Christmas is coming early this year. Well, sort of. Hallmark has released its official “Countdown to Christmas” movie schedule and there’s a lot of good holiday cheer to go around.
Crown Media Family Networks dropped the first half of its TV movie schedule on Wednesday. 2021’s holiday season will be stocked with 41 new titles across the Hallmark Channel, sister network Hallmark Movies Mysteries and the streaming platform Hallmark Movies Now.
This year’s X-mas slate of feel-good flicks includes sequels to several much-beloved Hallmark movies. Last year’s LGBTQ rom-com “The Christmas House” and 2014’s “The Nine Lives of Christmas will be coming back to the small screen the year.
The first few titles released will cover premiere dates from Oct. 22 until Nov. 7. But don’t cry, Hallmark lovers. More films will be released very soon!
Here is the list of first films, as well as when and where to view them:
Hallmark Channel:
Note: All films will premiere at 8 p.m. ET on their respective dates unless stated otherwise.
“You, Me The Christmas Trees” — Premieres Oct. 22
Olivia (Danica McKellar) is Connecticut’s resident expert on evergreens who, just days before the holiday, agrees to help Jack (Benjamin Ayres), a fourth-generation Christmas tree farmer in Avon. A mysterious illness has befallen their firs, causing them to die out and threatening his family’s 100-year business. As Olivia tries to get to the root of the problem and extends her stay in town, she and Jack spend more time together and feelings begin to develop.
“Boyfriends of Christmas Past” — Premieres Oct. 23
Leading up to Christmas, marketing executive, Lauren (Catherine Haena Kim), is visited by the ghosts of four ex-boyfriends. She must learn to open her heart or risk losing her best friend.
“The Santa Stakeout” — Premieres Oct. 24
Tanya (Tamera Mowry-Housley) is a police detective who is reluctantly partnered with fellow detective Ryan (Paul Campbell) to solve a recent string of heists taking place during high-profile holiday parties around town. They go undercover as newlyweds Tasha and Rupert, moving into the vacant house next to Mr. Miller, the jovial chair of the community’s Christmas committee…and the prime suspect in the case. As Tanya and Ryan partake in the neighborhood’s holiday happenings to keep up appearances and crack the case, they get swept up in Christmas. Before they know it, their cover story as a couple in love starts to become reality.
“Christmas in Harmony” — Premieres Oct. 29
Harmony (Ashleigh Murray) is tricked into auditioning for the Holiday Chorus — directed by an ex-boyfriend. By Christmas Eve, they could be harmonizing in the key of love.
“Coyote Creek Christmas” — Premieres Oct. 30
A “Christmas Around the World” party helps two people find love at home.
“Christmas Sail” — Premieres Oct. 31
When Liz (Katee Sackhoff) returns home to take care of her estranged father, she is determined to give her daughter a perfect Christmas and reconnects with her best friend.
“Open by Christmas” — Premieres Nov. 5
When Nicky finds an unopened Christmas card from a high school secret admirer, she and her best friend Simone search to find and thank the anonymous author.
“Next Stop, Christmas” — Premieres Nov. 6
Angie (Lyndsy Fonseca) wonders what her life would be like if she had married a former boyfriend who became a famous sportscaster. She takes the train home to spend Christmas with her family and inexplicably finds herself 10 years in the past. With the advice of the train’s enigmatic conductor, Angie has the chance to revisit that Christmas and learn what – and who – is truly important to her.
“A Christmas Treasure” — Premieres Nov. 7
After opening a 100-year-old time capsule and meeting a charming chef, Lou (Jordin Sparks) questions whether or not she should move to New York after Christmas and further her writing career.
“Christmas at Castle Hart” – Premiere date TBA
Brooke Bennett (Lacey Chabert) goes to Ireland for Christmas to search for her Irish roots and meets Aiden Hart, Earl of Glaslough. Mistaken for an elite event planner, she’s hired to host his castle’s epic Christmas party.
“The Christmas Contest” – Premiere date TBA
Exes Lara (Candace Cameron Bure) and Ben compete in a Christmas contest to win money for the charity of their choosing. The city watches them battle and chooses what is more important, victory or love.
“The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls” – Premiere date TBA
The Mitchell brothers compete to see who can create the best Christmas House.
“The Nine Kittens of Christmas” – Premiere date TBA
Cat lovers Zachary (Brandon Routh) and Marilee (Kimberley Sustad) are thrown back together at Christmas when they’re tasked with finding homes for a litter of adorable kittens.
Sister Swap Movies– Premiere dates TBA
“Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday” “Sister Swap: Christmas in the City”
In these interconnected movies, Jennifer and Meg Swift are sisters who couldn’t be closer despite living hours apart. Jennifer is in Salt Lake City, running a successful restaurant she started with her late husband and raising her teenage son Simon. Meg stayed in their hometown of Hazelwood, helping their parents run the local bakery. This Christmas is the family’s first since the passing of Uncle Dave who owned the town’s beloved theater, The Madison, where many memories were made over the years. When Jennifer and Simon return home for the holiday, they become wistful for one more Christmas at The Madison, despite that it’s for sale and in need of repairs. Meanwhile, Meg is helping Jennifer’s restaurant staff in Salt Lake prepare for a Christmas competition among local restaurants with the winner earning money for the charity of its choice. With the sisters switching cities leading up to the holiday, they find a new sense of purpose and discover what they both truly need in life and in love.
Hallmark Movies and Mysteries:
Note: All films will premiere at 10 p.m. ET on their respective dates unless stated otherwise.
“Christmas In My Heart” — Premieres Oct. 23
Concert violinist Beth (Heather Hemmens) tutors the daughter of reclusive Country music star Sean to prep her for the holiday concert. They are joined through the connective power of music.
“The Christmas Promise” — Premieres Oct. 30
Nicole (Torrey DeVitto) learns to deal with grief, with the help of her grandfather and a carpenter she hires to renovate the home that was once meant for her and her fiancé.
“Debbie Macomber’s A Mrs. Miracle Christmas” — Premieres Nov. 6
When a family faces loneliness and loss of faith, Mrs. Miracle swoops in to renew their Christmas Spirit, and they experience a holiday of heavenly proportions.
“The Christmas Bond” – Premiere date TBA
As a single mom (Holly Robinson Peete) and her teenaged son with autism come to a crossroads during Christmas, she must learn to let go so he can flourish as she finds her own heart healing in unexpected ways.
Hallmark Movies Now
“Every Time a Bell Rings” – Premiere date TBA
Three sisters reunite in their hometown of Natchez, MS at Christmas after a long time apart. They’re surprised to discover their late father had planned one last scavenger hunt for them to find the family’s wooden wishing bell, a beloved, annual holiday tradition when they were young. As they search for clues in the days leading up to Christmas, the trio visits local childhood haunts around Natchez that hold special meaning for them. In the process, their sisterly bond is rekindled and each learns an important lesson about what they want in life and in love.
