UPtv, your home for uplifting entertainment, is ready to make this holiday season the *Most Uplifting Christmas Ever*! 🎄✨
Starting October 30th, on National Uplift Someone Day, the celebration begins with more than 50 days of nonstop Christmas cheer! Viewers can cozy up with nearly 100 heartwarming titles, including eight Christmas movie premieres and the cable premiere of the series "The Christmas Checklist."
The holiday season kicks off with all-day movie marathons on October 30th & 31st featuring Festival of Trees, A Bluegrass Christmas, and North by North Pole: A Dial S Mystery.
Then, on Sunday, November 2nd, the UPtv Christmas season truly comes to life with all-new movie premieres... bringing twinkling lights, cozy love stories, and heartwarming holiday magic!
See details (via UPtv's press release) on the new Christmas movies & series below...
The Great Christmas Snow-In – Sunday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. ET
After his engagement is called off, Justin retreats to a secluded cabin meant for his honeymoon, only to be snowed in with Jane, his ex-fiancée’s cousin. As tension builds, a spark forms between them, but when Justin’s ex shows up with her new boyfriend, things get even more complicated. In the close quarters of the cabin, secrets unravel, leading to unexpected discoveries about love and second chances.
Stars: Amanda Fuller, Joey Lawrence, Ricardo Chavez
A Soldier for Christmas - Saturday, November 8 at 7 p.m. ET
Hannah, a military widow and social media consultant, and her five-year-old daughter, Carmen, rediscover the joy of Christmas with Sergeant Ryan in a world forever changed, as they fight for healing and love.
Stars: Renay Rayes, Joe Barra, Cameron Arnett
A Royal Christmas Manor – Sunday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. ET
Prince Alexander of Fredonia escapes to a cozy inn hoping to experience a traditional American Christmas. Katie, who runs the inn, falls for him, completely unaware of his true royal identity.
Stars: Brianna Cohen, Kirk Barker, Jennifer McKinley
Saving Christmas Spirit – Saturday, Nov. 15 at 9 p.m. ET
When brilliant and sharp-witted archaeologist Lucy Stewart decides to spend her Christmas break in the Scottish Highlands, she goes on a quest to find the ruins of a shrine to ancient goddess Beira the Queen of Winter. This discovery will save her job as a professor at a prestigious university from the upcoming budget cuts. She checks into a manor house, which is run by the boisterous Edina McAvoy, who believes it’s inhabited by the Christmas-loving ghost of her husband. Lucy enlists the aid of the charming Duncan McAvoy, Edina’s son, to help her navigate potential sites. Duncan owns a struggling distillery and is hoping that his new scotch, called Christmas Spirit, can save his business from a hostile takeover. Together, Lucy and Duncan explore the beauty of the Highlands while searching for her elusive shrine.
Stars: Ashley Newbrough and James Robinson
Saving the Christmas Ranch – Sunday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. ET
When the accountant for Carrie Williams’ family’s Christmas lodge makes off with all their money, Carrie has just 2 days to come up with nine months of missing mortgage payments or be foreclosed upon. Charming developer John Dunn has been calling Carrie from afar for a while, and now he’s here in person to make an offer on the ranch she can hardly refuse. Can Carrie raise enough funds before the deadline to save her home? Or will she be forced to sell to John, who hasn’t been entirely truthful about how he came to be there.
Stars: Brianna Cohen, Jonathan Stoddard, Kirby Schwarber
A Royal Christmas Hope – Sunday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. ET
At Christmastime in New York City, Julia Carter runs a nonprofit helping families in need. Still grieving her husband, she fights to keep hope alive— especially through her non-profit work and the annual tree lighting. Across the ocean, Prince Christopher escapes royal duties for a break in the U.S. When a chance meeting sparks connection, their bond deepens, and secrets and holidays pressures force them to face what truly matters.
Stars: Jenna Michno, Robert Adamson, Kayla Fields
The Christmas Checklist Season 1 – Saturdays beginning Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. ET
A grieving daughter receives a Christmas checklist from her recently deceased mom with twelve activities she must complete before Christmas.
Stars: Sarah Power, Jarod Joseph
Review:
🎄 Nicely's The Christmas Checklist (streaming on Freevee) is so heartwarming and inspiring, which is why it pains me to say it's not a clean movie. There's 1 swear word that I know of, and near the end of the movie, there's a gay brother. Sorry to anyone who might have wanted to see it. -Maria
A Christmas in Amish Country – Sunday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. ET
When a rising chef’s career implodes after a harsh review, she returns to her Amish roots in rural Pennsylvania only to find healing through slow-cooking techniques and the comforts of home; including re-kindling friendship with the sweet Amish farmer she left behind.
Stars: Ella Cannon, Jason Tobias
A Christmas Murder Mystery – Sunday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. ET
Vera Vexley is the editor of the Metropolitan Ledger’s puzzle section, and a part-time consulting detective for the local sheriff’s office. This year, she has been invited to spend the holidays with family friends, the Sterlings, a wealthy family who appears to be hiding enough secrets to stuff a sleigh. Vera soon finds herself helming a murder investigation when someone is found dead on Christmas morning, putting her at odds with the quick-tempered and distraught family members. Can Vera find the culprit before the holidays turn even more deadly?
Stars: Jamie Bernadette, Rob Mayes, Vivica A. Fox
Christmas in Big Sky Country – Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. ET
Becca Collins collaborates with Logan Johnston, the oil company’s new PR agent, to ensure her brother-in-law returns home safely for the holidays after an incident on an oil rig. Can Becca trust Logan’s intentions?
Stars: Rebecca Dalton, Olivier Renaud, Shaun Johnston
Movie Review:
🎄 Christmas in Big Sky Country. I rather enjoyed this predictable little movie. It was comfortable and satisfying, even though sometimes hokey. There wasn’t a huge amount of romantic chemistry but I thought all the actors did a decent job (in fact I kind of think it might be the best movie the two leads have each done?). It was the same old, same old plotline, and it’s not going to win any awards and I’m not even sure it was all that Christmassy, but there was just enough drama and uniqueness and family sweetness to make it stand out a little bit and be worth watching in a sea of Christmas-movie sameness. Loved the yarn shop; and the family patriarch, who is a sheep farmer, and has lots of silly Dad puns. Family friendly. {I watched this as part of a 3-movie dvd collection that I bought through Net’s affiliation with Amazon. All three movies are good so it was worth the purchase. “Christmas in Maple Hills”, “Christmas with the Knightleys” and this one.} ~~Jane
Note: Thank you, Jane, for this sweet review... I've included a link to the DVD below.
The Best Thing About Christmas - Saturday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. ET
When a talented singer-songwriter loses his daughter in a tragic accident on Christmas Eve, he needs to find his way back to the faith that used to ground him before he loses himself, his marriage and family. The movie features all original music. (Produced by Small Town Christmas’s Megan Alexander.)
Stars: Megan Alexander, Derek Hinckley, Cheyenne Grace and special cameos by country singer Mark Wills and Rhonda Vincent
Christmas with the Knightlys – Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. ET
Georgia Jackson hopes to put on a Christmas showcase with her students, but finds herself in the spotlight when in exchange for a new community center she agrees to pose as the girlfriend of Chase Knightly, the famous son of a billionaire.
Stars: Celeste Desjardins, Joe Scarpellino, Brian Cook
Movie Review:
🎄 Christmas with the Knightlys - What a cute little movie! Sweet, romantic, funny. Most all of the actors were new to me and they all did a good job. Family friendly. Glad I own the dvd so I can watch this again sometime. ~~Jane
Looks like it’s shaping up to be another wonderful Christmas movie season on UPtv! 🎄✨
I’d love to know which movies you are most excited to watch this year?
Personally, I can’t wait to see many of these, including Saving the Christmas Ranch and A Christmas in Amish Country. The first stars Jonathan Stoddard (who many of you know and love from the "Crossroad Springs" series), and the latter features Ella Cannon and Jason Tobias, who were charming together in the UPtv movie, A Wedding for Belle.
Some of you may spot a few familiar titles that have already found their way to DVD or streaming, like Christmas in Big Sky Country and Christmas with the Knightlys. I’ve shared Jane’s delightful reviews of these films above, and after reading her thoughts on these movies again, I’m even more excited to watch them myself! If you’ve seen these movies too, I’d love to hear what you thought... feel free to share in the comments below.
Wishing you all
a very Merry Day!
Net🎄✨
