One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is curl up and watch a great Christmas movie. There’s nothing better than relaxing and getting lost in a pretty holiday movie while having a cup of coffee, cocoa, or tea by your side and a small plate full of Christmas goodies.
If you’re looking for a movie that’s perfect for escapism, you’ll probably find some on this list. At my house, we are big fans of “The Great American Family” and “Hallmark,” and we watch them from October to January. Please stay warm and enjoy watching.
1. A Less Traveled Christmas (GAF) – This movie is about a local business owner who finds a cassette tape in his recently deceased father’s red truck. The tape instructs her to go on a holiday road trip, which follows her memory. On this journey, she meets a man who needs help and is willing to help.
2. Daisy’s Christmas Miracle (GAF) – This movie tells the story of an interior designer named Whitney who is excited to work on a project in her hometown. After designing Santa’s float, Whitney is offered the job of redesigning a historic home in time for Christmas Eve. However, the owner of the house is her ex-Connor, who has just moved here with his daughter in search of his mother. She thinks Whitney is the perfect candidate.
3. Christmas Prayer (GAF) – This film is about an illustrator who rediscovers his creativity and faith by secretly fulfilling a young girl’s prayer list. Unbeknownst to her, she answers her father’s prayers for love, healing, and hope.
4. Holly’s Christmas (Hallmark) – This movie is about three brothers who have to take care of their niece after their sister dies. Holly hasn’t spoken since her mother died, but with so much love and the magic of Christmas, they all learn the importance of family.
5. Season of Miracles (Hallmark Mystery) – This movie is about a woman whose sister is in prison and her niece and nephew are in danger of being placed in foster care. So she runs away with them and ends up in a small town full of love and Christmas magic.
6. A Dog Named Christmas (Hallmark Mystery) – This movie tells the story of a disabled man named Todd who convinces his family and community to adopt a dog from a shelter during the holiday season.
7. A Christmas Dream (Hallmark) – This Christmas is about a woman named Penny who hopes to never get married and be single again. When that wish comes true, she quickly realizes that being single isn’t such a great thing and longs to get back together with her husband and children.
8. How the Grinch Stole Christmas – This classic Dr. Seuss TV cartoon show is a must-see at Christmas time.
9. A Charlie Brown Christmas – Another classic that’s a staple every Christmas season.
10. Boyfriend from Christmas Past (Hallmark Mystery) – This movie tells the story of Lauren, a marketing executive, who has to confront her romantic past through a visit from an ex-boyfriend who helps her right a grave mistake she made and open her heart to love.
11. My Norwegian Holiday (Hallmark) – This movie tells the story of JJ, a woman grieving the death of her grandmother, who takes a vacation to Norway as an unexpected destination. I love the themes of love and family in this movie, and the scenery is also great.
12. Three Wise Men and a Baby (Hallmark) – This movie tells the story of baby Thomas. Thomas’ mother leaves him at the fire station with a note for firefighter Luke Brenner saying she will be back before Christmas. He and his brothers, Stephen and Taylor, end up caring for this baby while his mother stays at her aunt’s house for the holidays.
13. The Three Wise Men and the Boy (Hallmark) – This is the second movie in the Wise Men series, and the Brenner boys end up helping Thomas with his school’s Christmas presentation.
14. The Three Wise Men (Hallmark) – The Brenner brothers learn their mother is selling their childhood home, causing a lot of turmoil as they navigate personal challenges and family dynamics. This is the third movie in the Sage series.
15. Tucker’s Christmas (Hallmark Mystery) – After his father’s death, a boy moves in with his grandparents and learns to be a man while forming a special bond with a dog.
16. Debbie Macomber’s Dashing Through the Snow (Hallmark) – This movie is based on Debbie Macomber’s book of the same name. Ashley is stuck at the airport and accepts a ride from Dash. This leads to many adventures and a budding romance.
17. Trading Christmas (Hallmark) – This movie is about two brothers, Charles and Ray, and their two best friends, Faith and Hope. Hope and Charles end up swapping homes during the holidays. Charles wants some peace so he can finish his novel, and Hope wants a quiet vacation with her daughter. However, things don’t go as planned and both Hope and Charles end up learning more about themselves and falling in love. The film is also based on Debbie Macomber’s book of the same name.
18. Heaven Down Here (Hallmark) – Inspired by Mickey Guyton’s song of the same name, this movie tells the story of four strangers stranded in a diner during a snowstorm. They include a mother who lost two children, a local pastor, a widow’s boss, and a hospice nurse. Throughout the night, they bond, bicker, and become answers to each other’s prayers.
19. My Christmas Family Tree (Hallmark) – This movie is about a young woman who finds out who her biological father is through a DNA site. She meets him and ends up finding love while vacationing with him and his family.
20. The Twelfth Day of Christmas (Hallmark) – This story follows Maggie, who is excited when her college crush, Mitch O’Grady, moves to the small town of Harrison. Unfortunately for Maggie, Mitch has lost his holiday spirit. So she created a list of 12 tasks to revive the Christmas spirit in his heart.
21. Window Wonderland (Hallmark) – This movie follows two department store window decorators who compete for the chance to install a Christmas display in the front window of a famous department store. Their rivalry begins amicably, but soon blossoms into romance and the two begin to discover the true meaning of Christmas.
22. Five More Minutes (Hallmark) – Inspired by the Scotty McCreery song Five More Minutes, this movie follows Clera as she returns home to help her mother run her grandfather’s candy store. She hires a young man named Jay to help her during the busy holiday season. One day, while he is sorting things out behind the scenes, he finds an old diary that reveals a family secret. I love this movie’s themes of love, loss, and redemption. Grab a tissue. you will need them.
How to create the perfect movie-watching experience
● Gather your friends and family, including your furry friends.
● Cook and eat delicious appetizers like buffalo chicken with dipped chips, vegetable tray, or mozzarella sticks with pizza sauce.
● Fill it with a variety of drinks, including bottled water, iced tea, and soda.
●Please curl up with a warm blanket.
● During the movie, brew some coffee or make some cocoa and enjoy delicious desserts like cheesecake, pumpkin bars, cookies, tiramisu, and more.
Planning a movie night for yourself or with friends and family is a great way to spend this holiday season relaxing and bonding.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Evgenyatamanenko
Carrie Laurence is a freelance writer and author. Her work has been featured in Crosswalk, iBelieve, Huffington Post, and The Penny Hoarder. She is also the author of three children’s books, three pretty romance books, one romance novel, three poetry collections, and one nonfiction book. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and spending time with her husband and cute cat, Cupcake. For more information about Carrie and her writing, please visit www.carrielowrance.com.
