The holiday season is here again, which can only mean one thing: a multitude of new Hallmark Christmas movies are about to grace our screens. As usual, Hallmark has employed the best and brightest talent to bring the holidays to life, including stars from all of your favorite shows, including One Tree Hill, The O.C., Desperate Housewives, Party of Five, and Sister, Sister.
While Santa Claus features heavily in Hallmark's festive content, these movies also explore time travel, Hanukkah, gingerbread house building competitions, and idyllic trips to Scotland. Here, we round up 23 of the best Hallmark holiday films streaming in 2023, to get you in the festive spirit.
1
Round and Round
Drawing inspiration from Groundhog Day, Round and Round takes place at a Hanukkah party that Rachel (Vic Michaelis) can't escape from. As she gets closer to Zach (One Tree Hill's Bryan Greenberg), the cute guy her grandma wants to set her up with, Rachel has to figure out how to stop living the same day over and over again.
2
Navigating Christmas
Following her divorce, Melanie decides to spend the holiday season on a remote island, along with her son Jason. Rather than being the idyllic retreat she hoped for, Melanie becomes responsible for the local lighthouse, which brings her into close proximity of its cantankerous owner, Peter.
3
Christmas with a Kiss
In true Hallmark fashion, Christmas with a Kiss follows a woman who heads home for the holiday season to help her family plan their annual Christmas Carnival. There, she unexpectedly reunites with someone from her past. Will sparks fly this Christmas?
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4
The Christmas House
The Christmas House focuses on a family reuniting over the holiday season. Brandon and his husband Jake are hoping to adopt their first child, while Brandon's brother Mike realizes he might still have feelings for his high school sweetheart. Followed by the sequel The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls.
5
Sealed with a List
Realizing that she hasn't accomplished any of her New Year's resolutions, Carley decides to spend the 31 days of December making changes. She enlists the help of her ex-boss' hapless son, Wyatt, who's facing his own crisis of faith. The unlikely pair works together to end the year on a positive note.
6
A Kiss Before Christmas
A Kiss Before Christmas reunites Desperate Housewives alums Teri Hatcher and James Denton for some holiday magic. After wishing that his life had turned out differently, Ethan awakes to find himself in another timeline, in which he's neither a father nor a husband. In order to get his life back, Ethan has to convince his wife Joyce that his wild story is true, and that his wish was a terrible mistake.
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7
Holiday Hotline
Over the holiday season, Abby takes a job giving advice on the "holiday hotline," for anyone struggling with their cooking during Thanksgiving and Christmas. She strikes up a conversation with widower John, with whom she feels a connection. But in real life, Abby has fallen for Jack, not realizing that they're the same man.
8
Christmas in Harmony
Harmony (Ashleigh Murray) ends up auditioning for the Holiday Chorus. Unfortunately, her ex-boyfriend is directing the concert, meaning that they have to spend way too much time together. Will the holiday season rekindle an old love? Co-starring Loretta Devine and Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams.
9
The Santa Summit
Jordin, Ava, and Stella attend the Santa Summit, at which attendees dress up in their finest Santa outfits and take part in festive events. During the night, Jordin meets Liam (Virgin River's Benjamin Hollingsworth), an interesting guy who is also dressed as Saint Nick. But will they find one another again before the Santa Summit ends?
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10
Inventing the Christmas Prince
Shelby (Tamera Mowry-Housley) is planning on quitting her job, when her daughter Grace has an interesting revelation. For some reason, Grace believes that her mom's boss Evan, who does a fantastic Scrooge impression, is actually a character known as the "Christmas Prince."
11
Christmas Island
Kate's dream job as a private pilot is thrown into jeopardy when a snowstorm forces her to land on Christmas Island. In order to get her clients to Switzerland for the holiday season, Kate must work with local air traffic controller Oliver, while also getting involved in some festivities.
12
A Gingerbread Romance
Tia Mowry stars as Taylor, an architect who is entered into a ginger bread house competition. After fighting with her original pastry chef, Taylor finds baker Adam, a single dad who reluctantly agrees to take part. While working together, Taylor starts to understand what it means to be part of a family at Christmas.
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13
Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas
In a move sure to delight teen TV fans, Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas unites 90210's Shenae Grimes-Beech and The O.C.'s Chris Carmack for a holiday romance. After the death of her mom, Carly agrees to lead a small town choir over the holidays. There, she meets Matthew, a veteran who has recently returned home.
14
A Merry Scottish Christmas
A Merry Scottish Christmas reunites Party of Five siblings Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf. Lindsey and Brad are somewhat estranged when they agree to travel to their mother's childhood home in Scotland for the holidays. While getting acquainted with the beautiful town, the siblings discover a secret that's tormented their mom for decades.
15
Holiday Heritage
Ella decides to repair bad family relations over the holiday season. After reuniting with her ex-boyfriend Griffin, Ella encourages her disparate family members to celebrate both Christmas and Kwanzaa, and to find a new way to move forward as a family unit.
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16
Rescuing Christmas
Photographer Erin (Rachael Leigh Cook) wishes that Christmas never existed, not realizing that two of Santa's elves are on hand to grant the wish. Instantly regretting her decision, Erin and her potential love interest Sam (Sam Page) work to reintroduce the joy of the holiday season to Erin's family.
17
Christmas in Notting Hill
American Georgia travels to England to spend the holidays in Notting Hill with her sister Lizzie. A chance encounter with English soccer player Graham makes Georgia wonder if she's found romance. Plus, Graham is particularly smitten with Georgia because she has no idea who he is. But can the unlikely couple turn their spark into a relationship?
18
Holiday Road
After a group of strangers finds themselves stranded at the airport over the holidays, they decide to hire a van and travel to Denver together. The trip is far from simple, however, and the unexpected group is forced to work together to make the best of their circ*mstances.
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19
My Christmas Guide
College professor Trevor loses his eyesight and decides to adopt a guide dog. During the process, he spends time with his dog's trainer, Peyton, with whom he develops a real connection. As Christmas approaches, Trevor realizes that he might be falling in love for the first time in a long time.
20
Heaven Down Here
After a snowstorm hits a small town on Christmas Eve, four strangers find themselves sheltering together at a local diner. Throughout the night, the group shares their woes, bonds over unexpected commonalities, and provides much needed support to one another.
Amy Mackelden
Contributing Writer
Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. She co-edited The Emma Press Anthology of Illness, and previously spent all of her money on Kylie Cosmetics.
I'm an avid enthusiast in the realm of holiday movies, especially those of the Hallmark variety. With a deep passion for the genre and an extensive knowledge of its various tropes, themes, and casting nuances, I'm well-equipped to guide you through the intricacies of Hallmark's festive cinematic offerings.
Now, let's delve into the concepts and themes presented in the article about the 23 best Hallmark holiday films streaming in 2023:
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Round and Round:
- Concept: Time loop reminiscent of "Groundhog Day."
- Key Elements: Hanukkah party, repeating the same day, romantic storyline.
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Navigating Christmas:
- Concept: Post-divorce holiday adventure on a remote island.
- Key Elements: Lighthouse, cantankerous owner, unexpected romance.
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Christmas with a Kiss:
- Concept: Returning home for Christmas, unexpected reunion.
- Key Elements: Family planning Christmas Carnival, sparks fly.
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The Christmas House:
- Concept: Family reunion during the holiday season.
- Key Elements: Adoption, rekindling past relationships.
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Sealed with a List:
- Concept: New Year's resolutions, positive changes.
- Key Elements: Ex-boss' son, crisis of faith, unlikely partnership.
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A Kiss Before Christmas:
- Concept: Time-travel romance with a Desperate Housewives reunion.
- Key Elements: Wishing for a different life, convincing wife.
-
Holiday Hotline:
- Concept: Providing advice on a holiday hotline.
- Key Elements: Cooking struggles, mistaken identity, love triangle.
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Christmas in Harmony:
- Concept: Holiday chorus audition, spending time with an ex.
- Key Elements: Ex-boyfriend directing, potential rekindling of love.
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The Santa Summit:
- Concept: Santa Summit with festive events and outfits.
- Key Elements: Meeting an interesting guy dressed as Santa.
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Inventing the Christmas Prince:
- Concept: Daughter's revelation about her mom's boss.
- Key Elements: Quitting a job, Scrooge impression, Christmas Prince.
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Christmas Island:
- Concept: Private pilot's dream job jeopardized by a snowstorm.
- Key Elements: Forced landing, working with air traffic controller, festivities.
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A Gingerbread Romance:
- Concept: Architect enters a gingerbread house competition.
- Key Elements: Fighting with pastry chef, working with a single dad.
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Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas:
- Concept: Holiday romance uniting 90210 and The O.C. stars.
- Key Elements: Leading a small town choir, meeting a veteran.
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A Merry Scottish Christmas:
- Concept: Party of Five siblings reunite in Scotland.
- Key Elements: Estranged siblings, discovering a family secret.
-
Holiday Heritage:
- Concept: Repairing family relations, celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa.
- Key Elements: Reuniting with an ex-boyfriend, moving forward as a family.
-
Rescuing Christmas:
- Concept: Photographer regrets wishing Christmas never existed.
- Key Elements: Santa's elves, reintroducing joy to the holiday season.
-
Christmas in Notting Hill:
- Concept: American in England, chance encounter with a soccer player.
- Key Elements: Unlikely couple, romance in Notting Hill.
-
Holiday Road:
- Concept: Stranded strangers hire a van and travel to Denver.
- Key Elements: Airport mishap, unexpected group dynamics.
-
My Christmas Guide:
- Concept: College professor loses eyesight, adopts a guide dog.
- Key Elements: Developing a connection with the dog's trainer.
-
Heaven Down Here:
- Concept: Strangers shelter together in a diner on Christmas Eve.
- Key Elements: Snowstorm, sharing woes, providing support.
These Hallmark holiday films encompass a delightful mix of romantic, heartwarming, and festive themes, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy during the holiday season.
