Hallmark Christmas Movies: The Ones That Missed the Mark
Hallmark Christmas movies have become a winter tradition for many, going down like comfort food over the holidays. They’re warm, predictable, and filled with snow-covered picturesque towns where everyone somehow has unlimited free time and zero holiday stress. But even within this marshmallowy realm, there are some titles that go spectacularly off the rails. Whether it’s the recycled plots, the awkward romantic chemistry, or the wildly low-stakes conflicts, a handful of Hallmark’s festive offerings are infamous for their unintentional absurdity.
This list highlights 15 of Hallmark’s worst Christmas movies – titles that, even with festive backdrops and charming leads, end up feeling hollow or painfully formulaic. They’re not completely without entertainment value. Even the least effective Hallmark romances can have a certain cheesy appeal. But compared to the network’s best storytelling, these films fall short in delivering magic for audiences to return to year after year.
‘The Town That Christmas Forgot’ (2010)
The Town That Christmas Forgot follows the Bensons, a wealthy family on the road to spend the holidays at a ski lodge. Forced to stop by a blizzard, they get stranded in a small community called Nowhere Town (yes, seriously). While there, they agree to help a local café owner organize a Christmas Eve pageant to help lift the town’s spirits after its residents were hit hard by the closing of a coal mine. As they spend time organizing the event and bonding with everyone, they’re reminded of the true spirit of Christmas.
The premise was promising, and could have had a lot to say about both the importance of community and the non-material things that make a person truly rich, but the movie never fully commits to developing the emotional stakes. The characters spend so much time moping about their situation that the story’s intended messages get buried beneath sluggish pacing, with many of the early scenes feeling dreary rather than festive. To make matters worse, the Hallmark special perpetuates the outdated trope of the rich acting as saviors for the less fortunate. All in all, this one’s nothing more than a forgettable holiday detour.
‘Santa Switch’ (2013)
In Santa Switch, a workaholic dad named Dan (Ethan Erickson) is down on his luck over the holidays, as he realizes he’s about to lose his job, his wife, and his children. Of course, this just so happens to be around the same time that Kris Kringle (Donovan Scott) decides to take some much-needed time off. And who better to take over Santa’s duties than the soon-to-be-unemployed Dan? With the help of the elf Eddie (Sean Astin), Dan learns how to be a great Santa Claus while working to get his family back.
If this sounds like a story you’ve heard before, it’s because it was basically already done in the 1994 film The Santa Clause starring Tim Allen. While that movie may be a holiday staple for many, this one is just boring and has zero redeeming qualities. It leans heavily on slapstick humor and weak gags that never land, leaving the protagonist feeling more like a cartoon character than someone viewers actually care to root for. The movie also struggles tonally, awkwardly blending heartfelt lessons with fantasy and goofy elements. The end result is a chaotic film that never quite figures out what it wants to be.
‘Oh Christmas Tree’ (2013)
Originally released as Fir Crazy, Oh Christmas Tree has a premise that sounds pleasant enough. Like in many Hallmark movies, a woman (Sarah Lancaster) returns to her hometown. In this case, she has just lost a high-profile job and has to learn how to make many adjustments while working at her family’s Christmas tree lot. And of course, there’s a small-town guy (Eric Johnson) who’s deeply interested in the big city gal.
The romance of the film doesn’t fare well, however. The leads have almost no chemistry, and their interactions rely heavily on clichés without offering the charm some Hallmark romcoms are known for. In real life, the male protagonist would be a walking red flag. He basically stalks “the object of his affection” until he gets her attention, going into her family’s business multiple times and walking by regularly to get her to notice him. It’s creepy, not sweet.
‘Mr. Miracle’ (2014)
Based on Debbie Macomber’s popular novel, Mr. Miracle has all the ingredients for a magical holiday tale, yet the movie feels strangely hollow. The story follows Harry Mills (Rob Morrow), a newly appointed guardian angel who gets assigned his first official task on Earth: helping out a young woman named Addie (Britt Irvin) overcome the grief of losing her father, find confidence, and learn to let love into her life. Instead of celestial charm, viewers get disjointed scenes that never quite build to a compelling emotional arc.
Addie’s storyline – balancing personal growth, studies, and newfound hope – should carry the film, but it’s handled with such broad strokes that it never resonates. Characters feel more like archetypes than people, and the inspirational themes lack depth. The movie’s attempt to blend magic, mentorship, and romance ultimately create a muddled narrative. If you’re in the mood to watch a guardian angel Christmas movie, you’re better off watching the black-and-white holiday classic The Bishop’s Wife.
‘Once Upon a Holiday’ (2015)
Briana Evigan stars as Katie, the princess of some made-up country, who’s tired of the pressure, stress, and obligations that come from her royal title. Naturally, she becomes a runaway royal hellbent on experiencing life as an ordinary person, which is how she falls in love with a common man who is unaware of where she comes from. This could have been a cute holiday movie, but the princess’ wonder at everyday life is exaggerated to the point of making her seem implausibly sheltered, with the early scenes too filled with forced fish-out-of-water comedy that never feels organic.
The romance doesn’t do too much to elevate the material, either. The male lead is likable, but the relationship develops without momentum, making the emotional payoff feel thin. Even the movie’s holiday atmosphere feels underused, offering picturesque decor without the heart to match it. Once Upon a Holiday wants to be a whimsical seasonal escape, but it never fully captures the magic its premise promises.
‘A Gingerbread Romance’ (2018)
A Gingerbread Romance stars Tia Mowry as Taylor Scott, an architect without roots, who moves from place to place based on her work. She’s soon to receive a promotion that will once again force her to move. When she meets bakery owner and single dad Adam Dale (Duane Henry) while working on a life-sized gingerbread competition, she starts to think about settling down somewhere and making a home with someone.
Unfortunately, the romantic chemistry between the two leads never fully snaps into place, in part because their interactions feel more procedural than romantic. While the baking montage moments are cute, the movie lacks the emotional warmth needed to elevate them. It’s all frosting, and no flavor. The heroine’s personal arc also lacks nuance, making her transformation feel more like a plot requirement than genuine growth.
‘A Cheerful Christmas’ (2019)
A Cheerful Christmas follows best friends and holiday consultants, Lauren and Colleen (Erica Deustchman and Tianna Nori), who have landed their dream job helping a royal family, the Andersons. Their excitement is cut short when they learn that James (Chad Connell), the eldest son, wants nothing to do with them or their Christmas plans. Of course, Lauren makes it her mission to get him in the holiday spirit, stealing his heart in the process.
This could have been a feel-good Hallmark Christmas movie, but it falls flat. The heroine’s attempts to teach festive joy feel more like scripted skits, and the film’s comedic moments rarely land with the intended charm. Unfortunately, the romance is similarly underwhelming, relying heavily on formulaic interactions that lack a natural flow. And instead of leaning into the inherent absurdity of Christmas consultants, the movie plays everything straight, resulting in scenes that feel oddly lifeless.
‘The Mistletoe Secret’ (2019)
Despite a dreamy title and featuring two popular Hallmark staples – Kellie Pickler and Tyler Hynes – The Mistletoe Secret ends up strangely lackluster. Set in Midway, Utah, it follows Aria Eubanks (Pickler), who runs the down-on-its-luck local restaurant The Mistletoe Diner. Wanting to help the town’s drop in tourism, she pitches it as a stop on a reality show called The Masters of Travel. Aria then finds herself in a love triangle with the star of the show (Christopher Russell) and its ghostwriter (Hynes).
While the setting has plenty of charm, it isn’t enough to compensate for its flat storytelling. The story, ripe for cozy conflict, gets bogged down in repetitive misunderstandings and long-winded conversations that don’t advance the plot. There’s also a lack of chemistry between the leads, with interactions that lack emotional spark, resulting in a pair that feels mismatched. In a sea of more engaging holiday romances, The Mistletoe Secret is bland and forgettable.
‘Jingle Bell Bride’ (2020)
Julie Gonzalo stars as Jessica Perez, a wedding planner who travels to a remote Alaska town to find jingle bell flowers, a rare bloom needed for a client’s high-profile ceremony. While in town, she meets Matt (Ronnie Rowe), pretty much the only bachelor left in the village, who decides to help her track down these special flowers. The two end up falling in love. Although the set-up is intriguing, the execution feels boring and predictable.
Scenic winter landscapes provide visual appeal, but the narrative never fully takes advantage of the setting. Despite the romance developing in typical Hallmark fashion, it lacks the spark needed to lift the story and give it a charming touch. Ultimately, Jingle Bell Bride feels like Hallmark on autopilot – pleasant enough, but utterly forgettable.
‘A Christmas Carousel’ (2020)
The premise of A Christmas Carousel sounds whimsical: an art restorer named Lila (Rachel Boston) is hired to repair a royal carousel in Arcadia, only to fall for the prince (Neal Bledsoe) overseeing the project. But while the concept has fairy tale potential, the execution struggles. Much of the movie consists of lengthy, low-stakes conversations about carousel mechanics and royal obligations, which drains the energy from what could have been a magical romance. The pacing suffers as a result, making the movie feel longer than it is.
The central romance is polite to the point of sedation, making the budding relationship feel more like courteous friendship. Ultimately, the story struggles to deliver genuine emotional warmth. Even the grand carousel reveal is underwhelming, landing with the gentle thud of a decorative pillow. A Christmas Carousel may look the part of a Hallmark classic, but it’s painfully dull and lifeless in feeling.
