The 5 Hallmark Movies to Watch Before Christmas

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The Hallmark Channel has become one of the best places to watch holiday movies. While the company first launched on television in 2001, they quickly got into the Christmas spirit after seeing popularity with their 2006 film, The Christmas Card. However, it was their 2009 “Countdown to Christmas” series that drew in viewers, prompting them to increase the amount of made-for-TV movies each year.

The films are perfect for getting into the festive mood — whether you’re decorating the tree or cozying up with a nice blanket and a cup of hot chocolate. And while there are also so many to choose from, we’ve curated a few favorites for viewers who might be new to the Hallmark Channel — or simply want to narrow down their choices this season.

Actress Lacey Chabert visits Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” at Universal Studios Hollywood on December 14, 2019 in Universal City, California. Here are five Hallmark movies that are perfect for this Christmas.
Actress Lacey Chabert visits Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” at Universal Studios Hollywood on December 14, 2019 in Universal City, California. Here are five Hallmark movies that are perfect for this Christmas.
Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story

After Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce went public with their relationship in September 2023, the football team has been under a larger spotlight.

While Lifetime made headlines for using the dynamic between a pop star and a football player for Christmas in the Spotlight, Hallmark also borrowed a similar creative inspiration for 2024’s Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.

Instead of copying Swift and Kelce exactly, this film finds football fan Alana (played by Hunter King) falling for the team’s director of engagement, Derrick (played by Tyler Hynes). It’s a perfect holiday pick for any football lover or Swiftie. Even Travis’ mom, Donna Kelce, makes a fun cameo.

Haul Out the Holly

Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls) starred in 2022’s Haul Out the Holly, which has continued gaining popularity as fans can stream it on Netflix. This film uses the traditional Hallmark trope of Chabert’s character Emily heading home for the holidays, as she’s reeling from a rough breakup.

While at her parents’ house, she finds out they’re actually heading to Florida. However, Emily has to stay and look after the house. She meets the HOA president, Jared (Wes Brown). Needless to say, a romance builds between the two childhood friends.

A Biltmore Christmas

Another Hallmark film worth checking out on Netflix is 2023’s A Biltmore Christmas. Starring Bethany Joy Lenz (One Tree Hill) as a screenwriter named Lucy, the movie puts its spin on the holiday classic 1946’s It’s a Wonderful Life. Lucy winds up time-traveling back to the film set of a fictitious 1947 flick, His Merry Wife!.

Much like It’s a Wonderful Life‘s protagonist, George Bailey, Lucy has to work through her issues to return to the present day — all while trying not to change the timeline. Oh, and for those looking for romance, she does get close to her co-star Jack Huston (Kristoffer Polaha).

A Royal Christmas

Chabert also starred in 2014’s A Royal Christmas and frequently acts in Hallmark holiday movies. In this film, she plays a seamstress named Emily who discovers that her boyfriend, Leo, is a prince and an heir to the throne in the fictional country of Cordinia. Fans can stream this on Hallmark+ or Apple TV.

A Christmas Love Story

2019’s A Christmas Love Story is among one of the best-reviewed Hallmark holiday movies, according to Forbes. Broadway legend Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked) stars as Katherine, a youth choir director who is working on a song for her Christmas Eve show. She soon meets a choir boy’s widowed father, Greg (Scott Wolf), and well, the rest becomes history.

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