Holiday movies to cheer up the AAPI audience weary from the hate and pandemic

Filipina American Vanessa Hudgens stars, and stars, and stars in the Princess Switch movies
on Netflix. In case you're wondering, only the smiling one on the right is Filipina American.

It’s that time of year and Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders  need Christmas movies more than ever as relief from the hate and pandemic.

What with all the negativity that could affect the mental health of Asian Americans: anti-Asian hate incidents occurring around the nation, a mutating pandemic that keeps thwarting our scientists' best efforts (no thanks to the anti-vaxxers), a stubborn U.S. Senate who can't seem to overcome its partisanship depriving Americans of President's Biden's historic Build Back Better plan that could transform our society by helping the middle-class survive decades of corporate America's greed.

Who can blame anybody for wanting a little escapism? We can use some light fare offered by the seasonal holiday-themed movies that flood our entertainment platforms this time of year to take our minds off the events that could dampen our spirits.

Most of the offerings are romantic comedies, except for Harold and Kumar, which I included because of the stereotype-busting nature of its lead characters played by John Cho and Kai Penn.

Maybe you're a student home for the holidays or you're visiting family. It's cold outside and there's a fire in the fireplace and its time to curl up on the couch. You've earned it. So we've listed some of the movies that might appeal to Asian Americans and Pacific Islander audience who want to see casts that look like them.

Princess Switch, Princess Switch: Switch Again, Princess Switch: Romancing the Star:

It's Christmas so its time for Vanessa Hudgens appearing on Netflix. The three Princess Switch movies start as a variation of the "Prince and the Pauper" but throw in mistaken identities and love interests and its all harmless but enjoyable fun.  During the course of the trilogy, one of the three reveals her Philippines heritage. In the third film of the franchise, a third look-alike appears giving us more Vanessa.  The Princess Switch trilogy offers a healthy dose of charming, light-hearted, twin-swap fun and is delightful viewing for any hopeless romantic. The three movies are Available for streaming on Netflix.

Love Hard

Love Hard is a modern-day take on the Cyrano de Bergerac story, but instead of whispering sweet nothings to the would-be Lothario, it's a case of online catfishing. The film's outcome is predictable after the first five minutes but you can't help but root for the character played by Jimmy Yang (Crazy Rich Asians, Silicon Valley). The rom-com stars Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries) as Natalie, Jimmy O. Yang as Josh, the guy who catfished her, and Darren Barnet (Never Have I Ever) as Tag, who Natalie thinks is her dream match. Also features Harry Shum Jr. and Charles Melton. The 2021 film can be streamed on Netflix. 

Nina Dobrev must choose between two Asian American guys in 'Love Hard.'

Last Christmas

the movie debuted in 2019 after Henry Golding shattered the Asian male stereotype in Crazy Rich Asians with his sexy, charming, leading-man handsome portrayal of the film's Nick Young. After that movie, it was easy for casting agents to cast him in similar roles. In Last Christmas, he plays the handsome, equally-charming leading man again in this romantic boy-meets-girl film inspired by George Michael's hit "Last Christmas." Playing opposite Golden is Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke, who portrays Kate, a frustrated Londoner who works as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop. It also stars Michelle Yeoh. The chemistry between the two attractive actors definitely works. Golden's role is not race-specific, but ... hell, his Asian features are clear to see.

The Christmas Bow 

The Hallmark film debuted in 2020 and stars Lucia Macarelli. The Korean American is a professional violinist who acts, not an actress who plays the instrument. She plays Kate, a promising musician whose lifelong dream of playing in the Rocky Mountain Philharmonic is put on hold by an accident. Reconnecting with Patrick, an old family friend, and his young cousin Gavin (Kenneth Cummins, “The Road Home for Christmas”), while recovering at home during the Christmas holiday, she finds love in someone who believes in her.

A Sugar & Spice Holiday

The predominantly Asian cast includes Jacky Lai, who plays Suzie, a rising young architect, returns to her small hometown in Maine for Christmas, where her Chinese American family runs the local lobster bar. Following the death of her grandmother, who was a star baker in their community, Suzie is guilted into following in her footsteps by entering the local gingerbread house competition. Everybody's favorite AAPI father Tzi Ma plays Suzie's dad and Lillian Lim plays the mother. Love interest is Billy, played by Tony Giroux, whose grandparents are from China. Lots of culturally specific references and moments in the Lifetime production.

'Sugar and Spice' could allude to the Asian touches to this movie like this
Chinese American holiday feast.

Holly & Ivy

Holly & Ivy follows Nina, a woman who finds out her fatal illness has returned, and she won’t be able to care for her adoptive kids. Her neighbor, Janel Parrish plays her neighbor Melody and offers to take the kids – Holly (Sadie Coleman) and Ivy (Piper Rubio) – to stay at her home. Handsome contractor Adam, played by Jeremy Jordan is the love interest but it is the strong performances by Chinese American actress Parrish and Nichols help convey the close friendship between the two women. Add the engaging portrayals by the two kids and before you know it, you'll find yourself emotionally invested in the character-driven Hallmark movie. Available on Apple TV or Amazon Prime.

Chinese American actress Janel Parrish stars in 'Holly & Ivy'

A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas 

Tired of rom-coms and want a little zaniness for the holidays? A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas is a 2011 American buddy stoner comedy film directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson and written by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. The sequel to Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008), it is the third installment Harold & Kumar franchise, and stars John Cho, Kal Penn, and Neil Patrick Harris. The film follows estranged friends Harold Lee (Cho) and Kumar Patel (Penn) as they reunite to hunt for a Christmas tree. The characters created by Cho and Penn shatter the Asian nerd model minority stereotype, which I applaud heartily. The Harold and Kumar franchise launched the careers of  three actors  (including Neil Patrick Harris) who eventually become big stars. Join the irreverence on HBO Max and Prime.

John Cho, center and Kal Penn, right, are the central figures in this zany Christmas film.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  For additional commentary, news and views from an AAPI perspective, follow me on Twitter @DioknoEd.