It’s an annual tradition to roundup all the Christmas movies I’ve seen from any one place and rank them. Normally I break this up by network or streaming service, but I haven’t see all that many from any one place (with exception to Hallmark), so this year looks different. This writeup is all about ranking the Christmas movies of 2023 (that I’ve seen). I did see more than I thought at this point, largely because I would play one while writing, even doing this as we speak, or doing other website work. So, while not every one (many did) receives my undivided attention, I still saw enough.
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🎅🏻 RANKING THE CHRISTMAS MOVIES of 2023: PART ONE 🎅🏻 Taking a look back on the Christmas movies of 2023 I've seen (so far) and how they rank! #Hallmark #HallmarkChristmasMovies #ChristmasMovies #Movies #EXmas #FreeVee #GreatAmericanFamily Click To TweetI haven’t seen any from Lifetime this year, which is kind of unusual, but none stood out to me as seeming different or unique. Have you seen any? Regardless, we have still seen some festive flicks, mostly from Hallmark, so we’re diving in to see which of the 2023 premieres have unique markers, and which ones, while cute, stay in the familiar cookie cutter format.
RANKING THE CHRISTMAS MOVIES of 2023: PART ONE
Ranking from least to most favorite
A MERRY SCOTTISH CHRISTMAS (from HALLMARK)
Nothing really wrong with this one. I just don’t have any particular attachment to it. The plot follows siblings who don’t get along, and they end up travelling to Scotland to visit their mom for the Christmas season.
JOYEUX NOEL (from HALLMARK)
I’ve kind of forgotten about this one already! I enjoyed it fine while watching, but almost forgot to add it here which is what makes it easy for me to put it down so low. Likely not helping is two lead actors who I have seen in things where I really like them, and then in others, I don’t as well.
EVERYTHING CHRISTMAS (from HALLMARK)
Cindy Busby leads the cast in this. Again, this one is full of normal tropes (Santa, serendipity, over-the-top cheer), but the production, something about it, makes it sweet and fun. Not one I’ll watch year after year, but cute nonetheless.
CHECKIN’ IT TWICE (from HALLMARK)
The first of the year from the network and the first I saw, Checkin’ it Twice is cute, but nothing special. What most will love about this story that’s primarily about hockey, is leading man Kevin McGarry from When Calls the Heart. I’ll admit I did like Kevin and his co-star together as well.
FLIPPING FOR CHRISTMAS (from HALLMARK)
Cute, but follows a very basic formula. Girl returns to visit family, and tries to convince the co-beneficiary of a house she’s been asked to flip, to sell. Marcus Rosner stars.
UNDER THE CHRISTMAS SKY (from HALLMARK)
Cute but also unique, Jessica Parker Kennedy stars with Ryan Paevey as a woman who, after an accident finds her career challenged and ends up working at the planetarium.
BRINGING CHRISTMAS HOME (from GREAT AMERICAN FAMILY)
Despite thinking I’d love this one (based on plot and Jill Wagner), it wasn’t a favorite. It’s sweet and I appreciate the message about the men who served (in this case it was during WWII), but there were some minor production snafus that just didn’t endear the movie.
CATCH ME IF YOU CLAUS (from HALLMARK)
The concept of this one is darling and more unique than some, which is ultimately what bumps it up. I also enjoyed seeing Italia Ricci return to the network. The film reminds me of Stealing Christmas (with Tony Danza) mixed with Holiday in Handcuffs. Also earning this one some points is its more unique approach to the whole let’s-meet-Santa bit.
A HEIDELBERG CHRISTMAS (from HALLMARK)
My mom really enjoyed this one. I thought it was cute, but it’s not a new favorite. I did like that the actors are newcomers (relatively speaking) to the genre, and that the hero is one of those genuinely nice guys.
CHRISTMAS ON WINDMILL WAY (from GREAT AMERICAN FAMILY)
Chad Michael Murray features in this one and it is, surprisingly, good! I quite enjoyed the film, not because it is unique in its story (that’s a very much rinse and repeat concept) but rather because it does away with one of my big gripe tropes of miscommunication. This always makes me root it on.
EXMAS (from FREEVEE)
This one is one of those “right crowd” kind of watches. It won’t appeal in the same wide sense as the normal cookie cutter films because it’s a hate-to-love concept and it gets a little “silly” with the competition. Nonetheless, I think it’s mostly a good time.
MY NORWEGIAN HOLIDAY (from HALLMARK)
This one surprises me. It has the standard tropes, but there’s something that’s “more” about it. I think, for me, it’s the connection between the couple (you can tell he cares) and the kind of “surprise” about the story, too.
THE SANTA SUMMIT (from HALLMARK)
Fun and entertaining, this one leans into that recent study saying viewers want more varied relationships on TV (like friendship). It has a tiny bit of romance, but mostly, it’s a sweet little flick that’s cute.
WHERE ARE YOU, CHRISTMAS? (from HALLMARK)
Unique is how to best describe this one. I saw it early on and it remains a favorite. Some didn’t care for it based on the chatter I say online, but I think it’s one of Hallmark’s better productions. It reminds me of the old-time classics (like It’s a Wonderful Life) while still being a story of its own.
How many of these have you seen? Do any rank as a favorite of yours? Are any ones you didn’t care for? Which ones do I need to make time for yet? Which ones do you still plan to watch? Comment all of your thoughts below on this Ranking the Christmas movies of 2023 list! Let’s meet up in the comments.
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Photos: Hallmark Channel / Crown Media / Freevee / Great American Family
I’m sad I don’t have access to the GAC network. Oh well. My top two favorite Hallmark movies so far this Christmas are To All a Good Night and A Not So Royal Christmas. Other lesser favorites are Christmas in Notting Hill (which surpassed my low expectations), The Santa Summit, Checkin It Twice, Holiday Road (such a unique and fun story for Hallmark) and A Biltmore Christmas. Though it hasn’t aired yet, I have high expectations for Miracle in Bethlehem, PA!
I’m so glad to hear what you’ve loved this year! I just watched A Not So Royal Christmas and really appreciate that while it DOES have the familiar tropes, it uses them differently. I’m SO excited to watch some of my favorite actors still and haven’t see ‘Biltmore’ (yet) and am curious about Christmas in Notting Hill. Mainly because that one has the Narnia dude in it. ;) Holiday Road also sounded fun, so I’ll have to watch that one yet and I hope you enjoy Miracle in Bethlehem, PA! I don’t think I recorded that one so I’ll have to see if it’s got another air date yet.