TV of Comfort & Joy

Hunker down for the best of Hallmark, Lifetime & Hulu's holiday movies

By Meg Weichman | Dec. 5, 2020

In a year when our holiday celebrations will look a little different, it’s extra comforting to be able to turn to some of our most beloved traditions. And one thing that remains a treasured constant is the onslaught of Christmas movies that flood our televisions the moment the Thanksgiving dishes are cleared. 

You can not only sit in your pajamas in the safety and comfort of your home while you enjoy 90+ new holiday movies this year (it really is a Christmas miracle that quarantine didn’t affect production schedules) but also step into a world untouched by the effects of COVID-19.

It’s a place where tree lightings, Christmas concerts, and gatherings continue without any masks or social distancing measures. Where two strangers with differing perspectives on the holidays can open their hearts and find unexpected romance. Where old flames can reconnect and fall in love, where big-city career women can slow down and enjoy a slower pace of life, where attractive young men may or may not be Santa, and where actresses you might remember from the '90s find new career relevance under the mistletoe.

As cheesy, predictable, and unrealistic as 2020’s new and old slate of holiday flicks might be, they all abide by a sincere belief that the true meaning of the Christmas season doesn’t come from the parties, toys, or treats, but something more, something a pandemic can never change. And it’s that earnest message that makes these films resonate all the more.

Here, our picks for the new must-see holiday movies — helpfully arranged by trope — to get you through this most un-traditional season.

MUSIC-MAKING MERRIMENT
Carols go hand in hand with Christmas cheer. But this year, in addition to some star-studded full-on musical extravaganzas, several films feature an emphasis on classical music musicians.

·  Spend Christmas in Vienna with a driven classical cellist who unexpectedly finds herself nannying for a handsome widowed American diplomat at Christmastime. As she teaches the kids music and grows closer to their father, she reignites her passion for the cello and uncovers the true meaning of Christmas. Now Playing on Hallmark.

·   It’s a Chateau Christmas when a world-famous, exceptionally driven classical pianist returns to celebrate the holidays in a charming small town with her family. There she is convinced to help with the hotel’s annual Christmas concert by her handsome old flame (a classical cellist). As they work together to put on the show, feelings reignite while they show each other the true meaning of Christmas. Now playing on Hallmark. 

·      In addition to helping gifting us a COVID-19 vaccine, Dolly Parton gives us Christmas on the Square, a new holiday musical with 14 new songs penned by the icon herself. Christine Baranski, Treat Williams, Jenifer Lewis, and Parton all star in this heartfelt Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life mashup about the true meaning of Christmas. Now Streaming on Netflix.  

ROYAL RESOLUTIONS 
Royalty-related plots remain a rich realm for heightening Christmas fantasy.

· Featuring two major Broadway stars, including a 2020 Tony winner, One Royal Holiday follows a woman on the way home to her charming small town who offers a stranded mother and her handsome son a place to stay amidst a blizzard, only to find out they are the Royal Family of Galwick! As she introduces them to an old-fashioned American Christmas, she just might find romance with the persnickety prince and show him the true meaning of Christmas. Now Playing on Hallmark.

·  In this sequel, Vanessa Hudgens reprises her dual roles as the princess of Belgravia and her American look-a-like for The Princess Switch: Switched Again. This time around, not only are they switching places, but Hudgens also adds a villainous third role who is in desperate need of being shown the true meaning of Christmas. Now Streaming on Netflix.

·  In one of multiple films this year where carousels play a prominent part, A Christmas Carousel features a driven antique restorationist who is hired by the Royal Family of Ancadia to repair a carousel. There she must work closely with the handsome prince to not only complete the project but also realize the true meaning of Christmas. Premieres Dec. 19 on Hallmark. 

MILITARY MIRACLES
While thanking and supporting our troops has always been an important part of the holiday TV movie season, this year in addition to films set within the armed forces, an incredible amount of your standard Christmas romances also feature military-related subplots.

· Based on the Department of Defense’s longest-running humanitarian mission, Operation Christmas Drop follows a driven congressional aide assigned to write an investigative report on a Guam Air Force, only to be charmed by a handsome Captain who sets out to change her mind about the importance of the facility and show her the true meaning of Christmas. Now Streaming on Netflix.

· In USS Christmas, a driven reporter embarks on a Christmastime “Tiger Cruise” where she not only meets a handsome naval office but also stumbles upon a mystery deep in the ship’s archives that could reveal the true meaning of Christmas. Now Playing on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

· The Christmas Doctor stars Holly Robinson Peete as a no-nonsense traveling doctor assigned to a charming small-town clinic over Christmas. There she not only meets a handsome single dad but also begins to finally feel at home as she reflects back on her time serving in Afghanistan and discovers the true meaning of Christmas. Now Playing on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

A DECEMBER OF DIVERSITY
Not only are there more and more films featuring African-American leads (especially from slow-to-diversify Hallmark), we are also seeing a broader representation of races and religions (A Sugar & Spice Holiday, on Lifetime Dec. 13, is the first holiday movie centered on an Asian-American family; and Hanukkah steps into the spotlight with Love, Lights, Hanukkah, starring Ben Savage and Marilu Henner on Hallmark Dec. 12). But this year’s major breakthrough in holiday movie representation comes from the LGBTQ community and we love to see it!

· The first Hallmark movie to feature an LGBTQ storyline, The Christmas House breaks ground with its story of a handsome couple, home in their charming small town for Christmas, anxiously awaiting news as to whether the adoption of their first child will go through. Starring Sharon Lawrence and Treat Williams, the film also focuses on a family coming together for what might be their last holiday at home and in the process remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Now Playing on Hallmark.

· Lifetime’s first-ever LGBTQ holiday movie, The Christmas Setup, puts a gay romance at the center of the plot. The iconic Fran Drescher plays matchmaker to her driven lawyer son who has returned home to their charming small town for the holidays. She sets him up with his handsome secret crush from high school, and as they enjoy the holiday festivities together they just might find love and the true meaning of Christmas. Premieres Dec. 12 on Lifetime.

· The prestige offering in this year’s holiday movie lineup comes from director Clea Duvall and tells the story of a woman who plans to propose to her girlfriend at her family’s annual Christmas soiree only to discover that her girlfriend has yet to come out to her conservative family. Starring Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie, Victor Garber, Mary Steenburgen, and Dan Levy, Happiest Season is a star-studded reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Now Playing on Hulu.

SMALL BUSINESSES IN JEOPARDY
In perhaps the only sign of timeliness in these year’s films is the all-too-relatable struggles of small business and community assets in danger of closing. A great reminder to BUY LOCAL this season!

· Hallmark icon Alicia Witt stars in Christmas Tree Lane playing the owner of an old family-run music store who rallies her fellow merchants to save the downtown shopping district from evil developers with a special Christmas concert. But when it’s revealed the handsome man she’s been falling for works for said developer, the two of them will have to work together to find the true meaning of Christmas. Now Playing on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

·  A Hallmark movie that’s also written by its stars, Christmas by Starlight follows a driven lawyer who returns to her charming small town in order to save her family’s restaurant from an evil developer. Enter the developer’s handsome son, who agrees to help her cause in return for a favor, a favor that leads to love and uncovering the true meaning of Christmas. Now Playing on Hallmark.

·  Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey features showstopping choreography, songs by John Legend, incredible design, and a star-studded cast (Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Anika Noni Rose, and more) to tell the story of a once-joyful toymaker who is on the brink of losing his shop Jangles and Things. But an unexpected visit from the adorable granddaughter he’s never met might just be the ticket to not only saving the shop but also remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Now Streaming on Netflix.

JOYFUL JOURNALISTS
Something must’ve been in the water back in 2018-2019, resulting in this year’s movies featuring a heavy presence of journalists, bloggers, podcasters, writers, TV producers, etc. (We’ve counted no less than 15!) all in search of compelling Christmas stories where said search will also lead to love!

·  In Dear Christmas, Melissa Joan Hart plays a driven podcaster who specializes in sharing true stories of holiday love. But when this so-called love expert finds comes home to visit family in her charming small town for Christmas, while looking for a story, she may find a story of her own as sparks fly with a firefighter (Jason Priestly) who shows her the true meaning of Christmas. Now Playing on Lifetime.

· Good Morning Christmas! features two professional rivals, one a jolly journalist, the other a handsome grinch of a broadcaster, who co-host a hit morning TV show and find themselves reporting on location in a charming small town the week before Christmas. And as they jockey for stories, the spirit of the season may reveal new sides to each other as together they experience the true meaning of Christmas. Now Playing on Hallmark.

· After finding a lost charm bracelet, a driven jewelry designer teams up with an investigative reporter in A Little Christmas Charm. Their mission? Find the owner and return the bracelet by Christmas Eve, all while making time for romance and the true meaning of Christmas. Premieres Dec. 6 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. 

MAGICAL MEMORIES
What’s Christmas without some (literal) magic? Stories of magical happenstance — including time travel, angels, and Santa himself — are always crowdpleasers.

· In A Timeless Christmas, a driven academic working in her charming small town’s historic museum is surprised when the mansion’s handsome former owner travels from 1903 to 2020 and joins her on a holiday tour. It then falls on her to not only teach him all about the 21st Century, but also the true meaning of Christmas. Now Playing on Hallmark.

· Tamra Mowry stars as a driven astrophysicist who returns to her charming small town for the holidays in Christmas Comes Twice. After taking a spin on a carousel at the annual Christmas carnival, she finds herself transported back five years in time and with a chance to change the course of her life, a course that may involve finding love with her handsome “frenemy” and discovering the true meaning of Christmas. Premieres Dec. 13 on Hallmark.

· The made-for-TV Christmas movie event of the season is this sequel from Chris Columbus (director of an ultimate Christmas classic, Home Alone), The Christmas Chronicles 2. Kurt Russell returns as Santa Claus in this exciting family adventure, and this time he's joined by Mrs. Claus — played by none other than Russell's real-life longtime partner Goldie Hawn. Together they will teach a naughty elf and runaway teen the true meaning of Christmas. Now Streaming on Netflix.