Hallmark’s holiday season is increasingly starting earlier every year, a trend that fans wholeheartedly embrace. The launch of “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story” marked the beginning of Hallmark’s 2025 lineup, aiming to explore the intersection of NFL fandom and romantic holiday storytelling. This film follows “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” from 2024, reinforcing Hallmark’s commitment to incorporating popular culture into their holiday themes. Alongside this announcement, Hallmark celebrated their 16th annual “Countdown to Christmas” through a “Christmas in July” event that unveiled multiple upcoming movies and TV shows for the festive season. While the exact start date for the season remains undisclosed, previous years have typically kicked off in October.
Among the exciting new projects is “A Newport Christmas,” starring Ginna Claire Mason and Wes Brown. The story centers on Ella, a spirited socialite from 1905 who unexpectedly finds herself in 2025. Her adventure takes a turn when she meets Nick, a local historian, who helps her return to her time before Christmas Eve. As they work to avert a disaster that could erase Ella’s existence, a romantic bond grows between them. The film explores themes of love, time travel, and the significance of traditions.
Another standout is “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story.” Starring Holland Roden and Matthew Daddario, this narrative follows pediatric doctor Morgan Quinn and her close friend Gabe DeLuca, who harbors feelings for her. The plot thickens when Morgan discovers a mysterious benefactor who has been supporting her family for decades. In a heartfelt attempt to uncover this person’s identity, Gabe, using his connections, stages a magical Christmas surprise for Morgan and her family. Their relationship takes center stage, promising an emotional rollercoaster filled with holiday spirit.
Additionally, Hallmark is producing “She’s Making a List,” featuring Lacey Chabert as Isabel, a “Naughty or Nice” inspector. Her mission is to evaluate 11-year-old Charlie Duncan, but the story complicates when she falls for Charlie’s widowed father. Isabel is torn between her rigorous job rules and her growing affection for Jason Duncan. This film captures the heart of holiday dilemmas and the transformative power of love during the festive season.
The anticipated third installment of the “Three Wise Men” series also joins the collection, featuring Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, and Andrew Walker. While details are still under wraps, the return of the beloved Brenner brothers promises to attract loyal fans of the franchise. This continuation reflects Hallmark’s strategy of building franchises that resonate with their audience, creating a familiar atmosphere of warmth and nostalgia.
Alongside its movies, Hallmark is gearing up for engaging holiday TV shows. One of these is “Baked With Love: Holiday,” hosted by Tamera Mowry-Housley, where ten pairs of home bakers will compete in a festive bake-off. Focusing on family recipes and heritage, the show culminates with one pair being crowned “Christmas Baking Champions” and winning a $50,000 prize. Another reality show, “Finding Mr. Christmas,” hosted by Jonathan Bennett, returns for its second season, selecting a new group of actors competing to earn the title of “Mr. Christmas” in a Hallmark movie.
Finally, “Mistletoe Murders,” starring Sarah Drew and Peter Mooney, combines mystery with holiday cheer as Emily Lane investigates local murders while navigating a budding romance with Detective Sam Wilner. Likewise, “Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas” features a matchmaking program that reinvigorates Kate’s dull life with festive adventures and romance. This variety of films and shows shows Hallmark’s commitment to delivering heartwarming entertainment that captures the essence of the holiday spirit, appealing to fans old and new alike during this magical time of year.
