Happiest Season?
- Films with a similar feel include The Family Stone, Imagine Me & You, Love Actually, and The Half of It.
- How long is Happiest Season?
- Happiest Season runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Happiest Season?
- In United States, Happiest Season streams on Hulu.
