Who loves Hallmark Christmas Movies?
I love catching Hallmark Christmas movies each season. I've had several friends ask if I could review them so they know what movies to watch and what movies to skip. Here is my annual Hallmark rankings of each movie!
Now as the season goes on sometimes the way I rank movies, I end up liking one's better vs how I initially ranked them. My rankings list is the go to order I would watch them again in.
Love Podcasts?
Hear my thoughts along with my co-host Eric Rutin on our weekly Hallmark Mysteries & More Podcast. You can find it where ever you tune into podcasts.
On Instagram?
Follow my Hallmark account to get live updates following each movie and stay up to date on what new movies are coming each weekend!
Love Non-Hallmark Christmas Movies
Love Christmas movies as much as me and want to know how to style your home based on some of the all time favorite Christmas movies?
Check out this article I was featured in and learn my favorite non-Hallmark Christmas Movie!
2024 Movie Rankings in order that I would watch again
- The Finnish Line
- The Christmas Charade
- Jingle Bell Run
- Christmas on Call
- The Santa Class
- Believe in Christmas
- Following Yonder Star
- Holiday Crashers
- Christmas with the Singhs
- Three Wisermen and a Boy
- Holiday Mismatch
- 'Twas the Date Before Christmas
- A Carol For Two
- Leah's Perfect Gift
- A 90's Christmas
- A Christmas Quest
- Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story
- To Have and To Holiday
- Santa Tell Me
- Trading Up Christmas
- Private Princess Christmas
- Confessions of a Christmas Letter
- 'Tis the Season to Be Irish
- Trivia at St. Nick's
- A 5 Year Christmas Party
- A Dance in the Snow
- Our Holiday Story
- Sugarplummed
- Deck the Walls
- Hanukkah on the Rocks
- Debbie Macomber's Joyful Mrs. Miracle
- Christmas Under the Lights
- This Time Each Year
- Scouting for Christmas
- All I Need for Christmas
- Novel Noel
- My Sweet Austrian Holiday
- Happy Howlidays
- Five Gold Rings
Must Watch Movies this season
- The Finnish Line
- The Christmas Charade
- The Santa Class
- Jingle Bell Run
- Christmas On Call
- Following Yonder Star
- Believe in Christmas
- Holiday Mismatch
- Christmas with the Singhs
- Holiday Crashers
- Three Wisermen and A Boy
- To Have and To Holiday
- Leah's Perfect Gift
Middle of the road movies
- 'Twas the Date Before Christmas
- A Carol for Two
- A 5 Year Christmas Party
- Santa Tell Me
- Trading Up Christmas
- Sugarplummed
- Private Princess Christmas
- A Dance in the Snow
- Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story
- A Christmas Quest
- A 90's Christmas
- Deck the Walls
- Trivia at St. Nick's
- 'Tis the Season to be Irish
Not my favorites
- This Time Each Year
- Confessions of a Christmas Letter
- Scouting for Christmas
- Novel Noel
- Debbie Macomber's Joyful Mrs. Miracle
- All I Need for Christmas
- Hanukkah on the Rocks
- Christmas Under the Lights
- My Sweet Austrian Holiday
- Happy Howlidays
- Five Gold Rings
Netflix Christmas Movies to watch
Meet Me Next Christmas was a fun wild ride that took you through New York City trying to find the elusive Pentatonix tickets. It brought you through fun challenges that were entertaining and fun supporting characters throughout the movie. This is one of my favorite Christmas movies I’ve seen this holiday season.
Hot Frosty was a fun journey where a snowman comes alive. Lacey is wonderful with little winks at past movies she’s been in. I loved the sheriff component as the “bad guy” going to ruin Christmas.
Both you need to suspend disbelief but that is what I want from my Christmas movie. Showcasing a little Christmas magic.
What did you think of the first two Netflix Christmas movies?
Hallmark +
I must say Hallmark + is crushing the Christmas content when it comes to a series.
Mistletoe Murders- If you want to hear a full breakdown listen to Eric and I on the @hallmarkmysteriesandmore podcast. Both of us love this series. It should be aired on Hallmark Mystery this series is wonderful. It feels like it was produced for primetime tv.
Finding Mr. Christmas- I have been loving this fun series and getting to know the possible new Hallmark star. This is making me very excited for the last movie this season with Jessica Lowndes and whoever wins this series.
Holidazed- The first episode showcased the families they will be following throughout this series and it was so much fun. This is where the diversity is this season. This series made me laugh out loud and felt so relatable to real life.
The only thing I haven’t been loving is the Unwrapped Christmas movies I watched 30 minutes of the first one and decided I would skip that series.
What have you been loving on Hallmark + this Christmas season?
'Twas the Date Before Christmas
Amy Groening was such a delight I think she played the character very realistic. I felt like this was truly her family by the way she talked, acted and her overall vibes were perfection for this comedic movie. I’m a big fan of Robert Buckley and he didn’t disappoint. Their chemistry was such a playful energy and really felt like they were getting to know each other throughout the movie and building up a true relationship.
I also love the family Olympic game idea. I kind of want to make my family do this 🤔
What’s not to love about a little family drama at the end and I think for me it worked because everyone knew something about some form of a secret being kept. It wasn’t a blow up just a mess which felt believable 🤷🏼♀️
The past relationship ending in a death brought some depth to the movie which I think really worked for me.
I always find this first movie tough to rate you don’t want to overdo it but I also have been known to undershoot it. I’m going middle of the road and will circle back mid-season to see where it actually will land on my overall list.
Also I double screened it with the WNBA Finals so take this review with a side of 🏀 #letsgolynx
3.75 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Holiday Crashers
Loving the friendship dynamics of the leading ladies. Snagging the extra invites from your workplace is bold and makes a really fun movie concept. The lawyer retreat was a ton of fun. If I worked for a company that would be a fun perk of the job!
I loved both leads and their romantic relationships. I was equally invested in both relationships. Plus the friendship between Bri and Toni was such a great plot point. The lodge setting I loved it was full of Christmas cheer and fun. I also loved the hot chocolate barista and that plot point as well in showing us Bris event planning ability.
The injury law firm commercials were so great and way more fun than the injury commercials I see on our local tv. The wedding at the end was so beautiful loved both the dresses.
I would have liked a little more time spent with Toni and Justin besides the final 3 minutes. If lying isn’t your favorite troupe this movie probably won’t be your favorite. I personally didn’t mind the lying in this one it worked especially if you were doing a holiday party crashing theme.
Overall I really enjoyed this one and would watch again.
4 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Scouting for Christmas
The cute bakery/coffeeshop is a dream location for me. I love a fun, vibrant bright or vintage decor coffeeshop.
Now the actual premise of the movie..🫠
Love Tamara and Carlos and Jaycie. The little girl trying to set her mom up just isn’t a favorite troupe of mine when the mom hasn’t shown any signs of wanting a relationship. She is busy with her career, being a single mom, and Christmas time. Let’s add one more thing to her plate and try to date on top of everything else.
Sir Bakes A Bunch is a fun name and the baked goodies looked yummy!
The ending 😂 clearly he’s not a manager can’t even sit still through signing a contract meeting. Don’t think he would make a good manager. Also the stakes don’t seem to reflect the Girl Scouts holiday ball situation. The ex husband moment at the end was meant to work but just felt a little off. That was a quick turnaround for someone to still want to get back with his ex to being okay with a new guy. It is Hallmark so we roll with it.
I also watched the Lynx game which ended in a tough loss so maybe I’m being too harsh but this will probably be in my bottom half this year.
2.5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️.5
This Time Each Year
I really enjoyed the introduction to this movie with the Christmas card photo ops through the years. That might be one of my favorite unique ways to set up a movie that I’ve seen in awhile.
The actual movie wasn’t really for me. I enjoyed both actors and would love to see Allison and Niall in a movie int he future. They were really good together.
I enjoyed the brothers dynamics and the casting with Allison and the actress that played her mom was perfection.
That was a fun Crystal Lowe cameo since she also directed this movie.
Now overall it was a mature more serious storyline. For me it’s not a bad movie just not one I would seek out to watch again and again since I usually go for the more uplifting ones to watch multiple times during the holiday seasons.
I think this is not going to land for everyone. It is a realistic in some ways family dynamics. The daughter thinking she was a disaster after hearing her mom tell her this as a child. The relationship dynamics were off that I never quite understood why.
2.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️.5
The Christmas Charade
Wow, this was a wonderful movie! Kicking it off with Kristin Booth & Jefferson Brown (The Way Home) it just got better and better from there!
Rachel and Corey were wonderful and if this was how they would have made Jazz Ramsey I would be all in on that series. The mystery element to this one, the action, the love story, the twists and turns were so much fun!
This is the best I’ve seen Hallmark do an action packed Christmas movie. I will watch this one again and again. This is as close to a mystery movie as I’ve seen from the Christmas genre that they actually nail. The cute lady who created the fake necklace her shop was perfection, her Ms. Clause attire.
The meet cute of thinking the other person is who you’re meant to meet was great. I loved all the actors, the dialogue was snappy, this movie will keep you invested all the way through and than you will want to watch again!
5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The 5-Year Christmas Party
This movie was a bit slow moving for me and hard to watch in terms of the story. Watching them clearly have feelings for each other but taking 5 years to get there. Now When Harry Met Sally also took some time to get there but there was more chemistry there and a better movie overall. So it just fell a bit flat for me.
I could feel the pain of the leads needing to make money but also wanting to follow their dreams. Party planning seems to be the themes of these early movies and I might be over them already.
I did enjoy both leads as they had to really carry this movie since they didn’t have a ton of things to work with besides party planning every year around Christmas.
I enjoyed the Ashley Williams shout outs and watching the Hallmark Christmas movie scenes. A cute wink at Hallmark itself!
I did enjoy the quiet NYC Christmas morning on year 4 that felt so peaceful and realistic everyone tucked in at home enjoying Christmas mornings with their families.
I think I was missing a little more action, if you want a slower burn of a movie this might be the one to pour a cup of hot cocoa on a snowy weekend day having it on as a background watch. It was quite repetitive so an easy movie to dip in and out of.
2.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️.5
A Carol for Two
f you enjoy singing movies this one will hit all the notes! This movie was one I was excited to watch and it ended up being an okay for me. I enjoyed the leads and their singing was great until that final song.
It has the traditional troupes of misunderstanding at the end that was an overreaction I thought. The daughter feeling like a failure to her father for not being in Broadway and running off stage because the guy she went on dates with was lying. Plus they had no chemistry and weren’t great together so who cares if there were lies involved. At least it showed the guy she really liked was paying attention to her.
This is a slower paced movie with some great songs thrown in and leads that were enjoyable.
My expectations were higher for this one than it turned into being for me. I did enjoy the singing and music throughout plus I thought the final number was solid.
Middle of the road movie for me!
3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Sweet Austrian Holiday
Vienna is gorgeous, and if you love old school Hallmark movies this will be the one to watch! You aren’t going to get anything fancy or different. Very standard girl and boy fall for each other but their businesses interests might get in the way.
Did love the eminent domain scene? Yes, is that a bad thing that it was a standout fun scene? Yes 😂.
Catherine Disher as the sidekick yes please she was a delight like usual. Did I love seeing the fancy chocolates? Yes. The chocolate shop itself was gorgeous.
A quick wink at the Danube movies by calling it Danube Developments.
He’s never decorated a Christmas tree?? That feels hard to believe as a grown adult unless he had people do it for him each year which is 😬.
It’s a bad sign when I’m making random comments on the movie so it means it was a bit of a snooze fest.
The dance at the end was fun though maybe fast forward to that part 😀
1.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️.5
Our Holiday Story
Listening to their love story I might be thinking fate does not want me to be with this person 😂 it’s all perspective I guess 😂
I loved seeing Nikki in a more fun role. Warren Christie is always a joy to watch. I thought this movie was a good time. I was watching as I watched my beloved Timberwolves the game didn’t go our way.. so I enjoyed the movie more in spite of the 🏀outcome.
Opposites attract in this one not a new premise but it works. I was invested in the daughter’s relationship as a secondary storyline as well.
Overall this was another okay one for me. I wanted a little more Christmas feels, the story was fun but felt similar to the 5 year Christmas Party premise of meeting each other and seeing that play out again and again.
3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Holiday Mismatch
This was a movie I was really looking forward to this holiday season and it didn’t disappoint. I laughed out loud several times during this movie. It was so cute and fun.
Having Beth and Caroline back together was such a natural chemistry they even said it’s like magic in this movie such a great wink 😉 to Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
I enjoyed the storyline with Shane and Lauren falling for each other as well. They are opposites just like their moms. It really was a great dynamic throughout the movie that you ended up really rooting for them.
The retirement struggle with who am I now am I just a wife and mom. Her husband’s response was great. The argument at the ball felt real and didn’t annoy me it felt like a normal response to the situation.
The line at the end- What are you a witch? 😂😂 so good!
Overall this was my favorite of the weekend. I really enjoyed this one!
4 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five Gold Rings
My first thought was guess we are in a beach town just to remember it’s supposed to be Minnesota. Maybe the location is Duluth? Otherwise nobody is beach walking in December in Minnesota or even saying we are going to the beach, we are going to the lake.
This movie was really boring to me. I actually found the start of the movie before she grew up to be my favorite part. Trying to find the missing ring pieces owners entire storyline just fell flat for me.
I wasn’t interested in the mystery of finding the owners. The leads were good but this movie isn’t for me.
I basically had it on as background noise after the first 45 minutes.
.5 ⭐️ out of 5
Trivia at St. Nick's
Quick snappy dialogue, scenes that move along felt like a breath of fresh air after the last few movies for me.
But unfortunately there was a lot of trivia and I needed a little more antics and fun outside the trivia bar, or trivia talk in general. The leading lady was a bit to overly attached to a trivia outcome vs living her own life.
Brant has a fun puppy dog feel to himself in this movie. He just is a lovable actor who draws you in, and someone you are rooting for. I also enjoyed the leading actress and thought they had pretty good chemistry.
The Hallmark Christmas movie trivia at the end of the movie such a great wink 😉 at Hallmark loved that!
Overall this is a good middle of the road movie, not a must see but a solid middle of the pack movie this year for me.
3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Santa Tell Me
The start of the movie had excited to dive in. It was a cute fun premise and loved the meet cute between Olivia and all the Chris’s.
I love that it was her old childhood home that they were remodeling. I thought the sisters were a great combo pair and added to the movie.
The evolving relationships between Olivia and all the Chrises was a great plot point. I would say I would have loved Christopher Russell and Benjamin Ayres. They had such a stellar cast that not everyone will have the equal screen time.
This is a fun, light hearted movie. It is one you know what will happen along the way but that’s not always a bad thing.
For me another middle of the road movie but based on the movies this year this is one of the better ones for me.
3.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
'Tis the Season to Be Irish
‘Tis the Season to be Irish
Did this movie make me want to move to a renovated cottage in Ireland? Yes, especially if you make new friends as easily as they did. I love seeing the movies set in other countries. Seeing how people celebrate the holidays, the Irish sayings and mythology.
I enjoyed both leads and the family and friends dynamic of this movie. Now overall this is another slow burn movie but I enjoyed it more solely based on the fact it was set in Ireland.
The romantic relationship was a build up of can they learn to trust others and ultimately themselves.
If this is the best we get this year I’m in trouble..
3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Reason for the Season
This was a more classic Hallmark Mystery movie feel to it. It had more heart in it and the strangers coming together to live in this town that support one another.
I enjoyed the mothers mission to her daughter to help her grow up a little. Though someone inheriting a trust fund is a little rough to get behind as a plot point.
I enjoyed that the mother was already in touch with the people from the small town and tried to offer her help through the years.
I wish we had more time to spend with each of the supporting characters who helped bring Evie into this world. But I know it’s a Hallmark movie and they only have so much time.
The diner owner has been my favorite stand out character Eric Keenleyside so shoutout to him always a great time to see him in another movie.
I enjoyed the relationship between the leads and found their characters to really work together. If you are wanting a slower paste movie with a little more heart, this is the movie to watch this season.
3.5 out of 5⭐️⭐️⭐️
Christmas with the Singhs
I really had a fun time with this movie. I enjoy the meet the parents style movies so this one worked for me. I liked how they explained the father was a Christian and not a Hindu as that took away some questions that could have been raised.
Both leads had great chemistry. I think this might have been my favorite Benjamin Hollingsworth role I thought he really shined in his part.
The family dynamics felt fun and great questions asked and solutions resolved by working together. I thought the supporting actors families worked really well together and had good chemistry.
For me this movie is towards the top of my list this season. I almost skipped this movie and I’m glad I gave it a watch!
4 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jingle Bell Run
This is what I was looking for in my Christmas Hallmark movies. A fun, light movie with great leads that kept you entertained.
I loved the premise of touring the United States to solve Christmas trivia. The supporting teams were interesting to me and brought some fun to the event.
I loved seeing Andrew playing a different style of character to start this movie that slowly melts throughout the movie. Ashley Williams plays a fun, bubbly character better than anyone. I thought they worked as a dynamic duo in this movie.
The half overheard conversation is my least favorite troupe so that knocked it down a bit at the end but it was still a great movie. Since the overheard conversation was handled so quickly.
Did I tear up at the end? Yes. It was so special.
4.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Confessions of a Christmas Letter
Well 30 minutes in it’s kind of a hot mess. The over the top comparison game of a Christmas letter is like people only sharing highlight reels on Instagram 🤷🏼♀️
Now don’t get me wrong I love a good letter but trying to change your life to make yourself sound more impressive not my thing..so I had a touch time with the whole premise of this movie.
Now Settie Rose is an over the top character who will drive you crazy for the first half of the movie. Then it takes a turn and gets a little slow at times. Just overall not my favorite it is kind of hard to follow all what’s going on.
It was fun seeing Kevin from The Office a few times throughout the movie. The tree falling over gave me feelings of childhood as our tree always fell down until my dad bolted it to the wall 😂
Overall it’s a miss for me not one I will seek out to watch again.
2 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️
Novel Noel
Well I was looking forward to this one as I enjoy the leads but it fell a bit flat for me unfortunately.
It was a slow burn of a movie and I love a bookstore setting. About 45 minutes in I was thinking how much more do we have? It just took awhile to get moving with the story.
I did enjoy the Christmas Bingo game her friend sent her that seems fun even if it wasn’t quite a full bingo card I still enjoyed it.
My highlight was hearing Dan & Shay’s new Christmas song.
Right now my top 5 most looking forward to movies have mostly been flops so I apologize 😂.
If you like a slow burn movie and are in the mood for one this movie I think will work for you. There is nothing really wrong with this movie it just never captured my attention.
2 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️
Christmas on Call
This movie was one I wasn’t looking forward to and I have to say after 20 minutes into it I loved the quick snappy dialogue, characters in this movie, I was engaged and excited to see where they take this one.
I’m a fan of the quick edits which keeps me engaged. The nature of the movie obviously there is always danger in those jobs.
The leads were so good together. They had great chemistry. I would love to see both of them in more movies.
I thought the way they weaved the police, EMT’s, firefighters, and doctors together was really well done with what they could do in the time they had. I also liked the montage at the end of the movie how they connected everyone back together.
Did I cry at the end, yes the most I had at any Christmas movie this year, like bawling. This movie was the surprise hit of the year for me. I loved it!
5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Three Wiser Men and a Boy
This was a fun sequel. Was it better than the first? No, but they even had a quick cameo from Kimberly Sustad acknowledging that it’s hard to make a sequel even better than the first. It was cute basically what was expected.
I enjoyed the gal who played opposite Tyler who played basically the female Tyler Hynes. I thought they had great energy together. Loved their dance moves and candy cane sucking scenes.
I thought the play with Thomas and his school was a cute touch for how they all had to work together. I also thought the mom dating a new guy was another great plot point that added to the movie.
Overall a cute movie I would watch again. It had some fun dialogue, looks and scenes that will make you laugh!
4 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
To Have and to Holiday
To Have and To Holiday
I actually love the plot of this a couple meets and gets engaged and married in 3 months much to the surprise of his parents. The small town quirks are entertaining such as the mailman not delivering mail on time if he loses in darts.
Not going to lie zoned out for a bit I know there was egg nogs at a bar at some point..dialed back in as the wedding planning continues and so does the bridal boot camp training. The in-laws thankfully arrive in time for the wedding. I love how he sent them an email vs calling them to say he was engaged 🤷🏼♀️
The final challenge when the parents are supposed to be annoying was so good 😂 the wedding what a fun little dance number to close out the movie. That seems to be the theme this year in Hallmark movies throw in a fun dance scene!
Overall this was better than expected for me! A cute fun movie that had a fun original plot for this season!
4 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Christmas Under the Lights
If you are new here one thing you should know about me throw a movie on a farm or ranch setting and it automatically gets bonus points for me since I grew up on a farm.
This is a slow burn movie but one I enjoyed. It’s a quiet movie with greats leads. This is also a great education in influencer marketing. Remember next time your influencer recommends something pause and ask is this true, or are they just wanting a paycheck?
I enjoyed how they did the flashbacks in this movie. I think they were well placed and helped explain present day Emily.
The romance felt very natural how it unfolded throughout the movie. The brother/sister dynamic felt authentic as someone with 3 brothers and had to ask my brother if he would be okay if I brought one of his friends to prom my senior year 🤷🏼♀️fun fact that prom date went on to play in the MLB for a few seasons. We also both got retired into our high schools sports hall of fame the same year. So our paths were meant to cross.
That story might have been more interesting than some of the slower parts of the movie. When we left the farm I lost a little interest in the movie.
A fun quick cameo if you make it to the end of the movie. 👀
Overall it is a slower paced drama movie that if you enjoy those styles of movies this will work for you, if not maybe skip this one.
2.5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️.5
Debbie Macomber's Joyful Mrs. Miracle
If you enjoy the Mrs. Miracles films I think this will land with you. For me I feel 🤷🏼♀️ about them. I don’t mind them but it often is about reuniting family members who were estranged, or fighting so this one brings together 3 siblings back together.
It just kind of sat there in places during this movie. There were things happening but also got a bit slow.
Personally this isn’t my favorite series there wasn’t anything wrong with the movie just super predictable.
2 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️
A 90's Christmas
I enjoyed this original story going back to 1999 but with the wisdom to see past just yourself. Dealing with grief and going back to help your family heal.
I really enjoyed the leads and supporting cast in this one. If you want a unique movie that has some great family feels throughout this movie will do the trick. Was Eva Bourne too young to play that role? Yes, I would have been as well because in 1999 I was a freshman in high school so they should have maybe done a different leading lady in her 40s but will give it a pass but if you are trying to reach that demographic you could have cast someone age appropriate 🤷🏼♀️
I loved the grandparents in this movie and just the awareness of being in the moment and truly soaking up every last second with the ones you love.
Did I cry at the end another yes..I loved the ending no spoilers but it took a turn that Hallmark doesn’t usually take and it worked for me. The ending made this movie go up a full star.
The Grace character (Katherine Barrell) worked for me and how I would have preferred Mrs. Miracle.
I don’t know if this will work for everyone but if you grew up in the 90s, like a little Christmas magic, and wonder what if I took this path it will probably work for you!
4 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Deck the Walls
If you love a classic Hallmark feeling movie this one will do the trick. They are trying to get the house ready for charity. Old high school nemesis can they turn into lovers? Also cue the brother trying to rekindle romance with his nemesis as well..
For me it was a little lacking in points got a little slow. It is your typical Christmas activities being done throughout the movie. The misunderstanding at the coffee shop is another old troupe that I really dislike.
Runaway Rosie strikes again 😂
I love the leads and thought they did great but I just was craving something more happening in the movie. I enjoyed the Wes Brown walking down the stairs in his white sweater in a pretty woman style vibe. That was the highlight of the movie for me.
2 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️
Believe in Christmas
A movie that spoofs Hallmark Christmas movies all while being a Hallmark Christmas movie. Brilliant! Meghan Ory is one of my favorites and acting with her real life hubby John Reardon what a great pair. They had great chemistry together when often the married couples can miss that mark. The best friend who loves Hallmark Christmas cheer was suburb! The inn keeper having a holiday Christmas cheer card, top notch!
A singing business man who’s also an art expert 😂 with magical St Nicholas popping up to sprinkle in his joy. The one liners dropped in, slow down Katie Couric so clever!
The cute cabin in the woods they arrived at made me want to buy a cabin just so I could decorate for Christmas and get snowed in.
So many interrupted kisses what a classic Hallmark troupe 😘💋 The ex-girlfriend coming back into town the let’s flip this script, who wears high heels in the snow 😂 Calling her the grinch that came into town, hilarious.
This was a fun parody of Hallmark Christmas movies. I had a good time with this one and would watch again.
4.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story
Loved the introduction in this movie, well done excellent story telling about the history in a fun way. The cast of this movie is dynamite. I loved the families Chiefs store it was super cute. I’m a big settings fan and this ticked off all the boxes for me. I’m not a football fan but do love the Minnesota Timberwolves fan so can see the enthusiasm from that lens.
That being said I feel like it hits a specific audience if you enjoy football especially the Chiefs, or maybe haven’t watched Hallmark before I think this will work for you. If you like the more magical Christmas movies, full of Christmas cheer and decorations it might not quite work for you.
I did like how they explained who the football players were when they came on screen because I didn’t know who they were 😂.
Did it pass the phone test? Meaning did I get distracted on my phone during this one? Yes, I did get my phone out. I did catch the Wes Brown cameo though!
Shoutout to Ed Begley Jr (played one of the grandpas) he was so good, funny one liners that kept my attention when he was on screen. Also almost got a tear out of me with the chair scene.
The search for the magical hat that helps the team win what a ride is life just a coincidence or is there some magic involved? The age old question 😂
Being part of something bigger than ourselves that resonates with everyone on some level. Whether it be through a sports team, a yoga community, church, or your family. I think that landed at the end of the movie.
Overall this movie was a middle of the road movie for me. I think some will love this and others like myself will enjoy but not going to be a rewatch each season.
3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Finnish Line
Quick, snappy dialogue, dog racing which I know nothing about and a fun Finland setting had me all in within the first 20 minutes.
The cold plunge with the sauna gave me all the wellness feels. I hate cold plunges but love a good sauna. The leads had great chemistry and it was so good to see Beau Mirchoff as a lead in a movie post Ride!
How lucky women kind is to have you in our corner 😂 great one liner. Also the evil bobsledder is quite mean for a Hallmark bad guy! The coffee jokes from a fellow Scandinavian it just worked!
The evil bad guy dog racer played major head games with Anya at the end of the movie and it worked great as a conflict because that would totally happen in real life. You can get taken out quickly if your mindset isn’t steady. I loved how she bounced back and told him off!
The ending with all the teams helping each other another tear up moment. The cousin was hilarious cracked up several times at his jokes. The lead dog metaphors I can relate I love a good metaphor that kills the mood.
Well this might be my A Merry Scottish Christmas this season, I freaking loved it and it might be my top movie of the year 🫣
5 out of 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Christmas Quest
Warning this is not a zone out Hallmark Christmas movie. You will have to pay attention to catch all of the things happening.
I enjoyed the travel aspect of this movie, the treasure hunt, and I was multi-tasking so not going to lie not 100% sure what they were searching for 🫣 When you have Lacey & Kris they are pros so the acting was stellar.
Loved the Erin Cahill cameo at the start of the movie. Iceland was gorgeous and I think I may need to watch this again to get the full picture of this movie.
Quick question so the cellar they found at the end of the movie, how were there candles lit and lights on down there? Or is that Christmas magic/trolls having fun?
Iceland was fun, loved the local actors, the town, also seeing the local hot spots and the age of the beautiful buildings.
Of course the love story, reuniting and remembering the magic in the present moment were wonderful messages threaded in this movie as well.
4 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Dance in the Snow
This movie feels like a Hallmark Mystery movie. It has depth, a more heavy subject and done well. The leads are all great, the mother/daughter relationship is great. Having both mother and daughter planning their own separate dance to be inclusive is a great idea. You also saw that fight brewing as soon as they both decided to not tell the other you knew the poor teacher would be stuck in the middle.
I enjoyed The Possible Center premise and the mom who created it because there was a need for it. Not a ton of resources for neurodivergent teens which she had said and I’m sure is true outside of this Hallmark movie as well. 🤔
I did drift in and out of this one with my attention. It got a bit slow in the middle after starting strong. Loved the Paris date night theme, and her daughter having her own date like experience with the train and barn being decorated.
All that to say it was a good solid movie probably not one I would seek to rewatch but it was okay.
3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Private Princess Christmas
Welp who doesn’t love a royal princess movie? 😂😂 Quick Brendon Penny cameo that was a treat.
Though the premise of all the spoiled athletes, royals and young people needing to shape up or ship out that’s kind of a fun premise.
Baking 500 cookies impressive but not as impressive as one of my 93 year yoga students baking 203 cookies all by herself so her great grandkids could decorate them.
If you enjoyed Cadet Kelly you might enjoy this movie. It gets a little slow at times but overall it was a kind of cute movie. A good background movie for future viewings but doesn’t have a ton of Christmas feels.
The finding out about the phone and ex boyfriend coming to the training facility seemed like legit concerns from the leading commander. I never quite bought their love story so it make sense why you initially dismiss her from camp.
I expected it to be the worst of the year and it wasn’t. Now it’s completely ridiculous but somewhat entertaining so 🤷🏼♀️
3.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Sugarplummed
Maggie Lawson one of my favs so good to see her back in a movie paired with Janel Parrish perfection 😉
Vic Webster, Carlos Marks and Fiona Gubelmann, and another guy but I couldn’t remember his name 🫣those cameos were fun!
I loved the clever script and how they were also making fun of Hallmark movies with Sugarplummed. I found the Christmas feels and the activities to land for myself. I loved the jail scene and very unexpected. I liked the originality of that idea.
The theme of perfection and trying so hard is exhausting, watching this movie I realized I fall into the perfectly imperfect camp! The teens and mom were a lot and stressed me out which I’m not looking for in my Hallmark movies.
Overall something didn’t quite work for me to love it. I enjoyed it enough though.
3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Leah's Perfect Gift
This is the first time I’m seeing Emily Arlook who played Leah and loved her. She is playing the role so casually and love all her quirks and Christmas sweater she wore to dinner. So many great scenes that had me laughing.
The I don’t want to be seen in public with you wearing your pajamas/lounge set scene 😂😂 The intense over the top mother in law was fun for me because we haven’t seen that this Christmas season yet. The ex girlfriend situation I found amusing.
The Christmas traditions this family has are particular to this family. For myself I don’t think it sets it up like she is clueless because she is Jewish. Everyone’s traditions and habits are particular to their family. Some wear Christmas PJs, some celebrate Christmas Eve, some make soup as the main meal, otherwise call and sing to family members not present and hang up abruptly. Anyone meeting family for the first time things are stressful and new.
I’ve only seen Love Actually once and didn’t really like it, but I feel like I should try again that was the big feels I got from this movie in the end. 😂
Of course everyone makes up and has closure to complete the movie. I was entertained, the acting was solid, and would watch again.
Also perfect Christmases must have been this weekends movie themes. Very prevalent in several movies this weekend.
4 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All I Need for Christmas
Well I told someone 50 minutes in and nothing has happened yet. 😂🫣
Low stakes, low drama this one is for you. A leading guy trying to have his first Christmas solo without his parents, somewhat estranged sister. Meets local tree farmers daughter who is a struggling musician. That takes care of the entire movie!
What a wacky sibling fight over who has made the money to get the board seat. He doesn’t want it, not everything needs to be a competition Piper..
The one line I really enjoyed hearing over and over is if you want different results you need to do something different. Solid advice and my highlight from the movie. Mallory Jansens singing at the end of the movie was wonderful.
Overall not one I would probably watch again.
1.5 out of 5 ⭐️.5
Hanukkah on the Rocks
s it me, the movies or that time of the year when you get a little burned out on Hallmark movies. 🤷🏼♀️
This one was another slower movie. A bar as a setting not my jam since I gave up drinking 3 years ago, and I’m a big settings girl so that was a personal issue.
I did get mug feelings that her niece made at the auction. I have a mug that was the same color no menorah but looked quality wise the same only I did that in high school.
The casting choice of the grandfather seemed more father like age vs grandfather. There were a lot of monologues and at this point in the holiday season having watched all of the movies and majority of Hallmark + content I want zany funny off the walls. Again a personal preference.
I feel if you like a Cheers setting meets Hanukkah this will be your movie. If you like the longer monologue scenes and a slower paced movie this will work for you.
2.5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️.5
The Santa Class
What a fun premise for a movie. I Love Kimberly Sustad and Benjamin Ayres throw in Paul Campbell. Great comedic actors which fit perfectly for the premise of this movie.
I loved the real Santa stumbling into the Santa school. Finding himself again after a little amnesia 🤷🏼♀️ the rest of the Santa class were interesting characters as well.
I Loved Paul Campbell throughout this movie I think it added to it and was needed for a little extra flare. His lines were like little winks for all the Hallmark fans, what they gave the role to Andrew Walker. So many great one liners had me laughing.
Overall it worked for me and for sure in my top 10 this year might be top 5 even. Cute, entertaining, made me laugh and great actors made this a hit!
My mom who doesn’t watch a ton of Hallmark movies but does love Kimberly Sustad said just what she likes in Hallmark movies fun and funny loved all the actors. Her fav of the year. (It also might be the only one she’s watched besides Holiday Crashers with me earlier this season) but a hit nonetheless.
4.5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Following Yonder Star
The leads carried this movie for me. John and Broke were wonderful. The story itself enjoyed the premise of an actor needing a small town getaway due to an unpleasant viral moment.
I love that Abby knows how to do everything because of her character from her tv show. I found the chemistry to be smoldering between the leads some of the best from the year.
That dance scene at the masquerade ball, Brooke’s dress gorgeous, the tix was perfection. A great scene and that dip 🔥
For a Dayspring movie it might be my favorite.
Normally the slow burn movies don’t work for me but this one I loved. I think the leads really were spectacular. This is probably going to sneak into my top 10 🫣 am I alone in loving this one?
Also the real winner of this Hallmark Christmas season Jennifer Hudson’s Christmas album 🙌🏽
4.5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Trading Up Christmas
I have questions on this trading up game. Some of her trades don’t seem like an improvement and how will it lead to a house? Major questions I had the first 30 minutes.
The leads were good and had good chemistry. Did I Google if people have actually done this? Yes, I couldn’t find much besides legally this would be hard to do.
I think you have to release that part of the movie.
What an evil boss, just snooping around making you realize why papers are dying..
I think I’m left with more questions at the end of this, so the dad bought the house? How did they get it decorated so fast if they just moved in?
I love the romance between the brothers and the sister’s pairings.
Solid middle of the road movie for the year.
3 out of 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Happy Howlidays
Woof, what a movie..
There was a heavy dog and nature scenes prevalent throughout the movie that would hopefully distract you from the leads 🫣
Ezra was fine but a new actor so there were not long scenes with a ton of dialogue. I think the assistant at Ezra’s office was my favorite character behind the dogs. Although I did enjoy Jessica’s parents as well.
Well I now see why Hayden didn’t win since the story was about a guy losing his dog to his ex which would have been hard for him to act in a movie with that as the plot.
Jonathon Bennet cameo is the highlight of the movie if you make it that far…my other highlight my 22 month old really liked the dogs and kept saying doggie doggie 😂
That kiss at the end though was pretty decent not worth watching the whole movie for but at least a treat if you make it to the end.
1 out of 5 ⭐️ for effort 🫣😬
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