Hallmark's 2018 Christmas Movie Lineup Is Here & 22 New Films Are Headed Our Way
'Tis the season to get excited, wrap ourselves in a fuzzy blanket, sip hot cocoa, and whisk away to a fictitious land -- full of snow, holiday cheer, a dreamy guy, and Christmas feels! (We can taste the sugar cookies.) Hallmark movies -- in particular, Christmas films -- are a seasonal staple we look forward to each and every year. There's something about a gal returning to her hometown and crossing paths with some long-lost lover who happens to be single -- or an executive, who happens to have Martha Stewart's decorating talents, swoop in and save Christmas, one twinkling light at a time. We look forward to these stories every Christmas season, which is why we're doing a "Joy to the World" happy dance about the new movies headed to television.
The Hallmark Channel released its "Countdown to Christmas" lineup for the season that just might tempt some folks to call in sick so they can get better acquainted with their DVRs. (Kidding, don't do that. Holiday toys are expensive AF enough without jeopardizing a steady paycheck.) There are 22 new original films that are headed our way, and we couldn't be filled more with each and every Christmas feel!
A number of Hallmark Channel vets (we see y'all, Danica McKellar, Candace Cameron Bure, and Lacey Chabert!) are returning to star in films, along with some pleasant surprises to shake things up -- and add a touch more diversity, too. (We have our DVRs set for the movie with Tatyana Ali and Patti LaBelle.) Everything looks so dreamy and magical and yummy as a few films seem to center around baked goods that only reiterate to us justification to hide boxes of Thin Mints underneath the bed.
So without further ado, here's the rundown of the Hallmark Channel's 2018 Countdown to Christmas.
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cgeQv5xd2g
'Christmas at Pemberley Manor'
Christmas at Pemberley Manor is the first movie in the Christmas lineup that premieres on Saturday, October 27. Jessica Lowndes stars as Elizabeth Bennett, an event planner from the Big Apple who heads to a small down to help with a holiday festival. She happens to come across William Darcy (Michael Rady), a billionaire she persuades to let her use his estate for said holiday festival.
And the rest is Christmas magic.
'Christmas Joy'
What does one get when a market researcher (Danielle Panabaker) is tasked with taking over her aunt's Cookie Crawl -- and meets a hospital administrator (Matt Long) who wants to help ... and happens to be single?
The Christmas Joy, that's what.
This holiday film is set to air Saturday, November 3.
'Road to Christmas'
One Tree Hill fans will likely love seeing Chad Michael Murray. (He is a hottie.) He'll be starring as Danny, the son of a former TV producer who has an unexpected (and unwanted) family reunion, thanks to Maggie (Jessy Schram) trying to work her holiday magic.
But if we know anything about Hallmark Christmas movies, we know Road to Christmas will end with cheer. (It simply has to.) Christmas enthusiasts can catch this one Sunday, November 4.
'It's Christmas, Eve'
Oh the joys of a school superintendent having to cut programs during the holiday season. LeAnn Rimes has some tough decisions to make in It's Christmas, Eve (spoiler alert: she plays Eve), but something tells us things will work themselves out that might have something to do with Liam (Tyler Hines), her neighbor and music teacher.
It's Christmas, Eve will air on Saturday, November 10.
'Mingle All the Way'
Professionals in the business game might be busy on the regular, but they need love, too -- and that's what Mingle All the Way is all about. App founder Molly (Jen Lilley) hopes to spread some holiday cheer in the romance department with her "new networking app." So when she gets paired up with someone she's already met (Brant Daugherty) -- that was a less than wonderful experience -- things get really interesting.
Mingle All the Way premieres on Sunday, November 18.
'Christmas at the Palace'
Christmas ... and a palace? Fans of all things royal just might get a kick out of Christmas at the Palace that premieres Wednesday, November 21. Not only does it include a king, but also a few double axels as the movie follows a professional ice skater (Merritt Patterson).
'Christmas at Grand Valley'
There's nothing that warms our hearts quite like the thought of a beautiful blended family. Danica McKellar and Brennan Elliott's paths cross in Christmas at Grand Valley that basically lets us know this movie is going to be set in a really dreamy location. Danica plays an artist looking for inspiration, and Brennan is a dad and businessman.
We're already in our feels!
Christmas at Grand Valley premiers Thursday, November 22.
'Christmas Everlasting'
Sadly, the loss of a loved one brings Lucy Toomey (Tatyana Ali) home in Christmas Everlasting, but there's promise of comfort in the form of former high school sweetheart. Aside from seeing Ashley Banks all grown up (shout-out to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air fans), Christmas Everlasting also stars Patti LaBell and Dennis Haysbert, making it a film we definitely need to see.
Christmas Everlasting makes its debut Saturday, November 24.
'A Shoe Addict's Christmas'
A guardian angel in the shoe department of a store? Talk about heaven on Earth! Candace Cameron Bure stars in A Shoe Addict's Christmas that basically is a dream come true for every woman who scurries to hide delivery boxes from her significant other. This movie debuts Sunday, November 25.
'Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa'
Leave it to Hallmark to harness the powers of designers in their films. Case in point: Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa has a retail designer (Jill Wagner) sprucing up an old general store for the holidays. And of course, every designer needs a good contractor (Mark Deklin) -- so we totally dig this.
Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa airs Saturday, December 1.
'Homegrown Christmas'
The holidays have been known to provide a bit of clarity and perspective in life, and if one happens to revisit high school, it might throw in an old flame. Lori Loughlin stars in Homegrown Christmas that's definitely all about new beginnings and revisiting old chapters to continue the story. This Hallmark movie premieres Saturday, December 8.
'Christmas Wonderland'
Anyone who thinks he or she is leaving the hometown without ever thinking they'll return has never watched a Hallmark movie. Christmas Wonderland is all about family, the holidays, and inspiration that paint a beautiful picture worth soaking in. This film makes it debut Sunday, December 9.
'A Gingerbread Christmas'
Anything involving Christmas and gingerbread is something we want to watch!
Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Duane Henry star in A Gingerbread Christmas, a film about creating a life-sized gingerbread house for a competition that's tasty and a bit romantic. This yummy Hallmark film premieres Saturday, December 15.
'Entertaining Christmas'
Candace Cameron Bure isn't the only Fuller House star starring in a Hallmark movie. Jodie Sweetin is the friend in our head who lets us know it's OK not to be awesome at Pinterest-y type crafts and baking holiday cookies. There are other ways to thrive at Entertainment Christmas, and this movie proves just that.
Entertaining Christmas premieres Sunday, December 16.
'Christmas Made to Order'
Christmas Made to Order will introduce us to yet another architect who enlists the expertise of Gretchen (Alexa PenaVega) who helps bring the holidays to life in his home. And given this is a Hallmark movie, something else (romance) will likely come to life, too. Christmas Made to Order premieres Sunday, December 23.
'When Calls the Heart Christmas'
Lori Loughlin is getting her coins up this holiday season starring in not one, but two Hallmark movies. When Calls the Heart Christmas looks to be a touching story about what happens when a community comes together to help stranded orphans. This heartwarming film will premiere on Christmas Day, December 25.
'Focus on Love'
Not to be outdone by his real-life wife, Alexa PenaVega, is Carlos PenaVega who stars in Focus on Love. He plays a college friend of a tech entrepreneur who helps an event planner bring a party to life. And obviously, some type of romance is involved.
Focus on Love rounds out the Hallmark Channel's 2018 "Countdown to Christmas" lineup and premieres Saturday, December 29.