The Best of the 2019 Lifetime Christmas Movies: and Where to See Them!
Every year we talk a great deal about Hallmark. I rank their movies (in this case, it’s a specific to their Christmas lineup), I review them, and in general, over talk (?) about them. But one network I don’t talk as much about is Lifetime. Like its peers, Lifetime has upped their Christmas game, and the result is an impressive weekly slate of new premieres. This is why today I’m ranking Lifetime Christmas romance.
Last week I ranked the Hallmark Christmas movies I’ve seen (until its publication), so of course I thought I’d highlight Lifetime in a similar fashion. Only since I haven’t seen as many of them, I’m also going to include the ’17 and ’18 originals I saw and still find myself smiling about.
LIST | How I Rank Some of the 2019 Hallmark Christmas Romance
Here are the movies I’ll be ranking:
1: Christmas a la Mode (2019) | 2: Christmas Around the Corner (2018) | 3: The Christmas Contract (2018) | 4: Christmas in Mississippi (2017) | 5: A Christmas in Tennessee (2018) | 6: Christmas Pen Pals | 7: Every Other Holiday (2018) | 8: Four Christmases and a Wedding (2017) | 9: Grounded for Christmas (2019) | 10: Poinsettias for Christmas (2018) | 11: Random Acts of Christmas (2019) | 12: Snowed-Inn Christmas (2017) | 13: A Sweet Christmas Romance (2019) | 14: Sweet Mountain Christmas (2019) | 15: Twinkle All the Way (2019) | 16: A Twist of Christmas (2018) | 17: A Very Merry Toy Store (2017)
Without further ado, let’s take a look at these movies, ranked from least to most favorite.
Ranking Lifetime Christmas Romance, 2017 – 2019: and Where to See Them!
17: A Very Merry Toy Store (2017)
This one has teen star Melissa Joan Hart, but I remember its quality being unusually low-end, and the script cheesier than the norm. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find A Very Merry Toy Store digitally on Amazon Video.
16: Four Christmases and a Wedding (2017)
This one is kind of… annoying? I mean, of course, it’s also cute, but the repetitive nature of its plot just doesn’t jive well. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Four Christmases and a Wedding digitally on Amazon Video.
15: Twinkle All the Way (2019)
I wanted to like this one so very much. Its title is darling, and I loved the idea of seeing Ryan McPartlin (Chuck, Chance at Romance) in another sweet romance. It’s cute, and as all of these are, really has nothing wrong with it, but for me, it’s a little too much of a Christmas overload. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Twinkle All the Way digitally on Amazon Video.
14: A Christmas in Tennessee (2018)
Is it fair of me to rank this one low when, honestly, I don’t remember it that well? Maybe not, but I also do believe that a story that doesn’t leave a lasting impression means it’s not a favorite. Check local listings for specific re-airs for this one, or find Christmas in Tennessee digitally on Amazon Video.
13: A Sweet Christmas Romance (2019)
This one just feels “mediocre.” Not sure I can put my finger on why, but there’s my thought. Sure it’s cute, and there’s plenty of sweet treats to salivate over, but beyond this, for me, it’s kind of forgettable. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find A Sweet Christmas Romance digitally on Amazon Video.
12: Christmas in Mississippi (2017)
Jana Kramer and Wes Brown star in this hometown romance. Beyond this, I’m again unsure what my specific thoughts were… but again, I feel like when I cannot remember all the good, it’s just “okay.” Sure the plot stretches things, but I enjoyed the banter between the leads, and the fact that the hero is a “good” guy. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Christmas in Mississippi digitally on Prime.
11: A Twist of Christmas (2018)
Don’t remember specific details of this one, but do remember it being a fun time. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find A Twist of Christmas digitally on Prime.
10: Christmas Contract (2018)
*puts on brave face* I know placing this one so far down on a list is likely to receive some eye rolls or “whaaaat??” reactions. This was the “it” movie of 2018. I just didn’t feel that way about it. Is it perhaps because I’d see all of the hype prior to watching it? Maybe (as I did save it for one of my last Christmas movies of ‘18), but whatever the case while the chemistry is darling (this one reunites former One Tree Hill co-stars), it just didn’t “feel” like a memorable film. If I had to say, I’d give Hillarie Burton’s *UNPOPULAR OPINION* 2013 Christmas on the Bayou an edge. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Christmas Contract digitally on Prime.
9: Christmas Pen Pals (2018)
Niall Matter stars in this one, a story that’s all about some old-fashioned charm. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Christmas Pen Pals digitally on Prime.
8: Pointsettas for Christmas (2018)
Another one I don’t remember a lot about (I know, this is a trend with this list), but I really like Bethany Joy Lenz, and I do remember that despite its trope-y status, it made me smile. What more do I need to know? Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Poinsettias for Christmas digitally on Amazon Video.
7: Christmas a la Mode (2019)
With its unusual setting (a dairy farm) and the always charming Katie LeCarlc in the leading role, this one is one I think is really sweet. Plus, the new-to-TV leading man isn’t bad either. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Christmas a la Mode digitally on Amazon Video.
6: Christmas Around the Corner (2018)
After reading more about this one, I’m 99.9% sure I’ve seen it. As I read, the more I remembered, and I’m also pretty confident, I thought it was quite cute. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Christmas Around the Corner digitally on Amazon Video.
5: Random Acts of Christmas
Netflix recently produced a similar plot to this (along with other prior productions), but its still a good thought trope that, hopefully, reminds us Christmas is about more than pretty packages. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Random Acts of Christmas digitally on Amazon Video.
4: Grounded for Christmas (2019)
Sure this plot stretches things, but I enjoyed the banter between the leads, and the fact that the hero is a “good” guy. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Grounded for Christmas digitally on Amazon Video.
3: Sweet Mountain Christmas (2019)
Totally underestimated this one, but I found it to be lovely. Megan Hilty is a perfect fit in this role, and the fun interactions she has with the hero makes the story “pop.” Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Sweet Mountain Christmas digitally on Amazon Video.
2: Every Other Holiday (2018)
I don’t hear anyone talking about this one one way or another. My memory of it is that’s it’s darling, and quite unique (about divorced parents who are forced to co-parent during Christmas) to most of the seasonal offerings around. Definitely one I remember thinking I’d re-watch. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Every Other Holiday digitally on Amazon Video.
1: Snowed-Inn Christmas (2017)
I mean, what more can I say about this one that I haven’t already? This one has Andrew Walker and Bethany Joy Lenz as competing journalists who also have completely opposite personalities. It’s fun, cute and sparkly. Check local listings for specific re-airs of this one, or find Snowed-Inn Christmas digitally on Amazon Video.
How would you rank the Lifetime Christmas romance movies? Do you agree or disagree with these rankings? Which ones do you recommend I still make time for; I have plenty on the DVR yet! Comment all of your thoughts down below.
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I no longer have cable so I’ve been unable to watch any of Hallmark’s or Lifetime’s offerings this Christmas. However, I would move Christmas in Tennessee, Christmas in Mississippi and Christmas Pen Pals further up the list. I even bought Christmas in Mississippi on DVD so I could watch it this year. It is one of my favorite of Wes Brown’s roles. Also, Christmas on the Bayou is another favorite of mine.
To be fair… I didn’t really remember ‘Tennessee’ or ‘Mississippi’ all that well. But I simply didn’t have the time to re-watch them. (Should have left them off the list likely :D) I too like Wes Brown, and YES!! Christmas on the Bayou is my favorite. Such a fun one. I also like Niall Matter from ‘Pen Pals’ so I have a feeling I enjoyed it while watching, too. Hope you can see some of these this year yet, Brittaney. :)
I mean, I can’t fight you on your #1 (Walker & Lenz are one of my favorite pairings ever, and I eagerly await the hopefully inevitable DVD release of Bottled with Love), but I feel like you were speaking directly to me w/ your comments on The Christmas Contract ;-) It was my #1 Christmas movie of 2018, and I recently bought the DVD so I can watch it whenever I want. I’ve been fairly underwhelmed by this season’s Lifetime offerings, but I did really enjoy Christmas in Louisiana and Sweet Mountain Christmas. Also, I’m WAY BEHIND on my movies–there are just so many this year that it’s impossible to keep up!
I do always enjoy reading your rankings, Rissi, even when I don’t agree with them :-)
I’m so sorry, Becky…!! I wasn’t singling anyone out, I promise. :) I saw SO many comments that this one was the “it” must-see movie of its debut year. It’s entertaining, yes, but I just cannot claim it as a favorite (perhaps it’s kind of like when a book is hyped and you just don’t feel the same..?). That said, who knows. Perhaps if I’d give it a second chance I’d love it.
YAY for the Walker and Lenz team. They’re so fun together. I was recently reading that another of my favorite duos (Nikki DeLoach and Michael Rady) might co-star in a new Hallmark mystery series in 2020. It’s always fun to see co-stars together again, and HOPEFULLY, we’ll see more of Andrew and Bethany together. ;)
I’ve liked more of the Lifetime originals than I thought, but to be honest, I’ve kind of been underwheled all around; and I expected SO much given this is Hallmark’s 10 year celebration. *shrugs* Oh, well. They’re still sweet. Thank YOU so much for reading and taking the time to comment. I always enjoy your thoughts. :)
Okay I haven’t seen any of these, but still- I like a good feel-good Christmas movie. :) There’s just something about relaxing and watching a story set during this festive time of year. and this looks like a pretty good list. :)