7 Best Hallmark Christmas Movies to Watch Right Now, Ranked

The Hallmark Channel is far and away the best place to find the corniest, cheesiest holiday movies.

And during the Christmas season, that’s just what many people are looking for. They want to light a Yankee candle, brew some peppermint tea and sink into a world where beautiful people get just what they want for Christmas.

Watch With Us loves a good Hallmark Christmas movie, so we decided to do a civil service and rank the very best ones you can watch right now on Hallmark+.

Did your favorites make the cut? Read on to find out!

Every Holiday Movie on TV This 2025 Season: Hallmark, Netflix and Lifetime

Humble seamstress Emily (Lacey Chabert) devotes herself to her family’s Philadelphia business, but she finds her world turned upside-down when she discovers that her European boyfriend, Leopold (Stephen Hagan), is a royal prince and heir to the throne of a small sovereign country. Leopold takes Emily back to his home to met his family for Christmas with intent to marry her. However, Leopold’s mother has other plans for him.

With some The Princess Diaries sprinkled in, A Royal Christmas hits all the notes you want from a royalty-themed Christmas Hallmark movie: everyone learns a lesson, everyone looks beautiful, love prevails and, of course, the beautiful gowns. Plus, Chabert and Jane Seymour shine in the film.

Estranged identical twin sisters Kate and Christ Lockhart (both played by Candace Cameron Brue) are stuck planning their respective holiday parties when they decide to switch things up. In order to see if one twin has things better than the other — and unbeknownst to their families — the twins swap lives, and the lessons they learn from the experience may just make for the best Christmas they’ve ever had.

Switched for Christmas makes for an adorable Christmas tale of family, friendship and learning to understand and appreciate your loved ones — and what would a Hallmark movie be without a little romance as well? It doesn’t hurt that the movie has a good sense of humor too, and with Cameron Brue playing an impressive dual role.

In a gambit to give his parents a good Christmas, speech writer Jaime (Tyler Hynes) makes a deal with his ex-girlfriend Emily (Bethany Joy Lenz) to come home with him for the holidays and pretend that they’re still together. However, it doesn’t take much before the act starts to unravel — especially when they realize their dormant feelings for one another are coming back.

This is a great Christmas Hallmark movie to watch for some silly antics, as Jaime and Emily do their best to maintain their week-long ruse in front of Jaime’s family, but it ends on a heartfelt note when the two exes realize they still love each other. Lenz and Hynes have wonderful, believable chemistry, and the film sports the perfect warm and festive holiday atmosphere.

Bachelor Zachary Stone (Brandon Routh) is only committed to one thing, and that’s being single. But when a stray cat winds up on his doorstep, he starts to realize that a little company in his day-to-day life might not be so bad. However, things take an unexpectedly romantic turn when he meets Marilee (Kimberly Sustad), a veterinary student who helps teach him how to take care of his new feline friend. Can the two make it work despite their differences?

The Nine Lives of Christmas is a fun rom-com with the perfect amount of schmaltz, made all the more enjoyable by Routh and his dynamic with Sustad. The movie is an ideal, easy Christmas watch, with some critics even feeling that the script and characters were better written than the book it was based on.

Hardworking single mom Jennifer (Brooke Burns) has become a bit of a Scrooge around Christmas, and her young son barely believes in Santa Claus. However, when her Uncle Ralph (Henry Winkler) brings over a man named Morgan (Warren Christie) whom he met on his flight, Jen and Morgan hit it off, but Morgan doesn’t like Jen’s attitude towards the holiday. For them to make it work, Morgan has to teach Jen how to get into the Christmas spirit.

While The Most Wonderful Time of the Year features a fairly familiar premise, it’s executed in a refreshing way through its smart scriptwriting, genuinely funny moments and the inclusion of Happy Days legend Henry Winkler. With fun, mismatched chemistry between Burns and Christie and a brisk script, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is a Christmas movie highlight.

The premise of the 1987 Tom Selleck movie Three Men and a Baby gets a Christmas twist in Three Wise Men and a Baby, when three brothers named Stephen (Paul Campbell), Taylor (Hynes) and Luke (Andrew W. Walker) find themselves stuck caring for a baby over the holidays. After an abandoned infant is left at the doorstep of Luke’s work, the brothers, who have grown apart over the years, must now work together in an unexpected situation.

Well-written, genuinely funny and featuring a terrific cast, Three Wise Men and a Baby is a Hallmark holiday favorite for a reason. The characters are believable and have well-developed relationships with one another, and the movie balances the perfect mix of humor and heartfelt moments.

Screenwriter Lucy Hardgrove (Joy Lenz) has been hired to write the script for a remake of a beloved Christmas classic filmed at the historic Biltmore house. However, when Lucy’s script isn’t up to studio standards, she’s sent to the house for inspiration — where she finds herself traveling back in time to 1947 when His Merry Wife! was filmed. As she uses it as a chance to learn more about the film, she gets cozy with one of the stars, but her presence in the past threatens the film’s future.

Hallmark’s ‘Countdown to Christmas’ Lineup Includes More Than 20 New Movies

Many consider A Biltmore Christmas to be the ultimate Hallmark holiday classic, but also a fantastic Christmas movie in its own right. The plot frees itself from many tired Christmas tropes while still hitting the right beats and heartfelt moments. The music, sets, costuming and performances all come together to make A Biltmore Christmas can’t-miss during the holidays.


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Your Guide To Exploring Longkloof In The City Bowl

The Longkloof Precinct sits in the suburb of Gardens, just off Kloof Street in Cape Town’s City Bowl. Once historic buildings that originally served industrial and educational purposes, the area has been transformed into a dynamic mixed-use hub lined with trendy shops, restaurants, and a hotel.

Here’s everything you can enjoy in Longkloof on your next visit:

Things To Do

Shop At Rosey and Vittori

This South African fashion brand is redefining edgy sophistication. Founded by creative duo Isabella Rosa Bisogno and Steven Eddie Rosenbaum (whose grandmother’s surname, Vittori, inspires the brand’s name), the label began its journey a decade ago with a focus on menswear. At the Longkloof store, you will find statement dresses, tailored sets, pants, and jackets for men and women. And if you’re lucky, you might just catch a few coveted pieces on sale.

Website: roseyandvittori.com

Recharge At ShangriLa

You can’t miss ShangriLa; its green building stands proudly on Park Road. Step inside, and you’ll discover a thoughtfully curated selection of clothing, art and décor pieces that reflect creativity and calm. Beyond retail, ShangriLa is a space to breathe, move, and recharge. Join one of their yoga or meditation sessions (see their website for details), then relax at the cozy café for a cup of tea.

Website: www.shangrila.capetown

Get Sunshine-Ready At Ballo

Girlies who love sunnies, listen up! You will find the perfect pair at Ballo, a quaint little store with the season’s trendiest shades. There are fun, playful colours to match your mood.

Website: balloeyewear.com

Explore Innovation City

Innovation City is an exclusive workspace that brings together a community of startups, scaleups, corporates, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators. This members-only space (application forms are available on their website) aims to drive collaboration and business growth in the city. When you need a break, the on-site coffee shop is the perfect place to connect, recharge, or spark your next big idea.

Website: innovationcity.co.za

Where To Eat

Vine and Dandy

Coffee shop by day, wine bar by night. Tucked just off Park Road, Vine and Dandy lets you enjoy the best of both worlds: freshly brewed coffee and award-winning wines. Vine and Dandy is pet-friendly, so bring your dogs along to relax on the pup sack beds while you catch up on work or hang out with your mates. Wine lovers, every Thursday, the restaurant hosts wine tastings from 5pm to 7pm, where you can sample a variety of wines and discover new favourites.

Website: vineanddandy.co.za

Cafe Sofi by tashas

Cafe Sofi by tashas is the brainchild of Natasha and Savva Sideris, the founders of Tashas Group, as an ode to their mother, Sophia Electra. Every detail is animated by Sophia’s spirit. Her loves, from cakes, cats and polka dots, to orchids, leopard print, and the Pink Panther, echo through the interiors and daily specials. Her fascination with flavour comes to life on a menu of simple, soulful dishes, including honey butter croissants, rosti and beef ragu, tiramisu, and a steak roll. Café Sofi is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Website: www.cafesofi.com

Custodian Pastry Bar

If you’re looking to enjoy delicious treats in a gorgeous setting, Custodian Pastry Bar, the latest edition from Hoghouse Brewing Company, is for you. Sip on freshly brewed coffee while indulging in baked pastries, rustic breads, and all-day toasties. There’s also a carefully curated selection of deli items and frozen goodies to take home and enjoy later.

Website: hoghouse.co.za/custodian-pastry-bar

Ongetem Restaurant & Bar

From the culinary brilliance of Chef Bertus Basson comes Ongetem Restaurant & Bar at Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof. “Ongetem,” Afrikaans for “untamed,” perfectly embodies the restaurant’s spirit. The menu celebrates bold, flame-cooked dishes bursting with flavour, perfectly paired with equally inventive cocktails.

Website: ongetem.com

Where To Stay

Canopy by Hilton Longkloof

Canopy by Hilton Longkloof brings bold design, local flair, and laid-back vibes to one of the city’s most exciting neighbourhoods. Just steps from Kloof Street, expect warm welcomes, a sweet Cape Town treat in your room, and epic views of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. Dine at Ongetem Restaurant & Bar, sweat it out at the 24-hour gym, or bar-hopping nearby -it’s the perfect base for exploring the city.

Website: bit.ly/3L5oZCq

Note: You’ll find many guest houses and boutique hotels in the Gardens area, a short walking distance of the Longkloof Precinct.

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The post Your Guide To Exploring Longkloof In The City Bowl appeared first on Cape Town Tourism.


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