"Countdown to Christmas" on Hallmark concludes this year on January 1st, 2017. It has been the longest "Countdown to Christmas" season ever (beginning on October 28th!), and yet... it seems to have flown by so quickly - faster than Santa's sleigh, I always say!
See all the behind the scenes making of the Rose Parade, with the premiere of...
Storyline via Hallmark: Andy (Rachel Boston) is a passionate and talented artist whose Pasadena family has been building Rose Parade floats for generations. But when her Dad gets sick and can’t lead this year’s efforts as usual, Andy has no choice but to... Click Here to Read More...
PLEASE NOTE: This Movie only has ONE SHOWING!
There are NO additional airings!
Don't miss it or forget to record it - on Sunday, the 1st!
As we say Goodbye to the Christmas Season and 2016 - let us Countdown to 2017 and Welcome in a Whole New Year, with Bright Possibilities!
Christmas Specials continue on TV throughout New Years Day - see them all in the Christmas TV Schedule! Plus, you can see New Years Celebrations on TV, where you can watch the Ball Drop in Times Square.
With My Prayers and Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy Year Ahead for You and Your Families!
God Bless You All!!!
See You All Back Here in 2017 - as Winterfest starts next week!
To All My "It's a Wonderful Movie" Friends Far and Near - To thee I wish a Happy, and Joyfully Blessed New Year!!!
This DVD appears to be the Christmas Movie! On the left side of the DVD (pictured below) you will see it says Movie 1 Season 4, and if you look even closer at the image you will see a Christmas tree behind/between Lori Loughlin (Abigail) and Erin Krakow (Elizabeth). Then to the right of Daniel Lissing (Jack) and Jack Wagner (Bill), you will see Christmas decorations on the storefronts of Hope Valley.
image: When Calls the Heart: The Heart of Faith, via Shout Factory
You can Pre-Order "When Calls the Heart: The Heart of Faith" from Amazon! If you do pre-order now - you will receive the lowest price between now & the DVD release date on March 21, 2017! (By the way, Easter is April 16th this year - so this would be lovely in anyone's basket!)
Storyline of "When Calls the Heart: Christmas", via Hallmark: "When a train derails and delays the arrival of much needed food, supplies and presents, Christmas in the settlement town of Hope Valley is in jeopardy. With the help of a mysterious visitor, a simple peddler who has a knack for helping people find what they need, Jack, Elizabeth and Abigail rally the town residents to come together in the true spirit of kindness and giving, proving that Christmas really is the season for miracles."
If you LOVE CHRISTMAS - This is THE PLACE to BE! All throughout the Year... if I happen to hear any news on CHRISTMAS MOVIES, I will be sure to share this news with all of you - HERE! And, if YOU hear any Christmas Movie News - Please share in Comments Below!
So, here is what I have learned, thus far...
Christmas in Angel Falls (originally known as Angel Falls)
Via deadline.com:
"Bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz has signed a three-picture development and production deal with Brad Krevoy Television, the TV and SVOD production arm of Motion Picture Corporation of America. The three TV projects will be written, produced and broadcast for Christmas 2017.
The first movie, Angel Falls for Hallmark Channel, is about a fallen angel who falls in love and wins back her halo during the Christmas season. Rachel Boston (A Rose for Christmas) will star and Bradley Walsh will direct the film, which could spawn a potential series."
Paul Greene (A Wish for Christmas, When Calls the Heart) and Beau Bridges ("Flower Shop Mystery") will also star with Rachel Boston in Angel Falls.
Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe
(discovered: December 29, 2016)
Via deadline.com:
"The second film, Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe, is a gender-swapped re-telling of the classic novel. Production is planned for April 2017. Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe will also be published as a novel by St. Martin’s Press during the 2017 Christmas season. De la Cruz will write the screenplay and novel."
*UPDATE Fall, 2017: This movie is not included in Hallmark's 2017 Christmas line-up. Stay tuned for further developments!
Nanny State
(discovered: December 29, 2016)
Via deadline.com:
"The third project, Nanny State, is the story of an FBI agent who goes undercover working for New York’s finest families to solve a child’s kidnapping during the Christmas holidays. De la Cruz will write the screenplay and produce, along with Vincent Balzano, Richard Abate, and Brad Krevoy Television."
*UPDATE Fall, 2017: This movie is not included in Hallmark's 2017 Christmas line-up. Stay tuned for further developments!
A Royal Christmas / A Princess for Christmas (working title)
(discovered: December 6, 2016)
"Coincidentally, it appears that this new Royal Christmas movie (like A Rose for Christmas) is also revolving around the Rose Parade -- specifically, it seems to involve the Royal Court (and possibly the Rose Queen), and it takes place in someplace that is posing as Pasadena."
Cast via whatsfilming.com: Zak Santiago, Nicole Muñoz, Paloma Kwaitkowski, Kalyn Miles
Sherry in California first alerted us to this movie. Here are some details she shared in a previous comment...
According to www.timescolonist.com (January 27, 2017): It looks like this movie may premiere on the UP network and be renamed "A Princess for Christmas." Stay tuned for any additional news!
Southern Christmas
(discovered: December 14, 2016)
An anonymous commenter shared: "Harvey Lowry to direct 'Southern Christmas', a movie #filming in Oklahoma in January 2017."
Storyline via IMDB: "Kara and Jessie are two teenager girls from very different worlds, but with a little Christmas magic, they find they have much more in common than they ever imagined."
Cast members:
Shelley Long, Joe Don Rooney, Brighton Rose Sharbino, Sierra McCormick, Emmanuel Vouniozos, Chris Rich, Bo Derek, Christian Kane and Paula Trickey (shared by Sherry in California)
via Director Harvey Lowry's Instagram
Day 4 filming with Joe Don Rooney, Brighton Rose Sharbino, Sierra McCormick,
Shelley Long, Emmanuel Vouniozos and Chris Rich
Salted Christmas
(discovered: July 8, 2016)
Genre: Christian Comedy
Directed By: Don McChesney
Release Date: November 2017
Author Teri Wilson ('Unleashing Mr. Darcy) shared this Christmas Movie News via Facebook:
"BIG EXCITING NEWS! My book Sleigh Bell Sweethearts for Harlequin Love Inspired is currently in development with the Hallmark Channel! It looks like we'll have a Christmas movie coming out this year!!! *tosses snowflake confetti* "
*Credit for discovery goes to Abby from the Hallmark Facebook Fan Group!
*This movie did not make it into production for 2016... perhaps, we will see it in 2017!
*UPDATE: In the comments below, Amy shared this news: "I got a pitch today for an ebook by Teri Wilson and it said that Sleigh bell Sweethearts was in development for 2017. Just a little update there. :)"
*UPDATE Fall, 2017: This movie is not included in Hallmark's 2017 Christmas line-up. Stay tuned for further developments!
Olaf's Frozen Adventure - Frozen Holiday Special
(first discovered in 2016)
*based on the characters of the 2013 Walt Disney Animation Studios film, Frozen.
According to universityherald.com: Before "Frozen 2" is expected to hit the theatres in 2018, although there is no official confirmation and speficic day yet from Disney. The famed movie's fans can instead look forward to the upcoming "Frozen" holiday special, which will be airing on ABC in Christmas 2017."
UPDATE: (July, 2017) - "Olaf's Frozen Adventure" will now be seen in 3D as a short before Disney's movie Coco in Theaters coming November, 2017!
Storyline via disney.wikia.com, "On the first holiday season following Elsa's coronation, the story centers around Olaf's first experience with the holidays. Anna and Elsa have no true understanding of the holidays or seasonal tradition due to their enforced isolation over the years. This prompts Olaf to journey off into Arendelle in search of a holiday tradition for his family to share. Sven also joins the journey as Olaf's 'partner-in-crime'."
◾Josh Gad as Olaf
◾Kristen Bell as Anna
◾Idina Menzel as Elsa the Snow Queen
◾Jonathan Groff as Kristoff
Trailer:
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
This is a Disney Nutcracker movie.
According to teenvogue.com, "The Nutcracker may have been performed on stage countless times, but now Disney is bringing it to the big screen once more. Earlier this month, legendary dancer Misty Copeland made the exciting announcement on Instagram that she'd be a part of the production, as the lead ballerina."
Mackenzie Foy will portray the lead role of Clara.
More Cast News: Stars Keira Knightley as Sugar Plum Fairy and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Stahlbaum, Helen Mirren as Mother Ginger, and Morgan Freeman as Drosselmeyer. (discovered by Anonymous/shared in comments below)
UPDATE: THIS MOVIE WILL BE RELEASED IN 2018. (Thank you Sleepy Kitty Paws for confirming this news!)
More details (via Anonymous commenter) "Walt Disney Pictures’ new live-action version of “The Nutcracker.” Most famously adapted as a ballet by Tchaikovsky in the late 19th century, the tale originated as a short story titled “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816. In it, a young girl’s dolls come to life on Christmas Eve alongside a noble nutcracker, who protects her from a villainous army of mice. There is no word on how much fidelity this new take will have to the original source material, although Powell apparently spent two solid years developing the project."
Storyline: Sometimes love needs a do-over.
WHEN SELF-ABSORBED L.A. SENSATION ABBY WRIGHT IS RELUCTANTLY DRAFTED INTO A ONE-NIGHT HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE IN HER SMALL HOMETOWN TO SAVE THE LOCAL ECONOMY, SHE FINDS HERSELF FORCED TO RELIVE CHRISTMAS EVE OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN- UNTIL SHE LEARNS HOW TO LOVE SOMEONE OTHER THAN HERSELF.
This is a Family Comedy!
Cast: Rachel Hendrix, Karissa Lee Staples, Alexandra Harris, Ted Welch, Aaron Munoz, Shawn Hawkins, Rich Redmond, Mary Sarah, Graham Outbridge, & Joe Mullen
Where this movie will be seen is currently unknown.
*Credit: Thank you Gina for sharing this info!
The Man Who Invented Christmas
This is a movie about Charles Dickens called, "The Man Who Invented Christmas" via deadline.com.
(Thank you for sharing this Christmas news, Sleepy Kitty Paws!)
Storyline via IMDB: "After a series of his books have been flops, Charles Dickens decides to write and self-publish A Christmas Carol."
(Thank you to the Anonymous commenter who shared this movie description)
Stars: Dan Stevens as Charles Dickens, Jonathan Pryce as John Dickens, Christopher Plummer as Ebenezer Scrooge, and more! See at IMDB.com.
UPDATE: This movie will premiere in theaters – Thanksgiving Week – November 22, 2017!
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer
Coming 2017!
New animated film with John Cleese and Samantha Bee doing voices, Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer:
http://deadline.com/2016/11/john-cleese-joins-voice-cast-of-animated-movie-elliot-the-littlest-reindeer-1201849117/
(Thank you for sharing this Christmas news, Sleepy Kitty Paws!)
A Family for Christmas
(discovered: June 8, 2016)
Storyline via Hallmark Press Release: Several days before Christmas, a reclusive author Andrew rents an isolated cabin in order to finish his long overdue novel. Just as Andrew is settling in, a young nurse named Holly, her daughter and wisecracking mother become stranded nearby. Andrew takes in the three unwanted guests and due to a heavy snowstorm, they end up staying through Christmas. The energetic young nurse breaks down Andrew's anti-social defenses. They soon find themselves involved in a number of festive activities, including chopping down a Christmas tree, a snowball fight, playing charades and gatherings around the dinner table. But the sudden arrival of Holly's ex-husband complicates matters and threatens her blossoming romance with Andrew.
*According to imdb, this movie will now premiere in 2017.
Let it Snow
(discovered: April 4, 2016)
This is a Christmas movie being made based on the short story collection Let It Snow by John Green (The Fault in Our Stars).
*UPDATE added April 15, 2016: This project has been delayed - it will now premiere in 2017.
(Thank you, Sleepy Kitty Paws, for sharing this news!)
NOTE: Movie rating currently unknown. Amazon lists the Book Let it Snow as follows... Age Range: 12 and up Grade Level: 7 and up
Book Synopsis/Storyline via wegotthiscovered.com: "Sparkling white snowdrifts, beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicolored lights glittering in the night through the falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today’s bestselling teen authors—John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle—the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses."
Holly Starr
(discovered January 5, 2017)
This movie was filmed in December of 2016, in Biddeford, Portland, and Kennebunkport, Maine. Holly Starr is a feature film by writer and director Michael Nickles.
Via WLBZ 2 News - "The Christmas themed movie has a bit of mystery to it as well" according to Katlyn Carlson who plays the lead character named Sloan Kelly. "A struggling puppeteer, an artist in New York City, she loses a job and comes back to her home town kind of dejected," said Carlson. "Has a near death experience and she has this memory when her life flashes before her eyes of Santa Claus burying a bag of money."
*For more news on this movie, plus a behind the scenes video, visit the WLBZ 2 News web-site.
The Star
(discovered January 6, 2017)
This is an animated film shared by Sleepy Kitty Paws in comments below.
Storyline via thestarmovie.com: "In Sony Pictures Animation's THE STAR, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.."
Nationwide release date in theaters: November 10, 2017
Thank you so much, Sleepy Kitty Paws, for sharing this movie + links! It's refreshing to see a production that highlights the true meaning of Christmas!
Celebrities giving voice to the animated characters in "The Star" are: Kelly Clarkson, Steven Yeun, Aidy Bryant, Keegan-Michael Key, Kristin Chenoweth, Anthony Anderson, Gabriel Iglesias, Ving Rhames, Delilah Rene, Kris Kristofferson, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, with Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Tracy Morgan and Christopher Plummer.
Actress Patricia Heaton has been added to this cast!
12 Days of Giving
(discovered January 7, 2017)
via fremonttribune.com: "A made for television movie is officially being filmed exclusively in Fremont (Nebraska) pending City Council approval."
"On Thursday (January 5, 2017), The Tribune was notified by Fremont native and film-industry veteran Kevin McMahon that “12 Days of Giving,” a Hallmark-type film, is being shot in Fremont Feb. 1-17. The film is being produced by California-based Expression Entertainment which has direct interaction with Hallmark."
"While McMahon wasn’t able to disclose an abundance of information about the film, he said that there will be at least two familiar actor/actress faces in Christmas-themed feel-good family film."
According to the article at fremonttribune.com: "their aim is to get this onto the Hallmark Channel" ... "Because it really is that type of film, a total feel-good Christmas story."
Cast: David Blue, Ashley Jones, Preston James Hillier, Meagan Flynn, Brooklyn Funk, Dan Bauer, Jax Connolly and more via IMDB
Storyline via IMDB: "A man who wins a small fortune decides to share his winnings by acting as a Secret Santa to people in a small town. One of the characters chosen is a boy whose father is deceased. The man grows fond of the Boys mother and begins to fall in love with her...."
UPDATE: UP will be playing this Christmas movie on their channel this Christmas Season!
David Blue, Jax Connolly, and Ashley Jones on the set of 12 Days of Giving
image via : Twitter
Ashley Jones, Jax Connolly, and David Blue on the set of 12 Days of Giving
image via : instagram video - watch here!
Santa Stole Our Dog: A Merry Doggone Christmas!
(discovered January 7, 2017)
Starring Ed Asner as Santa!
Images via Production Company - First American Cinema
Storyline via IMDB: "On a snowy and cold Christmas Eve, Santa Claus accidentally steals the family Dog. So begins an epic journey through the twelve days of Christmas as the family ventures to the North Pole to get their beloved canine back." See rest of cast list on IMDB.
(Thank you for sharing this Christmas movie, Hero_UK!)
Christmas Solo
(discovered January 10, 2017)
Director: Christie Will
Cast: (updated March, 2017) Kelli Williams, Jonathan Scarfe, Kayla Wallace, Naika Toussaint, Pippa Mackie and Ricky He
Kelli Williams ("A Boyfriend for Christmas") and Jonathon Scarfe ("Angel of Christmas") also starred together as husband and wife in the UP original drama series "Ties that Bind."
Looks like we can expect this movie to air on UP-TV this Christmas Season, according to Kelli Williams' instagram post.
Jonathan Scarfe and Kelli Williams on set of "Christmas Solo"
image via: Kelli Williams' instagram post.
Christmas Fury
(discovered January 10, 2017)
UPDATE: (March, 2017) The TV movie “A Christmas Fury” is a spin-off to CBC’s “Hatching, Matching and Dispatching. It will air on the Canadian channel CBC this Christmas.
The Christmas Fix-Up
(discovered January 11, 2017)
Storyline via IMDB: "A single woman, struggling to believe in love and miracles, walks into a shoe repair shop on Chicago's Westside where the proprietor's magical gift is hooking up singles through their shoes. The catch is that the first date is the wedding."
Nicole (working title - Disney Christmas Movie Project)
(discovered January 12, 2017)
Via cinemablend.com... "Disney Is Eyeing (actress) Anna Kendrick For An Intriguing Christmas Movie... Penned by Miss Congeniality writer Marc Lawrence, Variety reports that this movie, which has the running title Nicole (a twist on Saint Nicholas), would see Kendrick playing Santa Claus' daughter, who "takes over the family business" after her dad retires and her brother gets cold feet with the job before he's supposed to take off on Christmas Eve."
According to IMDB this is an Untitled Santa Claus Project: Anna Kendrick plays Santa's daughter, (rumored name) Nicole Claus, who finds herself having to take over the family business when her father retires and her brother, who is supposed to inherit the role of Santa, gets cold feet.
UPDATE September 2017: Via movies.mxdwn.com: "Nicole will focus on the daughter of Santa Clause. After her father’s retirement, it comes time to decide who will succeed him and deliver all the Christmas gifts. While her brother could have become the new Saint Nick, his nerves prevent him from pulling off the job. This leaves Nicole with the important mission to continue holiday customs."
Cast includes: Anna Kendrickwill, Bill Hader, Billy Eichner, and more...
Release Date: Current release date is November 9, 2019!
Dashing Through the Snow
(discovered February 23, 2016)
Disney has a new movie project titled "Dashing Through the Snow". Via The Tracking Board: this "action/comedy follows a cop in New York City who arrests a burglar during a reported breaking and entering on Christmas Eve. However, the officer gets into hot water when he discovers that the man may or may not be the actual Santa Claus."
UPDATE: October, 2016- THIS MOVIE IS STILL IN THE PRODUCTION, CASTING PHASE.
UPDATE: January 12, 2017- Via cinemablend.com... "The currently-titled Nicole (movie mentioned above) isn't the only Santa Claus-centric movie Disney has in the works. Dashing Through the Snow is also in development, which will see Kevin Hart playing Santa Claus in a story about a workaholic father who's trying to repair his relationship with his son."
Alicia Witt to star & create New Hallmark Christmas Movie
(discovered January 14, 2017)
Alicia Witt revealed via Twitter: "Yes. We are developing one (a Christmas movie!) based on my original idea for Christmas 2017- I'm writing a new song for it too! @hallmarkchannel"
*UPDATE Fall, 2017: Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Alicia Witt will be creating her own Christmas movie this year, but she will be starring in the movie "The Mistletoe Inn," based on the book by Richard Paul Evans. Stay tuned for further developments!
The Christmas Calendar
(discovered January 18, 2017)
With actress Hilary Strang.
UPDATE: January 27, 2017: more cast members announced for this movie via whatsfilming.com - Laura Bell Bundy and Greg Rogers
Storyline via www.timescolonist.com: The film stars Laura Bell Bundy (Anger Management, How I Met Your Mother) as Emily, a big-city lawyer who returns to her hometown to take over her late grandmother’s bakery. When the struggling baker receives a handmade Christmas calendar from a secret admirer who instructs her to “open each day, one at a time, until my secret is revealed,” the small town’s ensuing obsession with her mystery draws national media attention.
Also, according to the www.timescolonist.com article, it looks like this movie will premiere on the UP network this Christmas!
IMDB has this storyline description: "When Emily, a struggling baker in a small town, receives a handmade Christmas Calendar from a secret admirer, the local residents become obsessed with finding out the identity of the sender."
This is the cast according to IMDB: Brendon Zub, Laura Bell Bundy, Paloma Kwiatkowski, Jacqueline Robbins, Johannah Newmarch, BJ Harrison, Steven Cree Molison, James Pizzinato, and more...
Tiny Christmas
(discovered January 18, 2017)
Title released on production weekly!
Update (March 8, 2016): What's Filming is reporting - this is going to be a Nickelodeon TV Movie. (Thank you for this update, Anonymous!)
Best Christmas Pageant Ever
(discovered in 2016)
So far, all I have on this one is the title, but I think it is safe to say it is a Christmas production! (information via production weekly)
Hopefully, it is based upon the original story, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, which was turned into a precious one-hour special (available on DVD!) in 1983! I personally own it on DVD and consider it to be a treasure each Christmas!
The original special - 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' is a powerful, real, beautiful story that tells the true meaning of Christmas! I truly hope this new production - is a re-telling of this same sweet story.
Update (January 19, 2017): IMDB Pro shares a summary of this new production: "A suburban mom gets in over her head when she signs up to direct her neighborhood's Christmas pageant."
It sounds like this is, indeed, a re-make of the original special! Thank you to the Anonymous commenter who shared this plot summary.
Beverly Hills Christmas II
According to IMDB, This is "a sequel to the popular movie, Beverly Hills Christmas (with Dean Cain) that was shown on UP TV during Christmas 2015."
(To be honest, I was not a fan of the original movie, "Beverly Hills Christmas." I will be interested to see where they take this second film. FYI, it doesn't look like Dean Cain will be in the sequel.)
Starring in this project are Margaret O'Brien, Brandon Tyler Russell (his acting was excellent in the first film), Ron Moss, Donna Spangler, and more...
Starring in this project are John Ratzenberger, Basil Hoffmann, Kevin Stover, Dan Hewitt Owens, Morgan Bastin, McKenna Roberts, Danni Tamburro, Sharon Garrison, and more...
(Thank you, Lana, for sharing this movie.)
Inheriting Christmas / Christmas Inheritance (wt)
(discovered January 21, 2017)
Category: Drama, Romance
Via IMDB: "After inheriting a toy company founded on charity and holiday spirit, a self-absorbed stockbroker must revisit his family's tragic past and decide the fate of an entire community by Christmas Eve." (Thank you, Lana, for sharing this movie.)
Cast: Eliza Taylor, Nicky Cappella, Jake Lacy and Andie MacDowell
*This appears to be an upcoming Netflix movie. (Thank you, Sherry, for sharing this cast info & more!)
The Christmas Gift
(Discovered January 23, 2017)
Title discovered on Production Weekly.
Cast: Sam Page, Tara Holt, Emily Peterson, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Phillip Edward Van Lear, Stacia Crawford, and Sam Guinan-Nyhart
(Thank you, Sherry, for sharing this title & cast news.)
Lights, Camera, Christmas
(Discovered February 16, 2017)
"Lights, Camera, Christmas" is being reported as a pair of Hallmark Christmas movies starring sisters Kimberly Williams-Paisley ("Father of the Bride," "Follow the Stars Home") and Ashley Williams ("October Kiss," "Love on a Limb")! Each of these movies (which sounds very interesting!) is "told from the perspective of one of the sisters." - via this article - (Thank you Lisa C. & Sherry for this discovery!)
UPDATE:IMDB summarizes this as "Two sisters and a holiday to remember."
Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Ashley Williams at Hallmark's Winter 2017 TCA Event
(Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Ashley Williams will also be working together on the upcoming Hallmark Production "Darrow and Darrow". See Details - here!)
*UPDATE Fall, 2017: This movie is not included in Hallmark's 2017 Christmas line-up. Stay tuned for further developments!
Christmas Wedding March (#3) becomes Valentine Movie!
*UPDATE: See below...
(Discovered February 16, 2017)
If you saw the Hallmark movie "The Wedding March" last June (2016), then you will recall the story of two college sweethearts Olivia Parsons (Josie Bissett) and Mick Turner (Jack Wagner), who "bump into each other" literally years later - conveniently at the precise time of Olivia's upcoming wedding! Unbeknownst to either of them until the last minute... of all places, of course, the wedding is taking place at Mick's resort! In the meantime, planning this wedding rekindles and resurfaces old feelings - that neither in the end, can further deny.
Josie Bissett and Jack Wagner in Hallmark's "The Wedding March"
An actual wedding never takes place in the first movie "The Wedding March", but I'm hopeful it will in the second. The first movie was a sort of introduction to these characters, their lives, their work, and family! The second movie "June Wedding March" will premiere this June (2017) during the Hallmark Channel's "June Weddings" themed movie event!
Then, the movie "Christmas Wedding March" will be a third movie in "The Wedding March" movie series starring Jack Wagner and Josie Bissett at Christmastime!
(*All "Christmas Wedding March" details are via Jack Wagner's fantastic, revealing interview with Ruth Hill at "Devotional Thoughts" - see HERE! (Special thank you to Sherry - for passing this info our way!) )
According to Jack Wagner's interview, the next movies in this series will be even more musically involved, including Hallmark's CEO Bill Abbott getting in on the music!
*UPDATE - May, 2017: It looks like this movie was changed from Christmas to Valentine's Day! It is now titled: "The Wedding March: A Valentine Wedding."
Second Chance Christmas (former title: Old Acquaintance Be Forgot)
(Discovered February 16, 2017)
Storyline of "Old Acquaintance Be Forgot" from myentertainmentworld.com: "With her marriage on the rocks, Caroline wants a divorce. However, on the way to the divorce attorney, she is hit by a car and comes down with amnesia. Unable to remember anything about her life - or her marriage - she depends on her loved ones to rediscover herself. In the process, she falls in love all over again."
If the title of the movie sounds familiar to you, then you must remember it as a line from the dear, classic holiday song "Auld Lang Syne." (It's the last song sung in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" as George Bailey is realizing Clarence, the angel, has "won his wings" and the song is annually sung at midnight when the ball drops on New Years Eve/New Years Day! There's an air of sentimentality with this song that has lasted from one generation to another! I look forward to seeing how this treasured song is implemented in this new movie!)
*Additional cast members: Tilky Jones and Katrina Begin. I checked their filmography to see if I was familiar with any of their past works. Tilky Jones was on the TV series 'Nashville' and starred in the UP Christmas movie "Naughty & Nice" with Haylie Duff. (the one where they are radio disc jockeys) I'm not familiar with Katrina, as an actress, but you may know her from the TV series - 'The Agency,' 'No Ordinary Family,' or 'Boomtown' etc...
This movie - re-titled Second Chance Christmas will premiere November 5, 2017 on UP!
The Holiday to Remember
(Discovered February 21, 2017)
This movie is described as a Family TV Movie on imdb.com.
Storyline via imdb: "Time pass so quickly once you become an adult...before you know it time is coming to the end - this Holiday Movie is about once more capturing a time almost forgotten..
Cast Members include: Brian Adam Mahoney, Dean Phillippi Sr., Julissa Ciara, Jann Van Dyke, Buzz Van Dyke, Sara Bajger, and more on imdb.
Storyline: "It is a heartwarming story about love, family, faith, disappointments, courage and believing in yourself even at the time of adversity. When we look in the mirror, will we like what we see?"
This movie will star Kathy Garver as the character Mrs. Johnson. You may remember Kathy as the eldest sister - Cissy Davis on the popular 1960's sitcom 'Family Affair.'
(Thank you, Tonja, for sharing this movie)
Second Chance Christmas
(Discovered February 22, 2017)
According to IMDB this is a TV Movie. It is also listed as being a musical!
Storyline via IMDB: "A forgotten West Virginia mining town experiences a musical & emotional rebirth when a snowstorm strands a touring orchestra on Christmas Eve."
A Fathers Gift: Christmas in July
(Discovered February 22, 2017)
According to it's IMDB listing this will be a Family TV Movie.
Storyline via IMDB: "After the sudden death of her beloved father, a young girl struggles to rediscover the joy in Christmas. With the help of a local rancher, a boy and a horse, she, her mom and the rancher discover new meaning in life and find the spirit and love of Christmas." -Written By Aventus Films
Storyline: "A cynical small town businesswoman has her lack of faith in the spirit of Christmas tested when she wakes up one day to find that the holiday has vanished."
The Christmas Letters
(Discovered February 26, 2017)
According to IMDB this is a Family TV Movie in development for 2017!
Storyline via IMDB: "A young girl finds a stack of love letters written over the years, each Christmas, from her Grandfather to her Grandmother. As she reads the letters and learns about love she also, unknowingly, prevents her parents divorce."
Cast: Grace Powell as Tabitha and Dimitri Komocsi as Billy
Storyline via IMDB: "Home for the first time in years for her sister's holiday wedding, Noelle McDowell is forced to face Thom Sutton, the man who jilted her when they were both teenagers."
Storyline via IMDB: "A strong female executive learns the meaning of Christmas through a series of events at a homeless shelter operated by an ex-NHL player in New York."
Director: Isaac Florentine
Stars: Ella Joyce, Dan Martin
A Winter Wedding
(Discovered publicly March, 2017)
Storyline via IMDB: "When family conflicts arise between happy couple Hallie and Lucas on the week before their big day, their plans for a breezy wedding in the tropics take a turn and their love is tested when they are forced to put on a small town winter wedding in the snow." Written by Jake Helgren
Screenwriter Jake Helgren shared details on this movie with me in January - while he was still writing the script! At that time, the project was still under-wraps, but now (March, 2017) IMDB has it listed and they will be filming this new project this month - March! (Thank you, Anonymous, for letting me know IMDB now has this listed.)
Furthermore, Jake personally shared with me that he will pass along further details on "A Winter Wedding" - where this will be seen, etc... when it is available. Plus, he shared this will be a "fun, family friendly film." Stay tuned for more details!
A Very Country Christmas will premiere November 12, 2017 on UP!
A Christmas Cop
(Discovered March 9, 2017)
This is a Fantasy according to IMDB. (Family friendly ?)
Storyline via IMDB: "It's Christmas Eve in Oslo, Norway, and vigilante cop Nils Scroogesen is in no mood to celebrate -- and you can take that to the bank."
Cast via IMDB: William Forsythe, Daniel Stisen, Ralf Moeller, Fred Williamson, James Morrison, Dennis Storhøi, Kate Marie Davies, Pontus Olgrim
Untitled Christmas Movie Project filming in Romania
(Discovered March, 2017)
Cast: Theo Devaney, Rose McIver, Emma Saunders and Ben Lamb
*This appears to be an upcoming Netflix Christmas movie.
(Thank you, Sherry, for sharing this movie and Sherry & Ioana A. for the cast news!)
"INSP Films has commenced production on the romantic movie, Christmas on the Coast, with filming taking place in the picturesque Georgia towns of St. Simons, Brunswick and Darien. The announcement was made by Gary Wheeler, Vice President of Original Movies at INSP Films.
“In the tradition of ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ comes our latest holiday film, Christmas on the Coast,” said Wheeler. “It follows the story of a New York romance novelist, who after a string of flops, looks to get her creative juices flowing again by heading home to the south for the winter. What awaits her there is more than she expected, and definitely more than she came for. It is a heartwarming story of love, hope and inspiration.”
Christmas on the Coast is produced by INSP Films and will be distributed by Imagicomm Entertainment. The movie is scheduled for release in November 2017."
Cast via INSP Press Release: "Cast in the leading role as Dru Cassadine is Julie Ann Emery (Better Call Saul, Fargo, Major Crimes). Brysen Flynn will be played by Burgess Jenkins (Remember The Titans, Nashville, Army Wives). Cait Pool (Sun Records, Vice Principals) is set to play Brysen’s daughter, Peyton. The movie is slated to feature veteran actors Bonnie Bedelia (Parenthood, Die Hard, The Division) as Ellie Cassadine and Clarence Gilyard Jr. (Walker, Texas Ranger, Matlock, Top Gun) as Fletcher Reese."
More on Cast for "Christmas on the Coast" revealed via Press Release - see here!
Megan’s Christmas Miracle
(Discovered March 14, 2017)
via register-herald.com: "Filming of a faith-based movie, “Megan’s Christmas Miracle,” is under way at various locations in Raleigh County. The movie is based on a book of the same name, written by Eleanor Wright, a local 70-year-old author.
“It’s not exactly like the book,” shared Wright. “The book is based on a wealthy family whose daughter always had a desire to go to Israel.”
Jason Campbell, owner of JCFilms in Morgantown, suggested the family be a coal mining family instead, which better translates to an Appalachian audience. JCFilms specializes in family-friendly narrative films focusing on Christian viewpoints.
She (writer Eleanor Wright) was adamant in pitching the story to filmmakers that the focus must remain on Christ. Her faith has always been important to her, especially after her two children were born."
Photo Credit: Brad Davis/The Register-HeraldJCFilms crew members film scenes for a movie adapted to local author Eleanor Wright’s book titled "Megan’s Christmas Miracle" inside Hollywood Missionary Baptist Church Saturday evening.
Photo Credit: Brad Davis/The Register-HeraldYoung actress and performer Brooklyn Nelson dances as she and JCFilms crew members film scenes for a movie adapted to local author Eleanor Wright’s book entitled Megan’s Christmas Miracle inside Hollywood Missionary Baptist Church Saturday evening. A handful scenes in the movie will feature several local residents as extras, photographed in the background.
Starring in this film are Tim Goodwin, Brooklyn Nelson and Barry Daily.
According to the register-herald.com article, we may "expect the film “Megan’s Christmas Miracle” to be released in the fall — either late October or early November."
Mr. Snowman
(Discovered March 17, 2017)
Cast: Jesse Hutch (Let it Snow)
(Thank you, Sherry, for sharing this movie)
Love Finds Its Way
(Discovered March 20, 2017)
Hallmark Announces in Press Release: "Hallmark Movies & Mysteries announces the start of production on “Love Finds Its Way,” a two-hour Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Original World Premiere, shooting in Vancouver and set to premiere exclusively on the network, Sunday, July 9 (9 p.m. ET/PT) as part of the network’s highly-rated GOLD CROWN CHRISTMAS franchise. Catherine Bell (“Good Witch”) executive produces and stars in “Love Finds Its Way,” which also co-stars Victor Webster (“Girlfriends Guide to Divorce”). “Love Finds Its Way” is part of Hallmark Movie & Mysteries’ GOLD CROWN CHRISTMAS, a top-rated, annual July programming event on the network."
Storyline via Press Release: "Jane Evans is a single mother dead set on protecting her teenage daughter Betsy from the harsh realities of life. When Betsy falls in love with an enlisted man, Jane tries her best to steer Betsy away from heartache. Little does Jane realize she and her daughter are about to learn important lessons of the heart and that taking chances can sometimes lead to the most extraordinary happy endings."
*This Movie has been renamed "Home for Christmas Day" and will premiere July 16, 2017 - Sunday!
All I Want for Christmas is You (Animated Movie)
(Discovered March, 2017)
This will be available this Holiday Season- November 13, 2017, on DVD, Blu-Ray and On Demand and is based on Mariah Carey's Christmas song, "All I Want for Christmas is You." (Thank you, Becky, for sending me this info.)
According to digitalspy.com: "The singer has produced and narrates the adorable cartoon story about a young Mariah's dream to find a puppy under her Christmas tree. Awwwwwww!"
Storyline digitalspy.com: "Here's how Universal Pictures describes the movie: "When young Mariah (Santa Hunters' Breanna Yde) sees a darling little puppy named Princess at the pet store, she suddenly knows exactly what she wants for Christmas. But before her Christmas wish can come true, she must prove that she can pet-sit Jack, a scraggly rascal of a dog; in fact, the worst dog in the county! Naughty Jack turns Mariah and her family's Christmas preparations upside down in hilarious ways. Will Jack dash Mariah's hopes for her dream puppy? Or will Christmas reveal how love works in surprising and mysterious ways?"
Trailer:
Christmas Dreams - The Movie: The Little Drummer Boy Meets The Nutcracker
(Discovered March, 2017)
via NRB.com: "In the movie, subtitled “The Little Drummer Boy Meets The Nutcracker,” a poor but talented Little Drummer Boy seeks to win the friendship of the Pretty Girl he knows from the playground. Bedeviled by the Pretty Girl’s Bratty Brother and watched over by the magical village Toymaker, the Little Drummer Boy dreams an enchanted Christmastime world. Fantastically, the Pretty Girl shares the same dreamscape with the Little Drummer Boy and imagines her own adventure. Wakening on Christmas Day, the kids bring their families together to share their greatest gifts with each other, realizing that it is truly greater to give than to receive.
“It’s a marrying of two Christmas icons – the Little Drummer Boy and Clara [of] The Nutcracker – as they go through adventure after adventure learning about Christian love, and then learning what they finally learn at the end – and that is: the most important thing is that which they sought, or thought they sought, the true joy came from giving it to each other,” shared Gene Foehl, one of the producers behind Christmas Dreams.
Christmas Dreams is entirely and wordlessly told through color, movement, and dance."
Details excerpted via article on lowellsun.com: ""Spruces and Pines" is an independent holiday film - the movie includes two Christmas tree farms and a small-town downtown.
The independent filmmakers, who live in Massachusetts, will be shooting completely on location with no sets.
The Christmas love story involves the daughter of one Christmas tree farm owner and the nephew of another, said Director John Stimpson. Think Romeo and Juliet. They have to figure out how to get their families on board and how to continue to run the farms.
Lead actors Jonna Walsh and Nick Ballard have both been in studio movies and on television.
The company came together in March, films in April and will have the film ready to sell in June. It will be out in December.
(Thank you, Tonja, for sharing this movie project)
Miss Me This Christmas and You Can’t Fight Christmas
According to Deadline.com: "The film centers on Regina (Erica Ash) and her estranged husband Franklin, music industry heavyweights who were married on Christmas Day and are facing a divorce on their anniversary unless they can be honest with each other and themselves. Redaric Willias, Eva Marcille, Allen Maldonado, Brely Evans and Richard Gant co-star. Erica Ash will also co-star in the film’s follow-up "You Can’t Fight Christmas" and record original songs for the romantic comedies."
Not sure, yet, where these will be seen, or if they will be family friendly. Stay tuned for further details.
(Thank you, Sleepy Kitty Paws, for the reminder on these movie projects)
Psych: The Movie
(discovered May 8, 2017)
This is a Christmas-themed TV Movie bringing back the cast of the mystery series "Psych."
Storyline via reviewjournal.com: "In “Psych: The Movie,” fake psychic detective Shawn Spencer (James Roday) and his best friend, Burton “Gus” Guster (Dule Hill), will team up once again. Lassiter (Timothy Omundson), Juliet (Maggie Lawson), Henry (Corbin Bernsen) and Chief Vick (Kirsten Nelson) will also return for the movie, which picks up three years after the series finale. The friends, along with some returning fan-favorite characters, come together during the holidays after a mystery assailant targets one of their own."
The 'Psych' TV movie will air on the USA Network this Christmas!
"A Christmas Story" Live Musical Production
(discovered May 12, 2017)
via FOX Press Release:
Fox Broadcasting Company and Warner Horizon Unscripted Television have partnered with award-winning film, television and theater producer Marc Platt (GREASE: LIVE, "La La Land") on the LIVE musical event A CHRISTMAS STORY, inspired by the holiday classic feature "A Christmas Story" and the Tony Award-nominated Broadway production "A Christmas Story: The Musical." The three-hour live television production of A CHRISTMAS STORY will air this December on FOX.
Holly Star Movie
(discovered May 12, 2017)
Storyline via Facebook: A broke puppeteer comes home for the holidays and gets wrapped up in a bizarre treasure hunt with her Nana, a paintballer, a Christmas tree salesman and Santa.
*Rating is unknown. Don't know, yet, if it will be family-friendly or not?
The Christmas Cure
(discovered May 23, 2017)
According to the Downtown Dundas BIA Facebook: "CP Xmas Productions, produced for the Hallmark channel, is currently decorating King Street for their movie 'Home for the Holidays'." The film will star Brooke Candice Nevin ("Journey Back to Christmas," "On the Twelfth Day of Christmas") and Steve Byers ("Catch a Christmas Star").
*This movie has been renamed "The Christmas Cure"
Switched for Christmas - Candace Cameron Bure stars in new Hallmark Christmas Movie!
(discovered May 31, 2017)
Via an interview with hiddenremote.com, Candace Cameron Bure reveals she will star in another Hallmark Christmas movie this year!
Hidden Remote: And we can’t forget about your Aurora Teagarden series. Where can your Hallmark and Fuller House fans find you next, and what can they look forward to?
Bure: Season 3 of Fuller House will come out on Netflix in the fall, and you can always catch my mystery series, Aurora Teagarden, on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel. And I will have a new Christmas movie coming out on the Hallmark Channel!
*Update: Candace's Christmas movie is... Christmas Sister Swap
*Update #2:- September 12, 2017: Candace's Christmas movie is now titled... Switched for Christmas
Storyline via Hallmark press release: Just because they are identical does not mean these twins even like each other. Estranged twin sisters get together for an obligatory pre-Christmas lunch, a year after their mother died. Both women are unhappy and frustrated with their own lives. Though not close, each is envious of the other's life. What's a twin to do but take advantage of this? And who would be the wiser? They do what any identical twins in need of new outlooks would do -- they swap lives until Christmas Day. And by doing so, each woman discovers the true meaning of her life and gains a deeper perspective and appreciation for what she already had.
Melissa McCarthy To Play 'Margie Claus' In New Christmas Movie Musical
(discovered June 8, 2017)
Margie Claus will premiere in 2019. Melissa McCarthy has been cast in the role, and from what I hear - they are planning to rival the movie "Elf" with this new Christmas Movie Musical Comedy!
*Rating is unknown. Don't know, yet, if it will be family-friendly or not?
Christmas Wedding Planner
(discovered June 10, 2017)
Runaway Christmas Bride
(discovered May, 2017)
Starring: Cindy Busby, Travis Milne, Fiona Vroom, Bruce Dawson, and more...
From Ace Entertainment comes an all new made-for-TV movie for the network - ION!
Here are some fun set pics via Facebook and Instagram...
From Hartbreak films (owned by Melissa Joan Hart and her mother Paula - who is directing!) comes a Christmas movie starring Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez - titled "Christmas Hours"!
Storyline via FOX 61: "It’s a story about two competing toy stores during the holiday season. Hart and Lopez play the store owners who band together after a big box store moves to town and end up falling in love."
*At this time, I'm hearing this might be a Lifetime TV movie! Stay tuned for further details!
UPDATE: NEW TITLE!
“A VERY MERRY TOY STORE” (World Television Premiere)
Premieres Sunday, November 26 at 8:00PM-10:02PM (ET/PT)
Writer Richard Paul Evans revealed on his Facebook Page on August 2, 2017 - "Great News! Hallmark just green lighted the production of THE MISTLETOE INN for this next Christmas. The Mistletoe Promise was their 2nd most watched Christmas movie of 2016. I'll keep you updated. The Mistletoe Inn is written around a writer's conference. I'm planning on a cameo as one of the writer hopefuls in the movie."
Since then, cast news for this Hallmark Christmas movie has been buzzing and Alicia Witt has also officially confirmed via social media that she is starring in this movie!
Love Returns Home
Christmas movie starring Wes Brown, Jana Kramer, Faith Ford, and young actor Trace Masters.
*Rumored to be for Lifetime!
Four Christmases and a Wedding
Christmas movie starring Arielle Kebbel, Markie Post, Corey Sevier, Madison Smith, Donna Benedicto, Caitlin Stryker, Jarrod Terrell, and Cassidy Nugent.
Secret Santa (wt)
Via Deadline.com: "Lifetime has greenlit holiday movie Secret Santa (working title), with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alumna Tatyana Ali, Emmy nominee Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers), Dan Lauria (The Wonder Years) and Brendan Fehr (Guardians of the Galaxy).
The two-hour original movie is currently shooting in Salt Lake City, Utah for premiere this winter.
The logline: Christmas is Hillary Nash’s (Ali) least favorite time of year. As the Senior Financial Analyst at the upscale Hudson Valley Outdoor Mall, she has to be the annual Christmas Grinch and cancel the leases of under-performing stores by the end of the year. One afternoon, her 8-year-old niece Molly, asks the mall Santa to help find a boyfriend for her beloved aunt. Unbeknownst to Molly, and Hillary, the mall Santa is just a substitute filling in and is actually Ryan McCue (Fehr), a lawyer-turned-artist who is decorating the mall for Christmas and trying to find his way after quitting his job and losing his fiancee. As Hillary and Ryan begin to fall for each other, they each don’t realize the other’s true identity: Hillary who is tasked with closing a failing gift wrap shop run by Ryan’s Aunt Patty and Ryan who is too ashamed to tell Hillary that he is the acting mall Santa.
Cast also includes Kim Fields (The Facts of Life) and Jasmine Guy (A Different World).
Sterling plays cheery Agnes, who along with her husband, played by Dan Lauria, run the mall cookie store, bringing a combination of sweetness, advice and answers to all."
UPDATE: NEW TITLE!
“WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS” (World Television Premiere)
Premieres Saturday, November 25 at 8:00PM-10:02PM (ET/PT)
*Thank you "Sleepy Kitty Paws" for sharing this cartoon!
via NBC: About the Show- "Based on DreamWorks' hit musical-comedy film, "Trolls Holiday" is an animated special that continues the story of the Trolls and the Bergens. When Poppy, queen of the Trolls, realizes that the Bergens' calendar has no holidays to celebrate, she enlists Branch and the Snack Pack in a mission to enlighten her best friend Bridget and the rest of the Bergens about the importance of holidays. Can these two mismatched friends find something meaningful to celebrate, even if it's super tiny? The original cast from the Trolls feature film - Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and James Corden - will fill this holiday season with toe-tapping songs and tons of fun!"
Snowed Inn
Andrew Walker ("A Dream of Christmas," "Debbie Macomber's Dashing Through the Snow," and Bethany Joy Lenz ("The Christmas Secret") will star in this new Christmas movie titled "Snowed Inn" for Lifetime.
(*Bethany shared news of the movie via a Facebook video)
*PLEASE NOTE - This List has changed - please see my Christmas Movies on TV page for updated details!
1.)
Marry Me at Christmas
Premieres: Oct. 28, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Rachel Skarsten, Trevor Donovan
Official logline: “Organizing a Christmas wedding is a true treat for bridal boutique owner Madeline Krug. She loves the challenge of finding the perfect dress for the bride and orchestrating an exquisite event. What Madeline didn’t expect was to be swept off her feet by the bride’s gorgeous brother, movie star Jonny Blaze. Jonny came to the quirky town of Fool’s Gold to support his sister — not to fall in love. Yet Madeline is the most extraordinary woman he’s ever met. Planning the perfect wedding leads to candlelit dinners and strolls through snow-covered streets. Madeline finds the real Jonny even more captivating than her celebrity crush. Will the action star be brave enough to take on the role of a lifetime?”
2.)
Christmas Festival of Ice
Premieres: Nov. 4, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Taylor Cole, Damon Runyan, Wendy Crewson
Official logline: “Those years of law school pay off for Emma but not in ways one would expect. When she finds out that her beloved ice-sculpting contest, part of her hometown’s Christmas festival, has been canceled, she springs into action. Determined to keep it going, she enlists sponsors and artists. Nick, the town’s ace artisan, isn’t interested in competing this year, but Emma wants him as her teammate. Considering what she’s managed to accomplish, Nick is impressed and signs on. As Emma and Nick work together, she realizes there’s more to life than legal briefs. And transformed by Emma’s can-do spirit, Nick is invigorated, too. They just might have a shot at winning this very special Christmas contest — and a lot more.”
3.)
Miss Christmas
Premieres: Nov. 5, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Brooke D’Orsay, Marc Blucas
Official logline: “Holly Kuhn is on her annual mission of finding a majestic specimen for The National Tree. While searching for the perfect Christmas fir for the Washington, D.C. Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony, Holly receives a letter from a boy detailing why his town boasts the most beautiful evergreen. Holly travels to the boy’s quaint New England town, where she meets his handsome uncle, Sam McCary. Sam owns the land from which it grows and is a protective steward. It holds such deep meaning for Sam that he’s not about to let it be chopped down even for such an honor. Still, Holly finds herself falling for Sam, and they discover the magic that this perfect tree can bring, just in time for the holidays.”
4.)
The Sweetest Christmas
Premieres: Nov. 11, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Lacey Chabert, Lea Coco, Jonathan Adams
Official logline: “When struggling pastry chef Kylie Watson learns she’s made it to the finals of the American Gingerbread Competition, she thinks her competitive spirit has finally paid off and hopes the publicity will help her jumpstart her new café. There’s just one problem — the oven she’s supposed to use breaks down right before the contest. Determined to enter, she reaches out to Nick Mazannti, her old boyfriend from culinary school who gave up his dream of being a pastry chef to take over his family’s pizzeria. Nick allows her to use his industrial pizza oven at night to craft her ambitious gingerbread confections. As the two reminisce about the dreams of their youth, their romance is rekindled. But just as Kylie is on the cusp of taking the grand prize — and embracing true love — things get complicated when her ex-boyfriend takes drastic steps to win her back. Kylie realizes she must embrace the Christmas Spirit or risk losing both the contest and her new love.”
5.)
Enchanted Christmas
Premieres: Nov. 12, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Alexa PenaVega, Carlos PenaVega
Official logline: “When she left Salt Lake City, Laura (Alexa PenaVega) left behind her father, her love of dance and an old heartbreak to start over as a single mother in Los Angeles. Now, she must return home with her seven-year-old daughter Nikki to spearhead the renovation of an old hotel, the Enchanted Lodge. The hotel must be restored in time for the 75th annual Christmas Eve benefit show – the very one in which Laura performed at when she was younger. But Laura is shocked to learn that her old love, Ricardo (Carlos PenaVega), the boy who jilted her for a professional dance career, has returned to Salt Lake City to choreograph and star in the show. And when his dance partner Taylor (Chelsie Hightower) leaves suddenly for an out-of-town audition, Laura must step in for her, reawakening her love of the dance, not to mention her old feelings for Ricardo – a potent combination that has her head spinning. Now, Laura must try to reconnect to her past, her family, and her love of Christmas to find a way to capture the magic of the season.”
*PLEASE NOTE - This List has changed - please see my Christmas Movies on TV page for updated details!
6.)
Coming Home for Christmas
Premieres: Nov. 18, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Danica McKellar, Neal Bledsoe
Official logline: “Allie Richfield is at a crossroads when she lands a job as house manager for the exquisite Ashford Estate in the Virginia countryside. While preparing the place for sale, Allie plans one final Christmas Eve gala for the Marley family, though they seem to be a family in name only. There’s Kip Marley, who never met a party he didn’t like; Robert, the handsome but all-business executor of the estate; Sloane, who arrives with her two young children, sans husband, and the 90-year-old matriarch, Pippa, a spitfire who doesn’t want to put the house up for sale at all. As Allie is inserted into the home and the lives of the Marley family, she finds herself drawn to Robert — even as Kip pursues her. Can she navigate her suddenly complicated love life while helping mend family feuds and maybe teaching all the true spirit of Christmas?”
7.)
A Gift to Remember
Premieres: Dec. 2, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Ali Liebert, Peter Porte
Official logline: “Darcy’s lifelong love of reading has led her to the perfect job, working in a small Manhattan bookstore. A real romantic, Darcy won’t settle for some man simply because of his job title or bank account. No, she insists on being swept off her feet. One day, while bicycling to work, Darcy crashes into Adrian, a sharply dressed gentleman walking his dog. Knocked unconscious, he’s rushed to the hospital where he falls into a coma. Deeply shaken, the guilt-ridden Darcy takes the dog home, waiting to reunite him with his owner. As she learns more about Aidan — a world-traveler, a devoted man of letters — Darcy realizes he could be the one she has been waiting for. That is, until he comes to and Darcy discovers she has created a fictional world for a very real man. Will she still fall in love?”
8.)
Secretly Santa (Former title: Secret Santa)
Premieres: Nov. 22, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Emilie Ullerup, Aaron O’Connell
Official logline: “Just how secret does an office secret Santa have to be? In Melanie’s case, she finds it’s just a little too covert. The assignments were distributed for Secret Santa, and Melanie is a little worried but very excited that she was given her crush, Donovan. She comes up with thoughtful gifts and spot-on notes. Donovan is so taken by his Secret Santa, he starts to fall in love — only someone else is stealing her credit, pretending to be his Secret Santa. Now Melanie must work to prove to Donovan that she is the right one as far as Santas and girlfriends go.”
9.)
The Mistletoe Inn
Premieres: Nov. 23, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Alicia Witt, Casey Manderson, David Alpay
Official logline: “When aspiring romance novelist Kim Rossi (Alicia Witt) is unceremoniously dumped by her soon-to-be-published romance novelist boyfriend, Garth (Casey Manderson), becaause he doesn’t feel she’s serious about her writing career, Kim takes stock and decides to take a leap. She signs up for a romance writing retreat at a quaint Vermont Inn shortly before Christmas, where a top romance novelist is scheduled to attend and read the work of one lucky writer. Shortly after arriving, she crosses paths with Zeke (David Alpay), whom she initially finds to be intrusive and, naturally, ends up being her assignment partner. Worse yet, her ex-boyfriend, Garth, is also at the retreat. Despite these bumps in the road, Kim steps outside her comfort zone and plunges into the writing exercises and ends up surprising herself. Equally unexpected is the attraction that seems to be building between her and Zeke that promises to take her down a road she never imagined traveling. Based on the book by Richard Paul Evans.”
10.)
Finding Santa
Premieres: Nov. 24, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Jodie Sweetin
Official logline: “Jessica was delighted to start running her New England town’s Christmas events after her mom died. The main event is the parade on Christmas Day when the jolly man in red greets the crowd. For the last 30 years, Henry, owner of a famous Santa School, played St. Nick. When Henry falls ill, and everyone else he has trained is already booked, Jessica’s in a predicament. The only possible replacement is Henry’s son, Ben, an Uber driver who never wanted to follow in his father big black leather boots. Desperate, Jessica sets off 200 miles north to find Ben and lures him to town by hiring him to drive her back. The trek is daunting; the real Kris Kringle makes it around the world easier than Ben and Jessica on their return. Still, once Ben dons the red suit, he feels the spirit of Christmas — and soon begins to realize he may have found the new, real-life Mrs. Claus.”
11.)
The Christmas Train
Premieres: Nov. 25, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Dermot Mulroney, Danny Glover, Joan Cusack, Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Official logline: “David Baldacci’s No. 1 New York Times bestseller comes to Hallmark Hall of Fame: A journalist embarks on a cross-country train ride at Christmas having no idea this journey will take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart as he rediscovers people’s goodness, holiday magic, and a love he thought he’d lost.”
12.)
Switched for Christmas (Formerly Christmas Sister Swap)
Premieres: Nov. 26, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Candace Cameron Bure
Official logline: “Just because they are identical does not mean these twins even like each other. Estranged twin sisters get together for an obligatory pre-Christmas lunch, a year after their mother died. Both women are unhappy and frustrated with their own lives. Though not close, each is envious of the other’s life. What’s a twin to do but take advantage of this? And who would be the wiser? They do what any identical twins in need of new outlooks would do — they swap lives until Christmas Day. And by doing so, each woman discovers the true meaning of her life and gains a deeper perspective and appreciation for what she already had.”
*PLEASE NOTE - This List has changed - please see my Christmas Movies on TV page for updated details!
13.)
Christmas in Evergreen (Formerly Snow Globe Wishes)
Premieres: Dec. 2, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: TBA
Official logline: “You’re invited to spend Christmas in Evergreen, Vermont. It’s the place you see when you reflect on the beauty and celebration of the season. It’s the place you’re homesick for when December arrives and you reflect on all what’s important. There’s a history to this idyllic small town, a bond between its families that crosses generations, and a story that truly comes alive each Christmas season. At the local café, there is also a belief that if you make a wish on their snow globe, your wish will be granted. However, it must be your heart’s true desire for the wish to come true.”
14.)
Christmas at Holly Lodge (Formerly Reindeer Lodge and Evergeen Inn)
Premieres: Dec. 3, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Alison Sweeney
Official logline: “Sophie Bennett begins a new holiday tradition of spending every holiday at the Evergreen Inn and Ski Lodge, which she inherited from her parents. Evergreen Inn is a special place filled with people who cannot make it home for the holidays or who have had such wonderful experiences that it has become their home-away-from-holiday-home. This Christmas, Sophie will meet an unforgettable family, and her own life will be forever changed.”
15.)
The Christmas Shop
Premieres: Dec. 9, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: TBA
Official logline: “Anna works for a New York City real estate development company that is trying to buy an old building in a prime location, hoping to flip the property for a profit. Unfortunately, there is one tenant who is holding out—the owner of an old-fashioned Christmas shop. Anna has been hoping for a way to step up in her job, and finally she’s been given the golden opportunity to take point on this assignment. Anna approaches the Christmas Shop’s current (and handsome!) owner Michael, who is not only protective of his family’s legacy but really appreciates what the holiday means to everyone. His customers and employees have been loyal to the shop for generations. He’s not about to roll over for Anna and her company. But with sinking profits, Michael finally gives in a little bit to Anna’s attempts to change his mind—that Anna spend one week working in the store and then, after that, if she doesn’t realize why this shop is so important to him, his family, and the community, they can talk. Without much of an option, she begrudgingly agrees. Under their arrangement, Anna gains a greater appreciation for the store, its customers, and Christmas itself, realizing what really matters in life with respect to her job. Likewise, Michael is resistant to change, and the store has failed to modernize over the years. But through Anna’s innovative ideas and the love that grows between them, Michael is able to move past that. When the company finds out about what’s going on and Anna’s career is on the line, she is forced to make a choice, one that will change her forever and make this one of the best Christmases she has ever had.”
*PLEASE NOTE - This List has changed - please see my Christmas Movies on TV page for updated details!
16.)
Christmas Encore
Premieres: Dec. 10, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Maggie Lawson, Brennan Elliott
Official logline: “A struggling actress is cast in her last off (off) Broadway show - a modern take on A Christmas Carol — before giving up her dream and moving home. Instead she find romance with her director and a renewed passion for her craft and the city. But when the historic theater loses its lease and the show is set to fold, she and her cast mates need a Christmas miracle.”
17.)
Christmas Shuttle
Premieres: Dec. 16, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: TBA
Official logline:“It’s not easy being Henry, the only child of divorced parents. Every Christmas, he’s flown cross-country to be with his dad. Because he’s 8, a flight attendant looks after him from gate-to-gate. Henry instantly takes to the engaging Megan, who wears a Santa hat while helping him write a letter to the jolly guy. Megan promises to mail it to the North Pole, but slips the note to Henry’s dad. Henry has already decided Megan and his dad would be a great couple. And with all of the sophistication of a little boy, he tries setting them up. It turns out that Megan has no plans for Christmas dinner. Naturally, Henry invites her over, giving the adults a chance to see that they are perfect for each other.”
18.)
Father Christmas
Premieres: Dec. 17, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: TBA
Official logline: “Work-obsessed Eric Randall, chief technology officer of a major tech company in Kansas City, is laid off two weeks before Christmas. Divorced and the father of three, this will be Eric’s first Christmas alone with the kids. His ex-wife, Marie, encourages Eric to postpone a job search and instead make Christmas a true family holiday. Unfortunately, he’s better with computers than children. With baby Max strapped into a backpack, Eric is determined to build a sled with son Liam, no small feat for the math-challenged boy. Eric also gets roped into volunteering at daughter Chelsea’s junior cotillion class. At least her teacher, Kate Moore, is lovely. Kate teaches Eric some dance moves, and Eric realizes he’s avoided relationships by burying himself in work. Though enthralled with all old-fashioned romance, Kate finds a lot to like in this digital-age dad while Eric learns that family time does not need to be restricted to Christmas.”
Official logline: "Travel writer Emory has never had a traditional Christmas. Having grown up bouncing around the globe with her vagabond parents, her adult life mirrors much of what she learned growing up—life’s easier when you’re not tied down. Although her free spirit makes her the perfect travel writer, a surprising breakup with her boyfriend takes her personal life back to square one. Hoping to spend the holiday relaxing and recovering, Emory takes the picturesque Christmas vacation planned for the two of them, alone. Through a mix up on the rental site — or maybe a little Christmas magic — Emory is forced to share the cabin with Scott, a handsome widower, his young daughter and mother-in-law. What begins as an annoying inconvenience blooms into a romance she never knew was possible, and a Christmas they will cherish forever."
20.)
When Calls the Heart: The Christmas Wishing Tree
Premieres: Dec. 25, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Erin Krakow, Lori Loughlin, Daniel Lissing, Jack Wagner, Pascale Hutton, Kavan Smith
Official logline: “A loved one returns, Christmas spirit is renewed, and children’s wishes are granted in this heartwarming Christmas movie featuring the series’ beloved characters. Elizabeth’s fiancé, Jack, surprises her, coming on home on leave and bringing a young Mountie desperately searching for Christmas inspiration. The community of Hope Valley works together to aid this young man with the help of an enchanted Wishing Tree. And as mayor, Abigail is pretty busy. Recognizing that, her newly adopted son, Cody, engages classmates in creating the town’s annual Christmas Celebration. While Sheriff Bill Avery forges a relationship with the disgraced former mayor, Henry Gowen, Rosemary and Lee are reminded that family is the true meaning of Christmas.”
21.)
New Year’s Gala
Premieres: Dec. 30, 8 p..m. ET/PT
Stars: TBA
Official logline: TBA
*PLEASE NOTE - This List above has changed - please see my Christmas Movies on TV page for updated details!
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries “The Most Wonderful Miracles of Christmas”
-coming this Christmas Season!!!
*PLEASE NOTE - This List has changed - please see my Christmas Movies on TV page for updated details!
1.)
The Perfect Christmas Present
Premieres: Nov. 4, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Sam Page, Tara Holt
Official logline: “Tom Jacobs has built an entire business around helping clients find the perfect gift for their loved ones. Since his company’s busiest time of the year is the holidays, he’s earned himself the nickname Mr. Christmas. When Tom’s good friend Paul comes to him asking for help in finding a gift for his girlfriend, Jenny, Mr. Christmas finds himself in a bit of trouble. The more he learns about Jenny during his research, the more he likes her, and the guiltier he feels being caught between his heart and his best friend. With Christmas rapidly approaching, Tom dreads his encroaching deadline as it will mean an end to his time with Jenny and perhaps an end to his only chance at being with his one true love.”
2.)
Christmas in the Air
Premieres: Nov. 5, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Catherine Bell, Eric Close
Official logline: “Lydia, a successful professional organizer, is constantly trying to grow her business, but even her ambition takes a back seat to love when she meets Robert, a frazzled widower with two young children. A toy inventor, Robert is asked to present his new Christmas toy line to a superstore. His challenge is he only has 12 days to get his life and his business in order. Talk about a Christmas rush! Lydia shows Robert that this task goes way deeper than messy junk drawers and encompasses every aspect of his life. While she’s intent on helping him straighten out details he had long ignored, Robert teaches the buttoned-up Lydia that messiness can be a delightful part of life.”
3.)
A Song for Christmas
Premieres: Nov. 11, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Rebecca Tobin, Kevin McGarry
Official logline: “Pop superstar Adelaide Kay is so fed up with her controlling manager that she sneaks off the tour bus after their latest squabble. Though exhilarated to be free, she finds herself stranded in the freezing cold of a Pennsylvania winter, with no money and no plan. A local family, the Lapps, take her in. They know the true meaning of the season, even if they’re close to losing their dairy farm. No one in the family recognizes Adelaide except Dillon, the oldest son. He figures she’s the ticket to fast cash and plots to snap photos of Adelaide around the farm and sell them to the tabs. What he doesn’t plan, however, is their mutual attraction. As they get to know each other, Dillon has two realizations: Profiteering from invading Adelaide’s privacy is wrong, and his uptight girlfriend is not the one for him. When Adelaide performs a song, which Dillon’s kid sister wrote, a lot of money is earned which aids the Lapps and other strapped farmers.”
4.)
Engaging Father Christmas
Premieres: Nov. 12, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Erin Krakow, Niall Matter, Wendie Malick
Official logline: “It was supposed to be the perfect engagement. What could be more romantic than a Christmas proposal in a bucolic Vermont inn? Ian has it planned perfectly, or so he thinks. Miranda, an interior designer, returns to where she met Ian, a dashing former attorney who now runs the little hotel in the quaint town of Carlton Heath. After doing some digging to learn about her family roots, Miranda had traced her lineage to Carlton Heath. Though it’s Christmas, Miranda had always done her best to distance herself from the holiday; her mom, an actress, had died while performing a holiday play. Ian has carefully planned every aspect of Miranda’s visit so he could make the most romantic proposal. Too bad the best-laid plans often go awry – even during Christmas.”
5.)
Christmas Homecoming (Formerly Welcome Home Warrior)
Premieres: Nov. 18, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Julie Benz, Michael Shanks
Official logline:“A military widow, whose faith in Christmas has lapsed, rents an apartment to a handsome Army Captain, recovering from an injury in battle, and whose faith in Christmas is inspirational. As they team up to save the town’s military museum with a Christmas fundraising event, these two ‘wounded birds’ find themselves falling in love — and being healed by the magic of Christmas.”
*PLEASE NOTE - This List has changed - please see my Christmas Movies on TV page for updated details!
6.)
A Bramble House Christmas
Premieres: Nov. 19, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Autumn Reeser, David Haydn-Jones, Teryl Rothery
Official logline: “While settling his father’s estate, Finn Conrad becomes suspicious as to why he left a nurse $50,000. His dad knew her for less than two months before he died. Just before Christmas, Finn wants to reclaim what he considers his family’s money, so he goes undercover to investigate the bed-and-breakfast the nurse has recently taken over. When Finn meets Willa, he discovers she’s not a conniving gold digger at all. She’s the single mother of a sick boy who needed an operation. Finn’s dad paid for the operation and financed Willa’s dream of running the Bramble House B&B. Though Willa and Finn are protective of their hearts for different reasons, they fall in love — until she discovers his true identity and why he was there. Now Finn must gain Willa’s trust to make this a Christmas to remember.”
7.)
A Joyous Christmas (Formerly Christmas for Joy)
Premieres: Nov. 26, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: TBA
Official logline:“Joy may be down-on-her-luck, but her humanity is intact. She jumps to the aid of a stranger, rescuing the woman from a terrible accident. The woman who nearly died is quite successful and learns a great lesson from her accident: Helping others is the key to true success and could be the path to finding true love as well.”
8.)
Christmas in Angel Falls
Premieres: Dec. 2, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Rachel Boston, Paul Greene
Official logline: “Angel Gabriel (Rachel Boston) – Gabby – gets a special assignment and is dispatched to the town of Angel Falls. The town has lost its Christmas spirit and Gabby is charged with the task of helping the residents recapture it. Along the way, she befriends Jack Avery (Paul Greene), the Volunteer Fire Chief, who’s initially skeptical about her plan to revive the local Yuletide cheer. Determined, Gabby takes a job at the local church as the volunteer coordinator and sets about her business of recruiting residents to get the town’s holiday back on track. In the process of bringing back beloved Angel Falls Christmas traditions, Gabby has a surprising revelation about herself and her own dreams that set her down an unexpected path.”
9.)
Unbridled Love
Premieres: Dec. 3, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: TBA
Official logline: “Evil stepmothers don’t only lurk in castles, tormenting helpless children. Sometimes, they’re on ranches, tormenting adults. A year after her father died in a fire at their Oregon ranch — a fire accidentally caused by her stepmother, Mae — Sarah has finally found her footing, turning the family homestead into a successful dude ranch. Still, Mae is pushing to take it over, seeing it as a potential goldmine. Meanwhile, Graham, a Hollywood superstar, wants to use the ranch as the location of his next movie. Sarah isn’t inclined to allow it. During a long horseback ride through the moonlit mountains, Graham explains why this project is so dear to him. That and a soulful kiss make Sarah relent. But all does not run smoothly once the movie starts. Graham and his costar, Simone, had been involved; Sarah has fallen hard for the handsome star. Still, she won’t allow jealousy to cloud her professionalism. When Simone’s horse runs wild, Sarah saves her. And when Sarah’s evil stepmother, Mae, also runs wild — suing Sarah — Simone, in turn, saves Sarah.”
*PLEASE NOTE - This List has changed - please see my Christmas Movies on TV page for updated details!
10.)
When God Winks
Premieres: Dec. 9, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: Kathie Lee Gifford
Official logline: “Executive Producer and author of the When God Winks book series SQuire Rushnell presents this true story demonstrating that God communicates with us, making incredible things happen in our lives every single day. Viewers will begin to recognize god winks in their own lives, both past and present. Through these tangible signposts from God, we receive personalized messages that reassure us, stop us from worrying, chart our path in life and help us keep the faith.”
11.)
The Christmas Cottage
Premieres: Dec. 10, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: TBA
Official logline: “Still only in her mid-twenties, Lacey Quinn has already given up on love. Her heart’s been broken too many times, and now she concentrates on her career as an interior designer in Raleigh, North Carolina. When BFF Ava Callahan asks Lacey to be her maid of honor, she must take on a few responsibilities, including making sure the Callahan family cottage is perfect for the honeymoon. Legend has it that if newlyweds spend their first night there, everlasting love and happiness follow. Lacey isn’t sure she buys into that notion. Still, when she finds herself snowed in there with Charlie, Ava’s brother, Lacey has to reconsider if the little house may hold some romantic magic after all — especially at Christmas.”
12.)
Karen Kingsbury’s Maggie’s Christmas Miracle
Premieres: Dec. 10, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Stars: TBA
Official logline: “Megan spent one unforgettable summer with a boy when they were teens, and she’s never forgotten his magical definition of love. Now a high-powered attorney in New York and the single mother, her young son unexpectedly connects them again, but it’s not until Christmas when Maggie finally gets the miracle — the love — she’s longed for.”
*PLEASE NOTE - This List above has changed - please see my Christmas Movies on TV page for updated details!
A Christmas Cruise
Nick Viall (The Bachelor season 21) is working on a Christmas movie with actor Kristoff St. John ("The Young and the Restless") and Vivica A. Fox ("Summer in the City," "Annie Claus is Coming to Town," etc...).
MORE (possibly!) TO COME!!!
Note: If any of the MOVIE TITLES currently listed above end up NOT being Family Friendly, I will remove that title from the list.
I hope you enjoyed looking at the upcoming Christmas movies for the 2017 Christmas season! Stay tuned for more additions!
Let's keep Christmas in our Hearts all throughout the Year!!!
