It’s officially Christmas movie season. In fact, it starts in October on Hallmark Channel. While things have changed behind the scenes at the network, one thing remains the same. It’s their holiday cheer.
The channel first launched “Countdown to Christmas” in 2010, premiering more than 20 new holiday movies from October to December. In 2013, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries rolled out its own version of Countdown to Christmas, which included A Christmas Miracle (originally known as The Greatest Movie of Christmas and then The Greatest Miracle of Christmas), and aired at least 15 original films in the same month.
“Christmas Under Wraps,” starring Candace Cameron Bure and David O’Donnell, premiered in 2014 and still holds the record for the highest-rated Hallmark broadcast premiere of all time. Bure has appeared in four of the network’s 10 most-watched Christmas movies, including “Switched for Christmas,” “The Christmas Train” and “A Royal Christmas.”
Since then, the company has further expanded its reach by partnering with numerous brands, including the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. Still, it remains a top destination for holiday movies.
Here, Variety ranks the best Hallmark holiday movies of all time to watch again this year on demand or on Hallmark+.
“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (2008)
Image credit: Hallmark Media
Starring: Brooke Barnes, Warren Christie, Henry Winkler
And of course, Henry Winkler. Remember, this story includes the whole family, not just the couple.
“Christmas in Vienna” (2020)
Image credit: FILMSTILLS.AT
Cast: Sarah Drew, Brennan Elliott
Also be sure to visit Austria and Romania. It’s where the movie was shot and it’s a very beautiful scenery. Stay for Drew and Elliot’s relationship. It takes a while, but it’s pretty comfortable once you get there.
“Snow Bride” (2013)
Image credit: Hallmark
Cast: Patricia Richardson, Katrina Law, Jordan Belfi
Come find a woman tumbling down a snowy mountain wearing a wedding dress that isn’t hers. There’s a surprising twist and a mother who actually likes the woman who pursues her son.
“Christmas Train” (2017)
Image credit: Ricardo Hubbs
Starring: Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Dermot Mulroney, Danny Glover, Joan Cusack
Come for Danny Glover, of course. Take a cross-country train ride packed with real magic and appearances by some of the greatest actors in Channel history.
“Christmas House” (2020)
Image credit: Luba Popovic
Cast: Robert Buckley, Ana Ayora, Jonathan Bennett
Come see the first Hallmark movie to feature a same-sex couple prominently. Enjoy three different creative stories woven together.
“Christmas Waltz” (2020)
Image credit: Hallmark
Cast: Lacey Chabert, Will Kemp
Come to dance lessons. It’s really, really fun. Let’s enjoy chemistry.
“Christmas Town” (2019)
Image credit: Hallmark Media
Cast: Candace Cameron Bure, Tim Rozon
Now, let’s take a look at the adoption storyline, which is the focus. Check out the amazing chemistry between Bre and Rozon in the world’s most carefree and magical twist.
“The Light Before Christmas” (2019)
Image credit: Alistair Foster
Cast: Torrey DeVito, Chad Michael Murray
Come join us for the One Tree Hill reunion you never knew you needed. Stay with Murray, dressed as Santa, for a kiss early in the film.
“Christmas at Pemberley House” (2018)
Image credit: Hallmark
Cast: Jessica Lowndes, Michael Reddy
Come and enjoy a very sweet love story in a luxurious mansion. Fans of “The Parent Trap” will be thrilled with Elaine Hendrix’s portrayal of an independent woman who stands up to her boss.
“Road to Christmas” (2018)
Image credit: Ryan Plummer
Cast: Chad Michael Murray, Jesse Schramm
Meet the TV producer who falls in love with the son of the host of an annual special. Please enjoy this story of brothers that surprisingly touches your heartstrings.
“Christmas Getaway” (2017)
Image credit: Kylie Schwerman
Cast: Bridget Regan, Travis Van Winkle
Play Van Winkle, a charming widow who loves a mother and daughter. Stay for independent women who enjoy traveling alone and seeing the world.
“Royal Christmas” (2014)
Image credit: Hallmark
Cast: Lacey Chabert, Stephen Hagan, Jane Seymour
Please try another format. A happy couple who have been in love for years hit a hurdle when he casually reveals that he is royalty. Jane Seymour remains in the royal family as the very difficult Queen of Cordinia.
“Christmas in the Square” (2019)
Image credit: Hallmark
Cast: Elizabeth Henstridge, Ryan Pavey
Please come to the square for Christmas. The square hasn’t looked this magical since Home Alone 2. Enjoy the creepiest yet adorable karaoke scene ever.
“Where is Christmas?” (2023)
Cast: Lindsay Fonseca, Michael Reddy
Please enjoy the latest version of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and a new story that is unusual for a Hallmark movie. Check out this amazing and moving military story and see a new side of Rady never seen before.
“Wish for Christmas” (2017)
Image credit: Bettina Strauss
Cast: Paul Green, Lacey Chabert
Come enjoy two dynamic performances of fan favorites. Keep up with how Sarah (Chabert) finds herself and confidence both at home and at work.
“Christmas Detour” (2015)
Image credit: Marcel Williams
Starring Candace Cameron Bure, Paul Green
Think of the classic story of a traveler getting caught in a snowstorm while on vacation, but add in the fact that you’re traveling with a giant mood board. Stay for the couple who spend most of their time arguing and admit that sparks fly from time to time.
“Christmas Cottage” (2017)
Image credit: Ricardo Hubbs
Cast: Merritt Patterson, Steve Rand
Come join us at our luxurious cabin in the woods, where people magically come together again at Christmas time. Chat by the fireplace and enjoy hot cocoa.
“Christmas Under Wrap” (2014)
Image credit: Hallmark Media
Cast: Candace Cameron Bure, David O’Donnell
Visit a doctor who travels to Alaska without boots, only heels. Stay until the real Santa shows up. Santa also has high cholesterol.
“Marry Me for Christmas” (2020)
Image credit: Ricardo Hubbs
Cast: Rachel Skarsten, Trevor Donovan
Enjoy the story. A celebrity comes to town to help plan his sister’s wedding and becomes smitten with the owner of a local bridal boutique. Johnny (Donovan) thought everyone was taking pictures of him when he was actually taking pictures of Christmas trees.
“Lights, Camera, Christmas!” (2022)
Image credit: David Astorga
Cast: Kimberly Sustad, John Brotherton
Come see the movie within the movie. A shopkeeper struggling to keep her company afloat is surprised when a Christmas movie is being filmed in her town and the lead character is annoyingly attractive. Stay tuned for a surprising romantic development between the producers of the fake movie.
“Switch for Christmas” (2017)
Image credit: Jeremy Lee/Hallmark Media
Cast: Candice Cameron Bure, Eion Bailey, Mark Deklin
Ms. Bure plays two completely different twin sisters who switch places and fall in love with men they think are each other. Enjoy not one, but two love stories! Double the fun!
“Let It Snow” (2013)
Image credit: Hallmark Media
Cast: Candace Cameron Bure, Jesse Hatch, Alan Thicke
Alan Thicke plays a very cold father who would rather have dinner at a restaurant than spend the holidays with his daughter. Hutch’s Brady teaches Bre’s Stephanie to ski and fly fish, and enjoy a very cool and unique holiday tradition.
“Three Wise Men and a Baby” (2022)
Image credit: Hallmark Media
Cast: Paul Campbell, Tyler Hines, Andrew Walker
Enjoy Tyler Hines, Paul Campbell, and Andrew Walker. Enjoy Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, and Andrew Walker, plus ridiculously cute babies, dance numbers, and serious comedy.
Christmas at Biltmore (2023)
Image credit: ©Hallmark Entertainment/Courtesy of Everett Collection
Cast: Bethany Joy Lentz, Christopher Polaha, Jonathan Frakes
Come enjoy the undeniable chemistry between Lenz and Polaha, stay for the holidays to enjoy the insanely enchanting views of the Biltmore Estate, and travel back in time without the cheese.
“Unexpected Christmas” (2021)
Image credit: Alistair Foster
Cast: Bethany Joy Lentz, Tyler Hines
Sweet pretend we’re still together for my parents. Aim for the most natural chemistry.
