Your Complete Guide to Every New Christmas Movie to Watch This Season
We’ve yet to bid an official adieu to the summer, but already, we’re looking forward to the holidays. After all, if this year has proven anything, it’s that time is an absolute construct, so why not start preparing for a December television schedule in September? Both the Hallmark and Lifetime channel have announced their holiday movie lineup, and if you’re mourning the last warm rays of the sun, you can be comforted by the warm fuzzy feelings that many of these movies will elicit.
Lifetime in particular is looking to make the 2020 holiday season one to remember. The network’s It’s a Wonderful Lifetime lineup includes 30 new movies, one of which will be the channel’s first with an LGBTQ storyline (The Christmas Set Up), and another of which will be the first to feature a Chinese-American family in the lead role (A Sugar & Spice Holiday). Starting in mid-October and running through December, you’ll be able to catch over 1,200 hours of holiday movies, with stars including Betty White, Kelly Rowland, Mario Lopez, Melissa Joan Hart, Tiffany Haddish, and Amber Stevens West, just to name a few.
Hallmark, on the other hand, began rolling out its holiday movies in September (you can check out the ongoing schedule here), but the real highlight will doubtless be the 40 movies comprising the network’s Countdown to Christmas and Miracles of Christmas. Beginning October 23, you’ll be able to watch 23 new movies on Hallmark Channel, and the remaining 17 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Returning stars include Alexa PenaVega, Jesse Metcalfe, and Tamera Mowry-Housley, while new faces like real-life sisters Ashley Williams and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, as well as Jeremy Jordan, Krystal Joy Brown, and Ronnie Rowe will also be gracing the screen.
So curl up with some cookies (Curly Top for the indulgent among us, or Soozy’s for the health conscious), break out the popcorn (check out Quinn Snacks for a delightful lineup), pour yourself a glass of wine (Parcelle and Naked Wines both have great selections and delivery options) or whip up a cocktail made of bourbon cream from Black Button, and finally, wrap yourself in a California Cowboy flannel or a Soma cardigan, and get ready to dive into some holiday spirit.
New-for-2020 Lifetime Christmas Movies
CHRISTMAS EVER AFTER
Popular romance novelist Izzi Simmons (Tony® winner Ali Stroker) spends every Christmas at her favorite snowy bed & breakfast, but this year, she’s faced with an impending deadline and a severe case of writer’s block. Luckily, inspiration strikes in the unlikely form of the B&B’s new owner Matt (Daniel DiTomasso), who bears an uncanny resemblance to the handsome hero from Izzi’s novels. As both partake in the lodge’s annual itinerary of Christmas activities, Izzi’s writer’s block is cured and the first pages of her and Matt’s own love story may just be beginning. Christmas Ever After is produced by Neshama Entertainment in Association with Marvista Entertainment and executive produced by Arnie Zipursky, Suzanne Berger, Julianna Hays, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew. Pat Kiely directs from a script by Katrina Mathewson and Tanner Bean.
CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED
From executive producer Tiffany Haddish, Christmas Unwrapped follows Charity (Amber Stevens West), an ambitious reporter, who learns the true meaning of Christmas when she investigates Erik Gallagher (Marco Grazzini), a beloved member of the town who insists all the gifts he provides are from none-other than Santa himself. Cheryl Ladd also stars. Additional executive producers include Tracy “Twinkie” Bryd and Dominque Telson, Arnie Zipursky and Suzanne Berger for Neshama Entertainment and Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew for MarVista Entertainment. Bosede Williams directed from a script by Gary Hardwick.
DEAR CHRISTMAS
Natalie Morgan (Melissa Joan Hart) is an author and host of a popular podcast, Holiday Love, which shares true stories of holiday romance with its listeners. While to the outside world and her listeners everywhere see Natalie is an expert on romance, she’s never truly experienced a romance of her own. As Natalie prepares to embark on a promotional tour for her new book, she stops back home to spend Christmas with her family and to celebrate her parent’s 50th anniversary where she unexpectedly begins to experience her own holiday romance as sparks ignite with local firefighter, Jack (Jason Priestley). Dear Christmas also stars Robin Givens, Ed Begley Jr and Faith Prince and is produced by Hartbreak Films, Paula Hart and Melissa Joan Hart. Emily Moss Wilson directs from a script by Juliet Giglio and Keith Giglio.
A SUGAR & SPICE HOLIDAY
Suzie, a rising young architect, returns to her small hometown in Maine for Christmas where, her Chinese American family runs the local Lobster Bar. Following the loss of her beloved grandmother who was a legendary baker in their community, Suzie is guilted into following in her grandmother’s footsteps by entering the local gingerbread house competition. Teaming up with an old high school friend Billy, who grew up to be a catch, Suzie must find the right recipes and mix of sugar and spice to win the competition and perhaps find some love in the process. A Sugar & Spice Holiday is produced by Brightlight Pictures and executive produced by Nancy Bennett, Shawn Williamson and Jamie Goehring, directed by Jennifer Liao and written by Eirene Donohue.
THE CHRISTMAS SET UP
Hugo, a New York corporate lawyer and his best friend Madelyn head to Milwaukee to spend the holidays with his mom Kate, who is also in charge of the local Christmas celebrations. Ever the matchmaker, Kate arranges for Hugo to run into Patrick, Hugo’s high school friend and secret crush, who has recently returned after a successful stint in Silicon Valley. As they enjoy the local holiday festivities together, Hugo and Patrick’s attraction to each other is undeniable and it looks as though Kate’s well-intentioned Santa-style matchmaking is a success. But as Hugo receives word of a big promotion requiring a move to London, he must decide what is most important to him. The Christmas Set Up is produced by Neshama Entertainment in association with MarVista Entertainment and executive produced by Danielle von Zerneck, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer, Fernando Szew, Suzanne Berger and Arnie Zipursky. Script is written by Michael J. Murray.
The 2020 Lifetime Christmas Movie Schedule
Christmas on Ice
Release: 10/23 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Abigail Klein, Ryan Cooper, Caroline Portu, Will Lyman, and Meara Mahoney Gross
Christmas Unwrapped
Release: 10/24 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Amber Stevens West, Marco Grazzini, and Cheryl Laddz
Forever Christmas
Release: 10/25 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Chelsea Hobbs, Christopher Russell, Matthew Anderson, and Jill Morrison
A Crafty Christmas Romance
Release: 10/30 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Nicola Posener and Bradford B. Johnson
Candy Cane Christmas
Release: 10/31 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Beverley Mitchell, Mark Ghanimé, Trudy Weiss, and Benedicte Belizaire
The Christmas Aunt
Release: 11/1 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Keshia Knight Pulliam and Jarod Joseph
The Christmas Yule Blog
Release: 11/6 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Sara Canning and Zak Santiago
A Welcome Home Christmas
Release: 11/7 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Jana Kramer, Brandon Quinn, Tim Reid, Charlene Tilton, and Craig Morgan
A Very Charming Christmas Town
Release: 11/8 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Natalie Hall, Jon Prescott, Kelley Jakle, Jo Marie Payton, and Tracey E. Bregman
Christmas on the Vine
Release: 11/13 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Julianan Guill, Jon Corr, and Meredith Baxter
Christmas on Wheels
Release: 11/14 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Tiya Sircar and Michael Xavier
The Christmas Edition
Release: 11/15 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Carly Hughes, Rob Mayes, Marie Osmond, and Aloma Wright
A Taste of Christmas
Release: 11/20 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Anni Krueger, Gilles Marini, Nia Vardalos, Andrew Brodeur, and Emma Myers
Feliz Navi-Dad
Release: 11/21 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Mario Lopez, AnnaLynne McCord, Paulina Chavez, and Marycarmen Lopez
Homemade Christmas
Release: 11/22 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Michelle Argyris and Travis Nelson
Dear Christmas
Release: 11/27 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Melissa Joan Hart, Jason Priestley, Robin Givens, Ed Begley Jr and Faith Prince
Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding
Release: 11/28 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Kelly Rowland, Thomas Cadrot, Debbi Morgan, Bresha Webb, Latonya Williams, Jaime M. Callica, Nathan Witte, and Chris Shields
People Presents: Once Upon a Main Street
Release: 11/29 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Vanessa Lachey, Ryan McPartlin, Patrick Duffy, and Polly Draper
The Christmas Listing
Release: 11/30 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Lexi Giovagnoli, Travis Burns, Greg Evigan, Rachel O'Connell, Susan Chambers
Spotlight on Christmas
Release: 12/4 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Tori Anderson, Victor Zinck Jr., Janet Kidder, Lia Franklin, and Andrew McIlroy
Let's Meet Again on Christmas Eve
Release: 12/5 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Kyla Pratt and Brooks Darnell
Christmas Ever After
Release: 12/6 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Ali Stoker and Daniel DiTomasso
The Santa Squad
Release: 12/7 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Rebecca Dalton and Aaron Ashmore
Inn Love by Christmas
Release: 12/11 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Jonna Walsh, Jesse Hutch, Art Hindle, and Jayne Eastwood
The Christmas Setup
Release: 12/12 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Ben Lewis, Blake Lee, Fran Drescher, Ellen Wong
A Sugar & Spice Holiday
Release: 12/13 at 8:00 p.m. EST
Stars: Jacky Lai, Tony Giroux, Tzi Ma
Lonestar Christmas
Release: 12/14 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Stephanie Bennett, Marco Grazzini, Brent Strait, Colleen Wheeler, Lina Renna, Emma Oliver, and BJ Harrison
Christmas on the Menu
Release: 12/18 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Kim Shaw, Clayton James, Cynthia Gibb, Jesse Kove, Michael Steger, Shanica Knowles
A Christmas Exchange
Release: 12/18 at 8:00 p.m EST/PST
Stars: Laura Vandervoort and Rainbow Sun Francks
A Christmas Break
Release: 12/20 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST
Stars: Cindy Sampson and Steve Byers
The 2020 Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule
A Royal Holiday
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Laura Osnes, Aaron Tveit, and Krystal Joy Brown
Jingle Bell Pride
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Julia Gonzalo and Ronnie Rowe
A Christmas Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Rochelle Aytes and Mark Taylor
If I Only Had Christmas
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Candace Cameron Bure
Deliver by Christmas
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Alvina August and Eion Bailey
On the 12th Date of Christmas
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Mallory Jansen and Tyler Hynes
Christmas Waltz
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Lacey Chabert
Christmas in Vienna
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Sarah Drew and Brennan Elliott
The Christmas House
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Rukiya Bernard and Holly Robinson Peete
Chateau Christmas
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Merritt Patterson and Luke Macfarlane
Cross Country Christmas
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Rachel Leigh Cook
Christmas Carnival
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Tamera Mowry-Housley
When Calls the Heart Christmas 2020
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton, Jack Wagner, Kavan Smith
The 2020 Hallmark Movies & Mysteries "Miracles of Christmas" Schedule
Christmas Tree Lane
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Alicia Witt and Andrew Walker
Holly & Ivy
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Janel Parrish, Jeremy Jordan, and Marisol Nichols
The Christmas Bow
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Lucia Micarelli and Michael Rady
Cranberry Christmas
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Nikki DeLoach and Benjamin Ayres
Christmas Doctor
Premieres: TBA
Stars: Holly Robinson Peete
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