When the holiday season rolls around, there’s nothing quite like cozying up on the couch with a mug of hot cocoa and watching a heartwarming Hallmark Christmas movie. Known for their charming small-town settings, lovable characters, and magical holiday romances, Hallmark Christmas movies have become a beloved holiday tradition for millions of viewers.
With over 300 original holiday movies produced since 2009, Hallmark has created a veritable Christmas movie empire. But which films stand out as the most popular of all time? Here’s our definitive ranking of the 22 most beloved Hallmark Christmas movies, along with details on what makes each one a must-watch.
22. Christmas Comes Twice (2020)
In this charming time-travel romance, Cheryl (Tamera Mowry-Housley), an astrophysicist and Christmas-loving go-getter, gets a second chance at love with her college sweetheart George (Michael Xavier) when she’s magically transported five years into her past. Christmas Comes Twice puts a unique sci-fi twist on the typical Hallmark holiday romance, while still delivering all the cozy Christmas charm viewers love. Mowry-Housley and Xavier have wonderful chemistry, and the movie’s message about second chances is truly heartwarming. It’s a fun, feel-good watch that’s perfect for snuggling up on the couch.
21. Chateau Christmas (2020)
World-famous pianist Margot (Merritt Patterson) returns home to Chateau Neuhaus for Christmas, where she reunites with her ex-boyfriend Jackson (Luke Macfarlane) who convinces her to headline the chateau’s annual Christmas concert. Chateau Christmas transports viewers to a stunning, snow-covered castle estate that’s decorated to the hilt for the holidays. Patterson and Macfarlane are both likable leads, and their characters’ rekindled romance feels genuinely sweet. While the movie follows a fairly predictable Hallmark formula, the gorgeous wintry visuals, swoon-worthy music, and festive atmosphere make it a delightful holiday escape.
20. Deliver by Christmas (2020)
Bakery owner Molly (Alvina August) meets Josh (Eion Bailey), a charming single dad who just moved to town with his young son. At the same time, she starts falling for a mysterious client who she’s never met in person. Could they be one and the same? Deliver by Christmas is as sweet as the delectable treats in Molly’s bakery. August and Bailey have a natural, easygoing rapport, and the movie has fun building up the mystery around Molly’s “secret admirer.” While the story is light and predictable, it’s elevated by its likable cast and abundance of holiday cheer. Curl up with a plate of Christmas cookies and enjoy.
19. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2008)
Jennifer (Brooke Burns), a stressed single mom, has her world turned upside down when her Uncle Ralph (Henry Winkler) arrives for the holidays with a handsome stranger named Morgan (Warren Christie) in tow. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year was one of Hallmark’s earliest original Christmas movies and remains a fan favorite to this day. Winkler is utterly charming as meddlesome Uncle Ralph, while Burns and Christie make for a cute will-they-or-won’t-they couple. The movie is simple and sweet, embodying everything viewers love about Hallmark holiday romances. It’s guaranteed to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.
18. Northpole (2014)
When the lack of holiday spirit and togetherness begins to threaten Christmas, Santa sends two elves on a special mission to help rekindle the true meaning of the season. Northpole is a fun, family-friendly adventure filled with Christmas magic. The movie’s stunning visuals bring Santa’s enchanting North Pole workshop to life, while the talented cast, including Tiffani Thiessen, Josh Hopkins, and Bailee Madison, imbue the story with warmth and cheer. Northpole has a lovely message about the power of believing, both in the magic of Christmas and in each other. It’s a great pick for family viewing nights leading up to the big day.
17. Christmas Everlasting (2018)
When her sister passes away, high-powered New York attorney Lucy (Tatyana Ali) returns to her small hometown to handle the estate, reconnecting with her childhood best friend Peter (Dondré T. Whitfield) and learning some important life lessons along the way. Based on the novel by Marie Bostwick, Christmas Everlasting has more depth and drama than the typical Hallmark movie. Ali gives a poignant performance as a woman grappling with grief and her life’s true purpose. The movie’s ruminations on family, community, and second chances are thought-provoking and meaningful. Keep a tissue box handy for this one.
16. Christmas in Vienna (2020)
Jaded concert violinist Jess (Sarah Drew) travels to Vienna for a performance, where she meets American diplomat Mark (Brennan Elliott) and rediscovers her love of music, the holidays, and romance. Christmas in Vienna is a feast for the eyes, with stunning shots of Vienna’s snow-dusted Christmas markets and historic sites. Drew and Elliott make an appealing pair, and the movie’s classical music soundtrack is absolutely transporting. While the plot is simple, the film’s old-world charm, focus on the arts, and magical European Christmas setting make it an enchanting choice for the holidays.
15. Christmas Under Wraps (2014)
When big-city doctor Lauren (Candace Cameron Bure) doesn’t get her dream residency, she takes a job in a remote Alaskan town and discovers an unexpected new home and chance at love. Christmas Under Wraps was Hallmark’s highest-rated movie of 2014 and it’s easy to see why. Bure’s character is instantly likable and relatable, and the movie’s fish-out-of-water set-up allows for plenty of humor and heart. The quirky supporting characters and charming small-town setting, complete with a Christmas festival and holiday lights galore, embody everything viewers want in a Hallmark movie. This one is like a big, warm hug.
14. A Christmas Detour (2015)
Two NYC-bound travelers, Paige (Candace Cameron Bure) and Dylan (Paul Greene), find themselves stranded in Buffalo due to a snowstorm. Forced to travel together to make it home in time for Christmas, they forge an unexpected connection. A Christmas Detour has major Planes, Trains and Automobiles vibes, with a pair of mismatched protagonists thrown together by circumstances beyond their control. Bure and Greene have fantastic opposites-attract chemistry, and the movie’s travel mishap set-up allows for lots of witty banter and bickering. It’s a classic road trip romance with a heartwarming holiday twist.
13. Christmas at Pemberley Manor (2018)
Event planner Elizabeth Bennett (Jessica Lowndes) is sent to organize a holiday festival at Pemberley Manor, where she clashes with the estate’s wealthy owner William Darcy (Michael Rady). Christmas at Pemberley Manor puts a festive spin on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, to utterly delightful effect. Lowndes and Rady nail the iconic Lizzie-Darcy dynamic, and the movie’s Regency era-inspired costumes and holiday decor are to die for. The witty dialogue, swoon-worthy romance, and clever nods to Austen make this a must-watch for fans of literary-inspired love stories. It’s smart, sweet, and full of Christmas spirit.
12. Christmas at the Palace (2018)
Former professional ice skater Katie (Merritt Patterson) is hired by the king of San Senova to help his daughter prepare for a Christmas ice skating performance. Along the way, she falls for the girl’s charming teacher, Alexander (Andrew Cooper). Christmas at the Palace gives fans two irresistible Hallmark movie tropes in one: a holiday romance and a royal romance! The winter wonderland visuals are stunning, and Patterson and Cooper are as cute as can be, especially in the movie’s dreamy ice skating scenes. Throw in a precocious princess, a down-to-earth single dad, and oodles of Christmas magic, and you’ve got a perfect holiday fantasy.
11. Journey Back to Christmas (2016)
WWII nurse Hanna (Candace Cameron Bure) is transported in time from 1945 to 2016, where she meets and falls for Jake (Oliver Hudson), a man who helps her navigate her new present-day life and the possibility that she may be able to change her own future. Journey Back to Christmas combines time travel, romance, and holiday magic to wondrous effect. Bure is lovely as a 1940s nurse adrift in the modern world, and her chemistry with Hudson is sweet and heartfelt. The movie’s period costumes and nostalgic feel give it a classic Christmas charm, while the time travel element keeps things fresh and exciting. This one is perfect for history buffs and romantics alike.
10. Christmas Under the Stars (2019)
Nick (Jesse Metcalfe), a finance executive who’s lost his Christmas spirit, takes a job at a Christmas tree lot where he meets Julie (Autumn Reeser), an astronomy teacher who’s always looked to the stars for hope. As the two spend time together, they each discover a newfound sense of purpose. Christmas Under the Stars is as warm and twinkly as a clear December night sky. Metcalfe and Reeser have an easy, natural chemistry, and the movie’s focus on finding meaning and connection during the holidays is really poignant. The romance is tender and understated, making the movie’s final moments all the more moving. This one is a quietly powerful tearjerker.
9. A Royal Christmas (2014)
Emily (Lacey Chabert), a seamstress from Philadelphia, falls for Leo (Stephen Hagan), a handsome stranger who turns out to be a prince. When Emily visits Leo’s home for Christmas, she has to win over his disapproving mother, Queen Isadora (Jane Seymour). A Royal Christmas is basically The Prince and Me meets The Princess Diaries, and it’s a total blast. Chabert is utterly endearing as a normal girl thrust into the royal spotlight, and her chemistry with Hagan is delightful. Seymour is clearly having a ball playing the icy, imperious queen, and the movie’s sumptuous palace setting is a Christmas lover’s dream. Grab a box of gourmet chocolates and prepare to swoon.
8. Christmas at Holly Lodge (2017)
Sophie (Alison Sweeney) struggles to keep her beloved Holly Lodge open, while Evan (Jordan Bridges), a real estate developer and single dad, works to close it down. But Evan soon falls under the spell of Sophie and the lodge’s Christmas charms. Christmas at Holly Lodge is as cozy and inviting as the titular inn itself. Sweeney and Bridges have a warm, easy rapport, and it’s impossible not to root for their characters to get together. The movie’s stunning snowy scenery and holiday decorations are super transportive, making it the perfect vicarious winter getaway. This one will have you dreaming of a stay at your own Christmas B&B.
7. Christmas in Evergreen (2017)
Big-city veterinarian Allie (Ashley Williams) visits the small town of Evergreen for the holidays, where she meets Ryan (Teddy Sears), a handsome local contractor. As Allie falls in love with Ryan and the town’s Christmas traditions, she has to decide if she’s ready to leave her old life behind. Christmas in Evergreen kicked off one of Hallmark’s most popular franchises, and it’s easy to see why. The movie’s quirky small-town characters and picture-perfect holiday setting are instantly captivating, and Williams and Sears’ romance is as sweet as a sugar cookie. The story’s focus on family, community, and holiday traditions will fill you with Christmas cheer.
6. The Nine Lives of Christmas (2014)
Fireman Zachary (Brandon Routh) adopts a stray cat and meets Marilee (Kimberly Sustad), a veterinary student who teaches him how to care for his new pet. But commitment-phobic Zachary has to decide if he’s ready to open his heart to a relationship. Based on the novel by Sheila Roberts, The Nine Lives of Christmas is a purr-fect holiday romance for animal lovers. Routh and Sustad are adorable together, and their furry co-star steals every scene. The movie’s themes of opening yourself up to love and new beginnings are really heartwarming. Best enjoyed with a cuddly pet by your side.
5. A Christmas Duet (2019)
Former music duo and couple Averie (Chaley Rose) and Jesse (Rome Flynn) reunite at Averie’s Vermont lodge for the holidays, rekindling both their love of music and each other. A Christmas Duet hits all the right notes, with a gorgeous wintry setting, a sweet second-chance romance, and a toe-tapping musical score. Rose and Flynn’s voices blend beautifully together, and their chemistry feels genuine and lived-in. The movie’s message about being true to yourself and following your heart is really poignant. It’s the perfect film to watch with a mug of cocoa and a dream in your heart.
4. The Mistletoe Promise (2016)
Two strangers, Nick (Luke Macfarlane) and Elise (Jaime King), who have both sworn off love, agree to be each other’s platonic plus-ones for the holidays, only to catch real feelings along the way. Based on the book by Richard Paul Evans, The Mistletoe Promise is a sweet and sentimental romance that will give you butterflies. Macfarlane and King have electric chemistry, and it’s a joy watching their characters’ walls slowly come down. The movie’s cozy holiday atmosphere, from the twinkling lights to the picture-perfect Christmas tree farm, is super inviting. This is one you’ll want to watch with a special someone.
3. The Christmas Card (2006)
Even though it was released in 2006, The Christmas Card remains one of the most-popular, most-watched Hallmark Christmas movies ever. This heartwarming story follows Cody Cullen (John Newton), a soldier serving in Afghanistan, as he receives an anonymous Christmas card that touches him deeply. When he returns to the States, he treks to California to find the card’s sender, Faith (Alice Evans). Cody quickly becomes close to Faith and her family but struggles to reveal the true reason behind his visit. This movie’s enduring popularity proves that its themes of fate, connection, and the power of a simple act of kindness are truly timeless.
2. Christmas Cookies (2016)
Corporate agent Aunt Sally (Jill Wagner) is sent to shut down a small-town cookie company, but the factory’s owner Jake (Wes Brown) teaches her about the importance of people over profits. Christmas Cookies is as warm and gooey as a fresh-baked treat. Wagner and Brown are both likable leads, and their romance is as sweet as the confections they’re fighting to save. The movie’s picturesque small-town setting is full of quirky characters and holiday charm. Much like a Christmas cookie, this movie is comforting, delightful, and goes down easy. Just try not to crave sweets while you watch!
1. The Christmas House (2020)
As the Mitchell family reunites for one last Christmas at their childhood home, relationship challenges, personal struggles, and exciting life changes emerge. The Christmas House made history as Hallmark’s first film to prominently feature a same-sex couple, played by Jonathan Bennett and Brad Harder. Their storyline, about the joys and challenges of adoption, fits organically into the movie’s broader themes of love, family, and acceptance. Treat Williams and Sharon Lawrence bring warmth and wisdom as the Mitchell parents, and Robert Buckley provides comic relief as a neurotic TV star. Heartfelt and groundbreaking, this one is destined to become a modern Christmas classic.
