Happy Thanksgiving,
dear "It's a Wonderful Movie"
Family and Friends!
My heart is, once again, full of gratefulness for another wonderful year, and I'm very much looking forward to sharing Thanksgiving Day with my family... as my momma, sister, and I prepare the meal together and everyone comes home once again for Thanksgiving dinner. There's nothing quite like seeing all of those beautiful faces lit up by the glow of candlelight around the full Thanksgiving table as my daddy leads us all in prayer! Oh, what joy the Holiday season brings!
Each season, just like the right spice, adds just the right flavor to our lives! This entire week, you can enjoy many NEW Christmas movie premieres! Come hungry - because you are definitely going to get your fill with this feast of films!
See all of the details for the 15 Christmas movies being served during this Thanksgiving weekend below + don't miss Jen Lilley and Jesse Hutch hosting the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade...
Wednesday, November 22, 2023:
Synopsis: Maddy's (Farber) adopted son Wesley (Jacobson) has just one Christmas wish — to meet his brother Cody (Dalman), who was adopted into a different family. Cody's father Paul (Penny) is a widower who is not ready to have this conversation with his son, so he turns down a meeting. However, circumstances bring the two brothers unknowingly together and they become fast friends, while sparks fly between Maddy and Paul.
Premieres Wednesday, November 22, 2023
at 8pm/7c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Thursday, November 23, 2023
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Celebrates 89 Years of Entertaining Families Across the City and Country with Marching Bands, Giant Balloons, Festive Floats, Staged Performances and Equestrian Units, All Led by Celebrity Co-Hosts and Stars of Great American Family, Jen Lilley and Jesse Hutch!
Jen Lilley expressed her excitement for hosting via the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade website: “I am absolutely thrilled to be co-hosting the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade! As an ambassador for the ‘Christmas Is Not Cancelled’ non-profit, which raises funds for families across the nation to receive Christmas gifts, I’m grateful for this opportunity to help spread the word and to spread joy for families and children in need!”
Jesse Hutch shared the sentiment: “I look forward to supporting the amazing people of the windy city and hosting the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade with Jen. To say that I am thankful is not only true but also fitting for the day of celebration and reflection.”
Where to View the Parade...
The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade is Live Streamed (free) on Pluto TV across the country and broadcast live in Chicagoland on The CW26
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
Airs Thursday, November 23, 2023
9am/8c. to 12pm/11c.
Thursday, November 23, 2023
Synopsis: Avery Quinn is an aspiring news anchor who's finally getting her big break on her station's Christmas morning newscast. But that's put in jeopardy when she captures an intruder in her home wearing a red suit claiming to be Chris, Santa's son, who is on his first mission. A night of adventure ensues as they find themselves being pursued by the police as well as some shady characters. Along the way, they connect over living in the shadow of their parents and inspire each other to go after their dreams.
Premieres Thursday, November 23, 2023
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
Friday, November 24, 2023
Synopsis: An army reserve doctor (Candace Cameron Bure) tracks down her family’s military history with the help of a new romance (Gabe Hogan).
Premieres Friday, November 24, 2023
at 8pm/7c. on Great American Family
Friday, November 24, 2023
Synopsis: When young siblings receive a magic pen from Santa that appears to be granting wishes, they request a Christmas gift they want more than anything – for their separated parents to reunite.
Premieres Friday, November 24, 2023
at 6pm/5c. on Hallmark Channel
Friday, November 24, 2023
Synopsis: Nine strangers, stranded at an airport during the holidays, unite for a Christmas road trip to Denver. Misadventures lead to unexpected bonds and heartfelt conversations.
Premieres Friday, November 24, 2023
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
Saturday, November 25, 2023
Synopsis: When a European Duke (Damon Runyon) arrives in the US, he realizes that his bags have been lost in transit. He has no choice but to be styled, and ultimately inspired, by Bella (Danica McKellar) the owner of a local boutique.
Premieres Saturday, November 25, 2023
at 8pm/7c. on Great American Family
Saturday, November 25, 2023
Synopsis: Famous soccer star, Graham Savoy (Moseley), has always been too busy for love, but when he comes home to Notting Hill for Christmas, he changes his mind after meeting Georgia (Ramos) – a visiting American and the one person who has no idea who he is.
Premieres Saturday, November 25, 2023
at 6pm/5c. on the Hallmark Channel
Saturday, November 25, 2023
Synopsis: As the holidays approach, Emily (Chabert) and Jared (Brown) are looking forward to celebrating the holidays together again, this time as a couple. Emily, now embracing Evergreen Lane's uniquely festive spirit, is ready to work with Jared, Ned (Tobolowsky), Mary Louise (Travolta) and Pamela (Peterman) to make this year's Christmas celebrations the best yet – even if being the HOA president's girlfriend doesn't stop those dreaded decorating citations. When a house on the block goes up for sale, it causes quite a stir with residents. When the soon-to-be neighbors turn out to be holiday royalty (Morris, Aspen), it looks like this year's competition is about to heat up. As the welcoming committee prepares for the new arrivals, only one thing is certain – this Christmas, Evergreen Lane is going to sleigh!
Premieres Saturday, November 25, 2023
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
Saturday, November 25, 2023
Synopsis: When ex-TV host and socialite Lex (Teri Hatcher) finds herself faced with the possibility of spending Christmas sharing a luxury chalet with her son, ex-husband, and his new girlfriend, she volunteers to work in the chalet to avoid things getting too close to home, while documenting her every move for a new wave of followers who are loving this new chapter of her life.
Premieres Saturday, November 25, 2023
at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Premieres Sunday, November 26, 2023
at 8pm/7c. on Great American Family
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Synopsis: Kate Snow loves everything about the holidays. From Christmas sweaters to Christmas crafts, Kate loves it all, but what really makes her jolly is Christmas time at her shop, Treasures from the Heart, that’s been in her family for generations. This year, however, a developer is moving into her quaint neighborhood and trying to turn everything she loves upside down. To make matters worse, Kate had an electric moment with a handsome stranger on a bus, but never got his name and now has no way to find him.
Mark Goodwin may wear expensive suits and has a big job, but underneath it all, he loves Christmas and everything that comes with it. When he has a moment of connection with a particularly beautiful stranger – dressed as a Christmas elf no less – he goes on a mission to discover exactly who she is to make his holiday romance dreams come true. But when Mark and Kate discover that they are on opposite sides of a very personal battle, it will take all the Christmas magic in the world to bring these two together in time for a truly magical holiday.
*Note: this movie is also airing throughout the Christmas season on PixL.
Premieres Sunday, November 26, 2023
at 7pm/6c. on UPtv
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Synopsis: Olivia (Paxton-Beesley) is a single mom who returns home for Christmas. Her mom secretly enters her into a mural contest; she wins but partners with teacher Will (Jeannotte) to create a Christmas masterpiece.
Premieres Sunday, November 26, 2023
at 6pm/5c. on the Hallmark Channel
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Synopsis: Lucy Hardgrove (Lenz) is a screenwriter who lands the job of a lifetime when she's hired to pen the script for a remake of the beloved, holiday movie classic, His Merry Wife!, which was filmed in 1947 at the beautiful, historic Biltmore House. When the head of the studio isn't satisfied with the ending Lucy wrote because it deviates from the original's feel-good conclusion, he sends Lucy to Biltmore Estate for research and inspiration. While there, she unwittingly discovers the ability to travel to the 1947 set of His Merry Wife! through the help of an hourglass. While on set, she and Jack Huston (Polaha), one of the film's stars, spend time together and become close. But her sudden appearance has set off a chain of events that put the production in jeopardy. Before she can return to the present, Lucy must make things right or threaten to alter the future forever.
Premieres Sunday, November 26, 2023
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Premieres Sunday, November 26, 2023
at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime
BONUS: MONDAY MOVIE PREMIERE!!!
Monday, November 27, 2023
Synopsis: Valerie Warrick is shocked to learn the land passed down from her grandparents isn’t in her family’s name. To save her family’s legacy and their dairy farm, she teams up with handsome veteran Walker Jennings to dig into her family’s past. Can they solve the mystery of who really owns the land in time for Christmas?
Premieres Monday, November 27, 2023
at 8pm/7c. on Great American Family
Thanksgiving Week Programming:
*The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will air Thursday morning, Thanksgiving Day, on NBC. Please read my caution for this program - here.
*Freeform will be airing Christmas classics - Thursday through Sunday, including the Home Alone movies, The Santa Clause trilogy, and more!
*The Disney Channel premieres The Naughty Nine, on Wednesday night, November 22, 2023. In this movie... "a boy realizes he must be on the Naughty List since he didn't get a present from Santa on Christmas morning, so he gathers eight other naughty kids to pull off an elaborate heist in Santa's Village at the North Pole to get their presents." *Please note: I haven't seen this movie, so I don't know if it is family-friendly for children. Encore airings will play throughout Thanksgiving weekend.
*Hallmark Drama will have a marathon of episodes from The Waltons all week, ending with the Reunion Movies on Sunday, which include A Day for Thanks on Walton's Mountain and A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion.
*FX will also be airing The Santa Clause trilogy on Friday and Saturday, and the Home Alone movies on Sunday, and other Christmas classics!
*TNT is airing Elf, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Year Without a Santa Claus, etc... Friday through Saturday. On Sunday, TNT will be airing a day-long marathon of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation leading up to (I believe) the Television Premiere of "A Christmas Story Christmas" (2022) starring Peter Billingsley.
*TBS has The Polar Express, The Year Without a Santa Claus, and a marathon of Elf, Friday to Saturday.
*BYU-TV is playing 3 heartwarming movies... Christmas Jars, Shoelaces for Christmas, and Christmas Oranges.
*The Christian Channel, TCT, is airing Christmas at the Holly Hotel (2022), Friday at 5pm/4c. and Saturday at 5:30am/4:30c. This is the storyline... "When Kathy's parents, the owners of Michigan's historic Holly Hotel, ask her to return for Christmas, things become less clear for her. She reconnects with family, finds the career that she truly enjoys, and falls in love with a handsome and kind police officer."
*AMC is airing Christmas with the Kranks back to back Sunday night, and be sure to catch these endearing religious Christmas cartoons Monday morning - Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey and Little Drummer Boy Book II. Also, look for more beloved Christmas classics on Monday, including The Story of the First Christmas Snow, Twas the Night Before Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street (1947), White Christmas starring Bing Crosby, and more!
As I count my blessings this Thanksgiving week, please know, that I am so grateful for each and every one of you who takes time out of your busy day to visit here and share with others. Whether you share a review or just say hello, THANK YOU so much for visiting It's a Wonderful Movie!
Be sure to look for the NEW Christmas movies in my Christmas Movie Schedule - *HERE*!
Please know when I share a movie, this is NOT an endorsement of any of the actors involved, personally or professionally, with their other TV/film projects.
Note: I haven't pre-screened the new Christmas movies airing this weekend. If you'd like to post a review on whether a film is family-friendly, please share in the comments below. Thank you so much to everyone who participates in this.
See the current 2023 Christmas Movie Reviews - *HERE*
Savor this Thanksgiving week, everyone! I pray you make many precious memories with those you love!
Have a Happy, Blessed Thanksgiving!
God Bless Us, Everyone!
Net
🌟 SHINING HIS LIGHT 🌟
"Rejoice always, pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
