The countdown to Hallmark Channel’s 12th annual “Countdown to Christmas” slate has begun. On Thursday, Crown Media Family Networks revealed the full slate for its 2021 holiday-TV movie schedule, which includes sequels to last year’s LGBTQ-inclusive “The Christmas House” and 2014’s “The Nine Lives of Christmas,” as well as films featuring on-screen reunions between “Back to the Future” stars, “Wonder Years” alums and “Fuller House” cast members.
With 41 titles coming in 2021 across the Hallmark Channel, sister network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and streaming platform Hallmark Movies Now — the largest slate of Christmas movies Crown Media has ever put out — the Hallmark parent company is only unveiling a portion of the premiere dates today. But don’t worry, there will be more to unwrap in the weeks to come.
The Hallmark holiday season begins Friday, Oct. 22 with the first movie up, “You, Me & The Christmas Trees” on Hallmark Channel, a “Countdown to Christmas” film that features a reunion between “The Wonder Years” stars Danica McKellar and Jason Hervey. The following night, Oct. 23, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ lineup begins with “Christmas In My Heart” starring Heather Hemmens (“Love, Take Two,” “Roswell, New Mexico”), Luke Macfarlane (“Killjoys”) and Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Christmas Comes Twice,” “Moesha”). And for the first time this year, Hallmark Movies Now, the company’s stand-alone streaming service, will contribute to the original holiday movie schedule with its own title, “Every Time a Bell Rings.”
Two of the marquee titles on 2021’s Hallmark Christmas movies list are “The Nine Kittens of Christmas,” a follow- up to the beloved 2014 movie “The Nine Lives of Christmas,” with original stars Kimberley Sustad, Brandon Routh and Gregory Harrison returning, and “The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls,” featuring Robert Buckley, Ana Ayora, Treat Williams, Sharon Lawrence, Jonathan Bennett and Brad Harder reprising their roles from last year’s original film.
This year’s movies will also include a title featuring Hallmark darling Candace Cameron Bure and her “Fuller House” co-star John Brotherton, as well as one with “Back to the Future” stars Lea Thompson and Christopher Lloyd teaming up again for an all-new time travel tale. Plus, real-life sisters Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Ashley Williams will play sisters on screen in two different interconnected movies.
See below for the full movie premiere schedule and descriptions from Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Movies Now.
HALLMARK CHANNEL’s ‘COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS’ PREMIERES
Premiere times are 8:00pm ET/PT unless otherwise noted below
Friday, October 22: “You, Me & The Christmas Trees”
Stars: Danica McKellar (“The Wonder Years”), Benjamin Ayres (“Suits”), Jason Hervey (“The Wonder Years”)
Olivia is Connecticut’s resident expert on evergreens who, just days before the holiday, agrees to help Jack, a fourth generation Christmas tree farmer in Avon. A mysterious illness has befallen their firs, causing them to die out and threatening his family’s 100-year business. As Olivia tries to get to the root of the problem and extends her stay in town, she and Jack spend more time together and feelings begin to develop.
Saturday, October 23: “Boyfriends of Christmas Past”
Stars: Catherine Haena Kim (“FBI”), Raymond Ablack (“Ginny & Georgia”), Paul Sun- Hyung Lee (“Kim’s Convenience”)
Leading up to Christmas, marketing executive, Lauren, is visited by the ghosts of four ex boyfriends. She must learn to open her heart or risk losing her best friend, Nate.
Sunday, October 24: “The Santa Stakeout”
Stars: Tamera Mowry-Housely (“The Real,” “Sister, Sister”), Paul Campbell (“Battlestar Galactica”), Joe Pantoliano (The Matrix)
Tanya is a police detective who is reluctantly partnered with fellow detective Ryan to solve a recent string of heists taking place during high-profile holiday parties around town. They go undercover as newlyweds Tasha and Rupert, moving into the vacant house next to Mr. Miller, the jovial chair of the community’s Christmas committee…and the prime suspect in the case. As Tanya and Ryan partake in the neighborhood’s holiday happenings to keep up appearances and crack the case, they get swept up in Christmas. Before they know it, their cover story as a couple in love starts to become reality.
Friday, October 29: “Christmas in Harmony”
Stars: Ashleigh Murray (“Riverdale”), Luke James (Little, Star), Loretta Devine (Queen Bees, Family Reunion), Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child, “The Masked Singer”), Basil Wallace (Blood Diamond)
Harmony is tricked into auditioning for the Holiday Chorus — directed by an ex-boyfriend. By Christmas Eve, they could be harmonizing in the key of love.
Saturday, October 30: “Coyote Creek Christmas”
Stars: Janel Parrish (“Right in Front of Me”), Ryan Paevey (“A Little Daytime Drama”)
A “Christmas Around the World” party helps two people find love at home.
Sunday, October 31: “Christmas Sail”
Stars: Katee Sackhoff (“The Mandalorian”), Patrick Sabongui (“Firefly Lane”), Terry O’Quinn (“Lost”)
When Liz returns home to take care of her estranged father she is determined to give her daughter a perfect Christmas and reconnects with her best friend.
Friday, November 5: “Open by Christmas”
Stars: Alison Sweeney (“Days of our Lives”), Erica Durance (“Smallville”), Brennan Elliott (“Christmas in Vienna”)
When Nicky finds an unopened Christmas card from a high school secret admirer, she and her best friend Simone search to find and thank the anonymous author.
Saturday, November 6: “Next Stop, Christmas”
Stars: Lyndsy Fonseca (“How I Met Your Mother”), Chandler Massey (“Days of our Lives”), Lea Thompson (Back to the Future), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future)
Angie wonders what her life would be like if she had married a former boyfriend who became a famous sportscaster. She takes the train home to spend Christmas with her family and inexplicably finds herself 10 years in the past. With the advice of the train’s enigmatic conductor, Angie has the chance to revisit that Christmas and learn what – and who – is truly important to her.
Sunday, November 7: “A Christmas Treasure”
Stars: Jordin Sparks (Sparkle, “American Idol”), Michael Xavier (“Christmas Comes Twice,” “Beware of the Midwife”)
After opening a 100-year-old time capsule and meeting a charming chef, Lou questions whether or not she should move to New York after Christmas and further her writing career.
Friday, November 12: “Open By Christmas”Stars: Alison Sweeney (“Days of our Lives”), Erica Durance (“Smallville”), Brennan Elliott (“Christmas in Vienna”)
When Nicky finds an unopened Christmas card from a high school secret admirer, she and her best friend Simone search to find and thank the anonymous author.
Saturday, November 13: “My Christmas Family Tree”
Stars: Aimee Teegarden (“Once Upon a Christmas Miracle,” “Friday Night Lights”),
Andrew Walker (“The 27-Hour Day”), James Tupper (Beneath Us, “Big Little Lies”)
When Vanessa receives the results from her Family Tree DNA test, she discovers a family she
didn’t know existed and travels to their home for Christmas.
Sunday, November 14: “A Holiday in Harlem”
Stars: Olivia Washington (“Mr. Robot”), Will Adams (“The Oval”), Tina Lifford
(“Queen Sugar”)
After her grandmother, Mama Belle, turns away her usual gift delivery, expecting “presence over
presents,” jetsetting executive Jazmin heads uptown to Harlem for a quick visit. However, when
Mama Belle is injured, Jazmin agrees to stay in the neighborhood and take over co-chairing their
block’s annual Christmas Jamboree with her old best friend Caleb. A successful corporate fixer,
Jazmin expects the job to be easy but quickly finds that she has a lot to learn about the community
and her heart.
Friday, November 19: “Nantucket Noel”
Stars: Trevor Donovan (“The Baxters”), Sarah Power (“Good Witch”)
During the Seaside Noel celebrations, Christin learns of a developer who is planning to tear down
the wharf that is home to her toy store. Tensions rise as she falls for the developer’s son, Andy.
Saturday, November 20: “A Christmas Together with You”
Stars: Harry Lennix (Batman v Superman), Laura Vandervoort (“Playing Cupid”),
Niall Matter (“Country at Heart”)
During the Christmas season, Megan and her father-figure Frank head out on a road trip to find
his long-lost love. Along the way, Megan finds the love of her own life.
Sunday, November 21: “A Kiss Before Christmas”
Stars: James Denton (“Good Witch,” “Desperate Housewives”), Teri Hatcher
(“Supergirl,” “Desperate Housewives”), Marilu Henner (“Aurora Teagarden
Mysteries,” “Taxi”)
When nice-guy Ethan casually wishes his life had taken a different course, he wakes up the next
day to find nothing is the same – he’s not married to his wife Joyce, he doesn’t have two teenaged
kids and he’s CEO of his company. If he wants to reclaim his original life and the family he loves,
he must convince Joyce he’s telling the truth and win her over…and he only has until Christmas
Day.
Thursday, November 25: “The Nine Kittens of Christmas”
Stars: Brandon Routh (“The Rookie”), Kimberley Sustad (“Christmas by Starlight”), Gregory Harrison (“Chesapeake Shores”)
Cat lovers Zachary and Marilee are thrown back together at Christmas when they’re tasked with finding homes for a litter of adorable kittens.
Friday, November 26: “Christmas CEO” – premieres at 6:00pm ET/PT
Stars: Marisol Nichols (“Riverdale”) Paul Greene (“When Calls the Heart”)
A small toy company CEO gets a once in a lifetime offer to merge with a mega toy company but
will need her estranged ex-business partner’s signature to seal the deal. What he helps her
rediscover will change both of their lives.
Friday, November 26: “An Unexpected Christmas” – premieres at 8:00pm ET/PT
Stars: Bethany Joy Lenz (“Five Star Christmas”), Tyler Hynes (“Roadhouse
Romance”)
A writer convinces his ex-girlfriend to pose as a couple for Christmas.
Saturday, November 27: “Making Spirits Bright” – premieres at 6:00pm ET/PT
Stars: Taylor Cole (“Ruby Herring Mysteries”), Carlo Marks (“Chesapeake Shores”)
The son & daughter of rival holiday decorating families help mend their fathers’ decades-old feud,
finding romance along the way as they compete in the town’s holiday decorating contest.
Saturday, November 27: “Christmas at Castle Hart” – premieres at 8:00pm ET/PT
Stars: Lacey Chabert (“Sweet Carolina”), Stuart Townsend (“Salem”)
Brooke Bennett goes to Ireland for Christmas to search for her Irish roots. While there, she meets Aiden Hart, Earl of Glaslough. Mistaken for an elite event planner, she’s hired to host his castle’s epic Christmas party.
Sunday, November 28: “Christmas in Tahoe” – premieres at 6:00pm ET/PT
Stars: Laura Osnes (“Raise a Glass to Love”), Kyle Selig (“Welcome to Flatch”), Pat
Monahan (Train), George Lopez (“Lopez”)
To save her family hotel’s Christmas show, talent booker Claire must ask for help from her exboyfriend Ryan, the lead guitarist of a now-famous band that fired her as their manager years
ago.
Sunday, November 28: “The Christmas Contest” – premieres at 8:00pm ET/PT
Stars: Candace Cameron Bure (“Fuller House”), John Brotherton (“Fuller House”), Barbara Niven (“Chesapeake Shores”)
Exes Lara and Ben compete in a Christmas contest to win money for the charity of their choosing. The city watches them battle and choose what is more important, victory or love.
Friday, December 3: “Eight Gifts of Hanukkah”
Stars: Inbar Lavi (“Lucifer”), Jake Epstein (“Suits”)
A woman journeys to find her secret admirer during Hanukkah.
Saturday, December 4: “A Very Merry Bridesmaid”
Stars: Emily Osment (“The Kominsky Method”), Casey Deidrick (“Days of Our Lives”)
Leah’s 30th birthday is on Christmas Eve, the same day as her brother’s wedding. Her childhood
crush is back in town for the wedding and he is determined to make sure her birthday does not
go by the wayside.
Sunday, December 5: “Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday”
Kimberly Williams-Paisley (“Darrow Mysteries,” Father of the Bride), Ashley Williams (“Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater,” “The Jim Gaffigan Show”), Mark Deklin (“Grace and Frankie,” “Designated Survivor”), Keith Robinson (“Saints & Sinners,” “A Christmas Love Story”), Susan Yeagley (“Mike Tyson Mysteries, “ “Parks and Recreation”) and Kevin Nealon (“Man with a Plan,” “Weeds”)
Jennifer and Meg Swift are sisters who couldn’t be closer despite living in different cities. Jennifer Swift asuccessful restaurant in Salt Lake City, which she started with her late husband and is raising her teenage son Simon on her own. Jennifer is thrilled when Meg comes to Salt Lake City for a fun Christmas weekend.Meg agrees to stay in the city and help out at the restaurant while Jennifer and Simon return home to Hazelwood for the holiday, where they become wistful for one more Christmas at The Madison –the local movie theater owned by their Uncle Dave (Nealon). The trouble is the theater is for sale and in need of repairs. With help from Eric, Jennifer’s former high school debate team rival, and the community, they just might pull off one last encore. As she and Eric work together, Jennifer is reminded that new possibilities are both where you least expect them and exactly where you left them
Friday, December 10: “A Dickens of a Holiday!”
Stars: Kristoffer Polaha (Wonder Woman 1984), Brooke D’Orsay (“Royal Pains”)
To make the 100th anniversary of her hometown’s Victorian festival a success, Cassie invites
action movie star and former high school classmate Jake to play Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.”
Saturday, December 11: “A Royal Queens Christmas”
Stars: Megan Park (What If), Julian Morris (“New Girl”)
A prince finds his way to Queens during Christmas when a local woman enlists his help with a
children’s Christmas show.
Sunday, December 12: “Sister Swap: Christmas in the City”
Stars: Kimberly Williams-Paisley (“Darrow Mysteries,” Father of the Bride), Ashley Williams (“Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater,” “The Jim Gaffigan Show”), Keith Robinson (“Saints & Sinners,” “A Christmas Love Story”) and Kevin Nealon (“Man with a Plan,” “Weeds”)
Meg Swift comes to Salt Lake City from her hometown in Hazelwood to see her sister Jennifer, who runs a local restaurant in town. Still feeling the effects of losing their Uncle Dave, a change of scenery and a project to dive into is just what she needs. When Jennifer and her teenage son, Simon, return to Hazelwood home for a pre-holiday visit with their family, Meg offers to help Jennifer’s staff prepare for a competition among local restaurants that awards the winner money for the charityof its choice. As effusive Meg works alongside the more reserved Joe, the restaurant’s manager, the two find their differences are what make them a great team. Swapping cities with her sister leads Meg to her next chapter and also just might bring her an unexpected romance.
Saturday, December 18: “The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls”
Stars: Robert Buckley (“Chesapeake Shores”), Ana Ayora (“In the Dark”), Jonathan Bennett (Mean Girls), with Sharon Lawrence (“NYPD Blue”), Treat Williams (“Chesapeake Shores”) and Brad Harder (“Aurora Teagarden Mysteries”)
The Mitchell brothers compete to see who can create the best Christmas House.
Sunday, December 19: “’Tis the Season to be Merry”
Stars: Rachael Leigh Cook (“Psych,” She’s All That), Travis Van Winkle
(Transformers), Karen Malina White (“Lodge 49”)
Looking for a fresh angle to her book on relationships, Merry heads to snow covered Vermont.
She finds a new perspective and Christmas cheer with charismatic aid worker Chris.
HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES’ ‘MIRACLES OF CHRISTMAS’ PREMIERES
Premiere times are 10:00pm ET/PT
Saturday, October 23: “Christmas In My Heart”
Stars: Heather Hemmens (“Love, Take Two,” “Roswell, New Mexico”), Luke Macfarlane (“Killjoys”), Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Christmas Comes Twice,” “Moesha”)
Concert violinist Beth tutors the daughter of reclusive Country music star Sean to prep her for the holiday concert. They are joined through the connective power of music.
Saturday, October 30: “The Christmas Promise”
Stars: Torrey DeVitto (“Chicago Med”), Dylan Bruce (“Orphan Black”), Patrick Duffy (“Dallas”), Greyston Holt (“Chesapeake Shores”)
Nicole learns to deal with grief, with the help of her grandfather and a carpenter she hires to renovate the home that was once meant for her and her fiancé.
Saturday, November 6: “Debbie Macomber’s A Mrs. Miracle Christmas”
Stars: Kaitlin Doubleday (“Love on Iceland”), Steve Lund (“Baby, It’s Cold Inside”), Caroline Rhea (“Sabrina the Teenage Witch”)
When a family faces loneliness and loss of faith, Mrs. Miracle swoops in to renew their Christmas Spirit, and they experience a holiday of heavenly proportions.
Saturday, November 13: “One December Night”
Stars: Peter Gallagher (Palm Springs, “The O.C.”), Bruce Campbell (Highly
Functional, “Burn Notice”), Eloise Mumford (Fifty Shades of Grey, “The Baker’s
Son”), Brett Dalton (“Just My Type”)
Two music managers must put their history aside to oversee the televised reunion performance
of their rock star fathers with a fractured past.
Saturday, November 20: “Five More Minutes”
Stars: Nikki Deloach (“Awkward.”), David Haydn-Jones (“Supernatural”)
Inspired by Scotty McCreery’s song, “Five More Minutes,” a woman’s Christmas wish is answered
in unexpected ways when her late grandfather’s journal turns up and reveals an untold romance.
Saturday, November 27: “Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas”
Stars: Jessy Schram (“Chicago Med”), Brendan Penny (“Chesapeake Shores”)
During the holidays, a woman with amnesia catches a ride with her handsome nurse to investigate
the only clue to her identity: a newspaper clipping for a Christmas Festival with a cryptic invitation.
From executive producer Blake Shelton (“The Voice”).
Saturday, December 4: “Our Christmas Journey”
Stars: Holly Robinson Peete (“The Christmas Doctor”), Lyriq Bent (Acrimony), Nik
Sanchez (“The Rookie”), Aloma Wright (“Suits”)
As a single mom and her teenaged son with autism come to a crossroad during Christmas, she
must learn to let go so he can flourish as she finds her own heart healing in unexpected ways.
Saturday, December 11: “A Godwink Christmas: Miracle of Love”
Stars: Katherine Barrell (“Good Witch,” “Wynonna Earp”), Alberto Frezza (“Station
19”)
Now that Joy has completed her education, she’s ready to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse
and follow in her late mother’s footsteps. Back at home before the holiday and with no job on
the horizon, Joy’s interest is piqued by a volunteer opportunity out of town. There, she meets
Eric, who is also at a crossroads. As they become immersed in the effort to build a new home
for a family at Christmas, Joy and Eric both find a new sense of purpose. Through a series of
coincidences – or, Godwinks – and a medical miracle, they begin to believe in destiny.
From executive producer Kathie Lee Gifford (“Today”), based on the Godwinks book series by
SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt.
Saturday, December 18: “Christmas for Keeps”
Stars: Ashley Newbrough (“Privileged”), Ryan Rottman (“90210”), Christa B. Allen
(13 Going on 30), Marielle Scott (Lady Bird)
At Christmastime, a close-knit group of childhood friends returns home after 10 years to take part
in the celebration of life of their beloved high school teacher. Written by Nikki Deloach and Megan McNulty.
HALLMARK MOVIES NOW
“Every Time a Bell Rings” – premiere date to be announced
Stars: Erin Cahill (“A Timeless Christmas”), Brittany Ishibashi (“Grace and Frankie”), Ali Leibert (“Van Helsing”), Wes Brown (“Sweet Pecan Summer”)
Three sisters reunite in their hometown of Natchez, MS at Christmas after a long time apart. They’re surprised to discover their late father had planned one last scavenger hunt for them to find the family’s wooden wishing bell, a beloved, annual holiday tradition when they were young. As they search for clues in the days leading up to Christmas, the trio visits local childhood haunts around Natchez that hold special meaning for them. In the process, their sisterly bond is rekindled and each learns an important lesson about what they want in life and in love. Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Movies Now 2021 New Holiday Movies
Thursday, December 2: “Sugar Plum Twist”
Stars: Jamie Gray Hyder (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), Ektor Rivera
(“Fantasy Island”), Laura Rosguer (“Club 57”)
After failing to get the coveted role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in this year’s production of The Nutcracker, Vivíana Serrano, an aspiring ballerina, joins forces with Natalia, a retiree from the New York Ballet, to create a surprise reprise of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy…with a Latin twist.