And you thought holiday-shopping season was intense. Over the next two months, a handful of networks (and streaming services) paint the town red with Christmas spirit, offering up about 80 new original Yuletide TV movies.
Familiar faces such as Lacey Chabert, Tyra Banks, Vanessa Hudgens, Candace Cameron Bure, Melissa Joan Hart, Tia Mowry-Hardrick, and Chad Michael Murray will find unlikely romance, get trapped in a department store, save a quaint business, or triumph over challenge on their way to the perfect Christmas. Hallmark leads the field with 37 movies across its two networks, but Lifetime is stocking up with 18 films, and Netflix, Freeform, ION, and UPtv are full of holiday cheer as well. Start scrolling to schedule your busiest holiday season ever.
It’s Christmas, Eve (Nov. 21, 6 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel)
Ryan Plummer/Crown Media
It’s Christmas, Eve (Nov. 21, 6 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel)
CONTAINS: Multiple Rimes performances, school budget trims, internet crowdfunding
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: “As interim school superintendent, Eve (Rimes) trims budgets and now she’s in her hometown where it’s personal. Her handsome neighbor Liam (Hines) is a music teacher and Eve feels his program must be cut. But luckily her friend is married to an IT guy, who’s created a website for donations directly to save the arts program. Launched during the tree-lighting ceremony where Liam’s students will perform, the website could provide the Christmas miracle the town needs. Already the universe is cooperating. Eve is back home and she, Liam, and his daughter look like they might be celebrating many a future Christmas.”
A Christmas Arrangement(Nov. 21, 10 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime)
Ashly Covington/Lifetime
STARS: Nicky Whelan, Daphne Zuniga, Miles Fisher
CONTAINS: Fierce botany competition, blossoming of unexpected romance
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: “Flower shop owner Poppy (Whelan), enters the annual holiday floral show for a chance to win the grand prize but standing in her way of victory is Garrett (Fisher), the underappreciated protégé of florist extraordinaire, Blair (Zuniga). While Poppy and Garrett’s rivalry heats up on the flower show floor, an undeniable romance begins amidst a whimsical holiday backdrop.”
The Christmas Chronicles(Nov. 22 on Netflix)
Netflix
STARS: Kurt Russell, Oliver Hudson, Kimberly Williams-Paisely
CONTAINS: Jake Plissken as Santa, sleigh crash
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: “The Christmas Chronicles, a holiday adventure from producer Chris Columbus and director Clay Kaytis, tells the story of sister and brother, Kate (Darby Camp) and Teddy Pierce (Judah Lewis), whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus (Kurt Russell) on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about. After staking out Santa’s arrival, they sneak into his sleigh, cause it to crash and nearly derail Christmas. As their wild night unfolds, Kate and Teddy work together with Santa – as you’ve never seen him before – and his loyal Elves to save Christmas before it’s too late.”
(Excerpt) Read More at: EW.com