It’s that time of year when folks across North America curl up under a blanket to watch a holiday movie. For Asian families like ours, these movies—while a staple during the season—can feel a bit distant from our own holiday traditions and experiences.
Instead, here’s a list of heart-warming Christmas movies that hit a bit closer to home. These AAPI Christmas movies (and one TV series) feature Asian leads and themes are a must watch this winter.
The Syed Xmas Family Game Night
Bringing a partner home for the holidays is never really easy. For Noor, who brings her Puerto Rican girlfriend to meet her Pakistani Canadian family in this holiday comedy, she has a lot of groundwork to do. For cross-cultural couples, Noor’s traversing her family’s judgment and bias will likely ring true.
With details like the Bhangra remix of Jingle Bells, the movie shows how Asian millennials and their families have holiday traditions unique from the ones we usually see on TV. Luckily, it’s an easy short film to add to your holiday watch list too, clocking in at 11 minutes.
Boyfriends of Christmas Past
Released in 2021, Boyfriends of Christmas Past was one of Hallmark’s first attempts to give an Asian actor the leading role in a holiday movie. The movie weaves subtle Asian Canadian touchstones into a universal narrative about the difficulties of romantic commitment.
Leading up to Christmas, high-power marketing executive Lauren receives a visit from each of her four ex-boyfriends as they help her grow into a new romance. Plus, with an appearance from Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, everyone’s favorite Asian dad, what’s not to like?
Pushing Hands
One of two films on this list that doesn’t have “Christmas” in the title, Pushing Hands…
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