💕 Rachel Boston and Brendan Penny To Star in Heartwarming Christmas Movie, 'The More the Merrier'

Another Hallmark Christmas movie has been officially announced, and this one will surely pull at your heartstrings!

The film is "The More the Merrier" starring Rachel Boston and Brendan Penny!

As part of Hallmark’s 16th annual *Countdown to Christmas*, "The More the Merrier" follows Dr. Alice (Rachel Boston) and Dr. Brian (Brendan Penny) who, along with staff and visitors, are snowed in at a small rural hospital on Christmas Eve. Amid a sudden baby boom, a 14-year-old heart patient named David brings joy, connection, and surprises, highlighting the power of community and resilience.

"The More the Merrier" features special cameos from five children and teens in the Abbott HeartMates program, a community that supports those living with cardiovascular conditions. They appear in the film alongside NFL player and cardiac arrest survivor Damar Hamlin, who also serves as a HeartMates ambassador. Hamlin has previously connected with each of the HeartMates through the program and developed close personal bonds with them and their families, making their on-screen moment especially meaningful.

In addition to being in this movie, NFL player Damar Hamlin will also be seen in the football-themed Hallmark Christmas movie, "Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story."

Since "The More the Merrier" carries a more serious and heartfelt storyline, it feels like the kind of film that would typically premiere during *Miracles of Christmas* on Hallmark Mystery, where the more touching and emotional movies usually air. However, with most *mystery* films debuting on the Hallmark Channel this year instead, I'm curious to see where this movie will end up.

According to the Abbott Heartmates article, which revealed the details of this film, Hallmark’s “Countdown to Christmas” movie lineup announcement is coming tomorrow - on Wednesday, September 17th! So, if that ends up being the case - stay tuned here for all of the 2025 Hallmark Christmas movie news and announcements!

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Have a Merry Day!

Net 💕

🌟 New Christmas Movies Coming in 2025 - with Access Hollywood host, Mario Lopez and Buffalo Bills Football Player, Damar Hamlin - See Details:

This week both Great American Family and the Hallmark Channel have spilled some news on Christmas movies!

First, Great American Family has been giving us hints for a few days now (in their IG stories) that Mario Lopez is filming a new Christmas movie for the channel. I've been keeping my eye on this, hoping for an official announcement from the network, but we haven't received one, just yet! (the above image is from Mario Lopez's now vanished IG story)

So... here's what we know so far: Mario Lopez is filming a holiday movie titled "A Christmas Spark" from March 24 through April 11 in Buffalo, N.Y. The city has beautiful snow right now, so it's the perfect time to film a Christmas movie.

Please note: The title might be updated, particularly because it was previously used for a Lifetime movie in 2022 (starring Jane Seymour and Joe Lando). So, make sure to check back for any changes there.

Also, Mario shared a video from the set in which he said they were filming a scene at a festival. I screengrabbed the image above from the video, and I couldn't help but notice a banner in the background for the charitable Christian organization Samaritan's Purse. (The organization's president is Franklin Graham, son of Christian evangelist Billy Graham.) It's great to see that this amazing charity will be featured in the film, and I can't wait to learn more about the storyline for this Christmas movie.

Last year, Carlos and Alexa PenaVega's Christmas movie on Great American Family, Get Him Back for Christmas, promoted The Salvation Army.

And today, Buffalo Bills Football Player, Damar Hamlin, released a pre-recorded video on the TODAY show announcing that his team would be the subject of an all-new Hallmark Channel “Countdown to Christmas” movie titled "HolidayTouchdown: A Bills Love Story." The cast and plot details have yet to be released.

Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs were featured prominently in the Hallmark Channel movie "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story," starring Hunter King and Tyler Hynes. TODAY show host, Jenna Bush Hager, had a brief speaking part near the end of that film.

The Hallmark Channel posted this message today to their social media:

.@HamlinIsland from @BuffaloBills is here to give you an early Christmas present! Hallmark Media and @NFL are teaming up this year with the @BuffaloBills for an all new holiday movie #HolidayTouchdown: A Bills Love Story, part of #CountdownToChristmas 2025! 🎄 🏈 pic.twitter.com/ZazBm4aLEK

— Hallmark Channel (@hallmarkchannel) March 27, 2025

So... there you have it! More details to come as they are released. Please know, I do try my best to hold back on sharing too much information until the networks have had a chance to release their official statements. However, if the actors/channel involved share details on social media, I do feel that that information is free to share.

Also, wanted to say a special thank you to Maria and Georgianne for both commenting/emailing to share info on Mario's movie! It's so great having such nice friends who love sharing Christmas movie news.

I hope everyone here enjoyed this Christmas movie news today. What are your thoughts on these movies? Are you happy to see another football movie for Hallmark? Are you glad to see GAF working with Mario again? Please share in comments below.

Have a Merry Day!

Net