Image Credit: IMDb
I look forward to two events on Hallmark every year, Christmas in July and Countdown to Christmas. As a self-proclaimed Hallmark expert and Hallmarkie, I wanted to give you a comprehensive list of movies that you should watch every year. This is a living list, which means I will be constantly updating it. Come back often to see what’s been added.
Don’t forget to check out this list too! A lot of these are played during Countdown to Christmas as well.
Here are all the movies (and TV shows) I think you should watch during Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas.
TV Shows
Finding Mr. Christmas
Hosts: Jonathan Bennett & Melissa Peterman
Synopsis: A group of men compete in different challenges to become the next Hallmark star.
Review: I’ve discovered that the only way I will continue to watch a reality show is if it’s wholesome and there is no drama. Well, Finding Mr. Christmas has an abundance of both. I love this show! To see what goes into finding the next Hallmark hunk is fun to watch. Also, the eye candy? It can’t be beat.
Movies
Christmas on Duty
Starring: Janel Parrish & Parker Young
Synopsis: Blair and Josh, former rivals, are forced to work together to help save Christmas Day. When a snowstorm hinders deliveries to the base, Blair and Josh have to come together and help get those deliveries in time for Christmas.
Review: I’ve always loved a military storyline in Hallmark movies. There is no exception with this one. I also love a good rivals to lovers storyline. The way that Blair and Josh came together despite their misconceptions and their past rivalry to help the people who live on base was such a fun journey to watch.
Christmas Above the Clouds
Starring: Erin Krakow & Tyler Hynes
Synopsis: Hallmark’s take on the classic, A Christmas Carol. Ella Neezer is a ruthless business owner who doesn’t like anything to do with Christmas anymore. When she finds herself on a plane with her ex, she is forced to face her past, present, and future in the form of three ghosts. Will she make the necessary changes to her life and find the her joy again?
Review: I will watch any movie that involves Erin and Tyler. There is something about their chemistry on screen that just draws you into any story they are telling. I think it has a lot to do with their friendship off screen. This movie was so good. Even though every one likes to do a retelling of A Christmas Carol this time of year, I really enjoyed the take in this movie. It didn’t feel stale or the same as others. It took the essence of the story (still included the main parts), and made it more modern.
A Keller Christmas Vacation
Starring: Eden Sher, Jonathan Bennett & Brandon Routh
Synopsis: Cal, Dylan, & Emory are thrust together once more to join their parents on a Christmas river cruise. They are not sure about it at first, but soon find that it was what they all needed. Little did they know that their parents were keeping a secret that will shake up the whole family.
Review: This was such a sweet movie. I loved the dynamic between Cal, Dylan, & Emory. Despite having gone their own ways in life and dealing with their own personal issues, they really were there for each other the whole time. This movie has heart and humor, which in my book is the perfect combination for a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Three Wisest Men
Starring: Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, & Paul Campbell
Synopsis: The Brenner brothers are at it again for one last time! This time they find out that their mother is selling their childhood home, Luke is about to be a father of three, Taylor is deciding whether he wants to change his life and take a job in San Francisco, & Stephen is having a hard time making wedding plans. As always, chaos and shenanigans ensue and the brothers have to clean up after themselves.
Review: I absolutely adore the Brenner brothers and I’m sad that this is the last movie to round out the trilogy. It was very comforting to still have that flare for the dramatic they bring to the storyline. I think this was the perfect way to end the saga that is a Brenner brothers Christmas.
Happy Howlidays
Starring: Jessica Lowndes & Ezra Moreland
Synopsis: Mia, a webpage editor for the Seattle tourism board, is forced to team up with Max, a director of a local pet shelter, when the stray dog that follows her home one day falls in love with Max’s dog Jules. For Mia’s work, they participate in Christmas activities with the dogs around Seattle. Through these interactions, Russell & Jules aren’t the only ones falling in love.
Review: In the history of me watching Hallmark Christmas movies, this is the first time I wasn’t completely focused on the love story happening between the two humans in the movie. The doggy love affair that was happening in this movie had me squealing and kicking my feet. It was sooo cute! Okay, now for the humans. It was definitely a pseudo enemies to lovers story, which I love. Max was soo grumpy I kept saying, “Okay Grumpy Gus.” I really liked that Mia stood her ground. She was not going to let Max assume anything about her.
One of my favorite parts…Jonathan Bennett’s cameo and him saying Mr. Christmas to Max. If you are not aware, Ezra was crowned the next Hallmark star in the first season of Finding Mr. Christmas. It was a nice little nod to that. Speaking of Finding Mr. Christmas, this was Ezra’s first movie and I could kind of tell. I’m giving him a pass though because again it was his first movie. He’ll get better with time.
Remember, come back often. I will be updating this list regularly.
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