The 2023 holiday season saw a surge in festive films across various networks, offering a plethora of heartwarming stories to viewers. Hallmark Media led the charge with a combined 47 new movies across Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark+, continuing their “Countdown to Christmas” tradition. Great American Family also embraced the holiday spirit with their “Great American Christmas” lineup, providing an alternative for viewers seeking family-friendly entertainment. Streaming giant Netflix joined the fray, attracting Hallmark alumni like Lacey Chabert and Chad Michael Murray to star in their original holiday productions. Lifetime, a long-time purveyor of Christmas movies, added its own collection of winter-themed romances, including one starring real-life couple Jennifer Love Hewitt and Brian Hallisay. With additional contributions from Hulu, BET+, OWN, and other platforms, viewers had access to over 100 new holiday films.
The festive film frenzy commenced in October, with Great American Family and Hallmark Channel airing their first Christmas movies of the season. Hallmark Channel offered titles like “‘Twas the Date Before Christmas” and “Holiday Crashers,” while Great American Family presented “Christmas Wreaths and Ribbons” and “A Vintage Christmas.” Throughout October, both networks continued to roll out new movies weekly, building anticipation for the upcoming holiday season. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries also joined the celebration with its own mystery-themed Christmas movies, such as “This Time Each Year” and “My Sweet Austrian Holiday.”
November witnessed an escalation in the holiday movie onslaught. Netflix premiered “Meet Me Next Christmas” starring Christina Milian, while Hallmark continued its weekly releases on its various channels and streaming service. Lifetime entered the arena with its first holiday movies of the season, and other platforms like Hulu and BET+ contributed to the ever-growing list of festive titles. Notable premieres included Netflix’s “Hot Frosty” featuring Lacey Chabert, Hallmark’s “Santa Tell Me” with Hallmark favorites Erin Krakow and Daniel Lissing, and Lifetime’s “Christmas at Plumhill Manor.”
As December arrived, the holiday movie marathon reached its peak. Hallmark, Great American Family, and Lifetime continued their weekly premieres, offering a diverse range of stories and settings. Netflix released highly anticipated titles like “The Merry Gentlemen” with Chad Michael Murray and “Our Little Secret” starring Lindsay Lohan. Other networks and streaming services continued to contribute their own holiday offerings, ensuring a continuous stream of festive cheer throughout the month. Hallmark also debuted its first Christmas series on Hallmark+, “Holidazed,” starring Ian Harding. This marked a new venture for the network, expanding beyond the traditional made-for-TV movie format.
The holiday movie releases spanned a wide variety of themes and storylines. From classic romantic comedies to family-focused dramas, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Several movies centered around reconnecting with loved ones, rediscovering the true meaning of Christmas, or finding unexpected love during the holiday season. Many films also incorporated holiday traditions, festive activities, and picturesque winter landscapes, further immersing viewers in the spirit of Christmas.
The abundance of holiday movies in 2023 provided viewers with ample opportunities to indulge in the warmth and magic of the season. Whether tuning in to Hallmark’s familiar faces and heartwarming stories, exploring Netflix’s star-studded offerings, or discovering new favorites on Lifetime and other platforms, viewers had a vast selection of festive films to enjoy throughout the holiday season. The extensive programming catered to a wide range of tastes and preferences, ensuring that everyone could find a movie to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.
