My Top 25 Hallmark Christmas Movies (2020-2025)
A Cozy List for Moms Who Love Wholesome, Heartfelt Stories
There’s just something special about Hallmark Christmas movies during the Christmas season. They’re cozy and predictable in the best way, and full of the kind of wholesome stories that make you exhale and settle right into the moment.
When the world feels loud, crazy, and complicated, Hallmark feels like a soft blanket, a cup of cocoa, and a reminder that hope and love always win.
Every year, around the beginning of October (sorry, not sorry, for all of you who think that is way too early), my Hallmark Christmas season begins in our home. It’s my way of preparing my heart for the upcoming Christmas season (in a good way) and a reminder that goodwill and good people ARE all around us.
As October fades and the air turns crisp, the days grow shorter, and I find myself craving a blanket, a mug of hot chocolate, and a good Hallmark movie. By the time December arrives, you’ll find one playing while I decorate the tree, wrap gifts, bake cookies, or move through all my favorite Christmas rhythms.
The glow of the lights, the soft music in the background, and a feel-good story—it all works together to bring a sense of joy and peace to the season. If I’m being totally honest with you, I can get caught up in my Hallmark world for a few weeks, and it’s all I want to watch.
If you’re reading this, I have a feeling you get it. Whenever I mention Hallmark movies on Instagram, my DMs fill with moms who love them just as much. Consider this post a little love note to all my fellow Hallmark fans.
If you’re looking for a new Christmas watchlist, here are my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies from 2020 through 2025.
Why Hallmark Christmas Movies Feel So Good
Before I jump into the list, let me share why Hallmark Christmas movies hold such a special place in my Christmas heart:
1. Wholesome Entertainment You Can Count On
In a world where so much content feels heavy or unpredictable, Hallmark keeps things sweet, clean, and family-friendly. I can fold laundry, decorate cookies, or even have my grandkids playing nearby without worrying about what’s coming next.
2. Happy Endings Are Good for the Heart
There’s comfort in knowing the story will end well.
The couple will figure it out.
The misunderstanding will be cleared up.
The town will be saved.
Christmas magic will show up.
Sometimes moms just need a guaranteed happy ending—no emotional rollercoaster required. I’m one of those moms. Are you with me?
3. They Bring Joy to the Season
Hallmark knows how to create that warm, twinkly Christmas feeling.
Small towns. Snowy sidewalks. Nostalgia. Romance. Kindness.
The movies feel like a holiday hug.
4. They Pair Perfectly With Christmas Activities
If you pop over to my house during December, there’s a good chance you’ll find me making Christmas cookies, addressing Christmas cards, or wrapping presents by the light of a Hallmark movie on in the background. I guess you could say it’s a part of my Christmas traditions 😘
Speaking of Christmas traditions, if you are looking for some good tradition ideas, check out my post 32 Family Christmas Tradition Ideas: Make Memories
My Favorite Hallmark Christmas Movies (2020–2025)
Here are my most-loved Hallmark Christmas movies from each year, along with a little note about why I adore them.
⭐ 2025 Favorites
Since we are only partway through 2025, I didn’t have too many to choose from, but these three are my faves so far!!
1. Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper
I can’t say enough about this movie!! It was a great way for Hallmark to kick off their 2025 Christmas season. It’s funny, uplifting, sweet, and realistic, and I couldn’t love it more. It’s the epitome of the quintessential Hallmark movie with a modern touch on self-awareness. My favorite one of 2025 so far!!
2. A Newport Christmas
I adore the timeless charm of this movie and the sense of being transported to another era. Ella, a socialite from her own time, unexpectedly lands in the future, where she uncovers pieces of her past and the difference she’s made in the lives around her.
The actress who plays Ella, Ginna Claire Mason, is one of my Hallmark faves, and she does not disappoint in this movie. She’s witty and adorable, and her acting is believable…my favorite kind of Hallmark character. Wes Brown plays Nick, a man who befriends her in 2025 and helps her find her way back to 1905.
3. Christmas Above the Clouds
This is a modern-day Scrooge remake with a woman instead of a man. The actor, When Calls the Heart’s Erin Krakow, is so cute in this movie. And her counterpart, Tyler Hynes (also a favorite), is matched perfectly in this fun and sweet movie.
⭐ 2024 Favorites
4. Following Yonder Star
A beautiful story with depth and meaning—one of those films that stays with you long after the credits roll. I love the main actress in this movie. I originally fell in love with her when she played Paige on the show Royal Pains. Her name is Brooke D’Orsay. She is always sweet and kind and good; all that I love in a main character. Her counterpart in the movie perfectly matches her. This is on my top 5 list!
5. A Carol for Two
Whimsical, touching, and the perfect blend of friendship and romance. If you like music in your Hallmark movie, you’ll love this. The duet at the end melts my heart every time. I may have watched it like 10 times…😜🎄
6. All I Need for Christmas
A simple, sweet story that reminds you what really matters during the holidays…family. This one also has music as the main character is a singer-songwriter. I love any movie that brings me good music!
7. ’Twas the Date Before Christmas
Fun, charming, and just the right amount of Christmas traditions, family, and a love that blossoms from a chance meeting…typical Hallmark MO. ❤️ Robert Buckley stars in this one. I adore him in everything he does! He’s very lovable and a sweet soul of a leading man.
8. Santa, Tell Me
Lighthearted and joyful—exactly what I want from a Hallmark Christmas movie night. Oh, and a little DIY and home decor added in always gets my attention.
⭐ 2023 Favorites-(this was a good year for Hallmark Christmas movies)
9. The Secret Gift of Christmas
This one makes me smile thinking about it. First of all, I LOVE the style of the main character. Her outfits scream Christmas, and I wish I had enough courage (and places to go) to wear every single one of her outfits. The joy she finds in shopping for others is inspirational and puts on display the joy of giving. This one is sweet, and you will find yourself with a smile on your face through most of the movie. I know I did 😊
10. A Biltmore Christmas
Gorgeous scenery, timeless romance, and all the elegance of the Biltmore Estate. Loved this one! The period costumes were adorable, and I enjoyed every single minute of this movie. I’ve watched it multiple times, and I could watch it again today! It’s a classic love story, and it melts me.
11. Holiday Road
Adventure, adorable characters, and the sweetest Christmas spirit. All about how a group of strangers become friends who become like family and help each other out. This one surprised me. I thought it was going to be one of those “bad” Hallmark movies, but I ended up loving it in the end. My advice, try it, I think you’ll like it!
12. To All a Good Night
This movie stars two of my faves: Kimberley Sustad and Mark Ghanime. Mark is a character in Virgin River on Netflix. The acting is good in this movie, which I’m sorry to say (gotta be real) is not always true of every Hallmark movie. Soft, reflective, and heartwarming—perfect for a quiet evening.
13. Holiday Hotline
Cute, fun, and heartwarming. A feel-good winner. Love the chemistry between these two actors.
14. Norwegian Holiday
A fun Christmas movie with Norwegian cultural charm.
15. Navigating Christmas
A beautiful reminder that the holidays can be healing. A mom and son go on a last-minute getaway that turns into an opportunity to rebuild their relationship. And Christmas Island is the perfect place for Mom to find love, some new priorities, and a new home.
16. Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas
Just because I think this story is sweet and I think you’ll like it, I’ve added it to my top 25. Love the main actor in this one.
17. My Christmas Guide
Such a heartfelt story—it definitely tugged at my heart. A sweet, emotional story of a blind man who is finding his way in the world as he navigates blindness and being a father. His daughter encourages him to consider a seeing-eye dog, which eventually leads him to freedom and love.
18. Christmas in Notting Hill
A romantic, London-based Christmas story about a famous soccer player? Yes please. This has a real movie quality to it. We are a soccer family, so any Christmas Hallmark movie that revolves around soccer has my attention.
⭐ 2022 Favorites
19. Noel Next Door
A sweet reminder not to judge a book by its cover—warm and uplifting. This story warms my heart. A man with a disability and a woman with a big heart.
20. A Holiday Spectacular
Vintage glamour, dancing, and a storyline I absolutely fell in love with. I’m a sucker for period pieces, and this one did not disappoint. It’s a nod to the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular show in NYC, which I’ve seen three times, and I love it every time. This actor is in three of the movies in my Top 25. She’s a fave of mine for sure.
21. When I Think of Christmas
Just a sweet story with two good actors and a little bit of music 🎼
⭐ 2021 Favorites
22. An Unexpected Christmas
Cute, clever, and full of Hallmark charm. This is funny, fun, romantic, and sweet. Family time, traditions, and love make this one “unexpected”.
23. A Dickens of a Holiday
A fresh twist on classic Dickens themes with heartfelt moments. Paige, from Royal Pains, actor Brooke D’Orsay, makes another appearance in a Christmas Hallmark movie and does not disappoint. Love her and the lead actor, Kristoffer Polaha.
⭐ 2020 Favorites
24. Good Morning, Christmas!
A cheerful and uplifting story—the perfect “first cup of cocoa” movie of the season. I have to say, I love both of these actors. Alison Sweeney and Marc Blucas are magic together. If you haven’t seen The Irresistible Blueberry Farm, run, don’t walk to watch it. It is a must-see and one of my all-time favorite Hallmark movies.
25. A Christmas Waltz
Another of my all-time favorites! Beautiful, romantic, and filled with the magic of music and dance. This one you will find on Netflix, too!
✨ Final Thoughts
Over the six years from 2020 to 2025, Hallmark released 225 Christmas movies (and 2025 isn’t even finished yet!). Isn’t that wild? I could hardly believe it when I counted them. I definitely haven’t watched every single one, but I’ve seen a lot—and many of my favorites from this list more than once.
Christmas moves quickly, but Hallmark movies remind us to slow down and savor the sweetness of the season. They add warmth to our hearts, joy to everyday tasks, and a little sparkle to the ordinary moments in my day. They remind us of the good in the world and the good in the ordinary, everyday people, like you and me, who love their family, love their friends, and love Christmas.
Whether I’m decorating the tree, wrapping gifts, or sipping a cup of hot chocolate after a long day, Hallmark brings a sense of comfort that feels like home and gets me in the Christmas mood. Now that you have this list, there is no need to waste time searching for a good Christmas movie to watch this season. Grab my list in PDF form {HERE}.
Now, it’s time to grab a hot chocolate, a cozy blanket, a fellow Hallmark fan, and let your heart settle into a story you know will end well. 💛 If you aren’t sure where to start, here are my top ten below!
