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6 Made-For-TV Christmas Films to Get You in the Holiday Mood

Feeling the winter blues? Watch one of these Christmas flicks to get right in the holiday spirit!

By Trevor WellsPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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Feeling the winter blues? Watch one of these Christmas flicks to get RIGHT in the holiday spirit!

Grump Cat's Worst Christmas Ever

Don't rush to judgement too quickly on this one. Sure, it reeks of commercialism and the plot is basically Home Alone set in a mall, but Aubrey Plaza is PERFECT as the Internet's favorite sardonic cat and the plot, however cliche, is heartwarming enough to get anyone in the holiday mood. Plus, any Lifetime fan (like me) will appreciate Grumpy's hints and jabs at the Lifetime aesthetic.

(Plus, who can resist a Lifetime movie with a cat shooting a tennis ball launcher at inept robbers!?)

Kristin's Christmas Past

In this Lifetime film, Kristin (Shiri Appleby before she struck oil as Rachel Goldberg in Lifetime's smash series UnREAL) goes back in time thanks to some magical wine and works to mend her estranged relationship with her mother by giving advice to her teenage self (played efficiently by Hannah Marks).

While Teen Kristin will sometimes drive you up the wall, all the characters are well-played and the plot comes to a heartwarming (yet satisfying) conclusion. All in all, a great flick to watch cuddled up with your closest family members.

(But anyone coming for the highly advertised Debby Ryan will be disappointed that she only has a less-than-one-minute cameo.)

Holiday Engagement

A common theme in made-for-TV holiday movies is the fake fiancee plot, and Hallmark's Holiday Engagement takes the cake for one of the sweetest renditions of the plot. After being unceremoniously dumped by her sleazebag fiancee, Hillary (Bonnie Summerville) turns to struggling actor David (Jordan Bridges, who Rizzoli & Isles fans might recognize as Angie Harmon's brother) to pose as him for a dreaded visit with her family—particularly her eccentric mother (the legendary Shelley Long).

From the minute they appear on screen together, Summerville and Bridges have great chemistry and the humor is spot on every time. Along with that are plenty of heartwarming moments, a great duet of a classic Christmas tune, and surprising depth given to Haylie Duff's portrayal of Hillary's slightly snobbish sister Trish. Be sure to catch this whenever it re-airs!

Christmas Belle

Speaking of Haylie Duff, here she is in this super sweet ION Network premiere (which was originally titled A Fairytale Christmas). In a nod to the classic story of Beauty and The Beast, Isabella "Belle" finds her handling the sale of a home owned by the surly but handsome Hunter (The Good Doctor's Nicholas Gonzalez). Over time, Belle begins to see beneath Hunter's icy shell and the two start to develop a passionate relationship—just as a man back home comes to take Belle for his own.

Sweet-as-gingerbread romance, beautiful scenery, and a shirtless Nicholas Gonzalez? What's not to love?! Aside from that, outside of his brief case of Third Act Misunderstanding-itis, Hunter's transformation from a gruff outsider to a romantic man fallen head over heels for Belle is inspirational and sure to send many hearts fluttering. Among all of ION's Christmas premieres, this is one to look out for!

A Star For Christmas

Here's another ION premiere sending two incredibly attractive people on the course to finding a holiday romance! Small town baker Cassie (stunning Step Up star Briana Evigan) and famous actor Alex (Canadian cutie Corey Sevier) unexpectedly meet when a movie Alex is starring in comes to Cassie's town, for which she is providing catering. Despite the crackling chemistry between them, Cassie and Alex find several hurdles on their path to romance, including their respective exes and Alex's scandalous past.

If you can get past the formulaic plotline and the sugary sweet music piped throughout this flick, A Star For Christmas is a fluffy joy ride of love that will keep you entertained despite your better judgement. That and the believable chemistry between Evigan and Sevier and the unexpected depth of Brooke Burns' portrayal of Alex's meddling ex-fiancee will make this an enjoyable Christmas treat!

Merry Kissmas

As one of ION's newest holiday features, Merry Kissmas stands out as a great holiday flick. Brant Daughtery and Karissa Lee Staples have great chemistry and the supporting cast (particularly Karissa's smarmy fiancee and Danny's supportive co-worker) play their smaller roles extremely well.

Like the holidays should be, this movie is just sugar and love and all that implies. It's a fun little escape from the stress of gift wrapping and cold weather that everyone could want!

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About the Creator

Trevor Wells

Aspiring writer and film lover: Lifetime, Hallmark, indie, and anything else that strikes my interest. He/him.

Link to Facebook

Twitter: @TrevorWells98

Instagram: @trevorwells_16

Email: [email protected]

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