If You Watch One Holiday Movie This Weekend: Hallmark Channel’s Christmas Island Is Our Pick
With Hallmark Channel’s annual Countdown to Christmas and Great American Family’s Great American Christmas now in full swing, and Lifetime and other networks loading their sleighs, we’re here to help you choose between the season’s many offerings. Each Thursday, we’ll spotlight the movie that should be at the top of your weekend list and preview why other debuts will make you merry.
THE ONE TO WATCH
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Christmas Island
(Premieres Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8 pm on Hallmark Channel)
Would it even be the holidays without a new Andrew Walker film? He’s been the king of Christmas movies since 2012, and continues his reign with this first pairing opposite Rachel Skarsten. She’s commercial pilot Kate, who gets an audition for her dream job, flying private, when she lifts off with the wealthy Sharpe family en route to their ski vacation in Switzerland. No one is thrilled when a snowstorm diverts their plane to Nova Scotia, Canada — including air traffic controller Oliver (Walker). Stranded in rustic Christmas Island, Kate’s duties change: She’s asked to keep the two kids entertained, which is a challenge given she hasn’t celebrated the holiday since her father died (a particularly popular trope this year). Luckily, Oliver knows all about the town’s festivities because his sister is mayor and his father is postmaster.
This script may not be as clever as last year’s Three Wise Men and a Baby, but Walker’s slightly naughty charm still radiates as he warms to Kate and brings the Sharpes closer together. Skarsten, who was so much fun as the titular undercover agent in last year’s The Royal Nanny, masters the art of thawing an Ice Queen without turning her into a puddle. Although the movie was filmed on location in Lunenburg, Peggy’s Cove, and Halifax, it incorporates the real Christmas Island tradition of the post office returning thousands of letters to Santa with the famed postmark in a touching way. And the lighting of the lobster trap tree with buoys memorializing fishermen lost at sea will be the most moving and beautiful sight you’ll see this weekend.
Runner-Up: Mystery on Mistletoe Lane
Another Hallmark favorite, Victor Webster, headlines our runner-up pick, Mystery on Mistletoe Lane (premieres Thursday, Nov. 9 at 8 pm and repeats Saturday, Nov. 11 at 10 pm on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries). He plays David, the former director/current handyman of the New Hollow historical society, who gets more than he bargained for when he helps his new boss, divorced Heidi (Erica Cerra), move with her kids into a home once known as Mistletoe Mansion. As Heidi and David try to figure out why his father (Fred Henderson) refuses to share what he knows about the long-abandoned house, her children realize it’s full of clues to a holiday-themed treasure hunt staged decades ago. You may guess the connection, but you’ll still tear up when all is revealed. Also, Webster and Cerra manage to make a slow-dance to “Joy to the World” in front of the historical society’s own poignant tribute tree somewhat romantic. Bravo!
The Best of the Rest…
A Heidelberg Holiday (premieres Sunday, Nov. 12 at 8 pm on Hallmark Channel)
Hallmark’s international Christmas tour heads to Germany, where a totally foreseeable shipment delay of hand-painted glass ornaments to the Heidelberg market leaves panicked artist Heidi (Ginna Claire Mason) plenty of time to explore her grandmother’s homeland with craftsman Lukas (Frédéric Brossier), the son of the endearingly enthusiastic family hosting her. You’ll enjoy learning their traditions and marvel at how many different coats Heidi packed.
A Christmas Blessing (premieres Sunday, Nov. 12 at 8 pm on Great American Family)
Renowned TV chef Mandy (Lori Loughlin) delays her world tour of Michelin star restaurants to give the Milwaukee community who relied on her beloved late aunt’s food bank one last holiday to remember. She gets assistance from Adam, the smitten businessman (James Tupper) next door who’s buying the property, and mysterious volunteer Otto (a heartwarming Jesse Hutch), who should become a franchise character.
Everything Christmas (premieres Friday, Nov. 10 at 8 pm on Hallmark Channel)
On a road trip to Yuletide Springs, where she plans to fulfill a promise to her late grandmother, Christmas-fanatic LJ (Cindy Busby) and her more practical roommate, Tory (Katherine Barrell), keep crossing paths with a matchmaking Kris Kringle (George Masswohl) and a tow-truck driver (Corey Sevier). Whether Kris is the real deal or a master illusionist is up for debate. For certain: Viewers on the fence about quitting their job before the holidays receive a nudge!
Christmas Time Capsule (premieres Sunday, Nov. 12 at 7 pm on UPtv)
It’s kinda like My Best Friend’s Wedding, only with the ending you wanted. Christmas Catch costars Franco Lo Presti and Emily Alatalo reteam as two besties, Army vet James and his longtime pal Tiffany, who road trip to her family’s home so James can retrieve the heirloom engagement ring he asked Tiffany to safeguard when he enlisted and propose to his new girlfriend. As they rummage around for the time capsule Tiffany stowed it in, her feelings for James surface — roughly around the time he does shirtless pushups.
Christmas Keepsake (premieres Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8 pm on Great American Family)
Daniel Lissing gets to use his native accent as Aussie widower Tom, who moves to America with his daughter, who soon finds a tin buried in their new backyard with a list telling them how to have the best Christmas ever. As they search for the now grown-up writer, Daniel dons multiple chunky knits and makes more than a trifle with single baker Elizabeth (Jillian Murray).
Christmas Angel (streaming Thursday, Nov. 9 on BET+)
Think Jennifer Lopez’s Marry Me, only festive (or just Freddie Prinze Jr.’s 2022 Netflix movie Christmas With You). Angel St. James (DaniLeigh), “the next Beyoncé,” is expected to wed her narcissistic music producer EJ (Romeo Miller), but all she may want for Christmas after meeting small-town widower Calvin (Skyh Black) and his daughter, Liz (scene-stealer Iris Gaspar), is the family she never had. The music is hot, Angel’s dresses and Calvin’s Henleys are hotter.
2023 Christmas Movie Schedule
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