First Impressions of Hallmark’s 2024 Countdown to Christmas – Part 1
It’s time to unveil Hallmark’s 2024 Countdown to Christmas movie lineup! Megan and Wendy are bursting with enthusiasm in this bonus preview episode. Are you prepared to be whisked away to picturesque snow-covered settings, delightful small towns, and a world where romance, family, and the enchantment of Christmas take center stage? In this episode, Megan and Wendy share their first impressions of Hallmark’s 2024 Countdown to Christmas movie lineup, diving into the heartwarming tales, captivating cast, and all the joyful merriment that awaits.
Your Guide to Countdown to Christmas 2024
We’ve got your holiday season sorted! Cozy up with our guide to Countdown to Christmas where we’ve decked the halls with all the details, breaking down each charming movie by date and channel.
Our First Impressions of Countdown to Christmas 2024
Series To Look Out For
1. Mistletoe Murders – Hallmark+
- Premiere Date: October 31st
- First Impression: We’re thrilled to see Sarah Drew in a Hallmark series based on an Audible original podcast. This one has a mix of murder mystery and holiday cheer. While the Halloween-Christmas crossover feels a bit odd, we’re excited to give it a shot!
2. Holidazed – Hallmark+
- Premiere Date: November 14th
- First Impression: Six families, one cul de sac, and eight episodes. This series has a killer cast and is definitely on our watchlist. We think it will be a fan favorite given its intriguing premise and ensemble cast.
Movie Lineup
1. Twas the Date Before Christmas
- Starring: Robert Buckley, Amy Groening
- Premiere Date: October 18th
- First Impression: We love the fake dating trope and are big fans of both Robert Buckley and Amy Groening. This movie is high on our list for its fun and festive storyline.
2. Holiday Crashers
- Starring: Lindsey Fonseca, Daniella Monet, Chris McNally, Jag Ball
- Premiere Date: October 19th
- First Impression: Best friends crashing holiday parties? Sign us up! The card shop setting feels like quintessential Hallmark. This movie has the potential for fun and hilarity.
3. Scouting for Christmas
- Starring: Tamera Mowry-Housley, Carlo Marks, Marci T. House
- Premiere Date: October 20th
- First Impression: This feels like a traditional Hallmark movie, which isn’t a bad thing. We’re excited to see Tamera Mowry-Housley back on Hallmark.
4. This Time, Each Year
- Starring: Alison Sweeney, Niall Matter
- Directed by: Crystal Lowe
- Premiere Date: October 24th
- First Impression: This movie intrigues us because of its co-parenting storyline. We appreciate realistic portrayals of family dynamics around the holidays.
5. Operation Nutcracker
- Starring: Ashley Newbrough, Christopher Russell
- Premiere Date: October 25th
- First Impression: We adore the lead actors, but the concept feels a bit recycled. Curious to see how this one fares.
6. The Christmas Charade
- Starring: Rachel Skarsten, Corey Sevier
- Premiere Date: October 26th
- First Impression: We love Rachel Skarsten and the idea of a librarian caught in an FBI operation. This sounds like a fun and thrilling holiday movie.
7. The Five-Year Christmas Party
- Starring: Katie Findlay, Jordan Fisher
- Premiere Date: October 27th
- First Impression: High school theater rivals reuniting during Christmas? With Katie and Jordan in the lead roles, we’re anticipating a charming and heartfelt movie.
8. My Sweet Austrian Holiday (formerly The Secret Chocolatier)
- Starring: Brittany Bristow, Will Kemp
- Premiere Date: October 31st
- First Impression: While the plot doesn’t particularly excite us, the cast ensures we’ll be tuning in. We’re hoping for a European holiday charm!
9. A Carol for Two
- Starring: Ginna Claire Mason, Jordan Litz
- Premiere Date: November 1st
- First Impression: A Broadway-themed Christmas movie checks all our boxes. Looking forward to seeing Ginna Claire Mason in a musical holiday setting.
10. Our Holiday Story
- Starring: Nikki DeLoach, Warren Christie
- Premiere Date: November 2nd
- First Impression: This How I Met Your Mother-esque storyline involving dual timelines and romantic misunderstandings could be a heartwarming winner.
11. Holiday Mismatch
- Starring: Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick
- Premiere Date: November 3rd
- First Impression: Sabrina the Teenage Witch reunion, anyone? We’re nostalgic and thrilled to see these two actresses clashing and bonding over holiday mayhem.
12. Five Gold Rings
- Starring: Holland Roden, Nolan Gerard Funk
- Premiere Date: November 7th
- First Impression: A holiday quest involving mysterious gold rings sounds intriguing. We’re very excited to see Holland Roden and Nolan Gerard Funk in action.
13. All Wrapped Up Quartet (Hallmark +)
- Starring: Natalie Hall, Alex Santos, Catherine Davis, Nathan Witt, Ashley Newbrow, Torrance Coombs, Cindy Busby, Jake Epstein
- Premiere Dates: November 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
- First Impression: Four movies following friends at a shop have us intrigued. With a cast including fan-favorites like Cindy Busby and Jake Epstein, we’re excited for this series.
14. Trivia at St. Nick’s
- Starring: Tammyn Sursok, Brant Daugherty
- Premiere Date: November 8th
- First Impression: University trivia at Christmas sounds fun! Hopefully, the mix of competitions and holiday festivities hits all the right notes.
15. Santa Tell Me
- Starring: Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, Benjamin Ayers, Christopher Russell, Kurt Szarka
- Premiere Date: November 9th
- First Impression: High expectations for this one with Erin and Daniel reuniting. The storyline of multiple potential Nicks adds a playful twist.
16. ‘Tis The Season to be Irish
- Premiere Date: November 10th
- First Impression: This is giving us flashbacks to As Luck Would Have it With Joanna Garcia Swisher and Allen Leech. With a script by Joie Botkin, you know we’re all in.
17. A Reason for the Season
- Starring: Taylor Cole, Kevin McGarry
- Premiere Date: November 14th
- First Impression: Given its classic Hallmark feel combined with an intriguing holiday quest, this looks set to deliver holiday warmth.
18. Christmas with the Singhs
- Starring: Anuja Joshi, Ben Hollingsworth
- Premiere Date: November 15th
- First Impression: Navigating engagement and family drama at Christmas could lead to a heartfelt and relatable storyline.
19. Jingle Bell Run
- Starring: Ashley Williams, Andrew Walker
- Premiere Date: November 16th
- First Impression: Two beloved Hallmark stars in a holiday competition show might mean hijinks, but we’re definitely tuning in. Can Ashley Williams pull off “unenthusiastic?”
20. Confessions of a Christmas Letter
- Starring: Angela Kinsey, Alex Santos, cameo by Brian Baumgartner
- Premiere Date: November 17th
- First Impression: Full of potentially quirky miscommunications but bolstered by comedic talent and holiday charm. Plus reuniting co-stars from The Office!
21. A Novel Noelle
- Starring: Julie Gonzalo, Brendan Penny
- Premiere Date: November 21st
- First Impression: Even without much detail, the leads make this a must-watch. We’re curious how a book editor running a bookstore for a month pans out.
22. Christmas on Call
- Starring: Sarah Canning, Sidarius Blaine, cameo by Donna Kelce, and Erik Athavale
- Premiere Date: November 22nd
- First Impression: With Grey’s Anatomy vibes and a Philadelphia setting, this ER romance holds promise. (We suspect Mama Kelce negotiated a Philly set movie in order to be fair and balanced to her sons!)
23. Three Wiser Men and a Boy
- Starring: Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, Margaret Collin, Kimberley Sustad
- Premiere Date: November 23rd
- First Impression: High expectations abound! With this all-star cast, writer, and director, we anticipate a holiday classic.
24. To Have and to Holiday
- Starring: Madeline Arthur, Robert Bizucci, Eric Close
- Premiere Date: November 24th
- First Impression: Excited for Madeline Arthur’s return but cautious about holiday-themed challenges.
25. Christmas Under the Lights
- Starring: Heather Hemmens, Marco Grazini
- Premiere Date: November 27th
- First Impression: Atmospheric holiday carnival lights and a heartfelt story make this a potentially delightful watch.
Stay tuned for Part Two of our Countdown to Christmas first impressions, covering the latter half of this year’s exciting lineup.
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