2016 Holiday TV Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – holiday movie time! The networks have more or less ceded the art of the holiday movie to Hallmark, and they are set to present the largest slate of new, original holiday movies yet.

Beginning October 29, The Hallmark Channel airs holiday movies all day and all night, with new movies premiering every Saturday and Sunday night plus a bonus block of five new movies during Thanksgiving week for a total of 19 new holiday movies. On top of that, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will debut seven new holiday movies of its own.

As if that wasn’t enough, UP is throwing their Christmas stocking in the ring with six new movies. That’s a lot of holiday cheer!

We’ve created a handy round up of all of the movies for you below, plus we’ll be reviewing as many of them as we can in between decking our halls and making plum pudding. (Note: some of these movies are currently in production, so premiere dates may change.)

And hey, while you’re watching a thousand hours of Hallmark holiday movies, why not play our Hallmark Holiday Movie Bingo? Click here to download your cards!

A Wish For Christmas – Saturday, October 29 9/8c – Hallmark
Stars: Lacey Chabert, Paul Greene
Sara Shaw (Chabert) is the type of woman who prefers to sit on the sidelines at work, but when her big idea for a Christmas initiative is stolen, she makes a wish to Santa that she’ll finally have the courage to stand up for herself. Santa grants her wish, but only gives her 48 hours. As the clock ticks, Sara will discover how to channel the Christmas magic and speak her mind all on her own.

Mistletoe Promise – Saturday, November 5 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Jaime King, Luke Macfarlane
A chance meeting between two strangers who share a disdain for Christmas results in The Mistletoe Promise, a pact to help them navigate their holiday complications – together. But as they spend more time with each other and experience the magic of Christmas the phony couple discovers there may be more to their contract than business. Based on the bestselling novel by Richard Paul Adams.

Married by Christmas – Sunday, November 6 7/6c – UP
Stars: Jes MaCallan, Coby Ryan McLaughlin, April Bowlby, James Eckhouse, Ryan Caltagirone
When it comes to her work, Carrie Tate (Jes MaCallan) takes herself very seriously. She has dedicated her entire life to growing Emerson Foods, the high-end food distribution company founded by her father, and doesn’t have much time for a social life. Carrie’s sister Katie, on the other hand, is a gourmet food-to-table restaurateur and marrying her boyfriend on Christmas Eve. However, due to an outdated stipulation in their grandmother’s will, it’s discovered that ownership of the company will pass to whichever sister marries first. Now, Carrie must get married by Christmas or kiss her family business goodbye!

Love Always, Santa – Sunday, November 6 8/7c – Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: Marguerite Moreau, Mike Faiola
After losing her husband Bradley three years ago on Christmas day, Celia Banks never thought she’d fall in love again. Now, her entire world revolves around taking care of her daughter Lilly. Lilly writes a letter to Santa with one wish — for her mommy to be happy and find love again.

A Perfect Christmas – Sunday, November 6 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Dillon Casey, Susie Abromeit
Steve and Cynthia are a newlywed couple celebrating their first Christmas together. They invite their families to join them for the holidays, but when Steve is laid off just before Christmas and Cynthia discovers she’s pregnant, they both keep their news secret in hopes that the celebration runs smoothly.

Every Christmas Has A Story – Saturday, November 12 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Lori Loughlin, Colin Ferguson, Willie Aames
A TV personality (Loughlin) has an on-air snafu and admits she hates Christmas. Following the debacle, she is invited to the Most Christmas-y town in America to try and repair her image. Forced to work with her ex-boyfriend Jack (Ferguson), the show’s producer, the magic of Christmas and this special town will change the way she views Christmas and her life.

Finding Father Christmas – Sunday, November 13 8/7c – Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: Erin Krakow, Niall Matter, Wendie Malick
Christmas for Miranda is a painful reminder of the family she never had. Her mother died when she was young, never revealing the identity of her father. But, three days before Christmas, she unexpectedly receives a clue as to his whereabouts that takes her to a beautiful New England town where she meets Ian, a young man who helps with her search. As the clues lead to her father’s identity and Miranda discovers the possibility of love with Ian, she learns that her father lived in the small town. This Christmas promises to be life-changing for Miranda with a new chance at life and love.

Merry Christmas, Baby! – Sunday, November 13 7/6c – UP
Stars: Malinda Williams, Karon Riley, GregAlan Williams, Chrystale Wilson, DeEtta West, Brad James, Victoria Rowell
The Chandler family is back and bigger than ever in the fourth installment of the Marry Me for Christmas franchise. Determined to make her baby’s first Christmas a memorable one, Marci (Malinda Williams) throws herself into both planning the perfect Christmas and building her new event planning business. But when the business gets off to a rocky start and members of her family face their own hardships, Marci will discover that when your plans for a perfect Christmas start to fall apart, it just might be the miracle you need.

Christmas Cookies – Sunday, November 13 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Jill Wagner, Wes Brown
Aunt Sally’s Christmas Cookie Company is sold to a large conglomerate and executive Hannah (Wagner) must seal the deal and shut down the factory, which is the small town of Cookie Jar’s lifeblood. What was supposed to be a simple assignment for Hannah becomes complicated when she meets Jake (Brown), the factory owner who’s determined to keep the factory in town. Despite not being a fan of the holiday, the Christmas spirit in this small town is infectious and she gets swept up in the joy of the season while also falling in love with Jake.

My Christmas Dream – Saturday, November 19 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Danica McKellar, David Haydn-Jones, Deidre Hall
Christina Masters (McKellar), the manager of McDougal’s flagship department store, is determined to land the manager position for their new Paris location. She sets out to impress Victoria (Hall), the store’s owner, by creating the best holiday window display in McDougal’s history. Fresh out of inspiration despite assuring Victoria otherwise, Christina turns to a recently-fired store employee (Haydn-Jones) who also happens to be a talented artist and single dad to his young son. As they work side-by-side, the business relationship becomes personal and she finds herself falling in love. Will the allure of her dream be too strong or will she choose to follow her heart?

Operation Christmas – Sunday, November 20 8/7c – Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: Tricia Helfer, Marc Blucas, Lisa Durupt
As her new romance blossoms, a single mother is dismayed when her boyfriend, a military sergeant, is deployed right before Christmas. Determined to not let it ruin the holidays for her and her children they decide to give back to the struggling military families on his base and, as their efforts go viral, they are rewarded in ways they never imagined.

A December Bride – Sunday, November 20 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Jessica Lowndes, Daniel Lissing
Aspiring interior designer Layla O’Reilly (Lowndes) is dreading the Christmastime wedding of her cousin who’s marrying Layla’s ex-fiancé. Although Seth Murphy (Lissing) is the one responsible for introducing the bride and groom, she begrudgingly accepts his offer to be her date as she’s out of options. Seth gets carried away at the reception and announces they’re engaged, forcing a mortified Layla to keep up the pretense. But as the faux couple spends more time together they find themselves feeling something very real. Based on the book by bestselling author Denise Hunter.

Christmas in Homestead – Wednesday, November 23 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Taylor Cole
One of the most famous actresses in world heads to the Christmas-obsessed town of Homestead, Iowa, to shoot a holiday-themed movie. She is thrown for a loop when a romance brews between her and local inn keeper and single dad, Matt. As she gets a taste of small-town life and people who give of themselves without asking anything in return, she discovers the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas List – Thursday, November 24 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Alicia Witt, Gabriel Hogan
Isobel Gray plans a storybook Christmas with her boyfriend, including a snow-covered cottage in the Northwest, and a carefully composed bucket list of classic holiday traditions. But when the boyfriend goes AWOL, the list proves challenging and a tempting new romance turns her life upside down. Will Isobel have a White Christmas ending under the mistletoe?

Journey Back to Christmas – Friday, November 25 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Candace Cameron Bure,  Oliver Hudson and Tom Skerritt
Hannah (Cameron Bure), a WWII-era nurse, is transported in time to 2016 and meets Jake (Hudson), a man who helps her discover the bonds of family and that the true meaning of Christmas is timeless.

A Puppy for Christmas – Friday, November 25 7/6c – UP
Stars: Cindy Busby, Greyston Holt, Christopher Russell
After her destructive puppy Buster causes Noelle to lose her boyfriend, her apartment and her job, Noelle is invited to spend the holidays on a farm with her rugged co-worker Liam.  But when Noelle’s city past catches up with her, things get complicated. Noelle must choose between the safe, successful world she left behind, or an uncertain, unpredictable and exciting future with Buster and Liam.

A Heavenly Christmas – Saturday, November 26 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Kristin Davis, Eric McCormack, and Shirley MacLaine
Upon her untimely death, Eve Morgan (Davis), a workaholic finds herself tethered to her guardian angel (MacLaine) learning to become a Christmas angel in Heaven. Despite being the worst recruit in the history of Christmas, Eve is assigned the difficult task of helping a struggling singer Max (McCormack) use his musical gifts to heal old family wounds. As Max begins to overcome his issues, Eve begins to embrace the meaning of Christmas, heal wounds of her own, and perhaps find love along the way.

I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Sunday, November 27 8/7c – Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: James Brolin, Mena Suvari, Giselle Eisenberg
Jackie Foster (Suvari), a dynamic Assistant District Attorney and single mom, is looking forward to wrapping up her latest case and spending Christmas with Gracie (Eisenberg), her adorable and precocious, eight-year old daughter. But when Jackie’s estranged dad, Jack (Brolin), a gruff retired police officer, unexpectedly shows up at her door, they will be forced to confront old wounds. As they experience the magic of Christmas together, they attempt to let go of their past and celebrate this loving holiday the way Jackie always dreamed.

The Rooftop Christmas Tree – Sunday, November 27 7/6c – UP
Stars: Michelle Morgan, Tim Reid
Every Christmas for 15 years, Dale Landis fastens a tree to his roof and decorates it for the season; and every year he’s arrested for it. Determined to keep Dale out of jail this year, a judge orders idealistic attorney Sarah Wright and aggressive prosecutor John Riviera to work together to defend Dale and figure out the mystery behind the rooftop Christmas tree. Inspired by a true story.

Broadcasting Christmas – Sunday, November 27 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Melissa Joan Hart, Dean Cain, Cynthia Gibb, Jackee Harry, Richard Kline
Two rival reporters get caught up in a competition to see who can report the most newsworthy holiday story. The real breaking news they discover is the truth about the meaning of Christmas – it really is better to give than to receive. But unfolding before their very eyes may be the best holiday story of all –two fierce competitors were able to put aside their differences and fall in love.

Hearts of Christmas – Sunday, December 4 8/7c – Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: Emillie Ullerup, Crystal Lowe, Sharon Lawrence
When Alice, a beloved neonatal intensive care unit supervisor, is forced to take early retirement, her young colleague Jenny decides to turn the upcoming staff Christmas party into a surprise celebration for her. The plan is complicated by Matt, the hospital’s new CFO, who’s been tasked to cut costs. Initially at loggerheads, Jenny and Matt get to know and understand each other —a sweet Christmas gift neither saw coming.

A Dream of Christmas – Saturday, December 3 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Nikki DeLoach, Andrew Walker
Penny (DeLoach), an ambitious but discontented young married woman, gets more than she bargained for when she is granted a wish to be single again. She awakens one morning to discover she has everything she thinks she wanted: Her dream home, a great car, and a dream job where she’s the boss. But the tradeoff is not all wine and roses.

Girlfriends of Christmas Past – Sunday, December 4 7/6c – UP
Stars: Tammin Sursok, Lindsey McKeon, John Brotherton, Meagan Holder
When three strong-willed women join forces to seek the ultimate revenge on their cheating ex at his upcoming holiday retreat, love struck event planner Livvy meets Carter, the property manager organizing it all, leaving Livvy to question if she can leave off their revenge scheme long enough to finally forgive her ex and let a real holiday romance blossom.

Looks Like Christmas – Sunday, December 4 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: TBA
Carol is an over-involved mother but nothing compares to the holiday season when she goes over-the-top spearheading her kid’s school’s Christmas Spectacular each year, earning her the nickname Christmas Carol. All that changes the day Terry moves to town with his teenage daughter. Also single, he is very fond of the holiday himself, having volunteered to mount the Christmas play each year at his daughter’s former school. Carol tries to politely tell the single dad his help won’t be needed but he has no intention of stepping aside.

A Nutcracker Christmas – Saturday, December 10 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Amy Acker, Sascha Radetsky, Sophia Lucia
Lilly James’ lifelong devotion lands her the lead role of Clara in the New York City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. Grief-stricken and distracted after learning about her mother’s death, Lily suffers an injury and is removed from the show by Mark, her boyfriend and dance partner. Heartbroken and betrayed, Lily vows never to dance again. Years later, her daughter lands the role of Clara in the prestigious Philadelphia Nutcracker Ballet and finds that the Ballet Director is Mark, who betrayed Lilly years ago.

The Sound of Christmas – Sunday, December 11 8/7c – Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: TBA
Lizzie is a young piano teacher working at a music school while trying to save enough money for a Steinway piano. The school is gearing up for their major Christmas fundraiser and she has committed much of her time to plan the event. One afternoon, she meets Brad who takes an interest in her playing and asks if she will teach his uninterested teenage daughter. She begins to break through to the young girl, and sparks begin to fly with Brad, but she is shocked to find out that his interest is not solely in her playing, but in the property that houses the music school. She sets out to save the school and the event, but can she work things out with Brad?

Season’s Greetings – Sunday, December 11 7/6c – UP
Stars: Laura Bell Bundy
Darcy Blake (Bundy) has the perfect job – she works for Harrington House, a successful greeting card company, in the editorial department.  Writing heart-felt, meaningful copy for cards is very important to Darcy, especially at Christmas, which was important to her as a young girl.  She realizes that she is a bit out of step with her fellow millennials, but that is fine with Darcy.  Everything is about to change when Andrew Harrington arrives at the company to take over from his grandfather, and he has a very different view of the business and of the holidays.

Meant To Be – Sunday, December 11 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Brennan Elliot
Maddie, a high-powered marketing executive, is on her way to a client’s wedding but her plans are derailed by car trouble. When a fork in the road leads her to Christmas Valley, a town in love with Christmas, an unexpected encounter and a group of strangers that start to feel like family will have her questioning what she’s really been missing in life.

My Christmas Love – Saturday, December 17 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Meredith Hagner, Bobby Campo, Gregory Harrison
A hopeless romantic who never seems to give a guy a fair chance starts receiving each gift from the song “The 12 Days of Christmas” compliments of an anonymous benefactor. She tries to solve the mystery with the help of her inner circle, including her sister who’s about to have a Christmas wedding, to see if there’s a suitor on the other end that will finally live up to her expectations.

A Christmas to Remember – Sunday, December 18 8/7c – Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: Mira Sorvino and Cameron Mathison
A harsh TV personality, Jennifer, needs a break from her own life, so she hops into a car and drives to a small town mountain retreat. On her way there a blizzard veers off the road and she crashes. When she comes to she has complete amnesia and a friendly passerby takes her in. As time passes she still doesn’t remember who she is and the friendly passerby, a widower himself with 3 kids, assimilates her into his family. But as she slowly starts remembering who she is, she prefers the new life she’s built in the small town.

Sleigh Bells Ring – Sunday, December 18 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: TBA
Laurel is in charge of her hometown’s Christmas parade, and with budget cuts, she’s having trouble making it a special event this year and, after a recent divorce, getting into the holiday spirit. When she and her daughter Scarlett cross paths with a lone farmer who has a sleigh that he claims came from Santa crash-landing on his property years ago, they are both skeptical. But the sleigh would make a great addition to the parade if it could be restored. When the farmer gives Laurel the sleigh for the parade, her ‘luck’ slowly changes.

When Calls The Heart – Sunday, December 25 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, Jack Wagner, and Lori Loughlin
An intriguing peddler comes to Hope Valley selling the townspeople his wears and teaching them valuable lessons about joy and giving. And when the townspeople realize that the recently displaced settlers in the area will not have a proper Christmas, they come together to create a special holiday celebration – including a Nativity presentation from the schoolchildren — that will infuse everyone with the true spirit of Christmas.

A Rose for Christmas – Sunday, January 1 8/7c – Hallmark
Stars: Rachel Boston
Andy (Boston) is a passionate and talented artist whose Pasadena family has been building Rose Parade floats for generations. But when her Dad gets sick and can’t lead this year’s efforts as usual, Andy has no choice but to take the helm and supervise the construction and decoration of their client’s float over Christmas with only a few weeks to go. And to make matters worse, she’s saddled with the extra challenge of dealing with Cliff, a demanding businessman whose company commissioned the float.