Hallmark Channel’s ‘Countdown to Christmas’ 2021 Movies: What You Need to Know (PHOTOS)
It’s that time of the year: Christmas movies! Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas” is underway, after the first movie premiered on Friday, October 22.
Throughout the holiday season, viewers will be treated to sequels of past movies (2020’s The Christmas House and 2014’s The Nine Lives of Christmas), cast reunions (Fuller House, The Wonder Years, and Back to the Future), and familiar and new faces in the Hallmark family with this year’s selection of films. Plus, real-life sisters (and Hallmark staples) Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Ashley Williams play sisters in two interconnected movies.
Scroll down for all the details you need to know (casts, airdates, and synopses) about the movies coming to the Hallmark Channel in the coming months as part of its annual “Countdown to Christmas” event (all air at 8/7c, except where otherwise noted).
You, Me & the Christmas Trees
Stars: Danica McKellar, Benjamin Ayres, Jason Hervey
Air date: Friday, October 22
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.
Boyfriends of Christmas Past
Stars: Catherine Haena Kim, Raymond Ablack, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee
Air date: Saturday, October 23
In the days 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.
The Santa Stakeout
Stars: Tamera Mowry-Housley, Paul Campbell, Joe Pantoliano
Air date: Sunday, October 24
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.
Christmas in Harmony
Stars: Ashleigh Murray, Luke James, Loretta Devine, Michelle Williams, Basil Wallace
Air date: Friday, October 29
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.
Coyote Creek Christmas
Stars: Janel Parrish, Ryan Paevey
Air date: Saturday, October 30
A “Christmas Around the World” party helps two people find love at home.
Christmas Sail
Stars: Katee Sackhoff, Patrick Sabongui, Terry O’Quinn
Air date: Sunday, October 31
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.
Gingerbread Miracle
Stars: Merritt Patterson, Jon Ecker
Air date: Friday, November 5
Two old friends from high school work together over Christmas to sell his uncle’s Mexican bakery famous for its magical gingerbread cookies that grants wishes.
Next Stop, Christmas
Stars: Lyndsy Fonseca, Chandler Massey, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd
Air date: Saturday, November 6
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.
A Christmas Treasure
Stars: Jordin Sparks, Michael Xavier
Air date: Sunday, November 7
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.
Open by Christmas
Stars: Alison Sweeney, Erica Durance, Brennan Elliott
Air date: Friday, November 12
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.
My Christmas Family Tree
Stars: Aimee Teegarden, Andrew Walker, James Tupper
Air date: Saturday, November 13
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.
A Holiday in Harlem
Stars: Olivia Washington, Will Adams, Tina Lifford
Air date: Sunday, November 14
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.
Nantucket Noel
Stars: Trevor Donovan, Sarah Power
Air date: Friday, November 19
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.
A Christmas Together with You
Stars: Harry Lennix, Laura Vandervoort, Niall Matter
Air date: Saturday, November 20
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.
A Kiss Before Christmas
Stars: James Denton, Teri Hatcher, Marilu Henner
Air date: Sunday, November 21
Real estate development executive Ethan Holt (Denton) is a married father with two teens. On Christmas Eve Ethan is disappointed to learn he’s losing out on a promotion and laments that his “nice guy” way of doing business has held him back in his career. Thanks to some Christmas magic, Ethan’s casual wish that his life had taken a different course becomes reality. He wakes up the next morning and is shocked to find everything is different – he isn’t married to Joyce (Hatcher), he doesn’t have two teenaged kids and he’s CEO of his company. Joyce is the key to Ethan being able to reclaim his original life and the family he loves – he must convince her that their happily-ever-after is waiting for them…and he only has until Christmas Day.
The Nine Kittens of Christmas
Stars: Brandon Routh, Kimberley Sustad, Gregory Harrison
Air date: Thursday, November 25
Cat lovers Zachary and Marilee are thrown back together at Christmas when they’re tasked with finding homes for a litter of adorable kittens.
Christmas CEO
Stars: Marisol Nichols, Paul Greene
Air date: Friday, November 26, 6/5c
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.
An Unexpected Christmas
Stars: Bethany Joy Lenz, Tyler Hynes
Air date: Friday, November 26
A writer convinces his ex-girlfriend to pose as a couple for Christmas.
Making Spirits Bright
Stars: Taylor Cole, Carlo Marks
Air date: Saturday, November 27, 6/5c
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.
Christmas at Castle Hart
Stars: Lacey Chabert, Stuart Townsend
Air date: Saturday, November 27
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.
Christmas in Tahoe
Stars: Laura Osnes, Kyle Selig, Pat Monahan, George Lopez
Air date: Sunday, November 28, 6/5c
To save her family hotel’s Christmas show, talent booker Claire must ask for help from her ex- boyfriend Ryan, the lead guitarist of a now-famous band that fired her as their manager years ago.
The Christmas Contest
Stars: Candace Cameron Bure, John Brotherton, Barbara Niven
Air date: Sunday, November 28
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.
Eight Gifts of Hanukkah
Stars: Inbar Lavi, Jake Epstein
Air date: Friday, December 3
An anonymous suitor sends optometrist Sara a gift for each night of Hanukkah. On her journey to find her secret admirer, she learns her one true love might be someone she never expected.
A Very Merry Bridesmaid
Stars: Emily Osment, Casey Deidrick
Air date: Saturday, December 4
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.
Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday & Sister Swap: Christmas in the City
Stars: Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Ashley Williams, Mark Deklin, Keith Robinson, Susan Yeagley and Kevin Nealon
Air dates: Sunday, December 5, and Sunday, December 12
In these interconnected movies, Jennifer and Meg Swift are sisters who couldn’t be closer despite living hours apart. Jennifer is in Salt Lake City, running a successful restaurant she started with her late husband and raising her teenaged son Simon. Meg stayed in their hometown of Hazelwood, helping their parents run the local bakery. This Christmas is the family’s first since the passing of Uncle Dave who owned the town’s beloved theater, the Madison, where many memories were made over the years. When Jennifer and Simon return home for the holiday, they become wistful for one more Christmas at the Madison, despite that it’s for sale and in need of repairs. Meanwhile, Meg is helping Jennifer’s restaurant staff in Salt Lake prepare for a Christmas competition among local restaurants with the winner earning money for the charity of its choice. With the sisters switching cities leading up to the holiday, they find a new sense of purpose and discover what they both truly need in life and in love.
A Dickens of a Holiday!
Stars: Kristoffer Polaha, Brooke D’Orsay
Air date: Friday, December 10
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.”
A Royal Queens Christmas
Stars: Megan Park, Julian Morris
Air date: Saturday, December 11
A prince finds his way to Queens during Christmas when a local woman enlists his help with a children’s Christmas show.
The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls
Stars: Robert Buckley, Ana Ayora, Jonathan Bennett, with Sharon Lawrence, Treat Williams and Brad Harder
Air date: Saturday, December 18
The Mitchell brothers compete to see who can create the best Christmas House.
’Tis the Season to be Merry
Stars: Rachael Leigh Cook, Travis Van Winkle, Karen Malina White
Air date: Sunday, December 19
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.
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