Hallmark Channel has been creating original movies and television shows for nearly twenty years now. They've managed to snag the market when it comes to family-friend holiday movies, putting out dozens each year. With so many movies, there's bound to be some good and bad in the Hallmark vault.
A good Christmas movie isn't just a romance set to the backdrop of holiday carols and bright lights though, they need a storyline that truly captures the spirit of the season. Here is a look at some of the best Hallmark Christmas movie storylines of the decade.
When Calls The Heart Christmas (2016)
For those familiar with the popular Hallmark drama series, When Calls the Heart, this "movie" is actually a film-length episode about the Canadian pioneer town's Christmas celebration. The community works together to put on a joyous Christmas for their children and families, facing challenges along the way. A storm hits, causing property damage, and even destroying a few homes.
The problems that plague this town won't ruin Christmas, though, as the residents come together over a beautiful story of Christmas spirit. Even if you haven't seen the critically acclaimed TV series, this is the perfect episode to start with.
The Nine Lives of Christmas (2014)
Even though this film has a weak script, the charisma of the actors, and the fact it features a sweet, adorable cat, make this a must-watch over the holidays. Zachary Stone (Brandon Routh) is a purrfectly dreamy firefighter, who enjoys living the single lifestyle. He eventually ends up with a stray cat, Ambrose, who causes him to adopt some responsibility.
Through Ambrose, Zachary meets Marilee White (Kimberly Sustad), a brilliant vet student who has no time for a love life. The two bond over their love of cats and a beautiful tail of romance begins.
A Christmas Detour (2015)
Paige (Candace Cameron Bure) plays a bridal magazine writer, who is recently engaged and isn't shy about sharing it. While traveling to NYC to visit her fiance's family, Paige lugs around an engagement ring and vision board, which naturally has to have its own seat. Dylan (Paul Greene) is the lucky guy who gets to sit beside Paige on the painstakingly long flight from LAX to NYC.
Paige and Dylan bicker about pretty much everything in life. They are forced to spend even more time together when the flight is detoured to Buffalo due to a blizzard. Don't you love traveling during the holidays?
Snow Bride (2013)
Greta Kaine (Katrina Law), is a tabloid reporter for "Pulse Gossip," who is always looking for the juicy scoop. Greta's editor gives her and her competitor a challenge to get the big story about a prominent senator's son, who is planning to propose at the family's Big Bear compound over Christmas.
Greta heads to the mountain resort, where she mistakenly ends up as a guest of the family. She discovers that the family is much more down-to-earth than she planned, and she's now tasked with the decision of how far she'll go for a story.
A Royal Christmas (2014)
Hallmark, royalty, and love - a classic combination for the holidays. We've seen plenty of royally good Christmas romances on this channel over the years. Still, A Royal Christmas has proven to be a favorite. Former Mean Girl Lacey Chabert plays a humble Philadelphia seamstress, who has a charming and loving boyfriend, Leo (Stephen Hagan).
Leo happens to be hiding a big secret: he's a prince! After revealing his royal heritage, Leo whisks Emily off to the quaint nation of "Cordinia." Naturally, this story has a disapproving Queen (Jane Seymour), who Emily must win over.
Queen Isadora already has plans for Leo to marry a duchess named Natasha and works hard to drive a wedge between Leo and Emily. Eventually, lessons are learned, and love prevails, with a happily ever after for Leo and Emily.
Switched For Christmas (2017)
Candace Cameron Bure is living her Michelle Tanner dreams in this twin-switch movie, where she plays double versions of herself. When identical twin sisters Kate and Chris decide to swap lives with each other for the holidays, they learn lessons along the way that make this their best Christmas ever.
Kate, a career-driven, real estate executive, learns that family is the most important thing. Chris, a mom/teacher, finds more than what she had planned for Christmas. The two sisters have had an awkward relationship since the death of their mother, and the swap turns out to be the most significant step to healing their wounds and bringing them closer together.
Christmas With Holly (2012)
Six-year-old Holly (played by Lucy and Josie Gallina) hasn't uttered a word since the death of her mother. Holly's uncle, Mark (Sean Faris), is left in charge of the girl and is faced with the difficult task of raising her.
Holly's struggles have caused her to be held back in school, and Mark decides to move them from Seattle to Friday Harbor, where he grew up with Holly's mom. This is where the two meet Maggie (Eloise Mumford). Maggie is opening a toy store, and this appears to be the one place where Holly will open up.
Journey Back To Christmas (2016)
Candace Cameron Bure is a seasoned Hallmark actress, so it's no surprise to see one of her films at the top of the list. Journey Back to Christmas is a holiday film full of time travel, romance, and even a little mystery. Bure plays Hanna, a World War II-era nurse who is transported to 2016 and taken in by a policeman and his family. The two quickly bond as they figure out what happened to her and discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Not only does this movie feature a unique and heartwarming storyline, but the costumes and props from the 1940s era are also spot-on, transporting the audience back almost 100 years.
Christmas At Dollywood (2019)
If there's something Dolly Parton loves as much as music, it's Christmas. This year, she teamed up with the Hallmark Channel to create a holiday-themed TV movie, set in her East Tennessee theme park. Christmas at Dollywood, stars Danica McKellar, with Dolly herself making an appearance.
The film tells a story of a single mom and award-winning Broadway producer, Rachel Lewis (McKellar), who has family roots in the Appalachian Mountains. When Rachel is presented with an opportunity to produce the 20th-anniversary show for the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival at Dollywood, she heads south with her daughter. This movie is full of love, music, and holiday cheer - just like Dolly would be celebrating Christmas.
November Christmas (2010)
With a star-studded cast and a moving story, November Christmas is a touching story full of heartwarming relationships and a message of unity and hope. 8-year-old Vanessa marks (Emily Alyn Lind) is a sweet girl living a beautiful life in a small town with a loving family. Vanessa is fighting an ever-growing battle with cancer.
Knowing she doesn't have time to waste, her father (John Corbitt), teams up with neighbor (Sam Elliot), and the entire town, to give Vanessa a holiday experience she'll never forget. November Christmas is a heartwarming film full of well-rounded storytelling and tearful moments of joy for this wonderful little girl.