25 Best TV Christmas Movies — Ranked!
25 Best TV Christmas Movies — Ranked! (Continued):
5. Snowed-Inn Christmas (Lifetime, 2017)
Jenna Hudson (Bethany Joy Lenz) and Kevin Jenner (Andrew Walker) star as competing journalists sent to the same location to write stories to save their respective careers.
When a snowstorm grounds them in Santa Claus, Indiana, they try to put aside their differences to save a historic inn and solve a mystery.
This film has everything from a real Santa Claus, to quaint family moments to the undeniable chemistry between the leads to a plot that can’t be duplicated.
4. Christmas On The Bayou (Lifetime, 2013)
If you love indie vibes in your Christmas movies as much as we do, look no further than Christmas On The Bayou.
Hilarie Burton stars as Katherine, an overworked single mother who decides to go home to a small town in New Orleans for Christmas when she realizes her son Zack (Brody Rose) is unhappy.
While home, she runs into childhood crush Caleb (Tyler Hilton) whose relentless pursuit of her would not be enough to keep her there if she didn’t notice how happy Zack was living life at a slower pace.
This is the original One Tree Hill reunion Christmas movie. It has its own uniquely New Orleans vibe, beautiful cinematography, and is as much about Zack’s journey as Katy’s. Not to mention the fact that Burton and Hilton have genuine chemistry.
3. Nine Lives Of Christmas (Hallmark, 2014)
Cat people rejoice! We have our own Christmas movie.
A stray cat leads confirmed bachelor and fireman Zachary (Brandon Routh) to vet student Marilee White (Kimberley Sustad), and when she needs a place to stay with her own cat Queenie, well, the plot is so natural in this movie it writes itself.
There’s nothing too deep about this film, but good chemistry, a great story flow, and cats are enough to make Christmas TV history.
2. Last Chance For Christmas (Lifetime, 2015)
Hilarie Burton makes her second appearance in our top five as Annie, a single mom and owner of a reindeer farm who is trying to keep it afloat despite waning Christmas spirit.
When one of Santa’s reindeer is injured, his stockman John (Gabriel Hogan) turns to Annie for help, but winning her trust isn’t easy without help from her daughter Madison (Lola Flanery). Even with her help, plenty of misunderstandings get in the way of a Merry Christmas for all.
This film has everything from a real Santa to an evil villain to a character reminiscent of Buddy the Elf to great chemistry between the leads. It also hides the indy vibes we love behind its commercial appeal.
1. Christmas Pen Pals (Lifetime, 2018)
A simple but unique premise, good chemistry, and great acting can go a long way in a Christmas movie.
In Christmas Pen Pals, Sarah Drew stars as Hannah Morris, creator of a failing dating app in need of rescuing.
When a misunderstanding brings her home for Christmas, her family convinces her to sign up for the town’s Christmas Pen Pals event, and she’s forced to face the reasons she avoids home — her mother’s death and a breakup with her high school boyfriend Sam (Niall Matter). Letters with her pen pal teach her the true meaning of Christmas and the true meaning of love.
We love this movie because the “pen pals turned lovers” trope is rare in the genre, and the town pen pal events are a unique way to bring everyone together for festivities.
This movie strikes a perfect balance between fun and angst and we truly believe the story feels as authentic as it does because of Drew’s performance.
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What are your favorite TV Christmas movies? Tell us in the comments below!
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.