In 1984,The Hallmark Channelwas created, thus starting the tradition of warm, family-friendly movies and TV shows that could captivate just about anyone. It didn’t take long for thechannel to dominate Christmas movies,religious films and movies about families which drew in quite a large viewership. As the decades passed and thechannel became more evolved, they started Christmas in July, where in the summer you could count on Hallmark releasing new Christmas movies every week.
Hallmark is special in lots of ways, but one thing they excel at, is portraying the perfect families in their movies and shows. They’re relatable, funny and heartwarming enough to make them so enjoyable to watch, and to look forward to when there’s a new original movie or show on the way. Let’s take a look at the top ten best Hallmark movies and shows about families.
10Check Inn to Christmas (2019)
Hallmark is known for its tropes, and one of the biggest ones is when a hotshot city person returns to their small, rinky-dink town that often has a cute name attached to it.Check Inn to Christmasfalls under this category as Julie, an ambitious lawyer in New York City, returns to the small town where she grew up to spend the holidays with her parents.
Once arriving, she comes face-to-face with her family’s rival, Ryan, who is the son of two business owners who feud with Julia’s parents. As the movie progresses, Ryan and Julia have to start working together to save their town from being bought out by land developers, and in return, they have to unite their two families once and for all.
Rent on Apple TV
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9The Christmas House (2020)
In this sweet holiday movie, Hallmark stepped out of the traditional family lens and featured, for the first time ever on their channel, a same-sex couple.The Christmas Housefollows a family who live by tradition, and most importantly, the Christmas tradition of transforming their house into afull-blown Christmas celebration.
As the family comes together, secrets start to get revealed, and it turns out, all family members are struggling one way or another. The movie is special for many reasons, but its focus on a family working through their problems together, while still trying to highlight their favorite Christmas tradition, is truly great.
Stream on Hallmark Movies Now
8A Kismet Christmas (2022)
Hallmark is all about families coming together, especially when it’s a blended one; one half of the couple, who already has a child and falls in love with someone who’s on their own. InA Kismet Christmas, Sarah’s family has an old legend that they live by, which is if you put a kismet cookie under your pillow, then your dream will reveal your one true love.
After Sarah was unsuccessful as a kid with the cookie, she returns home after becoming a writer, and she runs into Travis, her high school crush. Of course, Hallmark works its magic, and Sarah helps Travis’s daughter with her writing; leading the two adults to find love when they least expect it.
7The Way Home (2023-Present)
In this Hallmark original series,The Way Homeexplores three generations of women all connected through blood; Del, the grandmother; Kat, the mother; and Ali, the daughter. Kat finds herself in need of help after she goes through a divorce and loses her job, so she swallows her pride and returns home to her mother, Del (Andie MacDowell).
Alice is reluctant to move, but upon searching the farm, she finds a portal to the past where she gets to witness all that took place before she was born.The Way Home, which wasrenewed for a second season, is a touching story about the impact that connections between family can have on your life, as well as the love that can be transferred through each generation.
Stream on Fubo
6Ride (2023)
If you like the concept of shows likeYellowstoneandOuter Range, but could go without the profanity and violence, then you should check outRide.Rideis Hallmark’s version of these western shows that delve deep into family trauma without the need to murder someone, and it’s still just as enjoyable.
It follows a family who’s getting back on their feet after the head of the family passes away, leaving the ranch in Colorado in the hands of the family. It’s a motley crew of people that take over theinner workings of the ranch,and it’s all hands on deck as they try to save it from going under.
Stream on Peacock
5A Family Reunion (2013)
In this Hallmark drama that centers around a town on the verge of bankruptcy, yes, the entire town, an estranged group of siblings is forced to come home after their mother suffers from a heart attack. The trio, Desiree, Mitchell and Johnny were once a very successful band before they had a massive falling out that led to them not speaking to each other for years.
Once home, and taking care of their mother, they learn of the town’s problem and decide to get the band back together and hatch a plan to save their beloved town.A Family Reunionfeatures some great music, family ties being restored, and a town that needs to work on its financial plan.
4A Family Thanksgiving (2010)
In thisFreaky Fridaystyle of Hallmark movie,A Family Thanksgivingexplores what would happen if you woke up in a completely different life. Would you want to stay? For Claudia, she’s a hardworking lawyer who graduated from Harvard and thinks poorly of marriage. She strives to be the best in her firm, and she doesn’t have a great outlook when it comes to balancing her work life with her personal life.
On the day before Thanksgiving, Claudia is transported to a different version of her life if things went differently when she went to college; so different that she’s now a mom to two and married to a lovely husband. Claudia gets used to the mom life and has to make a big decision when she’s transported back to the real world.
Rent of Apple TV
3My Southern Family Christmas (2022)
Bruce Campbell trades in his chainsaw fromThe Evil Deadto portray a man who loves Christmas and his family more than anything, andMy Southern Family Christmaswill please just about anyone. Campbell was raised by her mom and stepfather and never knew her biological dad, or cared to know him, until the opportunity fell into her lap.
As a journalist, she takes a job to write about a small town that celebrates Christmas by having someone portray Père Noel, a play on Santa, and it just so happens to be that her biological dad, Everett, was chosen this year. As the two become close, Campbell has a hard time deciding if she wants to reveal to him that she’s his daughter.
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Usually known for its Christmas-themed movies, let’s take a look at the 10 best Hallmark movies about love.
2Angel in the Family (2004)
In this heartwarming Christmas film,Angel in the Familydeals with grief, sickness,and a family being healed as two estranged sisters come together once again to help their father. After Buddy suffers from a stroke, he tells his daughters that the one thing he wants to do the most is to visit the old cabin where they used to have Christmas when their mother was alive.
Sarah and Beth are thankfully able to agree to put their problems aside in order to make this happen. Sarah, ever the optimist, makes an incredible wish of having their mother alive and well with them in order to celebrate the holiday, and to everyone’s surprise, her wish comes true.
Stream on Direct TV
1A Family Christmas Gift (2019)
Legendary Patti LaBelle plays Aunt Dora in this Christmas Hallmark movie, where she not only brings her great singing voice, but also a bit of mischief to get her niece married off. When Amber ventures from a big city to spend the holiday with her aunt in a small town that dedicates itself to Christmas, she meets Allen.
Dora enlists Amber to help her with a Christmas concert, and in return, it brings Amber and Allen together in ways they don’t expect, with Dora playing matchmaker. It’s fun, sweet, and LaBelle’s singing makes it that much more enjoyable to watch.
