Hallmark 2025 Christmas Movie Schedule Brings Stars and Holiday Magic

Hallmark Channel is back with its 16th annual Countdown to Christmas. This year’s lineup is brimming with festive cheer, familiar faces, and a few unexpected twists.

Starting October 17, the network will roll out a slate of holiday programming that includes 24 brand-new original movies, returning series, and even a baking competition. Lacey Chabert, Tyler Hynes, Erin Krakow, Jonathan Bennett, Tamera Mowry-Housley, and Andrew Walker are all set to headline this holiday marathon.

From royal romances to time-traveling adventures and even a football-themed love story, Hallmark’s determined to show that Christmas magic can take on just about any form. If you thought you’d seen it all, think again—this year’s schedule is packed with surprises that might just keep you glued to your screen until Santa shows up.

The Countdown Begins: October 17 Kickoff

The holiday season kicks off with the network debut of Mistletoe Murders, a mystery series starring Sarah Drew and Peter Mooney. Already a fan favorite from Hallmark+, the show follows Emily Lane, a charming shop owner with a knack for solving local crimes.

Two episodes will air each week through October 31, setting a slightly darker but undeniably festive tone for the season. Romance and laughter aren’t far behind, though—starting with the first original Christmas movie the very next night.

A Royal Montana Christmas

On October 18, viewers get swept away to A Royal Montana Christmas, starring Fiona Gubelmann and Warren Christie. Princess Victoria of Zelarnia escapes her royal duties for a rustic ranch holiday in Montana, only to discover love and the possibility of a simpler life.

Expect snowy landscapes, cowboy charm, and that classic Hallmark dilemma: duty versus the heart. It’s the kind of cozy setup you can’t help but root for.

A Christmas Angel Match

October 19 brings A Christmas Angel Match, where Meghan Ory and Benjamin Ayres play celestial matchmakers. These Christmas Angels have to bring two soulmates together before the holiday deadline, but of course, sparks start to fly between the angels themselves.

This playful twist on the traditional love story adds a dose of magic to the schedule. It’s a little whimsical, a little charming—just what the season calls for.

Fresh Faces and Familiar Favorites

Hallmark’s always been about comfort, but this year they’re mixing in some fresh ideas with their returning stars. From slapstick comedy to heartfelt family reunions, late October and November movies are shaping up to be some of the most diverse the network’s ever offered.

Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper!

Robert Buckley and Kimberley Sustad star in Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper! on October 25. Buckley plays Ted, a perpetually unlucky weatherman determined to turn his holiday fortunes around.

Between ladder accidents, urgent care visits, and a reunion with his old high school crush, Ted’s chaotic Christmas promises plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments. Honestly, who hasn’t had a holiday go sideways?

Finding Mr. Christmas and Baked With Love: Holiday

October 27 is a double treat. Jonathan Bennett returns to host Finding Mr. Christmas, a reality competition where aspiring actors battle for a Hallmark leading role.

That same night, Tamera Mowry-Housley hosts Baked With Love: Holiday, a baking showdown where family recipes get a festive twist. Both shows run through mid-December, giving fans weekly doses of holiday entertainment beyond the movies.

November Brings Big Stories

As November arrives, Hallmark raises the stakes with time travel, military rivalries, and a modern spin on classic holiday tales. These films balance heartwarming traditions with bold storytelling choices.

Christmas on Duty

On November 1, Janel Parrish and Parker Young star in Christmas on Duty. Bitter rivals from their Quantico training days are forced to work together during a snowstorm, delivering Christmas gifts to a military base.

The enemies-to-lovers trope gets a festive upgrade here, combining action, romance, and holiday spirit. It’s a mix that’s hard to resist, especially with that snowy backdrop.

A Newport Christmas

November 2 delivers one of the more ambitious concepts of the season. A Newport Christmas follows Ella, a wealthy socialite from 1905, who suddenly finds herself transported to 2025 after wishing on a comet.

Played by Ginna Claire Mason, Ella must decide between returning to her past or embracing a new love in the future with Wes Brown’s Nick. It’s a time-travel romance with a dash of history, fantasy, and Christmas magic.

Mistletoe Murders Season 2

Starting November 7, Mistletoe Murders returns with fresh mysteries and deeper secrets. Emily Lane’s past comes back to haunt her, and a shadowy group called CH1M3RA adds intrigue to the festive sleuthing.

If you love cozy mysteries, this one’s probably going to be tough to put down. It’s got that addictive, binge-worthy feel.

Romance, Family, and Football

Mid-November is stacked with high-profile premieres featuring Hallmark’s biggest stars. From holiday ghosts to family vacations, the network is pulling out all the stops.

Christmas Above the Clouds

On November 8, Erin Krakow and Tyler Hynes headline Christmas Above the Clouds. Inspired by the classic Christmas Carol structure, Krakow’s character confronts her past, present, and future while trapped on a flight to Australia.

With Hynes as the romantic anchor, this promises to be one of the season’s more emotional stories. There’s something about airports and holidays that just hits different.

A Keller Christmas Vacation

November 9 takes viewers on a European river cruise with Jonathan Bennett, Brandon Routh, and Eden Sher. A Keller Christmas Vacation follows three siblings reconnecting with their parents on a holiday trip down the Danube.

Expect sibling squabbles, budding romances, and plenty of picturesque Christmas markets. If you’ve ever traveled with family, you know things rarely go as planned.

Three Wisest Men

November 15 reunites Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, and Andrew Walker in Three Wisest Men. The Brenner brothers face chaos as they juggle twins, job offers, weddings, and the sale of their family home.

With Margaret Colin as their mom, this movie blends humor and heartfelt family drama in classic Hallmark style. It’s a little messy, a little sweet—just like real life.

Community, Creativity, and Cameos

Hallmark isn’t just about romance—it’s also about community, creativity, and the joy of giving. Late November movies highlight these themes while sprinkling in some big-name cameos.

Tidings for the Season

On November 16, Tamera Mowry-Housley stars in Tidings for the Season. This story follows a serious news anchor who learns the value of reporting good news thanks to a young fan and his hardworking single mother.

It’s a heartfelt reminder of the impact of kindness during the holidays. Sometimes, the best stories are the ones that make you feel a little lighter.

Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story

November 22 delivers a sports-themed holiday romance with Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story. Holland Roden and Matthew Daddario star in this Buffalo Bills-inspired tale of lifelong friends discovering love.

Packed with cameos from Bills legends and current players, this film is a must-watch for football fans and Hallmark devotees alike. Even if you’re not a sports fan, it’s hard not to get swept up in the excitement.

Melt My Heart This Christmas

On November 23, Laura Vandervoort and Stephen Huszar headline Melt My Heart This Christmas. Vandervoort plays a passionate glassblower trying to make her mark at a local fair.

When her secret identity is revealed after her art outshines her mentor’s, she must mend relationships and rediscover love. This artistic angle gives it a unique twist compared to the usual holiday fare.

Thanksgiving Week Magic

The holiday marathon continues through Thanksgiving with a romantic twist on missed connections. Hallmark knows how to keep viewers invested as the season heads into December.

We Met in December

On November 27, Autumn Reeser and Niall Matter star in We Met in December. After a magical night together, two strangers fail to exchange contact information and spend the season trying to find each other again.

With themes of fate, timing, and holiday serendipity, this film is bound to tug at heartstrings. Honestly, who among us hasn’t wondered what might’ve been?

The Bottom Line

Hallmark Channel’s 2025 *Countdown to Christmas* shows, once again, that this network really knows how to do holiday entertainment. There’s a blend of returning favorites, some gutsy new ideas, and—believe it or not—even a few sports and mystery twists tossed in.

This year’s lineup manages to feel both nostalgic and surprisingly fresh. Whether you’re craving a cozy romance, a family drama, or maybe a festive mystery, you’ll probably find something that fits your mood.

So, maybe grab some cocoa, pile on the blankets, and get ready for nearly three months of holiday magic. Or, you know, just dip in whenever you need a little Christmas spirit.

Would you like me to continue this blog post into December premieres to bring it closer to 1,000 words, or keep it focused on October–November highlights?