If You Watch One Holiday Movie This Weekend: Hallmark Channel’s Friends & Family 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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Friends & Family Christmas
(Premieres Sunday, Dec. 17 at 8 pm on Hallmark Channel)
It’s always nice to see history made, and this film marks the first time Hallmark has featured a lead lesbian romance in a Countdown to Christmas movie. Ali Liebert and Humberly González star as lawyer Amelia and photographer Dani, whose parents try to set them up. Although they don’t exactly hit it off, they soon realize the advantages to pretending they’re dating: Social Dani can be Amelia’s plus-one at her firm’s Christmas party, which Amelia’s boss/father insists she attend to mingle with her new colleagues; Amelia can entertain Dani’s parents when Dani’s duties heading this year’s fundraising events for the Brooklyn Artists Lab call.
Anyone who’s seen one of Hallmark’s popular fauxmance plots unfold before knows how this will go: Of course they develop real feelings. So the question is, what will keep them from expressing them? We won’t spoil that. We’ll just say Amelia is still nursing wounds from a previous breakup, and Dani has been struggling to find inspiration. Expect a nod to the film Carol, a swoonworthy kiss, and a joyful ending set perfectly to Cher’s “Angels in the Snow” featuring Cyndi Lauper. (Yes, that’s the fifth Hallmark movie to use a Cher song this year!)
Runner-Up: Sealed With a List
We’ve all been there: It’s December, and you realize you’ve accomplished none of last year’s resolutions. Aspiring fashion designer Carley (the always engaging Katie Findlay) takes a drastic approach in our runner-up pick, Sealed With a List (premiering Saturday, Dec. 16 at 8 pm on Hallmark Channel). She finally quits her desk job and strikes a deal with her former superior, the boss’ spoiled, unqualified son Wyatt (Evan Roderick): Carley will help him become more independent so his father (Martin Donovan) won’t cut him off for good, and Wyatt will help her check off the remaining goals on her list. Predictable? Yes. But the banter will remind you of the Sandra Bullock-Hugh Grant rom-com Two Weeks Notice. High praise!
The Best of the Rest…
Heaven Down Here (Premieres Thursday, Dec. 14 at 8 pm and repeats Saturday, Dec. 16 at 10 pm on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
The week’s biggest tearjerker is inspired by the Mickey Guyton song of the same name. A snowstorm in Philly strands widowed waitress/mom of two Imani (standout Krystal Joy Brown), hospice nurse Clara (Tina Lifford), pastor Felix (Ruan Riedinger), and Imani’s coldhearted boss Dan (Richard Harmon) overnight at a diner on Christmas Eve. They fight, they bond, and they change each other’s lives, leading to a twist that’s heartwarming whether or not you see it coming.
A Christmas Intern (Premieres Saturday, Dec. 16 at 10 pm on Lifetime)
Jackée Harry is a delight as recent retiree Cecilia, who seizes the chance to become an unpaid intern at her daughter Alexis’ (Ciarra Carter) understaffed startup, Cyber Santa, during the holidays and quickly saves the day. While Cecilia charms warehouse manager William (Michael Paré), Alexis sparks with money man Donte (Doug Rogers), who’s been sent by his boss (executive producer Vivica A. Fox) to determine if their company invests more or pulls financing. No pressure, Donte!
Designing Christmas With You (Premieres Saturday, Dec. 16 at 8 pm on Great American Family)
Ambitious interior designer Colbie (Susie Abromeit) has a promotion on the line when she’s asked to decorate a local estate for its annual fundraising gala — a task made challenging, then surprisingly pleasant, by estate manager Ben (Liam McIntyre). Prepare for constant snow flurries that she will rarely be dressed for!
The Christmas Detective (Premieres Saturday, Dec. 16 at 9 pm on OWN)
Batwoman’s Javicia Leslie stars as pageant queen-turned-private investigator Kate, who needs to solve a noteworthy case — like, say, the theft of an important painting from a local art gallery — to save her fledgling business. Her chemistry with Det. Oakley aka “Oak” (Brad James), and the surprise new associate she may add to the payroll moving forward, leave you hoping we’ll see Kate again.
The Secret Gift of Christmas (Premieres Friday, Dec. 15 at 8 pm on Hallmark Channel)
The personal shopper heroine is alive and well even in this economy. Happily single Bonnie (Meghan Ory) is all about growing her business (and her own retail therapy problem!) when she starts falling for her newest client, widower/dad/contractor Patrick (Christopher Russell). Brace yourself for Christmas karaoke.
An Ice Palace Christmas (Now streaming on Hallmark Movies Now)
To score a promotion, competitive figure skater-turned-journalist Lori (Celeste Desjardins) must return to her Michigan hometown to do a story on the possibility of the ice rink where she lost her Olympic dream being torn down in favor of a new shopping/condo complex. Can she help rink owner and single dad Mark (Marcus Rosner) save his family’s legacy? You know the evil developer never wins.
Christmas Rescue (Streaming now on BET+)
Fans of 2006’s Holiday in Handcuffs may show patience for this premise: Moments from walking down the aisle, bride Chelsea (Samantha Neyland Trumbo) is kidnapped by her ex Keith (Cameron Bailey) and comic-relief Dwayne (Catfish Jean) so that Keith can convince her she belongs with him instead of the rich narcissist (Donny Carrington) approved by her father (a still fine Mario Van Peebles). Is it OK because Chelsea was already having cold feet? You be the judge!
Christmas Time Is Here! Your Guide to 110+ Holiday Movies on Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix and Others
Favorite Son (Streaming now on BET+)
Robin Givens directs this juicy family drama about philandering pastors and ambitious gospel singers. With her late husband’s church in financial spiral, fierce matriarch Rita (Lisa Arrindell) suggests the group So Gifted, led by her pastor and superstar sons (Durrell ‘Tank’ Babbs and Darrel McGlothen) and their significant others (Serayah and Loren Lott), reunite for the fundraising jubilee.
The Holiday Proposal Plan (Premieres Saturday, Dec. 16 at 8 pm on Lifetime)
Travel writer Sonny (Tatyana Ali) is determined to see Jarod (Geovanni Gopradi) propose to her best friend, Bree (Whitney Able), on Christmas Eve, so she stages love-themed holiday traditions from around the globe during their getaway at her parents’ chalet. Cue the almond hidden in the Swedish rice pudding and Sonny having to work with her ex, Jarod’s buddy Kip (Jesse Kove), who enjoys morning meditation in the hot tub.
Dial S For Santa (Premieres Sunday, Dec. 17 at 7 pm on UPtv)
Insurance investigator Lana (Sarah Dugdale) will earn a promotion back in the big city if she can help solve the string of burglaries in her small hometown. Dreamy local cop Nick (Julian Haig) reluctantly accepts her help, though he disagrees with her lead suspect: the Santa (Dax Belanger) who stays in character 24/7.
Merry Magic Christmas (Premieres Sunday, Dec. 17 at 8 pm on Lifetime)
For her niece’s sake, practical financial advisor Beth (Patricia Isaac) agrees to consult with stubborn dreamer Nate (Andrew Dunbar) to save his children’s theater. Meanwhile, Beth is haunted by the angel number “624,” which means her heart’s secret wish will come true.
12 Games of Christmas (Premieres Sunday, Dec. 17 at 8 pm on Great American Family)
A host (Felisha Cooper) and her party guests, including the childhood friend who got away (Johnny Ramey), are transported into the titular board game’s festive town, Yuletide. To get home, they need to receive their individual “message,” e.g. have an epiphany while completing various seasonal activities. The fun set-up turns into a bit of a snoozefest, but you may be excited to see Little House on the Prairie’s Andy, aka Patrick Labyorteaux, as Yuletide’s mayor.
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