These New Hallmark Christmas Movies Include Lots of Familiar Faces
Do you love to cozy up on the couch with some hot cocoa and enjoy some wholesome holiday viewing? Hallmark Christmas movies are a staple of season, thanks to their “feel good” vibes and lack of, well, reality. (Hey, there’s a good reason this shirt is in such high demand!) After all, who doesn’t love a happy ending? And with a whole slew of stars drawn from our favorite childhood TV shows (Danica McKellar of “The Wonder Years,” Melissa Joan Hart of “Clarissa Explains it All” and “Sabrina The Teenage Witch”) we’re instantly drawn in.
The Christmas movies are so popular, in fact, that the network has created the Countdown to Christmas Hallmark Movie Checklist app, allowing enthusiasts to mark off each of the 37 premieres that come out between Oct. 27 and New Year’s Day.
“We have 82 million people come and watch the channel at least once during the Countdown to Christmas and Miracles of Christmas events,” Michelle Vicary, executive vice president of Crown Media Family Networks, told USA Today.
If you’re planning on being one of those 82 million, here are some of the Hallmark flicks we’re guessing will reel you in:
“Christmas Everlasting”
Premieres: Thursday, November 29 at 8 p.m. /7c
This star-studded cast includes Tatyana Ali of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” Dennis Haysbert (who played President Palmer on “24”), and the Grammy-winning sweet potato pie queen herself, Patti LaBelle. This plot has a dead sister with a secret past, and the requisite rekindled hometown love interest.
“Homegrown Christmas”
Premieres: Saturday, December 8 at 8 p.m. /7c
Nothing has us turning on the TV faster than an 80s sitcom star with a plum role. In “Homegrown Christmas,” Lori Laughlin (Rebecca Donaldson-Katsopolis on “Full House,” and its current revamp, “Fuller House”) stars as a former CEO who heads back to her hometown and reunited with her high school sweetheart at a Christmas dance.
“Entertaining Christmas”
Premieres: Saturday, December 15 at 8 p.m. /7c
Another “Full House” famous face! Jodie Sweetin plays the daughter of a famous cookbook author/entertaining expert who has to prove herself as the worthy successor of her mom’s entertaining role by helping a young girl welcome her deployed father home for Christmas.
“A Gingerbread Romance”
Premieres: Sunday, December 16 at 8 p.m. /7c
Paging “Sister/Sister” fans! Tia Mowry-Hardrict stars as a commitment-phobe architect tasked with creating a life-sized gingerbread house. She teams up with a hot baker/single dad, and as we’re sure you’ve guessed by now, sparks fly!
“Jingle Around the Clock”
Premieres: Saturday, December 22 at 8 p.m. /7c
An advertising exec has to spearhead a Christmas campaign relaunch, but gets teamed up with a guy (Michael Cassidy from “The O.C.”) “who has a completely different take on the Holidays.” But as you can expect, a little Christmas magic has the duo falling for each other.
“When Calls the Heart the Greatest Christmas Blessing”
Premieres: Tuesday, December 25 at 8 p.m. /7c
Lori Loughlin strikes again! In the fourth holiday installment of this series, she and her fellow residents of Hope Valley must rely on the courage of some of its strongest women, and the Christmas spirit, to guide them to a safe and happy holiday.