I love Christmas movies, and Hallmark always deliver. Watching Hallmark Christmas movies marks the start of the season for me (and this year i have merch, check out my great new mug in our cover!). Even in the middle of a pandemic they still have a lot of offerings. Here is my ranking of the current 2020 movies I have seen, from the one i liked the most to the least, and I have watched a lot of them. As soon as I keep watching more, or more premiere I will add them in! (in italics the official blurb, then my take)
If you need more material you can check the Hallmark guides of 2019, 2018, 2016 & 2017 and pre 2016. also for more Christmas movies, check the Netflix & Lifetime Guides.
Here it goes:
A Nashville Christmas Carol A television producer is forced to work with the man who broke her heart on a country music Christmas special while being interrupted by Christmas spirits determined for her to revisit her past. Christmas Carol storyline, music and actual singing by Sarah Evans, I was very invested in all of it. Its fun, sweet and predictable and I loved all of it .
Holly & Ivy When Melody’s neighbor, Nina, learns that her illness has returned, Melody promises to keep Nina’s kids, Holly & Ivy, together. To adopt the children, she must renovate her new fixer-upper, which she does with the help of contractor – There are many reasons why I liked this. One, it wasn’t your super typical movie, two the cast is amazing (yes I loved Jeremy Jordan, newsies forever) and three i cried bucketfuls and those movies are the best. The only problem with this is that a lot of the movie was given away in the preview but still i absolutely loved it.
Christmas in Vienna Jess, a concert violinist whose heart just isn’t in it anymore, goes to Vienna for a performance. While there, she finds the inspiration she has been missing, and a new love I spent my last Christmas in Vienna and this movie brought back all the great memories (I even have the same Christmas market mugs that they are using in this one as they filmed last year). Of all the movies this year, this is definitely the one with the best production values as the Vienna views and images are amazing. The story is also cute and adorable and as a lifelong Greys anatomy fan how could i not love a Sarah Drew movie, plus music, they always get me with good music movies .
On the 12th date of Christmas Two seemingly incompatible game designers team up to create a romantic, city-wide scavenger hunt themed for the “12 Days of Christmas This was a highly predictable but really cute offering! Dates inspired by the 12 days of Christmas song was kind of brilliant. Also loved the cast.
Christmas Waltz After Avery’s storybook Christmas wedding is canceled, a dance instructor helps her face her fears in life and fulfill her dream of learning to dance I am currently obsessed with dancing (its what has kept me going) so the dance scenes here made the movie for me. It’s also the princess of Hallmark Christmas movies so you know its going to be good (the queen is Candance Cameron Bure, but we all know this). I also liked that they brought back the pairing from the movieLove, Romance, & Chocolate which I really enjoyed.
One Royal Holiday When Anna (Osnes) offers a stranded mother (Clark) and son (Tveit) shelter in a blizzard, she learns that they are the Royal Family of Galwick. Anna shows the Prince how they do Christmas in her hometown, encouraging him to open his heart and be true to himself – I knew i was going to love this because I am a huge Aaron Tveit fan and I love Laura Osnes too so this was the perfect movie to join my broadway and Hallmark loving selves in one. It did not go straight to the top of my list as it wasnt as good as expected and given the extreme predictability of it (i mean how many movies can you get with the foreign prince falling in love with the small town girl) and because of the accent, i just wasnt a fan. But it still is as a solid as they come.
If I only had Christmas At Christmas, a cheerful publicist teams up with a cynical VP and his eclectic team to help a charity in need. Candance Cameron Bure is def the queen of Hallmark Christmas movies and this showing did not dissapoint. I was loving all the Wizard of Oz references and its a cute story.
Chateau ChristmasMargot, a world-renowned pianist, returns to Chateau Neuhaus to spend the holidays with her family and rediscover her passion for music. While there, her ex-boyfriend and former bandmate Jackson, convinces her to headline the annual Christmas Concert and working together brings back all their old feelings – I love Christmas movies with music and this one hit the spot, especially because it was classical not the traditional pop singer at Christmas. Completely predictable but quite cute.
Christmas with the Darlings When an assistant gives her final notice, she is drawn into helping the charming, younger brother of her wealthy boss as he looks after his orphaned nieces and nephew through Christmas. This was a really cute family watch, and there were tears! Funny fact i think they filmed most of the Hallmark movies in the same house, I for sure think this house is the same as Star Struck Christmas.
Cross Country Christmas Former classmates Lina and Max are traveling home for the holidays, until a storm hits and they have to work together to make it home in time, no matter the mode of transportation. I really enjoyed this one. Great cast ( can you really go wrong with Rachel Leigh Cook) and their quirky adventures where quite enjoyable. A fun Xmas watch!
Christmas by Starlight When her family’s beloved eatery, The Starlight Café, is slated for demolition, Annie vows to put a stop to it before Christmas Full disclosure, this is a low budget, Christmas based Two Weeks Notice. On the plus side I love Two weeks notice so I totally enjoyed this, but it does have to be appreciated as its low budget cousin otherwise it pales in comparison. And yes this made me miss Hugh Grant
The Christmas House Working through some difficult decisions, Mitchell family matriarch Phylis and patriarch Bill, have summoned their two grown sons – TV star, Mike Mitchell and Brandon Mitchell – home for the holidays. It is their hope that bringing the family together to recreate the Christmas house, will help them find resolution and make a memorable holiday for the entire family and community. As Brandon and his husband Jake make the trip home, they are anxiously awaiting a call about the adoption of their first child. Meanwhile, Mike reconnects with Andi, his high school sweetheart So this movie wins major hallmark diversity points for including a gay couple (because Hallmark is really late in the game in diversity). Its a fun cute movie but nothing to write home about (sorry for the pun). IT does have a wonderful cast and ensemble.
Never Kiss a man in a Christmas Sweater Single mom Maggie is facing Christmas alone until Lucas crashes into her life and becomes an unexpected houseguest. Together they overcome Christmas while finding comfort in their growing bond. Predictable but Nice. Cute cast and lots of wonderful Christmas activities! (i might need to integrate some into my Christmas Festivities)
Jingle Bells Bride Wedding planner Jessica Perez travels to a remote town in Alaska to find a rare flower for a celebrity client and is charmed by the small town during Christmas, as well as the handsome local helping her – I love the concept, as far fetched as it was of going to Alaska for a flower! On the plus side SPOILER ALERT – she doesn’t stay in Alaska but goes back to NY and he goes after her – mayor female empowerment points!
A Glenbrooke Christmas Longing to be accepted for herself and not just her wealth, an heiress heads to the small town of Glenbrooke, where she discovers the joys of a simple Christmas, community, and maybe even love. A great cast, and kind of wonderful when the powerful person is the woman!
Deliver by Christmas Bakery owner Molly meets Josh, a widower who recently moved to town with his young son, but she is also charmed by a mysterious client whom she’s never met in person and she doesn’t realize that they’re the same man. – A little you’ve got mail meets cookie baking and I am all for that.
Christmas she wrote When writer Kayleigh has her column cancelled before Christmas, she heads home to reconnect with family. Sparks fly when she gets an unexpected visit from the man who cancelled her column.It was totally predictable but as a Matchmaker Mystery fan, had to love the two of them together in a Christmas movie so Im biased
Christmas Tree Lane Music store owner Meg spearheads community efforts to save her street from demolition. She’s shocked to find out that the man she’s falling for is actually working for the company Meg’s fighting. – I love Alicia Witt and that gave it many points, the saving struggling businesses at Christmas and the romantic lead is the big bad corporation has been done ALOT in Hallmark. So even though it is a cute movie it suffers in the rankings for being thoroughly predictable and naughty. One bonus thing that l liked, I loved the Christmas tree concert with decorations related to the stores.
Five Star Christmas When a travel writer shows up unexpectedly at their dad’s B&B, the Ralston family all pretend to be guests in hopes of a good review. Its a cute movie, and a solid cast, but it was totally predictable from the start.
Time for us to Come Home for Christmas Five guests are mysteriously invited to an inn to celebrate Christmas. With the help of the owner Ben, Sarah discovers that an event from the past may connect them and change their lives forever. Lacey Chabert makes me like every movie she is in. This was a great premise, A little romance, a little Xmas a little mistery.
Unlocking Christmas When a mysterious key and holiday riddle land on their doorsteps, Kate and Kevin embark on a Christmas adventure they’ll never forgetI can get behind these mistery solving Christmas movies as well as a strong female lead!
A Godwink Christmas, Second Chance, First Love After 15 years, Pat moves home from Hawaii with his two sons and through a series of coincidences, or Godwinks, ends up stuck in traffic next to his high school sweetheart, Margie at Christmas. I’ve really enjoyed all the Godwink movies (I mean how can you not love the word Godwink) but this is the less impressive of them all. The cast was great as I love Same Page, but somehow I never got to invested.
The Angel Tree A writer seeks the identity of the person who helps grant wishes that are placed upon The Angel Tree, and in the process, reconnects with her childhood friend. Its a cute town rallies to help each other movie but it needed a little bit more for me.
Good Morning Christmas Two squabbling TV hosts are sent to a festive small town over Christmas. While pretending to get along for the sake of appearance, they discover that there’s more to each other than they thought Its totally predictable fare, but I am obsessed with all the Christmas activities they get to do. I was so inspired to replicate as much as I can. The cast is also great!
A Christmas Carousel When Lila is hired by the Royal Family of Ancadia to restore their carousel as a surprise present for the prince’s niece, she works with him side-by-side to complete it by Christmas. Along the way, they learn they’re more similar than they would have thought and also help each other realize the path in life their hearts want them to follow. Its cute but how many movies do we need about a girl finding a literal prince? and two the same season? i had to give the win to Aaron tveit and this one grade it down
A Timeless Christmas Charles Whitley travels from 1903 to 2020 where he meets Megan Turner and experiences a 21st Century Christmas. Im not sure i loved the ending of this one, thats why its not as high on the ranking, but the road there was enjoyable. Also mayor props for Ryan Paevey’s cuteness, that alone is worth the watch.
Swept up by Christmas An antique dealer and a cleaner clash when downsizing a magnificent estate before Christmas. As they uncover the home’s treasures, they help reconnect the reclusive owner with his Christmas past.Cute movie, and wonderful cast, but just not my favorite
Meet me at Christmas When her son’s wedding planner quits, Joan must coordinate his Christmas Eve wedding with the help of Beau, the bride’s uncle. They realize their fates and pasts are intertwined. I feel Catherine Bell does the same role in every movie (Which is not terrible, I do love The Good witch) but this one was enjoyable and how can you not like a Christmas Wedding.
The Christmas Bow Kate is 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. Love Christmas music so this made this one quite enjoyable, but i just never felt the connection between the characters or her struggle
A Little Christmas Charm Holly, a jewelry designer finds a lost charm bracelet and teams up with investigative reporter Greg in hopes of finding the owner and returning it by Christmas Eve It has a very similar premise to the Christmas Ring (Why are these two move in the same season) but this one is better and has a better cast. Also it has a quote that I’m going to use – Jewelry tells something of a person that they don’t already know!
The Christmas Doctor Zoey is a traveling doctor who prefers short assignments to staying put, so when she is assigned to a small town clinic for the holidays, she is surprised when she starts to feel at home. Holly Robinson Peete is a little stale here, not my favorite from her! There is supposed to be a huge twist here but it is utterly predictable
The Christmas Ring A reporter searches for the love story behind an antique engagement ring. With the help of the ring’s owner’s grandson, they learn the legacy his grandparent’s left behind. This is a Predictable but naughty one. I was not into it at all and that says a lot!
Cranberry Christmas A separated couple feign marital bliss on national television to help their town’s Christmas festival – and their business. But what will be when rekindled love is complicated by new opportunities? – It’s a cute movie, I just wasn’t as invested as I wanted to be in it.
Which one is your favorite?
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