Nothing beats the stillness of a reposeful evening at home during this season: chilling out on your snuggly couch while shuffling some best-loved seasonal jams or binge-watching a slew of Christmas movies. And if you're very much into a feel-good holiday movie fest, the Hallmark Channel does it best!
For years, Hallmark has been concocting movies with plots that some might say are too “cheesy” or “formulaic.” For others, however, they are just the perfect escape from their overwhelming day-to-day lives—especially when the holidays come through. Hallmark fans, in their millions, can't get enough of the light yet silly world of stories involving gingerbread houses, Christmas contests, time travel, or—everyone's favorite—a hunky heartthrob shaking up a small town.
In this blog, we're sharing with you seven of Hallmark's best Christmas movies— as rounded up by Good Housekeeping—that will surely make you laugh, cry, and see the holiday in a whole new way!
A Royal Christmas
First off, you know it’s a good Hallmark Christmas movie if Lacey Chabert takes the lead. And the plot, we mean, picture this: you're preparing to spend the holidays with your boyfriend, who's shockingly an heir to the throne of Cordinia (of course, that place ain't real!). That's this movie in a nutshell — just throw in a disapproving potential mother-in-law, a meddling ex-girlfriend, and a glittery ball gown.
Let it Snow
Okay, so the story revolves around a major scrooge. Stephanie—played by Candace Cameron Bure (a.k.a. D.J. Tanner from Full House)—hates winter and everything that comes from it. However, all this prophet-of-doom spectacle she's giving changes when her father sends her to his brand-new ski lodge for business, and she starts to see the magic of Christmas in action.
The Christmas Train
For journalist Tom Langdon (played by Dermot Mulroney), at least, the adage, "It's not about the destination; it's about the journey," is true. While on a cross-country train ride home, he meets interesting characters, including Eleanor (played by Kimberly Williams-Paisley), who mainly open his eyes to the true meaning of Christmas—and life, for that matter.
The Christmas Ornament
Kathy (played by Kellie Martin) sees the holidays as a reminder of all that she's lost. That is, until Tim (played by Cameron Mathison), a local Christmas tree shop owner, gives her an ornament as a symbol of hope—or in Kathy's case, an unambiguous sign that she's ready to give another shot at love.
The Christmas House
Three stories, one happily ever after: The Christmas House tells the story of the Mitchell family as they navigate various obstacles. Brandon (played by Johnathan Bennett) and Jake (played by Brad Harder) await exciting adoption news. Meanwhile, Mike (played by Robert Buckley) is exploring love again, and Phylis (played by Sharon Lawrence) and Bill (played by Treat Williams) are longing for the good ol' days.
Christmas Waltz
If dance movies are your thing, you'll definitely love this Hallmark classic. You can really see that the production pulled out all the stops for this one: there's a cameo appearance of a Dancing With The Stars pro, breathtaking scenery, and plenty of romance to follow through. The highlight of this movie is the waltz, obviously, but the story behind it is what makes this flick magical: Avery (played by Lacey Chabert) must learn to trust her dance partner—on and off the dance floor—to move forward with her life.
Crown for Christmas
Lastly, this Danica McKellar-led Hallmark classic will surely let your royal fantasies run wild. Allie's (played by McKellar) entire life changes when she takes on a new job—she moves to a castle and gets swept up with the King of Winshire. No biggie.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming holiday affair that will help you tap into your Christmas spirit, look no further than digging on these Hallmark movies. Also, you can make the entire experience even more magical by reveling in the enthralling fragrances of our best-loved holiday candles.