There’s nothing more heartwarming than a Hallmark Christmas movie. The music is merry with a perfect touch of jolly, the sets display scenery of a snowy white backdrop and twinkle lights in greenery, and the story line is predictable in that they will always end happily with a perfect Christmas conclusion. Most importantly, my granny always loved them, and that makes me love them even more.
About this time last year, I wrote “12 Hallmark Movies You Need to Watch This Holiday Season” for Thought Catalog. I’ve seen a crazy amount of these movies, and I’ve (easily) got another 12 I’d recommend catching this year. But instead of focusing on a general summary, I’m also giving my favorite part of the movie. And if you click any of the titles below, they link out to Hallmark’s page so you can see the times they’re showing!
Here are the best parts of these Hallmark Christmas movies:
A Christmas Detour (2015)
Paige wants to get to New York City to meet her fiance’s parents, but she ends up getting stuck in Buffalo. While stranded, she just keeps running into Dylan, a stranger who is a little anti, well, anything Christmas-y. Turns out, he’s the one who helps make Paige’s Christmas travel wishes come true. And thank goodness he does; otherwise, we wouldn’t get to the best part of this movie.
The best part? Paige’s fiance’s parents. They are awful, and it’s hysterical how boring and stiff they are!
A Cookie Cutter Christmas (2014)
Christie gets herself into a cookie baking contest, and she’s pitted against Penny, who has been her archrival since elementary school. Enter Lily and her single dad, James. Lily is enrolled in Christie’s class, so Christie has an advantage to getting to know Jame. But Penny is super annoying about the whole thing and shows up at some really inopportune times for Christie.
The best part? Basically the entire movie centers around a school, which is fun for me since I’ll forever be a teacher at heart.
Christmas at Graceland (2018)
Laurel’s from Chicago heads to Memphis to see about a bank that’s been in the family for quite some time. She runs into Clay, a guy she dated in the past who has now become a musician. They both have music in their past, and Clay does his best to remind Laurel (Kellie Pickler) of their shared love (pun intended).
The best part? The movie takes place in Memphis!
Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe (2018)
For all the English academics who are probably against Hallmark putting any kind of spin on Jane Austen’s brilliant novels, I’d suggest keeping in mind that while Austen’s narratives are truly unparalleled, the endings to her works are always Hallmark-esk. In this one, Darcy bumps into Luke in her hometown when she returns to visit for Christmas. They both come to find what’s most important at Christmas and in life.
The best part? The girl is named Darcy, and she’s the one who has a successful career
Christmas at Pemberley Manor (2018)
Hallmark clearly got into Austen’s Pride and Prejudice this year, and I don’t hate it. Elizabeth is in charge of a small town Christmas festival, and she’s forced to work with Darcy, who isn’t as keen on Christmas. He starts to come around, but not without some bumps along the way.
The best part? This story took a lot of bits and pieces from Jane Austen’s Pemberley Manor
Christmas Festival of Ice (2017)
Emma tries to save her home town’s ice sculpting contest, and then an artist named Nick steps in to help Emma try to win.
The best part? Emma doesn’t give up on a tradition that’s near and dear to her heart. Plus, she has quite the competitive spirit, and I love a good competition
Rocky Mountain Christmas (2017)
Sarah, a hardworking and successful New Yorker, returns to her uncle’s ranch for the first time since her aunt passed away. Along comes Graham, a hotshot Hollywood celebrity who seems entitled but turns out to have a big heart.
The best part? The scenery! It was filmed in Vancouver and British Columbia, and wow are the shots gorgeous
Christmas Next Door (2017)
Eric writes books for bachelors. April loves Christmas. They live next door to each other, but they become more than neighbors passing in their driveways this Christmas season.
The best part? Eric’s a bachelor but he’s not a sleazeball. Funny, I know. But I just think it’s refreshing. 🙂
My Christmas Dream (2016)
Christina manages McDougal’s, a huge department store, and desperately wants to become the manager for the Paris store. But before that happens, she gets to know one of the store’s employees—who was recently axed from his job.
The best part? This movie gives you some nostalgic feelings of the days of big department stores being the end all be all of shopping.
Road to Christmas (2018)
Maggie’s a producer for Julia Wise Lifestyle, a television Christmas special. She gets tasked with working with Julia’s son for this year’s special, but in the process of, she also gets involved with his family.
The best part? Chad Michael Murray. He plays the son! And he’s just as great as he was in One Tree Hill
The Sweetest Christmas (2017)
Kylie becomes a finalist in a big time gingerbread contest, but, of course, her oven breaks. (Isn’t this a bit of real life?) Well, the girl needs an oven. And what a coincidence! Her old boyfriend runs a pizzeria with—yes, that’s right—ovens perfect for Kyle to make her gingerbread house!
The best part? Kylie doesn’t get fooled by her ex-boyfriend’s professions of love. She knows who she really wants to be with. 😉
It’s Christmas, Eve (2018)
Country music stars really got involved in this year’s Hallmark movies. LeAnn Rimes plays Eve, a lady who (shockingly) gave up her music long ago to become an interim superintendent for schools across the country. What begins as an effort to cut the arts program in the school system becomes a race to save it.
The best part? LeAnn Rimes sings. And y’all, she’s still got it.
Well there they are! Happy Hallmarking!