Hallmark brings out tons of new holiday movies every year — but some of their best holiday flicks are actually classics.
Delivering seasonal content since 2001, the network is known for keeping its viewers laughing until Christmas Day, or finding a story that would even tug at Scrooge’s heart. But beyond the heartwarming romance, wish-fulfillment and dramatic backdrops are Hallmark’s returning stars, many of whom have been around for a decade or more.
Paul Campbell made his Hallmark film debut in 2014 with Wonderland windowrival love-for lovers where he plays opposite Cyler Leigh. Even then, the actor knew the film – and the network – was something special.
“[Window Wonderland] it’s about love at its core. It’s a very sweet love story, but it’s not sweet,” he explained. “It’s fun, and it’s funny and it’s fast and it’s fast. Very well written [with] great dialogue but it has the happy ending you want at the end of the day when you watch a Christmas movie. It’s a feel good movie. He wants to see everyone get what they want in the end. And spoiler alert: they do!
Hallmark Channel is the home of holiday cheer thanks to its annual “Countdown to Christmas” programming — which just keeps getting better and better. Every year, fans are treated to dozens of feel-good holiday movies starring Lacey Chabert, Andrew Walker and other favorite actors. Although the stories shown are different, there are many […]
Hallmark movies just keep getting better, but don’t let the iconic films of the holiday season be forgotten. Keep scrolling for five throwback movies you need to rewatch this season:
‘Bound for the Holidays’
Marilu Henner, Joey Lawrence, L. Harvey Gold, Emily Hampshire
HallmarkIt’s playing: Joey Lawrence, Emily Hampshire, Marilu Henner
A year: 2012
The Vibe: Laughing All the Way
Why You Need (Re)Watching: Rob Marino (Joey Lawrence) is a real pickle; he recently broke up with his girlfriend before Thanksgiving even though his grandmother died (Paula Show) I wish to see him happy and loving. In an age of ever-advancing technology, Rob finds a fix on an online dating website where he and Julie don’t know each other (Emily Hampshire) admit to faking a relationship to keep their families happy during the holidays. Hijinks ensue.
There are endless things to love about this wonderful film, from Lawrence and Hampshire’s natural relationship to the classic trope of fake-to-real dating, a Hallmark fan favorite. Even better, Tied for the Holidays is about Christmas and Hanukkah, presenting various traditions and celebrations for everyone to enjoy.
‘The Christmas Secret’
Bethany Joy Lenz, Venus Terzo
HallmarkIt’s playing: Bethany Joy Lenz, John Reardon
A year: 2014
The Vibe: A Holiday from the Heart
Why You Need (Re)Watching: Who doesn’t love a little magic during the holidays? This Hallmark star thriller Bethany Joy Lenz as Christine, a struggling and down-on-her-luck single mother: she’s just been fired from her job, threatened with eviction and her skinny ex-husband is taking her to court for custody of their children. You think it couldn’t have been worse? It’s wrong. Christine also recently lost a valuable family heirloom that was given to her by her father when she was young.
As she struggles to pick up the pieces of her life, she finds unexpected support from a handsome stranger – and bakery owner – named Jason (John Reardon), with whom he shares an unexpected connection. With her new found family, Christine’s luck slowly begins to change at Christmas time.
Lenz has never made a Christmas movie that wasn’t worth watching, but he gives an incredible performance in this story about love, hope and the importance of leading with grace even in the toughest of situations. Separate the muscles, because this is a tear gas.
The Hallmark Channel keeps viewers enthralled year-round with its hilarious movies and annual “Countdown to Christmas” — but which movies do the network’s stars want to be made into sequels? Andrew Walker, Nikki DeLoach, Aimee Teegarden and other Hallmark celebrities tell us exclusively which movies they want to revisit. Both DeLoach and Teegarden, of […]
‘Window Wonderland’
Chyler Leigh, Paul Campbell
HallmarkIt’s playing: Paul Campbell, Chyler Leigh
A year: 2013
The Vibe: Laughing All the Way
Why You Need (Re)Watch: Is there anything better than two instant rivals realizing that the reason for the tension between them is that they actually love each other? That’s exactly what Hallmark is working on Winter Wonderlandfollows department store decorators Sloan (Leigh) and Jake (Campbell) as they strive for their dream job of dressing the McGuire store window for Christmas. But, as the competition heats up, so does their attraction to each other – making their competition all the more difficult.
Winter Wonderland it has everything: witty dialogue, great cast, amazing budget and great chemistry between its two leads. The bonus? The film uses an almost iconic trope when Sloan and Jake find themselves locked inside the McGuires and are forced to spend the night together.
‘Christmas Cottage’
Merritt Patterson, Steve Lund
HallmarkIt’s playing: Merritt Patterson, Steve Lund
A year: 2017
The Vibe: Baby, It’s Sweet Inside
Why You Need (Re)Watching: Nothing screams the holidays, like a magical Christmas cottage designed to bring you joy forever. In Christmas CottageLacey (Merritt Patterson) takes a break from her busy life as an architect to serve as her best friend’s maid of honor during his winter wedding. His greatest responsibility? Dress up bride Ava (Brittney Wilson) the family cottage is therefore ready for the newlyweds to stay after the ceremony.
Apparently, Lacey can’t decorate alone! She is forced to work with her ex-boyfriend, Ean (Steve Lund), who happens to be married. Legend has it that “everyone who’s ever stayed here at Christmas time has found true love,” which Lacey and Ean believe — even if they can’t say it out loud. When a couple gets stuck in a small house before the wedding, they are forced to see if their feelings for each other are still there.
If you haven’t seen this Hallmark hit, get ready for some cozy vibes, lots of Christmas decorations and an amazing adult breakup scene – spoiler: Lacey is single when she arrives at the cottage! If this movie doesn’t make you want to escape to the mountains and rent a cabin for the holidays, we don’t know what will.
Andrew Walker has established himself as one of Hallmark Media’s biggest stars after making his network debut in 2012. The Canadian actress first left her mark on audiences that year with A Bride for Christmas opposite Arielle Kebbel. The two reunited on camera in 2015’s Bridal Wave, which launched Walker into an even bigger name. […]
‘Christmas On My Mind’
Andrew W. Walker, Ashley Greene
HallmarkIt’s playing: Ashley Greene, Andrew Walker
A year: 2019
The Vibe: All Is Not Calm – But All Is Bright
Why You Need (Re)Watching: Amnesia, wedding dress and romance with Andrew Walker – Uh, we mean, Zach Callahan, played by Walker – three reasons to rewatch this classic. Christmas On My Mind follows Lucy Lovett (Ashley Greene) after hitting his head while holding a wedding dress. She wakes up to see her fiancé Zach, only they are engaged. In fact, they broke up two years ago, but Lucy doesn’t remember anything.
Zach is a nice guy, or so he seems, so he helps Lucy move back home to her fancy house and has a rough encounter with her new boyfriend, Brad (Clayton James). However, Lucy doesn’t understand why she broke up with Zach, so under doctor’s orders, she returns to her hometown to celebrate the holidays and try to remind him. Let’s just say, when Lucy returns, the memories are not what she thought they would be.
Even though there is a little bit of cheating on Zach’s part in this movie, we can’t help but love the storyline of the couple destined for us. Lucy and Zach are perfect for each other – so who are we to judge how they get back together. Apart from the love of dreams, the movie location, the Christmas trees by the beach and the ice building competition keep us coming back year after year.
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