I’ve Checked Out All The Christmas Movies On Hallmark This Year. These Are The 5 Most Worth Watching

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As a devoted Christmas movie enthusiast who has spent countless hours wrapped in blankets, sipping hot cocoa, and binge-watching holiday flicks, I must say that this year’s lineup was nothing short of a magical experience. Among the 32 films I had the pleasure to watch, there were some real gems that truly stood out.

Initially, when the cable network unveiled their Christmas movie lineup for 2024 (Countdown to Christmas), I eagerly compiled a list of all the Hallmark winter films I couldn’t wait to see. Fast-forward three months, and not only did I watch every film on my list, but I also managed to catch every one of the 32 new movies that debuted on the original channel. To confirm, with some persistence and a handy DVR, I watched all 32 new premieres.

Every weekend, I was captivated by a variety of romantic comedies – from family Olympic-style Christmas celebrations and fictional liaisons with secret agents, to mini sitcom reunions. There were also some heartwarming debuts, like Mama Donna Kelce’s on Hallmark. As anticipated, these movies generally adhered to the traditional Christmas movie structure, but a few dared to stray and offer fresh takes on familiar themes.

Watching 32 movies was quite the undertaking, and I did it over the course of two months, so it’s nearly impossible to catch them all in the few days leading up to Christmas. Thankfully, I kept detailed notes of my thoughts and have rounded up the top 5 Hallmark holiday movies I think are worth checking out.

The 5-Year Christmas Party

From the get-go, I took an instant liking to “The 5-Year Christmas Party,” and it continued to be one of my top picks from Hallmark’s 2024 collection as time went on. Spanning five years, this film chronicles the story of Alice (Katie Findlay) and Max (Jordan Fisher), who work for a catering company during each holiday season. Although their paths intersect only during the festive seasons, they gradually grow fond of each other, consistently encouraging one another’s aspirations, and ultimately falling in love.

This Christmas movie deviates from the typical formula of Hallmark films by avoiding overly obvious holiday themes. Instead, it carries a more casual, Netflix-style holiday vibe due to its apparent disregard for traditional rules. Regrettably, it’s not currently streaming, but given that Hallmark frequently rebroadcasts their holiday movies, it’s worth keeping an eye on.

Christmas With The Singhs

It turned out that I overlooked it initially, but Christmas with the Singhs soon became one of my top favorites upon watching it. Characters Asha (Anuja Joshi) and Jake (Benjamin Hollingsworth), who were once schoolmates, reconnect on Christmas Eve. They find a connection, and following a year together, Jake proposes. However, their perfect holiday as an engaged pair is challenged when they meet each other’s families for the first time during the festive season, putting their relationship to the ultimate test.

Jake and Asha’s genuine portrayal of overcoming challenges in their interracial relationship, which was loosely based on real-life experiences of co-writer Patricia Isaac, adds an extra layer of authenticity and makes the film all the more captivating. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can catch it with a Fubo subscription.

Hanukkah On The Rocks

In the realm of movie enthusiasts, let me share that last year, one of my cherished Hanukkah movies from Hallmark graced my screen, and this tradition is carrying over into this year. The story revolves around me, portrayed as Tory (Stacey Farber), who finds myself jobless after being let go from my corporate law position. To help my Bubby secure the final box of precious Hanukkah candles for our celebration, I’m assigned this task. Simultaneously, Jay (Daren Kagassoff) is on a similar mission for his grandfather. Initially, I give in and let Jay have the candles, but later change my mind and trail him to Rockys, an Old Town bar. While there, I land a temporary bartending gig and collaborate with them to orchestrate a Hanukkah celebration that’s truly unforgettable.

I initially missed this movie when it was first scheduled, but my interest grew while watching it. Despite not celebrating Hanukkah, the film effectively educates its viewers about the holiday’s essential elements. The chemistry between Farber and Kagasoff is commendable, but what truly stands out is Marc Summers in his role as the playful, meddling grandfather.

You’ll have a chance to enjoy “Hanukkah on the Rocks” with an active Peacock subscription, but given its uncertain availability, I advise you not to wait too long!

The Santa Class

If you prefer classic Christmas movies, “The Santa Class” is an excellent choice to include in your holiday viewing lineup. Kate (Kimberly Sustad), having inherited her father’s cherished Santa School, faces challenges in keeping it running as a rival school emerges. Meanwhile, Dan (Benjamin Ayres) loses his job as a Santa trainer and offers his skills to Kate as a way to retaliate against his former employer. During this turmoil, they encounter the real Santa who has landed nearby and can’t recall his identity.

This Santa-themed class of a movie offers an irresistible romance, thrilling tension, and numerous Christmas trials, including an entertaining Santa-inspired obstacle course. In essence, it’s a family-friendly Hallmark production that could potentially rank among the greatest Christmas films ever made. What makes it even more delightful is that it’s one of the Hallmark movies you can stream on Peacock.

Three Wiser Men And A Boy

In eager anticipation, fans were not let down by the long-awaited follow-up to the 2022 hit Hallmark movie, “Three Wiser Men and a Boy.” Five years have passed since the original story, and the Brenner brothers are once again embarking on a mission to create the perfect Christmas. However, they encounter challenges along the way: Thomas’ school holiday musical is in jeopardy as its director departs, forcing all three siblings to confront their feelings about their mother’s new romantic interest. Yet, through every hardship, they remain united and pull off another magical Christmas celebration that will live on in memories.

Generally, sequels aren’t my preferred choice, particularly in holiday films, but Three Wiser Men and a Boy stands out as an exception. It’s the deeply moving journeys of the three Brenner brothers and their special connection with Thomas that truly make this film exceptional. If you missed it when it first aired, you can catch a replay of the movie on The Hallmark Channel this coming Sunday, December 22nd, or stream it using a Sling subscription.

Narrowing down 32 movies to 5 was almost as difficult as watching all of them. There were a handful of honorable mentions that almost made the list, including Holiday Crashers, Holiday Mismatch, and the internet’s favorite Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story. But if you can only stick to a few, I’d stick to my list!

As we edge nearer to 2025’s television debuts, I’m growing more excited about the shows coming up next year. In the meantime, I plan to revisit these five films and possibly give another try to those that didn’t quite capture my heart before.

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2024-12-25 01:07