25 Heartwarming Holiday Movies to Watch Before Christmas
You don't have to quit your big city job to enjoy a little romance this holiday season.
As Mariah Carey slowly begins to thaw, there's another clear sign that the holidays are around the corner: a slow but steady influx of heartwarming movies popping up on Hallmark, Lifetime, Hulu, BET, OWN, and Netflix. Hallmark alone produces 30 to 40 holiday movies a year ("holiday" usually, but not always, referring to "Christmas"), and they are far from the only ones in town.
Even for the most dedicated seasonal movie consumers, watching all of them is a challenge, so I've tried to narrow down the list and highlight the most promising films from the new batch: the hottest, the silliest, the quirkiest, and the most sentimental holiday movies that often sound like the perfect way to spend your time sipping cocoa and wrapping gifts on the couch. (I've been skeptical of holiday movies for a long time, but I've changed my mind in recent years, so let's curl up under a blanket and enjoy these seasonal comfort movies without shame.)
A Rancher's Christmas (November 1)
A relationship expert (played by Jedidiah Harlow) gets stranded on a ranch (hence the name) during Christmas. Could there be a charming rancher (played by Houston Rhines) to help her overcome her own obstacles and find true love? (Yes, there is.)
Where to watch: Hulu
Holiday Mismatch (November 3)
Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick reunite; of course, they played aunts for seven seasons in the 90s' "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch." In this film, they play a pair of moms - one free-spirited, one proper - who clash at a Christmas committee meeting but later discover they accidentally set up their grown children on a dating app. Now, they're determined to stop the romance before it starts.
Where to watch: Hallmark Channel
See You Next Christmas (November 6)
Veteran TV and film director Rusty Cundieff (of "Street Legends" and "Chappelle's Show," among others) directs "See You Next Christmas," featuring Christina Milian as a woman scouring New York City for sold-out Pentatonix tickets (a bit odd, but true). You know, she met a man named James last Christmas, and they agreed to reunite at the concert, like in "An Affair to Remember" - but wait! The handsome ticket agent helping her (Devon Ellis) is also cute...
Where to watch: Netflix
A Christmas Miracle (November 7)
A family sits on the couch.
During the holidays, a family panics as they try to save their local community center. Starring Nori Victoria, Blu Kimble, Victoria Rowell, Nadia Sims, and Aaron D. Spears.
Where to watch: BET+
Santa Tell Me (November 9)
Successful interior designer Olivia (Erin Krakow) receives a note from Santa saying she'll meet the love of her life on Christmas Eve, and his name is Nick. But then she meets three men named Nick! And she also finds herself attracted to Chris at work (also played by Erin Krakow)! Given that it's a Hallmark Channel movie, I guess she'll choose one of them instead of inviting them all to a festive Christmas bash.
Where to watch: Hallmark Channel
Hot & Cold (November 13)
Starring Lacey Chabert, this romantic film tells the story of a recently widowed woman who brings a snowman to life (like you do) to help her through the holidays. The title and synopsis sound a bit risque, but I bet we'll see something much healthier.
Where to watch: Netflix
Style Me for Christmas (November 14)
Across the dance floor, a woman and a man mock each other.
A fashion designer (Raven-Symoné) whose business is barely afloat gets unexpected help from her new client, a famous R&B singer (played by singer Mario), who also happens to be a playboy.
Where to watch: BET+
Christmas with the Singhs (November 15)
A formally dressed couple stands talking.
Newly engaged Asha Singh (Anuja Joshi, "The Resident") and Jake O'Brien (Benjamin Hollingsworth, "Virgin River") are ready to spend Christmas together, but their relationship will be tested when cross-family cultures and holiday traditions clash.
Where to watch: Hallmark Channel
Christmas at Plum Hill Manor (November 16)
Maria Menounos takes a brief break from movie intros to play Margot Stone, who inherits an English manor with the stipulation that she must live there for a week. Oh no, how terrible! Will she develop a romance with the handsome son of the manor's caretaker? (She will.)
Where to watch: Lifetime
The Happy Gentleman (November 20)
A Broadway dancer (Britt Robertson) decides to organize a show to save her parents' performance venue in her hometown. Oh, and if you're looking for a little excitement in your eggnog, it's an all-male show starring Chad Michael Murray.
Where to watch: Netflix
A Wesley South African Christmas (November 21)
A family of six dressed in South African attire.
Following 2022's "A Wesley Family Christmas" (and its sequel, "A Wesley Family Christmas Wedding"), this film sees Todd (Terry Crews) heading to Durban for some holiday business, and of course, the whole family follows. Dorian Wilson and Jasmine Guy return, along with the rest of the Wesley family cast.
Where to watch: BET+
Three Wise Men and a Boy (November 23)
A sequel to "Three Wise Men and a Baby," this film follows the Brenner brothers (Paul Campbell, Taylor Heineke, and Andrew Walker) as they overcome family disputes and personal setbacks to care for baby Thomas five years ago. It was Hallmark's most-watched holiday movie in 2022, so this new film - about the brothers working together to save Thomas's school play - should do pretty well.
Where to watch: Hallmark Channel
Our Little Secret (November 27)
Following 2022's "Falling for Christmas," Lindsay Lohan returns to Netflix for her third film. In this one, she joins a cast of talented actors including Kristin Chenoweth, Ian Harding, Jon Rudnitsky, and Chris Parnell, telling the story of a pair of exes forced to spend Christmas together (her new boyfriend's sister is dating her ex, and neither wants anyone to know). Shenanigans are sure to follow.
Where to watch: Netflix
Christmas in the 90s (November 29)
A man and a woman dressed in winter attire gaze at each other in front of a holiday display.
Like most professional women in holiday movies, busy lawyer Lucy Miller (Eva Bourne) prepares to spend Christmas alone. Until a magical rideshare journey takes her back to 1999, where she gets to relive the holiday season with her mom, sister, best friend - and her high school crush.
Where to watch: Hallmark Channel
The Nutcracker (November 29)
A man talks to a child in a grocery store.
The cast is a highlight of this film, featuring Ben Stiller (alongside Linda Cardellini and Tim Heidecker) as a workaholic who suddenly finds himself caring for his mischievous nephews. David Gordon Green, known for "Halloween" and the "Exorcist" remake, directs.
Where to watch: Hulu
Make or Bake Christmas (December 1)
A woman holds up a cookie.
Vivica A. Fox and Jackée Harry (sold!) star in the story of Leslie (Fox), a lifestyle leader looking to expand her brand by acquiring a local bakery owned by Dennis Shugabeck (Harry). Leslie sends one of her employees, Emma (Jasmine Aivaliotis), to pose as a seasonal worker and convince Dennis to sell... but Emma soon finds herself drawn not only to the bakery's cozy holiday charm but also to the owner's son, David (Landon Moss).
Where to watch: Lifetime
A Cherry Lane Holiday Blessing (December 5)
Four adults and a child hug.
"Cherry Lane" and Hallmark bring you a festive blessing. The cleverly plotted 2023 film "A Cherry Lane Christmas" involves three slightly interconnected stories set in the same house across generations, with three sequels this season. The first follows the story of Mike and Chi-An (Jonathan Bennett and Vincent Rodriguez III) as they reprise their roles in the modern-day tale
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