Hallmark offers a range of new holiday films every year – but some of their best holiday films actually come from the past.
Delivery Seasonal content since 2001The channel is known for making its viewers laugh until Christmas Day or find a story that even touches Scrooge’s heart. But beyond the heartwarming romance, wish fulfillment, and breathtaking backdrops, Hallmark’s features returning stars, many of whom have been around for a decade or more.
Paul Campbell He made his Hallmark film debut in 2014 Window wonderlanda bizarre romance between rivals and lovers in which he played the lead role Chyler Leigh. Even then, the actor knew that the film – and the channel – were something special.
“(Window wonderland) is essentially all about love. It’s a great love story, but it’s not cheesy,” he explained. “It’s fun, it’s funny, it’s fast and it’s snappy. It’s really well written (with) good dialogue, but it has the happy ending that you want at the end of the day when you watch a Christmas movie. It’s a feel-good film. They want everyone to get what they want in the end. And spoiler alert: they do!”
Hallmark Channel is the home of the holiday spirit thanks to its annual “Countdown to Christmas” program that just keeps getting bigger and better. Every year, fans are treated to a series of feel-good holiday films starring Lacey Chabert, Andrew Walker and other popular actors. Although the stories presented are different, there is a lot (…)
Hallmark movies are getting better, but don’t forget that the cult films of holidays past are fading into obscurity. Keep scrolling to find five retro films to rewatch this season:
“Stopped for the Holidays”
Marilu Henner, Joey Lawrence, L. Harvey Gold, Emily Hampshire mark
With: Joey Lawrence, Emily Hampshire, Marilu Henner
Year: 2012
The mood: Laughing all the time
Why you need to watch (again).: Rob Marino (Joey Lawrence) is in a real cucumber; He just broke up with his girlfriend before Thanksgiving, despite his dying grandmother (Paula show) wants to see him happy and in love. In the age of ever-advancing technology, Rob finds a solution in an online dating website where he and stranger Julie (Emily Hampshire) agree to fake a relationship to make their families happy over the holidays. Attacks occur.
There are truly endless things to love about this hilarious film, from the natural relationship between Lawrence and Hampshire to the classic fake-to-real dating motif, a Hallmark fan favorite. Even better, Stopped for the holidays is centered around Christmas and Hanukkah and showcases a variety of traditions and celebrations that everyone can enjoy.
“The Christmas Secret”
Bethany Joy Lenz, Venus Terzo mark
With: Bethany Joy Lenz, John Reardon
Year: 2014
The mood: Holiday with heart
Why you need to watch (again).: Who doesn’t love a little magic during the holidays? This heartwarming Hallmark flick stars Bethany Joy Lenz as Christine, a struggling single mother who’s down on her luck: She’s just been fired from her job, is facing eviction, and her slimy ex-husband is taking her to court to get custody of their children. Do you think it couldn’t get any worse? Incorrect. Christine has also just lost a valuable family heirloom that she inherited from her father as a little girl.
As she struggles to pick up the pieces of her life, she finds unexpected support in a handsome stranger – and bakery owner – named Jason (John Reardon), with whom she shares an unexpected connection. With her newfound family, Christine’s luck slowly begins to change, just in time for Christmas.
Lenz has never made a Christmas movie that wasn’t worth watching, but she delivers a particularly impressive performance in this story about love, hope and the importance of leading with kindness even in the most difficult circumstances. Break out the tissues because this is a tear jerker.
The Hallmark Channel captivates viewers all year round with its feel-good films and annual Countdown to Christmas program – but which films do the network’s stars want to see sequels? Andrew Walker, Nikki DeLoach, Aimee Teegarden and more Hallmark personalities told Us Weekly exclusively which films they’d like to revisit. Both DeLoach and Teegarden, for (…)
“Window Wonderland”
Chyler Leigh, Paul Campbell mark
With: Paul Campbell, Chyler Leigh
Year: 2013
The mood: Laughing all the time
Why you need to look (again).: Is there anything better than two quick-witted rivals realizing that the reason there’s so much tension between them is because they’re actually in love? That’s exactly what Hallmark does Winter wonderlandabout department store decorators Sloan (Leigh) and Jake (Campbell) as they compete for their dream job of decorating McGuire’s windows for Christmas. But as the competition heats up, their mutual attraction grows, only complicating their rivalry.
Winter wonderland has it all: funny dialogue, an all-star cast, an impressive budget and fantastic chemistry between the two main actors. Bonus? The film uses the iconic close proxy motif as Sloan and Jake are locked in McGuire’s and forced to spend the night together.
“The Christmas Cottage”
Merritt Patterson, Steve Lund mark
With: Merritt Patterson, Steve Lund
Year: 2017
The mood: Baby, it’s cozy inside
Why you need to watch (again).: Nothing says holiday like a magical Christmas cottage designed to give you a happily ever after. In The Christmas cottageLacey (Merritt Patterson) takes a break from her busy life as an architect to act as her best friend’s maid of honor during her winter wedding. Your biggest responsibility? Decorate Ava’s Bride (Brittney Wilson) Family cottage so that the bride and groom can sleep there after the ceremony.
Apparently Lacey can’t decorate on her own! She is forced to work with her ex-boyfriend Ean (Steve Lund), who happens to be at the wedding. Legend has it that “everyone who has ever been here at Christmas has found true love,” something both Lacey and Ean believe—even if they don’t say it out loud. When the two are stuck in the cottage before the wedding, they have to check whether their feelings for each other remain.
If you’ve never seen this Hallmark hit, prepare for cozy vibes, lots of holiday decorations, and a surprisingly mature breakup scene – spoiler: Lacey isn’t 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 following his network debut in 2012. The Canadian actor left his mark on viewers for the first time this year with “A Bride for Christmas” alongside Arielle Kebbel. The two reunited in front of the camera for 2015’s “Bridal Wave,” which helped Walker become an even bigger name (…)
“Christmas on my mind”
Andrew W. Walker, Ashley Greene mark
With: Ashley Greene, Andrew Walker
Year: 2019
The mood: Not everything is quiet – but everything is bright
Why you need to watch (again).: Amnesia, a wedding dress and a romance with Andrew Walker – ugh, we mean Zach Callahan, played by Walker – are three reasons to watch this classic again. Christmas in my head follows Lucy Lovett (Ashley Greene) after hitting her head while holding a wedding dress. When she wakes up, she visits her fiancé Zach, but the two are not engaged. In fact, they broke up two years ago, but Lucy can’t remember anything.
Zach is a good guy, or so it seems, so he helps Lucy get home to her fancy new house and awkwardly meets her new fiancé Brad in the process (Clayton James). However, Lucy doesn’t understand why she broke up with Zach, so she returns to her hometown on doctor’s orders to celebrate the holidays and try to awaken her memory. Let’s put it this way: once Lucy’s memories come back, they’re no longer what she thought they were.
Even though Zach is a little deceptive in this film, we can’t help but love the story of the fated lovers. Lucy and Zach are perfect for each other – so who are we to judge getting them back together? Aside from the dream romance, the film’s backdrops, seaside Christmas trees, and snowman-building contest keep Us coming back year after year.
