Embracing Predictability: How Hallmark Movies Provide Christmas Comfort

Posted on January 13, 2025

One of the best ways to embrace the Christmas spirit is by snuggling up with some holiday movies. Yet, with so many films and streaming services available, finding something to watch can feel like a wild goose chase. But there is one channel that guarantees enough Christmas movies to last all 25 days of December: The Hallmark Channel. Hallmark movies are often criticized for being cheesy and full of clichés. They are unrealistic and not considered cinematic masterpieces. The characters and conflicts in each film follow a typical equation. A woman is forced to return to her hometown and meets a handsome guy; both fall in love until an easily avoidable conflict ensues. Simple communication resolves conflict and the two can live happily ever after.

Spending a month immersed in Hallmark movies, I wanted to share some thoughts about them. I signed up for the subscription in mid-November, just as my partner Dave was facing major surgery. This meant he spent much time recovering on the couch, with limited activities to entertain him. After a rough day dealing with health scares and hospital visits, I decided to turn on Hallmark for the first time to unwind for the evening. There was a list of autumn-themed movies on the home screen. I clicked on one called “Love, Fall & Order.” I appreciated the ring “Fall & Order” had to it as a clever play on “Law and Order.” The thumbnail also had a puppy in the photo, and I love dogs.

The story follows Claire, a high-powered lawyer from New York City, who is called back to her hometown to resolve a property dispute involving her father’s farm and an elderly neighbor’s property line. Patrick, her former high school rival, is the opposing counsel. The more time they spend together, the more they fall in love until a slight misunderstanding leaves Claire heartbroken. Things become awkward between them until they finally communicate more effectively and reveal how much they mean to each other. Ultimately, the property dispute is resolved, with the two older parties deciding to share the land. I don’t know how it worked out, but it felt heartwarming.

For the rest of the month, a Hallmark movie played in the background whenever I got home from work. At first, I thought, “Wow, Dave must love the Hallmark channel!” But one evening, while making dinner, I caught the end of one movie, and another began right after. Curious, I asked, “What movie is this?” while preparing food. Dave shrugged and said he wasn’t sure; it had just started playing. After I probed a bit further, I realized that Hallmark endlessly shuffles through its movies all day, every day, without any input from the viewer. It often doesn’t even ask if we’re still watching; it just keeps going.

Watching more Hallmark originals, I noticed many characters’ occupations surround baking or shopkeeping, but then there are some out-of-pocket careers I had not expected. For example, there were men and women window dressers, physical therapists, athletes, newscasters, beekeepers, and archaeologists. Yes, that’s right! Only Hallmark can develop a storyline that brings together a beekeeper and an archaeologist. In a simplified version of this plot, the archaeologist, initially in conflict with an apiarist, discovers that bees are billions of years old, revealing their unexpected connection to archaeology. As he digs deeper (pun intended!) into this exciting discovery, he starts to appreciate these little buzzing wonders—and, of course, the beekeeper who introduced him to them.

Hallmark’s charming habit of using the same actors makes deciding which movies to watch easier. Many films are organized into playlists by actors, particularly for more popular stars. At home, we have come to enjoy the performances of Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, Paul Campbell, Nikki DeLoach, and Kimberley Sustad. It’s amusing how some characters seem to always find themselves in the same situation—like Nicole Major, who always seemed to be getting married, no matter what her role was! I imagine being a Hallmark actor or actress could be a lucrative career with many opportunities to revisit familiar roles.

All in all, I did discover some new Christmas favorites. “3 Wisemen and a Baby” was the same concept as “3 Men and a Baby” film, ending with the 3 guys using the baby in a nativity reenactment scene. Then there’s “The Santa Class,” a hilarious story about two rival Santa training schools. I also enjoyed “The Santa Stakeout,” where two detectives go undercover as a married couple while keeping an eye on a quiet suburban neighborhood. And let’s not forget “Catch Me If You Claus”! It features Santa’s son, Chris Claus, who gets mistaken for a Santa-themed burglar, causing some trouble with break-ins. These movies added a special sprinkle of joy and festive cheer to the holiday season.

Hallmark movies serve as the ultimate comfort food in cinema for those who appreciate them. Every movie overdoes it with compassion, community, and feel-good storylines. Life can be daunting, so it’s refreshing to sometimes disconnect and let the Hallmark Channel endlessly loop you into slumber. Now and then, I crave a predictable outcome in my life. These movies are soothing, and I didn’t have to pay close attention to enjoy them. Sure, they can be simple and a bit repetitive, but there are definitely unique aspects that make them enjoyable.