It’s Still Early, But I Think I Found My Favorite Hallmark Christmas Movie Of 2024

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As a seasoned gamer with a heart for Hallmark movies, I must admit that the 2024 lineup has truly been a rollercoaster ride of emotions. However, amidst all the swoon-worthy holiday romance movies, one gem has managed to steal my affection – The 5-Year Christmas Party.

After the conclusion of Halloween, we’ve now moved into the full swing of the festive Christmas season – though for Hallmark, the excitement has been building since early October! Their Countdown to Christmas lineup was already set in the TV schedule for 2024 and they’ve already released a few heartwarming holiday romance movies. With around two dozen more still to come, including a couple starring Mama Donna Kelce, I believe I’ve found my top pick for this year’s Christmas movie: “The 5-Year Christmas Party“.

As soon as the schedule for the “Countdown to Christmas” lineup was unveiled, “The 5-Year Christmas Party” instantly became one of my top five most eagerly awaited upcoming Hallmark films. I’m absolutely thrilled that it met my expectations and fulfilled all the excitement surrounding it.

The movie tracks Alice (Katie Findlay), a theater director hopeful, and Max (Jordan Fisher), an up-and-coming actor, who initially had some college competition. Yet, fate brings them together every holiday season as they work for the same temporary catering service. Despite their annual encounters being limited to this time of year, they grow fond of each other over a span of five years. Their blossoming affection unfolds throughout this period.

It’s possible that “The 5-Year Christmas Party” may not be crowned the top Christmas movie of the 2024 lineup just yet, given that Netflix has yet to release their holiday films, including one starring Chad Michael Murray. However, I have high expectations for this film and here are three reasons why it stands out:

Alice & Max Are Younger Than Most Hallmark Leads

Before I proceed, let me clarify that I don’t have an issue with Hallmark films focusing on characters in their 30s and 40s – it’s wonderful! However, as someone not quite in those age groups yet, it’s refreshing to see the network still offering a fresh perspective in its new movies by centering stories around young adults.

To set the record straight, Alice and Max are not the irresponsible characters you’d typically see in mature-rated TV shows. Instead, they are recent graduates from their respective college programs, brimming with enthusiasm as they embark on pursuing their ambitious theater careers. Along the way, they will undoubtedly encounter a variety of complexities.

Regarding “The 5-Year Christmas Party”, it maintains an aura similar to a refined Hallmark movie, yet there’s a touch of youthful camaraderie among the principal characters and their quirky entourage that sets it apart. Notably, Alice and Max’s struggles with maturing are universal, resonating with viewers regardless of age. It’s essential to remember that personal growth and self-discovery are lifelong journeys, unaffected by the passage of time.

The 5-Year Christmas Party Strays Away From Hallmark’s Perfect Formula

I find great solace in Hallmark Christmas movies as their predictable storylines provide a sense of familiarity. The consistency of their plot formulas is truly captivating. Yet, it’s exciting when they occasionally veer off the beaten path, which is exactly what “The 5-Year Christmas Party” has accomplished.

Right from the start, it’s evident that this film strays from the usual formula of typical Hallmark Christmas movies. Unlike most romantic couples who share an extravagant first encounter, Alice and Max cross paths at a festive gathering and engage in an uneasy exchange that nearly results in a kiss.

In contrast to typical Hallmark films, Alice and Max don’t follow the norm of just one kiss at the end. Instead, their romance features multiple kisses before they officially become a couple.

In a surprising twist from its impeccable formal structure, “The 5-Year Christmas Party” deviates as neither Alice nor Max are compelled to relinquish their aspirations to be a couple. Initially, it appeared that Alice would have to forsake her life in the small town to join Max in Los Angeles, but an unexpected job opportunity kept her rooted. Rather than their relationship ending there, they rekindled during the festive season and decided to make their romance work – even if it meant maintaining a long-distance connection.

In typical Hallmark movie fashion, it’s rare for the two main characters to prioritize their careers over their romantic lives and make it work without moving locations. This trope, where a city girl falls for a small-town man and changes her fast-paced life for a slower one in his town, is quite common. However, the fact that the movie “The 5-Year Christmas Party” deviated from this well-established rule, suggesting that Hallmark might be catering to viewers who prefer stories with different twists.

The Movie Proves That Some Things Are Worth Waiting For

In contrast to typical Hallmark love stories where couples encounter obstacles but usually stay together throughout the movie, The 5-Year Christmas Party follows an unusual pattern. Instead of being in constant communication, Alice and Max mostly avoid each other’s company for most of the year, only interacting during the holiday parties they both work at during the festive season.

Rather than allowing separation to weaken their bond, the time apart made the moments they shared together even more precious. It seems like the adage “absence can make the heart grow fonder” rings true in this case. By not immediately thrusting Alice and Max into a relationship, they each had the opportunity to discover themselves individually before coming back together. This delayed reunion and their eventual declaration of love carried an extra weight since they had to overcome obstacles to reach that point.

To be straightforward, “The 5-Year Christmas Party” seemed more like a festive film you’d stream on Netflix rather than one traditionally shown on Hallmark. However, this isn’t necessarily a negative observation; it simply highlights that the network is aware of the need to evolve with contemporary trends if they aim to maintain their dominance during the holiday season.

There’s still a handful of films on the Countdown to Christmas schedule I’m excited for, like the anticipated sequel to Three Wise Men and a Baby, but for now, I’m confident in declaring The 5-Year Christmas Party the best film on the 2024 lineup.

As a devoted fan like myself, if you happened to have missed the movie, I’m thrilled to share that it’ll be re-aired on Hallmark on Friday, November 8th, at 6 pm Eastern Time. Make sure not to forget tuning in then! Additionally, I encourage you to explore the rest of the competition to see who’s challenging The 5-Year Christmas Party.

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2024-11-05 04:07