The Definitive List of the 16 Best Hallmark Christmas Movies

As we are now a full week into the traditional Christmas Season, it is only fitting that I provide my loyal readers with a bit of Christmas cheer in the form of my sense of the very best Hallmark Christmas Movies.

They are not rank ordered. As I write, I may conjure up a top two or three and provide them at the end. I’m going to link back to the Hallmark site for each of these movies where you can get more info.

There are other places producing Christmas movies, and there are some worthy efforts to be found. That said, I am partial to Hallmark, the Gold Standard really, of Christmas movies.

Before I dive in, what makes a great Hallmark Christmas Movie? I’m glad you asked.

• A believable romance, sold well by the actors. There has to be a little fire, if you know what I mean.

• The movie cannot take place in a location where there is not at least the CHANCE of snow on Christmas Eve. I once stumbled onto a Christmas Movie (not Hallmark) called “Christmas in Louisiana”, and it made me wretch. Got nothing against Louisiana, mind you. It just isn’t Christmas.

• The male lead needs to be someone I would have wanted to be a part of the Sigma Chi house at UVA ca. 1983-87.

• Royalty. I am a sucker for a Prince, or a Duchess falling for a commoner. Bonus points if the movie takes place largely in a castle.

• The source of the adversity our lovers must overcome CANNOT be a personality flaw in one of the two leads. You have to pull for these people. Job, location, whatever is fine in keeping them apart, but if one of them is prone to pre-judging, well then there isn’t much we can do with that movie.

• A widowed parent with a cute child…gets me every time.

• Time travel and alternate universes are often superb plot devices.

• Last but not least…if there is a “significant other” already in the picture for one of our leads, he or she has to 1) be believable with male/female leads and 2) be someone you hope finds their own holiday love in a future movie.

Ok, again. Here they are in NO PARTICULAR ORDER. Click the bolded title to take you to the Hallmark site for the movie. Where I can insert a trailer, I will

A Kiss Before Christmas (2021)

Terry Hatcher and Marilu Henner in the same movie? What’s not to like. This one’s got a little alternate universe/It’s A Wonderful Life feel about it and the male lead is superb.

A Timeless Christmas (2020)

Erin Cahill, time travel, and the strong, silent type as the male lead. What' more can you ask for?

Christmas Waltz (2020)

Stars the new Queen of Hallmark (Lacey Chabert) who always has me rooting for her to get the man of her dreams. Some mighty fine hoofin’, if you ask me.

One Royal Holiday (2020)

These two really sell the romance. The Prince is sympatico, and the female lead is fetching. Also, the Prince’s mom is wonderful.

Christmas at Pemberley Manor (2018)

Are you kidding me? Christmas AND Jane Austen? It doesn’t get any better.

Christmas at The Plaza (2019)

She’s an overworked academic, he’s the electrician who makes Christmas happen at the Plaza.

Crown for Christmas (2015)

Royalty and Winnie from the Wonder Years (she has a fine Hallmark Christmas resume). The maid makes good!

Journey Back to Christmas (2016)

Serious time travel drama AND the retired heavyweight champion of Hallmark Christmas Movies Candace Cameron Bure.

A Royal Christmas (2014)

Royalty AND Lacey Chabert…and Jane Seymour!

Christmas Getaway(2017)

Really one of the best—great chemistry between the leads and you can buy into the affection between the daughter and Bridget Regan (who may be my very favorite Hallmark Christmas actress.

The Christmas Cottage (2017)

I’m a sucker for Merritt Patterson. Sue me.

Christmas Land (2015)

Nikki DeLoach is a human Christmas present, and she and Luke Macfarlane really sell the heat. Also, a nice little role for Marsha from The Brady Bunch. This one violates my “root for the other guy to find love” (he’s kind of unpleasant), but Luke Macfarlane is a good fellow who makes you root for him.

The Christmas Train (2017)

Big stars in this one, including Dermott Mulroney, Danny Glover, and Joan Cusack. Really a fave. A good bit more hefty of a plot than some of the lesser Hallmark movies.

On the 12th Date of Christmas (2020)

Great chemistry, and Tyler Hynes always delivers as the male lead.

Christmas in Rome (2019)

A trio of wonderful things about this movie—1) Rome 2) Lacey Chabert and 3) Sam Page—who is probably my favorite male actor in Hallmark Christmas Movies and who is also the lead in our final movie.

The Perfect Christmas Present (2017)

Sam Page and Tara Holt have INSANE chemistry in this great Christmas movie that takes place in Chicago. The spurned boyfriend plays a great role in this.

Conclusion

There you have it folks, in response to audience clamor, the 16 best Hallmark Christmas Movies. As I look over the list, I feel like I’ve done 2012-16 wrong, with most of my picks coming more recently. Perhaps my interest in these movies was born too late for those older offerings. Scanning the list for a three movies that stand out as NEVER MISS…I recommend

• The Perfect Christmas Present

• Christmas at The Plaza

• One Royal Holiday

Okay, one more don’t miss is Christmas Getaway. Bottom line though is you should be glued to the Hallmark Channel throughout the season!

Happy Christmas, everyone!