Skip to main content

There’s still a way to go before the 2020 holiday season is upon us, but Hallmark is paying that no never mind. Announcing their plan to air 40 new Christmas movies for the holidays, the holly, jolly network has ambitiously scheduled the same number of movies it produced last year in 2019.

With the pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, however, are Hallmark’s plans too hopeful or will a Christmas miracle be needed to save their season?

Here’s what we know about the situation and Hallmark’s 2020 Christmas movie schedule.

A few of the actors of Hallmark Christmas past and future: (left to right Alison Sweeney, Holly Robinson Peete, Lacey Chabert and Rachel Boston
A few of the actors of Hallmark Christmas past and future: (left to right Alison Sweeney, Holly Robinson Peete, Lacey Chabert and Rachel Boston | Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Could COVID-19 make for a less merry Christmas at Hallmark?

The possibility of COVID-19 slowing down or stopping filming on Hallmark’s Christmas projects has not been mentioned by the network. The pandemic, which looms over filming studios everywhere like unwanted mistletoe, is a reality that could throw coal on Hallmark’s projected number of 40 planned movies.

According to EW, “several” of the network’s slated movies have completed production. Pre-production is starting on many of the others that are scheduled, for now, to film in time to air for the holidays, as soon as studios get the thumbs-up to resume work.

Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President of Programming & Network Publicity at Crown Media Family Networks, said in a July 15 statement, “The Hallmark brand on TV has always championed positivity and emotional connection, and thanks to the dedication of our development teams and producing partners, we are excited to welcome new talent on both sides of the camera, as well as, announcing renewals of all of our original series and the return of beloved stars.”

Hallmark Channel’s ‘Countdown to Christmas’ 2020 Movies

There are 23 movies planned for Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas. Storylines and release dates have not been announced. They include:

  • A Royal Holiday, starring Laura Osnes, Aaron Tveit and Krystal Joy Brown
  • Jingle Bell Bride, starring Julie Gonzalo and Ronnie Rowe
  • A Christmas Tree Grows in Brooklyn, starring Rochelle Aytes and Mark Taylor
  • If I Only Had Christmas, starring Candace Cameron Bure
  • Deliver by Christmas, starring Alvina August and Eion Bailey
  • On the 12th Date of Christmas, starring Mallory Jansen and Tyler Hynes
  • Christmas Waltz, starring Lacey Chabert
  • Christmas in Vienna, starring Sarah Drew and Brennan Elliott
  • Christmas in Evergreen 4, starring Rukiya Bernard and Holly Robinson Peete
  • Chateau Christmas, starring Merritt Patterson and Luke Macfarlane
  • Cross Country Christmas, starring Rachael Leigh Cook
  • Christmas Carnival, starring Tamera Mowry-Housley
  • When Calls the Heart Christmas 2020, starring Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton, Jack Wagner, Kavan Smith, Chris McNally, Kevin McGarry, Paul Greene, Andrea Brooks and Martin Cummins

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ ‘Miracles of Christmas’ 2020 Movies

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries plans to air 17 new holiday movies. Again, release dates and plotline information are not yet available. The Miracles of Christmas movies for 2020 will include:

  • Christmas Tree Lane, starring Alicia Witt and Andrew Walker
  • Holly & Ivy, starring Janel Parrish, Jeremy Jordan, and Marisol Nichols
  • The Christmas Bow, starring Lucia Micarelli and Michael Rady
  • Cranberry Christmas, starring Nikki DeLoach and Benjamin Ayres
  • Christmas Doctor, starring Holly Robinson Peete
Best in Entertainment