We’ve all been there: It’s a Friday night, we’re itching to start our weekends off with some cheesy holiday spirit, and the second we hover over the Hallmark channel, our partners give us ’the look’. It’s a look of cynicism, judgment, and mostly disbelief over the fact that we would make them sit through yet another sappy storyline. What they don’t realize is that Hallmark has really evolved as far as its Christmas movies, and while Candace Cameron Bure is still the queen of jolly, there are plenty of others that are tolerable… and even enjoyable.
There’s a reason Hallmark shows Christmas movies year-round and it’s not because they’re bad. It’s because thousands of people consider it a guilty pleasure to watch Moonlight & Mistletoe in the middle of July. Don’t worry, there’s no judgment here - but we do have ten Hallmark classics that even the most Grinch of significant others will enjoy.
A Very Merry Mix-Up
Alright, it’s time to get super weird for the holidays. This movie is a classic holiday love story about a woman who falls in love with her soon-to-be brother-in-law. Are you creeped out yet? It gets better. Not only does she end up falling in love with him, but she does this despite her current relationship with her fiance.
All jokes aside, this is a pretty thrilling account of finding love in all the right places, including your future in-law’s home for the holidays. It’s a doozy for sure, but one that will have everyone cheering for the underdog.
Switched For Christmas
Our first of the Christmas Queen’s Hallmark movies, Candace Cameron Bure actually plays herself twice in this movie revolving around twins. Since the world decided we just couldn’t have enough of one Cameron in a Hallmark movie, our sugarplum-filled dreams have finally come true, and now we have two.
The reason we love this film so much is because both Cameron’s end up finding love as they switch places with each other. Ah, if only finding true love was as easy as switching places with a twin sibling we didn’t know existed.
Moonlight & Mistletoe
There’s not much more that needs to be said about this movie other than: Santaville. While this prime Hallmark movie might be missing just a bit of originality, it’s a feel-good story that will inevitably put a smile on your face, if only because Candace is the focal point of this one, as well.
Her name is also Holly, and we’re still convinced that her father is Santa Claus… He does run a Christmas theme park, after all. It’s a classic tale of a big city-slicker coming home to small-town charm, and possibly some hot chocolate and gingerbread.
Finding Santa
This movie doesn’t have Candace Cameron Bure cast as the main character but - surprise! The lead is actually her Full House sister, Jodie Sweeten, instead. The title of this movie literally describes the plot word for word.
When the old Santa can’t be Santa, the town is suddenly in need of a new Santa, who’s really attractive and not at all like our traditional, round-bellied, white-haired jolly fella. It’s an entertaining ride and, after all, who wouldn’t love falling in love with Santa? It’s probably best not to answer that.
A December Bride
For those of us who have watched the 90210 reboot, this movie has a familiar face. It’s also a bit more believable than the other Hallmark movies and while magic and unexpected turns of events are part of their charm, this movie starts off pretty legitimately. It also starts off with a bit of heartbreak but, of course, ends with a lot of love.
When a future interior design gets picked to design a house on the Holiday Tour of Houses - during which she competes with her ex-boss - things get a bit emotional, hectic, and entertaining.
Christmas Under Wraps
This movie made the list not only due to the fact that it’s a great Hallmark choice, but it was also ranked highest on Hallmark’s list of premieres according to Thrillist. All you really need to know about this movie is that there’s a hunky love interested name Andy Holliday who stars alongside none other than, surprise surprise, Candace Cameron Bure.
She plays a doctor in a small Alaska town (because of its proximity to the North Pole, you know) and ends up torn between returning home and remaining in a small town with the potential love of her life. It’s intense.
Journey Back To Christmas
Now, for something completely different. We love Candace Cameron Bure in any role but a favorite of Hallmark fans’ is her role in Journey Back to Christmas. This isn’t a new one, but it’s a classic.
Candace finds her World War II-era self transported to future Christmas times and from there, chaos ensues. And by chaos, we mean finding the true meaning of Christmas which is, of course, demonstrated to her love interest through family and friendship.
A Christmas Detour
If you’re looking for a funky, slightly humorous Hallmark movie, look no further than A Christmas Detour. When a wicked blizzard derails the travel plans of a woman flying to her future in-law’s (who turn out to be jerks, anyway), she runs into a man who does nothing but get on her nerves.
They team up with an experience, slightly bitter, yet loving, couple, rent a truck together, and thus the holiday journey begins. You can cut the tension with a knife in this movie, and it doesn’t end until the last five minutes.
Northpole: Open For Christmas
It’s cute, it’s innocent, and it stars Lori Loughlin, Bailee Madison, and Dermot Mulroney, so you know it was an instant hit. All it took to make this movie an instant Hallmark classic was the combination of an elf (you read that right), a handyman, and a woman who has lost all sense of Christmas joy.
Combined, they make a movie that’s full of heartwarming moments and adorable acting. It’s a feel-good film that reminds us all to be a little kinder and brighter during the holiday season.
A Gingerbread Romance
There’s really no instance when we don’t love the Mowry sisters, and Tia simply shines in this Hallmark movie. There is also no instance in which we don’t love gingerbread or baking and this movie happens to combine our love for both.
When Tia, an architect, hooks up with a professional baker to build what will soon be the world’s best gingerbread house, it’s a recipe for true love. Several things happen in the process, and it’s really the journey in this movie that we adore so much.
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