Hallmark Thanksgiving Movies Ranked From Worst to Best

Before Hallmark fills your TV schedule with Christmas trees and mistletoe, its Thanksgiving movies offer a different kind of comfort viewing: family reunions, pumpkin pie rivalries, and romances that heat up faster than leftover gravy. But which ones deserve a spot on your holiday watchlist? The List ranked eight Thanksgiving-themed Hallmark movies using IMDb audience scores, from least loved to most celebrated. The surprising part: the winner shares its rating with the runner-up. Here’s how the lineup shakes out, from a troubled tree delivery to a parade romance viewers keep rooting for.

The Bottom of the Thanksgiving Movie Basket

Even a cozy premise can’t guarantee a satisfying holiday movie. These two entries landed at the bottom of the ranking, though one still inspired enthusiastic defenses from viewers who embraced its romantic escapism.

8. The National Tree — 5.9/10

A father-son road trip with a towering Christmas tree sounds like dependable holiday territory. In this 2009 movie, teenager Rock, played by Evan Williams, wins a contest to supply the national Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. He and his father, played by Andrew McCarthy, head across the country before Thanksgiving.

The sentimental hook is that Dad planted the Sitka spruce when Rock was born. Unfortunately, several reviewers found the journey more exhausting than heartwarming, criticizing its clichés and slide into melodrama. At 5.9/10, this is the lowest-rated movie in the lineup, and probably not the first one to put on for guests discovering Hallmark.

7. A Holiday Engagement — 6.0/10

Getting dumped before introducing your fiancé to your family is awkward. Hiring an actor to impersonate him over Thanksgiving is the kind of solution that only makes sense in a romantic comedy, and it naturally creates bigger problems.

Bonnie Somerville plays Hillary, with Jordan Bridges as her hired boyfriend and Shelley Long as her mother. The setup is predictable, but some reviewers found that predictability comforting rather than tiresome. Fans praised its lighthearted romance and feel-good finish, making this a better pick for viewers craving a fake-dating story than for those demanding surprises.

The Middle Picks Have Plenty to Offer

The next four movies cover surprisingly different ground, from a potentially historic property to an alternate-reality wake-up call. Their scores are fairly close, so your favorite storyline may matter more than the exact ranking.

6. The Thanksgiving House — 6.3/10

Emily Rose plays Mary, a Boston lawyer who inherits her great-aunt’s house in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Selling it seems straightforward until local historian Everett, played by Justin Bruening, suspects the property could be on the site of the original Thanksgiving.

That possibility complicates Mary’s plans and opens the door to romance. Audience reactions were mixed: one reviewer wanted a stronger Thanksgiving focus, while another appreciated the gentle relationship development and Mary’s personal rediscovery. Think romantic fresh start with a historical mystery attached, not a holiday history lesson.

5. A Family Thanksgiving — 6.4/10

Daphne Zuniga stars as Claudia, a corporate lawyer whose demanding career leaves little room for family. Just as partnership appears within reach, a mysterious woman played by Faye Dunaway sends her into an alternate version of her life.

The 2010 film uses that magical detour to get Claudia to reconsider her priorities in time for Thanksgiving. Its message worked for some viewers, including one who planned to watch again. Others found it overly corny and objected to its handling of work-life balance. Your enjoyment may depend on how much sentimentality you can handle.

4. An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving — 6.5/10

For a break from contemporary career dilemmas and dating mishaps, this Louisa May Alcott adaptation goes back to the late 1880s. The story follows a widowed mother who reluctantly reconnects with her own mother after her children encourage a Thanksgiving reconciliation.

The cast includes Jacqueline Bisset and Tatiana Maslany. Reviewers highlighted the warm family relationships, performances, and appealing characters. This is the lineup’s period-drama alternative: less about an elaborate romantic setup and more about fractured family ties finding a way to heal.

3. Pumpkin Pie Wars — 6.6/10

Rival bakeries, competitive families, and an inconvenient attraction: this 2016 romance knows exactly what ingredients it’s working with. Julie Gonzalo and Eric Aragon play Casey and Sam, whose budding relationship complicates a rivalry centered on a pumpkin pie contest.

One reviewer singled out the dialogue as more natural than the usual Hallmark fare, a meaningful compliment in a genre built around familiar situations. Not everyone enjoyed the ending, especially its public romantic payoff. Still, third place makes this a strong contender for anyone who likes their holiday romance served with dessert.

The Two Front-Runners Share One Winning Ingredient

The highest-rated films both earned 6.8/10, and viewers praised their appealing romantic chemistry. To separate them, The List used the number of IMDb ratings, giving the more widely rated movie the top position.

2. Holiday Hotline — 6.8/10

A turkey-cooking emergency becomes an unlikely route to romance when single dad Jack, also known as John, calls a holiday advice hotline. Niall Matter plays the caller, while Emily Tennant plays Abby, the operator on the other end.

The premise echoes the hidden-identity appeal of The Shop Around the Corner and You’ve Got Mail, a connection one reviewer welcomed. Viewers enjoyed the leads’ exchanges, although Tennant’s British accent drew criticism. With approximately 1,800 IMDb ratings cited in the source, it finishes just behind the winner.

1. Love at the Thanksgiving Parade — 6.8/10

Autumn Reeser stars as Emily, a Chicago Thanksgiving parade organizer waiting for her long-distance boyfriend, Brian, to propose. Antonio Cupo plays Henry, a wealthy development consultant whose involvement upends both her work and her expectations.

The attraction here is the banter. Reviewers praised Reeser and Cupo’s chemistry, and one enthusiastic fan gave the movie a personal 10/10. Its roughly 2,400 IMDb ratings break the tie with Holiday Hotline. If you only have time for one, this ranking puts the parade first.

Which One Belongs on Your Thanksgiving Watchlist?

These placements reflect IMDb audience averages reported by The List, not an objective verdict on holiday happiness. Start with Love at the Thanksgiving Parade for romantic chemistry, choose Pumpkin Pie Wars for a baking rivalry, or settle into An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving for family-centered period storytelling. The best pick may just be whichever makes the wait for dinner feel cozier.