Ranking All Hallmark Holiday Movies of 2025

Every holiday season, Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas turns into a cultural event, and 2025 was no exception. With star-studded reunions, ambitious cross-brand collaborations, and a packed Thanksgiving weekend lineup, this year’s slate sparked nonstop conversation among fans.

From cozy romances to headline-grabbing NFL and country music tie-ins, the network leaned hard into nostalgia while still experimenting with fresh pairings and expanded storytelling. Below, let’s dig into what made the 2025 lineup so buzzworthy—and how Hallmark continues to dominate the holiday movie conversation.

The Big Picture: Why Countdown to Christmas 2025 Felt Different

This year’s Countdown to Christmas felt bigger, louder, and honestly, more strategic than ever. Hallmark didn’t just stick to its usual formula of small-town charm and destined romance.

Instead, it expanded its universe with high-profile partnerships, returning fan-favorite characters, and some pretty clever casting choices designed to reward loyal viewers. The slate felt less like a random batch of movies and more like a connected seasonal event.

From the Brenner brothers trilogy to NFL-inspired romance, the network clearly aimed to keep audiences engaged week after week.

Strategic Partnerships Took Center Stage

One of the most talked-about things this year was Hallmark’s willingness to team up with iconic American institutions. These collaborations weren’t just background flavor—they shaped the tone and marketing of several films.

• NFL crossover appeal brought sports fans into the Hallmark fold.
• Country music roots added authenticity and emotional weight.
• Cross-demographic storytelling widened the audience beyond traditional viewers.

Thanksgiving Weekend: The Ultimate Holiday Movie Marathon

Thanksgiving weekend has basically become the Super Bowl of Hallmark programming, and 2025 doubled down on that. With double features airing each night from Friday through Sunday, viewers were practically dared to leave their couches.

This approach paid off by creating shared viewing experiences. Social media buzz spiked as fans compared favorites, debated rankings, and tried to predict which films would become future classics.

Why Double Features Matter

By pairing films back-to-back, Hallmark created natural comparisons. Stronger movies elevated the conversation, while weaker ones were instantly exposed.

This structure made the eventual rankings feel inevitable. It’s a bold move, honestly, and it kept people talking all weekend.

The Brenner Brothers Return: A Trilogy Comes Full Circle

Few things excite Hallmark fans more than continuity, and the return of the Brenner brothers delivered. Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, and Andrew Walker reunited to complete a trilogy that’s become a fan favorite.

Three Wisest Men leaned heavily into character familiarity, rewarding long-time viewers with emotional callbacks and evolved relationships. Instead of just repeating old ground, the film let its characters actually grow—a rarity in made-for-TV holiday movies.

Why This Trilogy Worked

The real secret? Chemistry and trust. Audiences already knew these characters, so the story could focus less on setup and more on payoff.

• Established character arcs created emotional depth.
• Strong ensemble chemistry elevated the material.
• Holiday themes felt earned rather than forced.

Star Power Still Rules Hallmark Christmas

No matter how ambitious the concept, Hallmark Christmas movies live or die by their leads. In 2025, the network leaned into its most bankable stars while also testing out some new pairings.

Andrew Walker’s dual presence across the lineup reinforced his status as a Hallmark cornerstone. Tyler Hynes kept things interesting with multiple projects in the same season.

A Long-Awaited Reunion Fans Didn’t Know They Needed

She’s Making a List marked the first pairing of Andrew Walker and Lacey Chabert in seven years. The anticipation alone made it one of the most talked-about films of the season.

The actors’ familiarity translated into an easy, natural chemistry that just worked on screen. Sometimes you can’t fake that.

Christmas Above the Clouds: High Expectations, New Energy

Another big talking point was Christmas Above the Clouds, which reunited Tyler Hynes and Erin Krakow for the first time since 2021. This film carried high expectations, and plenty of viewers wondered if it lived up to the hype.

Opinions definitely varied, but the film benefited from its leads’ established fan bases. Even mixed reactions kept it in the conversation, which says a lot about the power of star-driven projects.

Why Reunions Are a Smart Bet

Hallmark gets that nostalgia is currency. Reuniting beloved pairings creates built-in emotional investment before the opening scene even airs.

• Pre-existing fan loyalty boosts ratings.
• Social media engagement spikes instantly.
• Expectations drive conversation, good or bad.

The Rankings: What Separates the Best from the Rest

Every Countdown to Christmas lineup sparks the inevitable ranking debate. In 2025, the difference between top-tier entries and forgettable ones often came down to execution—not just the concept.

The highest-ranked films balanced romance, humor, and holiday spirit without feeling formulaic. Lower-ranked entries tended to lean too hard on familiar tropes and didn’t add a unique twist.

Common Traits of Top-Ranked Films

The strongest movies shared a few key qualities that set them apart.

• Authentic chemistry between leads.
• Clear emotional stakes beyond romance.
• Memorable settings that felt integral to the story.

Why Countdown to Christmas Still Dominates the Holidays

After decades on the air, Countdown to Christmas keeps thriving because Hallmark knows its audience better than anyone. The network knows when to play it safe and when to take a risk, and 2025 really showed off that balance.

By blending tradition with just enough novelty, Hallmark keeps viewers coming back year after year. People love to debate rankings, celebrate favorites, and discover new comfort-watch classics. And honestly, isn’t that what the holidays are all about?

Looking Ahead to Future Christmas Seasons

If 2025 showed us anything, it’s that Hallmark isn’t about to hit pause. There’s every reason to think we’ll see bigger collaborations and more familiar faces popping up soon.

Holiday programming is probably just going to get splashier. For fans, Countdown to Christmas isn’t going anywhere—those cozy movie nights are here to stay.