The act of binging Hallmark Christmas movies is one of the most universally recognized holiday traditions of all time at this point, as over the last few years the holly jolly television films have become one of the fastest-growing cultural phenomenons in the world. Despite receiving continuing condemnation for what critics of the films perceive as mindless escapism, Hallmark's Christmas lineup will most likely remain a holiday staple for years to come.

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But which of Hallmark Channel's hundreds of Christmas-themed original movies created over the last decade is the best? Do any of them shine particularly brighter than others? And, perhaps most importantly, are these films - despite their obvious imperfections - worth your time as a television viewer? These questions are what we'll be discussing today, as we use IMDb's user rating systems to help us count down the top 10 Hallmark Christmas films of the last decade.

Holiday For Heroes (2019) - 7.3

In the recently released Hallmark Original Movie Holiday for Heroes, Audrey Brown is a woman who has been exchanging letters and care packages with deployed soldier Matt Evans for over a year, making such an impact that when her enlisted pen pal is stationed in a nearby town, he makes a surprise visit for the holidays as a way of saying thank-you.

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The film received praise from audiences for its story, acting, music, and overall holiday cheer, as well as the chemistry between the two leads. The film was also favorably compared to another film with a similar premise, the 2016 Hallmark Original Operation Christmas. A fitting choice for Hallmark to close out the decade with, this film is sure to warm the heart of even the most grinchy of holiday movie detractors.

A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love (2019) - 7.4

Hallmark Christmas movies are becoming better than ever thanks to increased talent and production value, and one of the best proofs of that is the newly released Hallmark film A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love. The film follows Alice, a woman not quite ready to begin looking for love again after a painful breakup, who keeps experiencing "Godwinks" - these strange coincidences that are seemingly happening to bring her closer to Jack, a new acquaintance who she's growing to love more and more.

The film is another example of Hallmark's token understanding of how to create a deliciously Christmassy atmosphere, and to top that it packs a well-acted and well-written story with more emotional depth than would be traditionally expected from a Hallmark film.

Jingle & Bell's Christmas Star (2012) - 7.5

This sweet animated short film, a sequel to the 2011 Hallmark special Jingle All the Way, follows a young boy named Andrew and his husky dog Jingle as they prepare for the holiday season in their small town. However, a girl named Sofia has recently moved into their neighborhood, bringing along her dog, Bell, and she's not feeling the Christmas spirit as much as they are, thanks to a string of bullies who taunt her for her unusual hobbies.

It's up to Andrew and Jingle to save the holiday season for their new friends. This film received praise for its production value and adorably stylized design, with its messages of empathy and understanding being especially important in our tense social climate.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas (2014) - 7.6

The first of nearly eleven films in the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series follows a ragtag group of four postal workers who put in overtime to find and help the intended recipients of undeliverable mail. In this special, they decide to help give a little girl the perfect Christmas despite her mother's fragile medical condition, after they find a letter she's posted to God.

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The film received overwhelming audience acclaim, with praises mostly isolated to focusing on acting and story although the scenery and direction were also sometimes recipients of commendation. Since Signed, Sealed, Delivered has become such an enduring franchise, it's definitely worth it to look back at the film that started it all.

November Christmas (2010) - 7.6

Sam Elliot, Max Charles, and Jon Cohn Corbett in November Christmas

This 2010 special follows a young girl with cancer, who makes such an impact on the people around her that they all band together to give her the perfect Christmas - in November, instead of December, since the girl's family isn't sure she'll be alive by the time Christmas comes along.

This touching story of familial ties between neighbors and a small child's impact on a large community struck a chord with audiences and critics, who praised the emotional performances of the various neighborhood characters and the heartwarming storyline.

Once Upon A Christmas Miracle (2018) - 7.7

Brett Dalton and Aimee Teegarden in Once Upon A Christmas Miracle

This 2018 film is about Heather, a woman who falls in love with her liver donor, Chris, after they are brought together against incredible odds. Over the course of getting to know each other, they must evaluate their relationship and decide if there's really something that's genuinely life-changing in the works.

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It was praised as one of the best Hallmark movies of all time, receiving accolades for its acting, story, and production value. Positive reviews also frequently concentrated on the leads' undeniable chemistry, the sentimentality of several scenes, and the general Christmas vibe the film gifts its viewers with.

Jingle All The Way (2011) - 7.8

No, we're not talking about the one with Turbo Man.

This 2011 animated special follows a spirited Husky puppy who is searching for the family that will grant him a forever home among a selection of families purchasing Christmas trees. When he makes an undeniable connection with a young boy named Andrew, his dogged devotion will send him on an unforgettable adventure to find his way back to the warm-hearted youngster.

The film received praise for being a cute, family-friendly, and perfectly Christmassy tale that sends the spirit of Christmas straight into viewers' hearts.

Christmas Town (2019) - 7.9

In this feel-good Christmas special, released just this year, Lauren Gabriel is a teacher who leaves Boston behind to travel back to her hometown - but she takes a wrong turn along the way, and ends up in the pleasant and charming small town of Grandon Falls instead, just as the city begins preparing for Christmastime.

The film has all the trappings of a modern Christmas classic and was praised by audiences for being above average in many respects compared to other Hallmark films, with the story and production value being especially noted in terms of its improvements over more "traditional" holiday films. Needless to say, this is a modern classic that will continue its outreach into the next decade - and perhaps for even longer than that.

When Calls The Heart Christmas (2016) - 9.0

When Calls The Heart

This television film is actually an episode of the popular Hallmark drama series When Calls the Heart, which follows the residents of a small Canadian pioneer town in the early 1910s. The special follows the closely-knit community as they work on putting together an enviable Christmas celebration for their children and families, although problems with various details may force them to rework their original plan. Meanwhile, several residents have their living situations affected when a storm hits the coal town, causing much property damage and destroying quite a few homes.

Fixing all the problems plaguing their town won't be easy, but with teamwork and an unflappable Christmas spirit, the small town joins together and rights every wrong they can - even those that were out of their control. The film is a perfect introduction to the series for someone who has never seen it before, and it received widespread praise for its warm, atmospheric feel and general goodwill.

When Calls The Heart: The Christmas Wishing Tree (2017) - 9.1

That's right, Christmas specials from the hit series When Calls the Heart took both of the top two spots on our list! This one packs an even more sentimental story than its predecessor, focusing on a new tradition the townsfolk have adopted in which they attempt to grant the Christmas wishes of their friends and neighbors.

The special packs quite a few complicated storylines, providing a great deal of fan service in focusing on the show's most popular characters. It received praise from critics, audiences, and fans of the show for combining the key elements of holiday-based entertainment: heartwarming moments, encouraging characters, and a sense of nostalgia for Christmasses long past.

NEXT: The 10 Best Hallmark Christmas Movies, Ranked