If You Watch One Holiday Movie This Weekend: Hallmark Channel’s A Biltmore Christmas Is Our Pick
With Hallmark Channel’s annual Countdown to Christmas and Lifetime’s It’s a Wonderful Lifetime now in full swing, and Great American Family and other networks loading their sleighs, we’re here to help you choose between the season’s many offerings. Each week, we’ll spotlight the movie that should be at the top of your weekend list and preview why other debuts will make you merry.
THE ONE TO WATCH
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A Biltmore Christmas
(Premieres Sunday, Nov. 26 at 8 pm on Hallmark Channel)
Consider this a new Hallmark classic. Bethany Joy Lenz stars as screenwriter Lucy Hardgrove, who’s penning the remake of a fictional 1940s holiday favorite called His Merry Wife! that tells the tale of aspiring angel Charlie ultimately choosing to sacrifice his wings to help reunite his widow, Rebecca, with her new love. After Lucy changes Rebecca’s happy ending to something more “modern and real,” the studio head sends her to Asheville’s historic Biltmore Estate, where the original movie was shot and costumes and props are currently on display, to find inspiration for a rewrite. What Lucy discovers is an hourglass that transports her back to the film’s 1947 set. Once she hears from Jimmy Stewart-esque star Jack Huston (Kristoffer Polaha) that the final scene in his script isn’t the one audiences know, she’s determined to find out when and why it was reworked.
Today, as most TV movies reveal their ending in their 30-second trailer, it’s refreshing to say we won’t spoil how this clever story — with nods to the Golden Age of Hollywood and 1980’s Somewhere in Time — unfolds. The visuals are lush, and the casting is spot-on. Lenz’s Lucy is smart, savvy, and believably full of gumption. Polaha’s laidback charm and banter prowess make for a dashing and immediately likable Jack. And Colton Little and Annabelle Borke are picture-perfect as Jack’s co-stars, manipulative matinee idol Claude Lancaster and enigmatic beauty Ava Hayward. It’s the kind of ambitious production we’d like to see more of (perhaps, one day, with the budget to be a holiday movie musical!).
Runner-Up: Catch Me If You Claus
We look forward to any Luke Macfarlane Hallmark movie. In our runner-up pick, Catch Me If You Claus (premieres Thursday, Nov. 23 at 8 pm on Hallmark Channel), he’s Chris, the son of Santa, whose inaugural holiday in the sleigh goes awry when aspiring anchorwoman Avery (Italia Ricci) catches him in her living room on Christmas Eve and assumes he’s the Santa Crook who’s been on a home invasion spree (yes, that’s a similar set-up to Disney+’s Dashing Through the Snow). Avery wants to break news of the thief’s capture on-air in the morning; Chris wants freed to resume his route. But soon enough, they’re both on the run and tangled up in a sinister scheme that Avery needs to expose to clear her name. The chase leads them to unexpected places — and to a fake kiss that may actually be the steamiest makeout session in Countdown to Christmas history.
The Best of the Rest…
Holiday Road (Premieres Friday, Nov. 24 at 8 pm on Hallmark Channel)
Inspired by true events, this film will prep you for making the most of holiday airport meltdowns. Adventurous travel writer Dana (Sara Canning) and analytical app developer Clay (Warren Christie) pile into the last rental van with seven other stranded passengers for a road trip from Portland, Oregon to Denver. As the group slowly bonds, and we learn why each of them is making the trip, there’s ample opportunity to shed a range of tears.
Genie (Streaming now on Peacock)
You may forget that this comedy, from Love Actually scribe Richard Curtis, is set during the holidays, but it has a warm and fuzzy ending that fits the season. Magical genie Flora (Melissa McCarthy, reveling in another costume parade) sets out to help workaholic Bernard (Paapa Essiedu) win back his wife (Denée Benton) and daughter (Jordyn McIntosh). The film is at its funniest when Flora is adapting to modern life and reminiscing about her past, not when it goes off the rails with a twist involving the Mona Lisa.
The Naughty Nine (Premieres Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 8 pm on Disney Channel and streaming Thursday, Nov. 23 on Disney+)
Think Ocean’s Eleven for the tween set. After getting stiffed by Santa (Danny Glover), Andy (a wonderful Winslow Fegley) and his bff, Dulce (Camila Rodriguez), recruit other Naughty List kids for a North Pole heist to retrieve their presents from Santa’s Workshop. Master of disguise Jon Anthony (Deric McCabe) is a scene-stealer, while gymnast Laurel (Madilyn Kellam) has a dangerous job we do not envy.
Christmas in Notting Hill (Premieres Saturday, Nov. 25 at 6 pm on Hallmark Channel)
American special education teacher Georgia (Sarah Ramos) is in London to visit her sister (Joelle Rae) but has a market meet-cute with Graham Savoy (William Moseley), a bloke who turns out to be not only a famous English footballer but also the brother of her sister’s boyfriend (Peter Rothwell). Keep your eyes peeled for Horse & Hound magazine to make an appearance, but the film Notting Hill won’t be the only pop-culture fave referenced.
Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up (Premieres Saturday, Nov. 25 at 8 pm on Hallmark Channel)
In this sequel, couple Emily (Lacey Chabert) and Jared (Wes Brown) and the rest of the Evergreen Lane HOA expect their new neighbors, decorating royalty known as the Jolly Johnsons (Seth Morris and Jennifer Aspen), to embrace their holiday spirit — not try to top it. Stephen Tobolowsky’s Ned and Melissa Peterman’s Pamela are especially entertaining at war.
Hot Girl Winter (Streaming Friday, Nov. 24 on Tubi)
When Santa Nick (Jason Mimms) blows off his 30th anniversary vacation with wife Jess (Golden Brooks), she takes a solo trip to Miami to visit her bestie Tamira (Schelle Purcell) and have some fun. We’re guessing this is the first holiday movie in which Mrs. Claus goes viral for pole-dancing on the beach. “It’s just like swinging up and down the candy cane poles in the village with the elves,” she explains.
Christmas at the Chalet (Premieres Saturday, Nov. 25 at 8 pm on Lifetime)
After a reservation snafu leaves her room-less in Aspen, recently divorced Lex (Teri Hatcher) agrees to work as a “chalet girl” at the short-staffed, family-run lodge where her adult son (Brendan McRae), ex-husband (Dan Payne), and much younger replacement are staying. The former celebrity reporter finds her second act as an influencer (because there’s always time to set up a ring light on her housekeeping rounds!) and romance with her boss (William DeVry).
A Royal Date for Christmas (Premieres Saturday, Nov. 25 at 8 pm on Great American Family)
It feels a bit too Pretty Woman when English Duke Stefan (Damon Runyon) hires clothing store owner Bella (Danica McKellar) to be his stylist and official plus one while he’s Stateside. We’ll always watch McKellar, but for our royal fix, nothing beats 2015’s Crown for Christmas.
Mistletoe Connection (Premieres Sunday, Nov. 26 at 7 pm on UPtv)
It’s love at first sight for Christmas-fan Mark (Markian Tarasiuk) when he sees Kate (Jessica Sipos) wearing an elf costume on the bus. The problem: When they run into each other again, they realize she’s the owner of one of the quaint shops his developer boss wants to buy and level. The premise may be well-worn, but the stars’ chemistry is delightful.
Christmas Time Is Here! Your Guide to 100+ Holiday Movies on Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix and Others
Our Christmas Mural (Premieres Sunday, Nov. 26 at 6 pm on Hallmark Channel)
Widowed mom/blocked artist Olivia (Alex Paxton-Beesley) receives a nudge from her mother when she enters her into a contest to paint her hometown’s new holiday mural. Although Olivia initially butts brushes with local art teacher Will (Dan Jeannotte), she quickly learns he’s someone she and her son (Viggo Hanvelt) can rely on — which scares her even more than a blank canvas.
My Christmas Hero (Premieres Friday, Nov. 24 at 8 pm on Great American Family)
Candace Cameron Bure stars as army reservist/orthopedic physician Nicole, who wants to gift her mother more information about her grandfather’s service in WWII leading up to his 1944 death in northern Italy at the age of 20. A new patient/potential beau (Gabriel Hogan) assists. Bring the tissues!
A Season for Family (Premieres Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 8 pm and Saturday, Nov. 25 at 10 pm on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
Park City ski shop owner Paul (Brendan Penny) is thrilled when his shy son, Cody (Azriel Dalman), makes a new friend, Wesley (Benjamin Jacobson). But things get complicated when widower Paul starts to fall for Wes’ single mom, Maddy (Stacey Farber) — and the adults realize their sons are actually brothers (Wes knows he was adopted; Cody doesn’t). Prepare for happy tears.
Letters to Santa (Premieres Friday, Nov. 24 at 6 pm on Hallmark Channel)
Golden retriever puppy alert! Two siblings (Taylor Pezza and Kellen Raffaelo) receive a “magic pen” from a Santa and escalate the requests in their letters, hoping to reunite their separated parents: blocked children’s book writer Rebecca (Katie Leclerc) and wannabe musician-turned-restaurant general manager Enrique (Rafael de la Fuente). Sometimes “magic” comes from a meddling family member.
So Fly Christmas (Streaming Thursday, Nov. 23 on BET+)
Tichina Arnold and Tami Roman are a dynamic duo in this “down with love” comedy about two best friends/podcasters, Wyvetta and Dione, who swear off relationships after Wy is left at the altar. When single mom Di meets a new man (Robert Christopher Riley), she tries to keep it from Wy. Good luck! Jackée Harry and Michael Colyar co-star as Wy’s parents. Hang around for the outtakes.
Laughing All the Way (Premieres Sunday, Nov. 26 at 8 pm on Lifetime)
Aspiring comic Aubri (Paniz Zade) gets the chance to step out of her comedy-club-owner boss’ shadow when she plans a Christmas Eve variety show. She also starts palling around with Mike (Jake Epstein), a standup-turned-movie star à la Adam Sandler, who returns to the club to remind movie execs he’s funny enough to be cast as a superhero named Rooster Man. Not all jokes kill, but Epstein remains committed and charismatic.
A Christmas For the Ages (Premieres Sunday, Nov. 26 at 8 pm on Great American Family)
Four generations of women (Anna Ferguson, Cheryl Ladd, Kate Craven, and Natasha Bure) celebrate the season — and the eldest and youngest in the family having new boyfriends! — with their own “Christmas crawl” of house soirées themed by era (‘40s, ‘60s, and early ‘90s). Expect lots of heart to hearts and to shiver when you see a table of Jell-O molds.
The Recipe Files (Streaming Friday, Nov. 24 on QVC+ and HSN+)
This movie is definitely transparent about all the product placement! New-to-town baker Isabel (Morgan Bradley) stumbles on to the coded recipe book of a late chocolatier and becomes convinced that her death from food poisoning was murder. Doug Noble and Ashlee Simpson costar as the heirs deciding whether to sell their mom’s shop.
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