Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews 2021
Movies are being reviewed in order that they appear on tv.
I will make an end of year top 10 movie list to finish the season.
If you want to keep up with my reviewing on Instagram and to see some fun bonus Hallmark reviews and videos make sure to follow me on Instagram @hallmarkchannelmovies
Rankings for the 2021 Season
Weekend 1 Movies
You, Me & The Christmas Trees
I wanted to love it especially since it was the kickoff but it fell a bit flat. It had some endearing aspects, and a few laugh out loud moments. One that I would say catch it if it’s on but not a must see.
One of my brothers watched with me and predicted what would happen 8 minutes in, he was right. The will they break up scenario I found to be quite teenager like. It seemed thrown in there and a problem that was easily solvable.
The entire plot seemed a bit rushed and a lot of how would that actually happen in real life? Which I’m okay with some but the entire trees being sick felt like a rushed over point.
I will say it’s a middle of the road for me
3 out of 5 🎄🎄🎄
Boyfriends of Christmas Past
This movie starts a little slow but once it gets moving I thought it was a fun ride. I enjoyed the flashbacks to past relationships and for her to see what has been in front of her all along.
I will say the leading gals character came off as not the most likable person. Which made it difficult to see why Nate (leading guy) would have stuck around with her for so many years. That relationship drama was agonizing to me. It felt like an adult conversation needed to be had and this issue would be solved.
Her father was wonderful and brought humor and warmth to the movie. He was probably my favorite bright spot in the movie. Overall I will give it 2.5 out of 5 💍
Just because I enjoyed You, Me & the Christmas trees better. I guess I’m coming out of the gate with a tougher grading scale this year 🤷🏼♀️
Christmas in my Heart
This was the first Hallmark Christmas movie on the drama channel. I usually either love these movies or find them to be a bore. I will say if you don’t like a more serious movie this channel won’t be for you. There are more serious storylines on this channel.
This movie dealt with grief, identity, representation and how to come back after loss. I thought the acting was wonderful the two leads, grandparents the little girl were excellent. I enjoyed the music and seeing the passion come through each scene.
I would recommend this as a sit down movie one you would want to focus on. It does deal with grief but not in a way that makes you feel heavy or will throw you off your day.
I give it🎻 🎻 🎻 🎻 out of 5 violins
The Santa Stakeout
This movie was a fun refreshing laugh out loud movie. This is not your standard movie. They were trying to solve a mystery at Christmas with tons of funny escapades in between.
If you are wanting a little something different and refreshing this movie would be it. It’s one I will watch again and my favorite from weekend number 1!
🎅 🎅 🎅 🎅 🎅 out of 5 Santa’s
What about you how did you enjoy it?
Weekend 2 Movies
Christmas in Harmony
I had a ton of fun with this movie. There were several laugh out loud moments. The singing was wonderful, the two love storylines were equally showed. They even said bougie in a Hallmark movie 😂.
I enjoyed all of the actors and their characters they played. My only complaint is that Michelle Williams sang for what felt like 30 seconds. I thought she was funny for the small role she played in the film. The rest of the music made up for the fact she wasn’t in the film as much as I was expecting.
For me I give this a 4.5 out of 5 🎶
Coyote Creek Christmas
Well this movie was hard to pay attention to..I would not put this on your watch list. I didn’t find it entertaining, was quite bored, even my mom texted me and said that it was a snooze fest.
That’s all I will say I think you get my perspective.
1 out of 5 coyotes 🐺
The Christmas Promise
I enjoyed this movie and the leading actors were wonderful. I recently started watching One Tree Hill and Torrey DeVitto made me forget that she was Nanny Carrie about 5 minutes into the movie.
I usually enjoy the movies on the Movies & Mysteries channel. Though I know these movies will not be for everyone. These movies can be slower, have difficult emotions, and are more serious. They are not doing as many this year and so far I’ve enjoyed both movies on the station and looking forward to next weeks movie as well.
I found the friends group to be a great supporting cast, her grandpa was wonderful (Patrick Duffy) and the leads complimented each other nicely.
4 out of 5 mistletoes 🌱
Christmas Sail
This movie brought me on an adventure I’ve never been on. Putting Christmas lights on boats, who knew 🤷🏼♀️. I found the movie started out strong and I was really enjoying it. In the middle if felt a bit long but recovered at the end with the final boat parade scene, tear jerker and a beautiful well lit up boat at the end.
I enjoyed the father in this movie and thought he played the part well. He was gruff but did come off likable still. I enjoyed the adult conversation about making the relationship work or not at the dance. They were both sad, but had a realistic conversation that has been missing in past Hallmark breakup to later makeup style movies.
Overall 3.5 ⛵️ sailboats a great movie to have on in the background and to watch something new this holiday season.
Weekend 3 Movies
Gingerbread Miracle
I enjoyed this movie. I think it will fall middle of the road for me but I did enjoy it. The Mexican bakery with the making a wish on gingerbread cookies was a fun plot. I enjoyed the male lead who was also in Firefly Lane. He is a more serious of an actor for Hallmark with more of a bad boy vibe who is sweet, vs a romantic warm lead.
Overall a great background movie with some Christmas feels throughout the movie. Very standard Hallmark plot with a Mexican bakery thrown in as a slight twist from older movies.
3 out of 5 gingerbread cookies
Next Stop, Christmas
This movie is a cute movie. I enjoyed the time travel aspect. I thought the actors were all great. The movie moved along quickly and didn’t have any slower parts to it in my opinion. I also like how Hallmark is incorporating more real life stuff people go through. Marriages that start to feel stale after many years, fertility struggles and showing how that affects couples. They are not just sticking to the same old everyone is perfect and has it all figured out model.
I would watch again and have it on during the holidays.
4 out of 5 🚂🚂🚂🚂 trains
Debbie Macomber's A Mrs. Miracle Christmas
A powerful movie about love & loss and how to open your heart again. I’ve had friends go through foster care and know how difficult it can be. This movie was beautifully created. I enjoyed Caroline Rhea as Mrs. Miracle. I know Doris Roberts is a tough act to follow but thought she played it in her unique way. Still as endearing and quirky fun. I loved the grandmother and Caroline together they played a wonderful tag team duo throughout the movie.
This movie is a must catch if you love an endearing, heartwarming movie showing growth of each character throughout. Beware you might shed a tear or two.
4.5 out of 5 angels 👼🏼
A Christmas Treasure
Well this movie wasn’t my favorite. I thought the acting was great but there didn’t seem to be much of a plot to the movie. The story line seemed a bit drawn out and didn’t really move well throughout the movie. Jordin Sparks singing was for sure the highlight of the movie.
I would say this is not a must see movie if you run out of time to catch all the Christmas movies this year.
2 out of 5 🎤 microphones
Weekend 4 Movies
Open By Christmas
This one is one I personally will try and watch again sometime this season. I’m not sure why I couldn’t get into it. But first viewing it was one that I thought was okay but wasn’t a knock it out of the park film.
I enjoyed the 2 relationship strand with female friendship and the romantic relationships they each had so that was a fun element to the movie. I also might have to not watch the movies live. I always enjoy them better when I can fast forward the commercials as it seems to take me out of the movie.
I gave it 3 out of 5 Christmas cards 📝📝📝but after a second viewing I might appreciate it more.
My Family Christmas Tree
I really enjoyed this movie. It was funny, quirky, and I love James Tupper from Men in Trees anyone remember that show? He is kind, friendly and the best dad ever in this movie, opposite his gruff character in that tv show.
I really loved the warmth of a family opening their hearts to her and accepting her into the family. I’ve known this situation to happen in real life, and the transition was a bit rocky to start but the family did warm-up to their new sibling. There were happy tears shed at the end and I had major Christmas feels from this movie.
4 out of 5 trees 🎄🎄🎄🎄
One December Night
Have there been a lot of slower, heavier movies this year? I feel there are some intense topics which I’m here for but also not as light hearted as I’m used to, so not always a tune out type of movie this season.
I say that as this movie feels that way. It deals with feuding friends, Alzheimer’s, a daughter who no longer had a relationship with her father. I thought this movie was okay. Lower end of the middle of the pack movies. Not one I would say is a must see.
3 out of 5 guitars 🎸 🎸 🎸
A Holiday in Harlem
This weekends movies weren’t very entertaining. I thought this felt slow, not interested in it. They feel slow moving. I’m used to more quirky laugh out loud moments and didn’t get many from this movie. Underwhelming on many levels I guess.
As a yoga teacher I do have to point out that you should never start out with dancers pose, amongst many teacher flaws to kick the movie off.
If you don’t have time to watch a ton of Hallmark movies skip this one.
2 out of 5 yoga mats
Weekend 5 Movies
Nantucket Noel
This movie was a bit dull. It was lower middle of the road vibes. I will let you know Trevor Donovan is not my favorite leading guys. I find him one dimensional and you get what you get with him.
I do love Sarah Powers who was in Good Witch she can carry a script but needs a leading guy who can walk with her. It felt like there was no chemistry between her and Trevor so that plot line fell flat for me.
It’s a skip for me when lacking on time but one to have playing in the background as you do your Christmas baking!
2 out of 5 lighthouses 💡
A Christmas Together With You
This movie had two interesting romantic storylines. The plot was a new one for a Hallmark movie. It featured an older male lead finding his love while simultaneously featuring the father figure role he plays with the younger leading lady.
This movie felt like a more serious movie not as many comic relief moments. I will say I did enjoy the subplots but did find it a bit slow at points. I prefer a bit faster moving movie and quicker dialogue or banter between the characters.
The end seemed to wrap up quickly and could have cut out earlier scenes to make the end a bit smoother of a landing.
3 out of 5 menus 🧾🧾🧾
Five More Minutes
Well this movie one upped my last review and took it through 3 romances and 3 different generations.
Warning you will probably cry. The story reminds me of the earlier Hallmark movies they did in the early 2000s. It has heart, will pull on your emotions, you will see it coming but it still won’t stop you from crying.
I love the movies that make me cry and feel things or are zany.
If you enjoy the more serious movies this is one to catch.
4.5 out of 5 candy canes
A Kiss Before Christmas
I loved this movie. It was fun, clever, cute one that I will gladly watch again each season.
I loved that it featured a couple not in their 20-30’s. If you were a Desperate Housewives fan you will love seeing Mike & Susan together again. They still have great chemistry.
I would highly recommend this movie for everyone who wants a fun, lighthearted movie that had a great plot to it.
5 out of 5 💋 💋 💋 💋 💋kisses
Thanksgiving Weekend Movies
The Nine Kittens of Christmas
I love cats. I was predisposed to loving this one. If you enjoy cats especially kittens you will love it. If you’re not into cats you might not enjoy it as much and it will be a middle of the road movie for you. But cat lovers unite! This is our movie!
If I had a complaint I love Kimberly Sustad she is so good playing a quirky, funny role and felt the majority of the movie she played it more subdued. That’s just a minor complaint. Also to see all of the men petting kittens and cats gave me all the warm feels. My hubby is not a cat person so never pets our cat so always warms my heart to see men digging cats.
This was a fun, quirky, catty movie not to mention the cat acting at the end was spectacular!
4 out of 5 kittens 😻😻😻😻
Christmas CEO
It started out okay for the first hour but it just kept going. The sister and brother in-law who ditched their only child with the aunt to do their thing and completely forget about her was a scene of horrible parenting. As a parent of an only child. I can never imagine ditching our child over the holidays for our work and not taking him with us.
The rest of the movie felt a bit drawn out and predictable. I would recommend skipping this one for the season if you don’t have the time.
2.5 out of 5 toys 🧸🧸
An Unexpected Christmas
Bethany Joy Lenz is a treasure in these movies and is well matched with Tyler Hines. The cookie slapping scene in the kitchen was hilarious. The spit take in the living room when the mom asked about babies another audible lol moment.
The quirky family is everything I’m looking for in a Hallmark movie. Tyler dressed up as a unicorn dancing on stage is priceless 😂
I highly recommend this one. It had so many wonderful moments, it was quick moving movie with tons of comedic relief.
5 out of 5 unicorns 🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄
Making Spirits Bright
This was a middle of the road movie for me. It was better than I expected but not one I would rush to watch again.
It deals with two families working on decorating family homes with Christmas lights. For me that’s not a storyline that’s one I need to see. I appreciate a good light display but personally don’t go overboard.
Taylor Coles sweaters in this film were 🔥so I enjoyed the wardrobe. The chemistry was fine and a decent have on in the background as you bake cookies movie.
3 out of 5 Christmas lights 🚥🚥🚥
Christmas at Castle Hart
Well at this point it’s redundant another middle of the road movie. It’s not a standout it’s not horrible but not one I will want to watch again. Very predictable movie, I’m not into king/queen movies so this one hit all of the castle notes.
I wasn’t a big fan of the leading guy, he felt a little blah to me and Lacey delivered a very Lacey performance. You get what you would think from this movie I guess.
The ending was a very predictable Hallmark movie ending which is fine in small doses but we had so many reaching for new levels this season.
3 out of 5 castles 🏰 🏰 🏰
Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas
Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas
This movie was a bit of a snoozer for me. I recommend to watch during a snowy Sunday afternoon. It was a bit melodramatic and felt very slow.
The ending where Brendon Penny just left the girl he traveled with who has amnesia by herself without telling the folks she knows what’s going on with her is a serious 🤷🏼♀️why would someone do that…
The last 20 minutes had the most action in it and the unsupportive big sister was seriously 😬 factor. As someone who runs her own business for the last 10 years now I’m thankful my family has always been supportive with that and am fortunate. But that fight scene was intense for Hallmark..
2 out of 5 cars 🚗🚗
Christmas in Tahoe
I thought this was a super cute fun movie. It felt very on brand from previous Hallmark movies. It was quirky, had a love story, the drama and great music.
Pat Monahan did a great job acting and his music at the end was so good. It is a unique setting even if it wasn’t actually filmed in Tahoe it had a different vibe from other movies.
I would catch it if you can.
4 out of 5 guitars 🎸🎸🎸
The Christmas Contest
This movie was full of stereotypes and fun at the same time 🤷🏼♀️😬🎉
I mean the egotistical athlete who can’t see past his own nose meets high achieving woman who are both super competitive. Do they mesh or is it all bickering and competitiveness?
I thought Candace and John had great chemistry as they should from working together at Fuller House. If you don’t like bantering or bickering between your leads skip this movie. It has a lot of bickering and petty fights but overall a cute enough movie in my opinion to overlook that.
I’m not sure I loved this movie but thought it was better than most this weekend so will be in the upper middle portion of my movie rankings this season.
4 out of 5 baseballs ⚾️ ⚾️ ⚾️ ⚾️
Weekend 7 Movies
8 Gifts of Hanukkah
I thought the leading actress was wonderful. Her softness in her role lead me to wanting more. Wondering what was coming next. I don’t think I’ve seen an optometrist as a storyline and really found it to be a fun new profession for Hallmark.
I enjoyed the “mystery” element of guessing who was giving her the gifts each night. I thought the leading male was wonderful and balanced the leading lady out well.
I would catch this movie and as of now will land in my upper half of movies, top 10 as of now!
4 out of 5 glasses 👓👓👓👓
A very Merry Bridesmaid
I love Emily Osment but I feel they have given her the wrong roles the last few years. She is funny and quirky which this movie doesn’t let her show that side off at all.
Her brother surprising his bride to be with a house is a risky decision that paid off but I can’t say I would enjoy that surprise..
I can also relate to the brother sister and friend relationships. I have a brother that’s two years younger and his friends and I were friends I brought one of his friends to prom. So understand the delicate balance that can play.
Overall it feels like a quiet, calm movie. This would be one to watch on a quiet Tuesday evening if nothing else is on. You have to be in the mood for this one.
3 out of 5 airplanes ✈️✈️✈️
Our Christmas Journey
I enjoyed this movie for an honesty about it. The scene where the teenage girl talks about everyone’s hobby or special thing and the boy asks what her moms hobby is and she says her brother. Her admitting she felt like an afterthought in the family after her brother. That conversation with her mom was honest. The mom who has trouble letting her son go and will he be safe without her.
The husband and her feeling the strain on their marriage. The husband thinking his wife enjoys keeping things together and running the show when really she wants support and to fall apart sometimes and everything will be okay.
The movie made me cry a few times. It is one I would watch again. The grandmother brought some needed humor, and tender care to the movie as well.
4 out of 5 Christmas Wreaths
Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday
I really enjoyed the duo movies going on with next weeks second sister swap movie coming Sunday.
The overall theme had me drawn in hook line and sinker.
My small hometown theatre is going to have to close next year and it looked similar to the one in the movie.
It was also where I had my first job (working concessions) and my brother is now the president and will have to make the call next year unfortunately. Too expensive to run in a town of 500 people.
So that part of the movie gives me all the feels. When you had to wear jackets, the power randomly goes out. All of those things I’ve experienced at our theatre.
The mother son relationship was wonderful the budding romance felt natural. The teenager and potential future sister bonding was precious.
Overall I’m really looking forward to the second Sister Swap next week.
4 out of 5 🍿🍿🍿🍿
Every Time a Bell Rings
I loved this movie. The chemistry with the sisters, I loved seeing that as a focal point and the romantic interest was more of a second plot line. The sisters coming back together for a scavenger hunt that had real meaning behind it. How each sister dealt with loss differently. One of the sisters meeting her biological mom was a good scene as well.
It was a really good movie with wonderful acting.
4 out of 5 bells 🔔🔔🔔🔔
Weekend 8 Movies
A Dickens of a Holiday
I love Kristoffer Polaha and he gave a great performance. The play at the end would have been one I would have wanted to capture in full. It was so full of energy.
Kristoffer plays a quick wit, sarcastic actor and it really lands. Brooke D’Orsay was a great leading lady who could handle her own in this movie. I thought they had great chemistry, it was a unique plot. Tons of fun.
Overall I would catch this movie again.
4 out of 5 🎥 reels
A Royal Queens Christmas
I enjoyed the Queens, NY element of the movie. I thought the first 45 minutes were quick, fun and charming. It took a turn after that and got a bit slow. The piano playing in this movie was wonderful as was the NY family.
Royal movies are not my personal favorite and feel they are a bit overdone via Hallmark. The plot is similar to almost every other royal movie. Girl doesn’t realize he’s a prince and when she finds out gets angry. He of course has someone he’s supposed to marry that is a royal. The royal parents are stern until the end they lighten up and let their child live their own life. That pretty much sums up the movie only in Queens, NY.
3 out of 5 crowns 👑👑👑
A Godwink Christmas: Miracle of Love
This was another movie series that hasn’t been my favorite and all are based on true stories. This one is also based on a true story even the doctor taking the lecture was true. For myself I don’t seek to watch these after the fact. I totally understand why people love the series. This will probably be towards the bottom of my list but I did enjoy this movie better than last years.
I do appreciate the fact it is based on a true story. Which makes it hard to rate. The true life story itself is incredible the events unfolded as they did. To make a movie out of it there will be slower parts to build the relationship and to the twist that happens towards the end of the movie.
3 out of 5 winks 😉😉😉
Sister Swap: Christmas in the City
Personally I enjoyed the first one slightly better only because of the movie theatre and that hit close to home for me. I love Ashley Williams she is such a delight. She is someone you just want to be friends with.
I loved the Christmas decorations and the lighting for the movie was wonderful.
I had major restaurant envy. I want to feel this at-home at a friendly go to restaurant where everyone knows my name.
I enjoyed how they tied the two movies together from both perspectives. I would watch more of the crossover events if they did them in the future.
4 out of 5 sisters 👯♀️
Weekend 9 Movies
A Sugar Plum Twist
This movie snuck up on me. I really enjoyed it. I danced for many years and love dancing movies. The Puerto Rican culture and ballet with salsa dancing was wonderful. I really enjoyed that they incorporated dancing throughout the movie. It had Christmas feels throughout and new baked goodies that I’ve never seen but looked delicious.
I would give this one a whirl if you’re bored with the regular Hallmark movies and looking for something with a twist. This had a love story but, a mentorship element, and the dancing 💃🏼
4 out of 5 dancers
Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls
This was such a funny, clever and cute movie. I laughed out loud several times. The parents were so much fun in this. I thought the show going on within the movie was done the best I’ve seen Hallmark do something like this.
This will land in my top 5 this year and one I will watch again. I don’t think you have to watch the first one to be invested in this one. I didn’t rewatch it and had no problems with the storyline. I also think the second one was better than last years original.
5 out of 5 Christmas houses 🏠
Christmas for Keeps
I had to watch this movie in multiple sittings. Not because it’s bad but it’s not a movie I want to watch at Christmas time. I think if it was a winter movie in January it would have played better for me. It was a pretty serious movie.
There were a ton of apologizing in this movie. I liked the friends group concept but would have preferred a bit more comedy or not quite as serious of a movie as this one was. I enjoyed others that were serious but this felt more intense since all 5 main characters had intense life situations going on so heavy energy throughout the movie.
3 out of 5 teachers 👨🏫
'Tis the Season to be Merry
Travis Van Winkle is my favorite leading Hallmark guy and he didn’t disappoint. Can I just say the opening shirtless scene was the longest ever on a Hallmark film?
Okay besides that I really enjoyed the lead’s chemistry. I’m not usually a Rachel Leigh Cook fan but she was fun, playful and a breath of fresh energy in this movie.
Overall a fun standard plot Hallmark movie that I would watch again.
4.5 out of 5 IG photos
view + leave comments . . .