Discover the Magic of Hallmark's 2024 Holiday Movies
Holiday Mismatch (2024)
New retiree Barb (Beth Broderick) joins a holiday committee and clashes with longtime member Kath (Caroline Rhea). When their kids start dating, they try to break up the happy couple. If you love break-up missions gone wrong, this movie is for you.
It shows the humorous and heartwarming side of holiday conflicts and how two seemingly opposing characters can find common ground.
Sugarplummed (2024)
Emily (Maggie Lawson) wishes for a perfect Christmas like in the Sugarplum movies, and a Sugarplum (Janel Parrish) actually appears to make her wish come true. This movie is a bit meta and adds a unique twist to the holiday genre.
It explores the power of dreams and the unexpected ways they can be fulfilled during the holiday season.
The Christmas Quest (2024)
Mean Girls alum Lacey Chabert plays Stefanie, who teams up with her ex-husband Chase to find "the legendary treasure of the Tule Lads." They go all the way to Iceland on this treasure hunt.
This movie combines adventure and holiday spirit as the couple navigates through Iceland in search of the treasure.
Confessions of A Christmas Letter (2024)
Angela Kinsey stars in this festive flick as Settie Rose, who hires novelist Juan (Alec Santos) to help her win the community's Christmas letter competition. His challenge is to depict her dysfunctional family in the best way possible.
It delves into the complexities of family and the power of words during the holiday season.
Christmas With the Singhs (2024)
Virgin River's Benjamin Hollingsworth and Anuja Joshi star in this movie about a newly engaged couple whose relationship is tested when their families' cultural and holiday traditions clash.
It showcases the diversity of holiday traditions and how they can bring both joy and challenges.
Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story (2024)
Chiefs superfan Alana (Hunter King) tries to win the Fan of the Year Award as a Christmas gift for her family. Along the way, she falls in love with a guy who works in the Chiefs office. Travis Kelce's mom also has a role in the film.
This movie combines football and holiday love, adding a unique twist to the traditional holiday story.
Three Wiser Men and a Boy (2024)
The Brenner brothers are back in this follow-up to Three Wise Men and a Baby (2022). They're putting on a holiday pageant for little Thomas but face life's curveballs, including their mother's new boyfriend.
It shows the challenges and joys of family during the holiday season and how they come together to create a special memory.
Flipping for Christmas (2023)
Abigail (Ashley Newbrough) agrees to help her sister with a house flip, but co-beneficiary Bo (Marcus Rosner) has other ideas. This home-renovation-themed movie is a must-watch for fans of the genre.
It highlights the ups and downs of a home renovation project and the unexpected connections that can be made.
The Christmas House (2020)
A famous TV star reconnects with his high school sweetheart, a gay lead couple tries to adopt a child, and a struggling married couple works to keep their Christmas memories alive. This movie weaves multiple storylines into one festive tale.
It shows the diversity of holiday experiences and how love and family can overcome any obstacle.
A Gingerbread Romance (2018)
Architect Taylor (Tia Mowry-Hardrict) teams up with baker Adam (Duane Henry) to build a life-size gingerbread house for a contest. As they fall in love, Taylor learns that maybe it's not so bad to stick around.
This movie combines architecture, baking, and romance, creating a sweet holiday story.
Checkin' It Twice (2023)
Hockey player Scott (Kevin McGarry) falls in love with real estate agent Ashley (Kim Matula) after being traded to her hometown team. Her family adores the sport, adding an extra layer of charm to their story.
It shows the unexpected connections that can be made through sports and love during the holiday season.
A Merry Scottish Christmas (2023)
Estranged siblings Lindsay (Lacey Chabert) and Brad (Scott Wolf) come together in Scotland for Christmas. A family secret is revealed, adding a touch of mystery to the holiday celebration.
It explores the power of family and the healing that can happen during the holiday season.
Christmas by Design (2023)
Charlotte (Rebecca Dalton) is a fashion designer who accepts a Christmas challenge to design a holiday-themed collection. In the process, she discovers what matters most in life.
This movie shows the creative side of the holiday season and how it can inspire personal growth.
Let It Snow (2013)
Executive Stephanie (Candace Cameron Bure) is anti-Christmas but changes her mind when she meets Brady (Jesse Hutch) and discovers the magic of winter. From skiing to tobogganing, this movie is a winter wonderland.
It shows the transformation that can happen during the holiday season and the power of new experiences.
Christmas Everlasting (2018)
A successful lawyer returns to her childhood home after her sister passes away. The star-studded cast includes Tatyana Ali, Dondré T. Whitfield, Dennis Haysbert, and Patti LaBelle. This movie is a heartwarming tribute to the holiday season.
It shows the importance of family and the lasting impact of the holiday season.
Haul Out the Holly (2022)
(No specific content provided for this movie, so no detailed rewrite.)
Road to Christmas (2018)
Los Angeles television producer Maggie Baker falls for Danny Wise, the son and former producer of his mother's annual Christmas special. This movie is a romantic journey through the holiday season.
It shows the magic of love and the power of Christmas to bring people together.
Christmas in Evergreen (2017)
A small-town veterinarian wishes for a romantic Christmas but has to choose between her longtime boyfriend and a doctor she meets at the airport. This movie is a charming holiday romance.
It shows the uncertainties of love during the holiday season and how it can lead to unexpected endings.
Good Morning Christmas! (2020)
Two TV hosts who love to bicker off-screen are sent to a small town for Christmas. As they get to know each other, they discover that they may have been wrong about each other. This movie is a heartwarming tale of friendship and growth.
It shows the power of forgiveness and the importance of looking beyond first impressions.
Write Before Christmas (2019)
Jessica (Torrey DeVitto) sends Christmas cards to five people who have influenced her life. Each card sparks a change in their lives, making this a truly inspiring movie.
It shows the impact that a simple act of kindness can have during the holiday season.
Characters Who Doubt and Seek Justice
A Real Pain
In this dark comedy, two American cousins with distinct personalities - a responsible and aloof Jesse Eisenberg and a charming yet reckless Kieran Culkin - reunite in Poland for a Holocaust remembrance tour. They hope this journey will help them honor their recently deceased grandmother and their Jewish heritage. Against the backdrop of gas chambers, tombstones, and hotel dining rooms, accompanied by a group of strangers, the cousins search for ways to process their personal and inherited grief.God & Country
Culture columnist Abby Olcese describes "God & Country" as a crash-course in understanding how a hyper-conservative, white-dominant minority became a vocal voting bloc. Leaning on interviews with faith leaders like Rev. William J. Barber II and others, the documentary aims to interrogate common Christian nationalist arguments and show viewers how to thwart this movement's ascent.Furiosa
In the prequel to "Mad Max: Fury Road", we learn how Furiosa became the woman who would liberate the enslaved "breeders/wives" of the tyrannical Immortan Joe. As pointed out by contributing editor JR. Forasteros, this action film is an Exodus story. Both Moses and Furiosa were born into slavery, experienced the comforts of empire, and then led oppressed peoples to a promised land. Their stories prompt viewers to consider how those in the lap of the empire can act as agents of liberation.Heretic
Zachary Lee writes that the "biggest scare" of this religious horror film isn't demonic or paranormal but the unique terror of a theological conversation with a self-righteous man. Mr. Reed invites two missionaries into his house, feigning curiosity about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In reality, he wants to test their faith by bringing the young women closer to death. Heretic is both scary and theologically stirring, reminding viewers that perhaps the true heretics are not those who doubt but those who are certain.Leap of Faith
A couple of years ago, 12 pastors from different political and theological backgrounds agreed to meet over a year. They aimed to find a way to love each other despite their differences and allowed Nicholas Ma and Morgan Neville to film the process. The resulting documentary, as written by Jim McDermott, is a hopeful and raw portrayal that doesn't shy away from silence or vulnerability, offering a revelatory look at what it's like to be a pastor today.Dune: Part Two
In this spectacle of speculative fiction, religion and politics are intricately intertwined. Political elites have spent centuries preparing for a messiah-figure to emerge and start a holy war. Paul Atreides initially dismisses the false prophecy, but as the film progresses, his integrity weakens as his enemies grow stronger. As Ezra Craker writes, "being the messiah comes in handy in moments of political and military desperation. That kind of influence is hard to resist."Exhibiting Forgiveness
"Exhibiting Forgiveness" focuses on the reunion of Tarrell (André Holland) with his estranged father, La’Ron (John Earl Jelks), who was abusive during Tarrell's childhood. Now recovering from addiction, La’Ron seeks reconciliation and forgiveness. Director Titus Kaphar searches for a way to forgive without forgetting in this autobiographical feature-film debut. "Forgiving doesn't mean - shouldn't have to mean - that you are putting yourself back in a dangerous situation," he said. "You can forgive and go a different path."Between the Temples
Ben Gottlieb is a newly widowed middle-aged cantor who has lost his voice and his purpose in life. Carla Kessler O’Connor is a free-spirited septuagenarian who wants to take Ben's bat mitzvah class at the synagogue (her non-Jewish parents never allowed her to have the ceremony as a child). The premise of this film makes it seem like a quirky age-gap romance, and it is in some ways. But it is also a warm, surprising, and hilarious portrait of how two misfits skirted religious convention to find spiritual belonging with each other.Conclave
"Conclave" offers a thrilling and humanizing look at the papal election process, a secretive event that few get to witness. The film uses color, silence, and a powerful monologue by Sister Agnes (portrayed by Isabella Rossellini) to critique the patriarchal power structures of the Vatican. As Sarah Vincent writes in her review, "in the beginning, the critique only simmers in the visual imagery, the background to the political maneuvering. But by the end of the movie, it has taken center stage."Want more ideas about what to watch? Check out these other film roundups:+Sojourners’ Top Movies and TV Shows of 2023+Sojourners’ 2022 Film and TV Roundup to Inspire Faith and Justice+Sojourners’ 2021 Film and TV RoundupUncover the Magic of VHS in Modern Times
Alien: Romulus - A Disney VHS Release
This year, it was revealed that Alien: Romulus would be the first movie released on VHS by Disney in decades. This marketing move caught everyone's attention. Director Fede Alvarez told io9 that it's more than just a gimmick. He discovered movies in this format and it holds a special place for him as he was born in 1978 when VHS was booming. The $60 release quickly sold out, showing that there is a demand for VHS.
The VHS release of Alien: Romulus gives a unique viewing experience with its specific color range and spectrum of sound. It takes viewers back to a different era and adds a touch of magic to the movie. It was Alvarez's idea and the studio agreed, and it seems he was right about the appeal.
Y2K - A Sci-Fi Comedy with a VHS Release
Kyle Mooney's sci-fi comedy Y2K opened in theaters last week, and now it will be getting a VHS release. Given the film's turn-of-the-millennium setting, this makes perfect sense. The VHS version will be letterboxed and set fans back $30. It's scheduled to ship in January, allowing fans to enjoy the movie in a nostalgic format.
The VHS release of Y2K adds to the film's charm and gives it a retro feel. It's a great way for fans to relive the era and enjoy the movie in a different way.
Stream - A Slasher Film with a VHS Release
According to Bloody Disgusting and Broke Horror Fan, there will also be a VHS release of Stream. Created by much of the team behind the Terrifier series, this energetic and excellently crafted slasher film is a fitting context for a VHS release. The VHS version will be cropped from its original aspect ratio to 4:3 full frame and priced between $28-33. It is expected to ship in February.
The VHS release of Stream gives horror fans a chance to experience the film in a classic format. It adds to the atmosphere and makes the viewing experience more immersive.
It's important to note that these VHS releases are in the "limited release special edition" zone and are aimed at collectors. While VHS may not be able to overcome the quality gap compared to modern home-viewing formats, it's still cool to see videotapes getting some nostalgic love. Which of these films would make you break out the VCR first?
For more io9 news, check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.