25 Best TV Christmas Movies — Ranked!
25 Best TV Christmas Movies — Ranked! (Continued):
15. A Christmas Detour (Hallmark, 2015)
While we’re talking about road trips that change people, let’s go on A Christmas Detour with Candace Cameron Bure.
Some people would say she’s the reigning queen of Hallmark movies. She never disappoints, but this movie is one of her best.
Uptight bride-to-be Paige Summerlind has her future all planned out until a journey to meet her future in-laws for Christmas takes, well, a detour.
She goes on a road trip with a brokenhearted man (Paul Greene) and a couple who have a lot to teach her about love.
The couple adds a fun twist to this trip, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, the chemistry between Bure and Greene is just right.
14. A Country Christmas Story (Lifetime, 2013)
A Country Christmas Story is the type of film that inspired us to create this list. If there is a love story here, it’s between a young girl and music. It definitely stands out.
Jenny Gibson (Megyn Price) has tried to deny her daughter Grace’s (Desiree Ross) natural musical talent because of heartbreaking history with the girl’s father, Danny (Brian McKnight).
But when a country singing competition hosted by Dolly Parton gives Grace the chance to realize her biggest dreams, a broken family is forced together to heal.
A Country Christmas Story has indie movie vibes and in this writer’s humble opinion could’ve held up at the box office once upon a time. Star power always helps movies like this, but it also deals with important topics rarely explored in Christmas movies like race and realities of being a single parent.
13. Last Vermont Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 2018)
In Last Vermont Christmas, three sisters gather at their parents’ Vermont home for one last Christmas there before it’s sold.
Not everyone agrees with the decision to sell and matters are complicated because Megan’s (Erin Cahill) high school sweetheart Nash (Justin Bruening) is involved in the sale.
There is romance in Vermont, sure. But what makes Hallmark Movies & Mysteries originals stand out is that they explore deeper themes. The women learn lessons of forgiveness and moving on after loss. And yes, Bruening and Cahill have a spark.
12. Road To Christmas (Hallmark, 2018)
Maggie Baker (Jessy Schram) is a veteran TV producer who can create a magical Christmas Special for her boss — TV personality Julia Wise (Teryl Rothery) — with her eyes closed.
This year, she’s asked to co-produce the special with Julia’s son Danny (Chad Michael Murray). On the quest to produce the special, Maggie learns the importance of family and giving to others during the holidays, despite some tension between her and Danny.
Yes, they go on a road trip of sorts. But it’s more about the journey gathering others than it is the destination in this movie. There’s also a unique focus on brotherly bonds. Road To Christmas takes some unexpected turns that we love.
11. A Joyous Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 2017)
A stranger saves self-help author Rachel Kennedy’s (Natalie Knepp) life while she’s in her hometown promoting her new book in A Joyous Christmas.
All the woman asks for in return is for Rachel to pay the kindness forward to someone else who needs it.
This is the catalyst Rachel needs to change her selfish ways and learn the true meaning of family. In her growth journey, she heals more of the town’s heart than she ever expected.
This one lands on our list because of a plot twist that truly surprises us, which is a rarity in the Christmas movie genre.
10. Holiday For Heroes (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 2019)
Audrey Brown (Melissa Claire Egan) and soldier Matt Evans (Marc Blucas) become pen pals when her brother, who is also in the Army, shares her Christmas coffee roast from home.
A year later, he shows up in the coffee shop she owns, and they have a chance to take their relationship off the page while trying to save Audrey’s beloved Holiday For Heroes party.
Military characters always add depth to Christmas movies. Add in the rare “pen pals turned lovers” trope and we’re hooked. This story is rather simple, but we never want to leave the quaint town or its cozy coffee shop.
9. Every Day Is Christmas (Lifetime, 2018)
Every Day Is Christmas is a pretty classic take on A Christmas Carol. Alexis (Toni Braxton) is a cold businesswoman who needs a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas so her heart will warm.
Alexis’ late mother Lydia (Gloria Reuben) serves as her guide, taking her to the past to change her Christmas present.
This is just a comforting take on a classic, and every Christmas list needs one of those.
8. Let It Snow (Netflix, 2019)
From a modern take on a classic to a completely new type of Christmas movie, Let It Snow is based on the novel of the same name.
This film steps completely out of the box the genre has been stuck inside for years. That means telling coming-of-age stories about characters of color and LGBTQ youth.
When a snowstorm hits a small town, a group of teens has a Christmas Eve party and their own individual journeys of love. The movie deserves all of the accolades for paying attention to diversity. We’d rate it so much higher if it had just a few more moments that felt cozy and Christmasy.
7. Love At The Christmas Table (Lifetime, 2012)
Danica McKellar makes her second appearance on our list in Love At The Christmas Table, which follows two best friends at the Christmas party they’ve attended for most of their lives.
Will they ever realize that meeting once a year at the Christmas table is not enough when you’re in love?
This film has the indie vibes we love, mixed with festive cheer, and, best of all, a plot that can’t easily be duplicated.
6. Christmas at Cartwright’s (Hallmark, 2014)
Hallmark regular Alicia Witt stars as Nicky Talbot, a single mom that gets a job as Santa thanks to a mysterious guardian angel — who just might bring true love into her life too.
We give this movie so many points for featuring the first female Santa we’ve ever met. But also, name a more festive place than a department store.
We love the message Christmas At Cartwright’s sends about female empowerment, Christmas cheer, true love, and hope during the holidays.
Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.