It’s that time of year! For people like me, once the weather starts getting colder, it’s time to start watching holiday romance movies. You’ll notice that I categorize these movies as “Hallmark-esque.” This is because the majority of movies on this list are not produced by Hallmark, but don’t worry— all of these movies give off major Hallmark vibes. I’ve been watching these movies for several years and these picks are a few of my favorites. In no particular order, let’s get into it.
Christmas With A view
Christmas With a View follows Clara, a restaurant manager who has moved back to her hometown after failing at starting her own restaurant in Chicago. When a celebrity chef, Shane, is hired at the restaurant she works for, they learn more about each other and the history of their families. I love this movie because it’s so cozy and a great Christmas watch. Christmas With a View is one of my go-to movies during the holiday season.
Naughty & Nice
Naughty & Nice stars Hillary Duff’s sister, Haylie Duff, as Sandra, a small-town radio host. Sandra’s life is turned upside-down when big-time LA radio DJ, Pepper, is sent to co-host her radio show as a punishment from his producers. Both radio hosts have to adjust to each other’s style, and eventually, their joint is a hit. But, when Pepper is wanted back in LA, both he and Sandra have a lot of decisions to make. This movie is great for anyone who likes workplace enemies-to-lovers with good banter, it’s one of the funnier movies that I’ve watched in this genre!
The Christmas Contract
The Christmas Contract features One Tree Hill‘s Hilarie Burton and Robert Buckley. Jolie (Burton) is going to her hometown in Louisiana for the first time since she broke up with her ex, who happens to be very close to her family. When she finds out her ex is will be bringing his new girlfriend home, she panics. This results in a contract being made with her best friend’s brother, and the deal is that he must pretend to be her boyfriend for the entirety of the holiday. This movie is perfect for anyone who loves the fake dating or best friend’s brother tropes, or One Tree Hill!
The CHristmas Calendar
The Christmas Calendar follows Emily (played by Laura Bell Bundy for the Broadway fans!), a lawyer who returns to her hometown to take over her recently-passed grandmother’s bakery. She soon meets Gerard, who is the baker at the new competing bakery across the street. While a rivalry is ensuing between the two, a large advent calendar appears in Emily’s shop. The town is entranced by the calendar, and Emily uses the calendar to draw in customers. The locals assume that Emily received the calendar from an admirer, so the town begins the search to find Emily’s secret admirer. If you love small-town dynamics with a large and quirky cast, this is the perfect movie for you to watch around the holidays!
My Christmas Love
In My Christmas Love, Cynthia, a hopeless romantic who can never seem to find the right guy, goes home to attend her sister’s Christmas wedding. She brings her friend Liam with her as her plus one, because she has been recently dumped. After arriving at her home to start preparing for the wedding, she begins receiving gifts replicating the 12 days of Christmas from a secret admirer. As the week goes on, Cynthia tries to figure out who in her hometown is her secret admirer. This movie is great for anyone who likes a little bit of a mystery, and a movie with multiple love interests!
All of these movies are great picks to watch around Christmas time! But the best part about this genre is that there are sooooo many movies in it! If you don’t like my picks, it will not be hard for you to find one you like!