5 Countdown To Christmas 2026 Hallmark Movies We're Snow Excited To See

It's that time of year again. Well, not quite, but the Hallmark Channel is nothing if not consistently early to the Christmas party. Hot on the heels of its 25th anniversary celebration back in August, the network has officially unveiled the lineup for its 17th annual Countdown to Christmas event — with a whopping grand total of 34 all-new romantic holiday movies (plus a new season of "Mistletoe Murders") set to air from October 16 to December 25.

"I can't help but reflect on the way Countdown to Christmas has evolved since its first year," Hallmark exec Michelle Vicary said (via Variety). "We've progressed from a schedule of daily Christmas movie marathons and four original movies to our robust 24/7 holiday programming across 10 weeks ... We have our wonderful fans to thank for this longevity and are so grateful to them for joining us on this journey." 

Of course, with more than three dozen heartfelt flicks coming down the pipeline, it can be difficult to narrow it down to just a few to be excited for. But in the spirit of the holidays, we're certainly going to give it the old college try. So, without further ado, here are five movies from Hallmark's 2026 Countdown to Christmas lineup that you can put on to help you celebrate Christmas in October, Christmas in November, and, eventually, Christmas on Christmas.

The Hallmark Channel is in the midst of its own holiday love affair with the NFL at the moment. It started in 2024 with the release of "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story," likely made to capitalize on the massive attention the Kansas City Chiefs were getting as a result of Travis Kelce's relationship with Taylor Swift (and even featured a fitting cameo by Travis' mom, Donna). "Holiday Touchdown" officially became a series last year with "A Bills Love Story," moving from Kansas City to Buffalo, New York. This year, that series becomes a trilogy with "Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story," which brings the Hallmark holiday magic to the Windy City.

Set to air on Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m. EST, "Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story" centers on Avery Clark (Lyndsy Fonseca), a reporter tasked with writing a story about an elderly Chicago Bears superfan named Darlene (Marsha Mason). Unfortunately, Avery is woefully unprepared for this assignment, given that her football knowledge is virtually non-existent. Luckily, Darlene's grandson, Matt (Robert Buckley), is there to show her the ropes. And if you can believe it, their relationship soon blossoms into something more. 

Couple all of that with cameos from actual Bears players, including Hall-of-Fame Super Bowl champion Mike Singletary and "Madden NFL 27" cover athlete Caleb Williams, and you have a story that is sure to warm the heart of anyone who loves the Monsters of the Midway (or, at the very least, hates the Green Bay Packers).

Have you ever wondered what "Groundhog Day" would look like if it were a Christmas movie? Well, if you have, you're in luck! Because the Hallmark Channel plans to deliver just that this November — more specifically, Saturday, November 14 at 8 p.m. EST — with "The Nights Before Christmas."

"The Nights Before Christmas" stars notorious Hallmark sweetheart Tyler Hynes as Marty, a man who feels trapped by routine and, as a result, never really has the time to stop and smell the roses. Cue a bit of magical cosmic irony as he wakes up after Christmas Eve to discover ... it's still Christmas Eve. The same thing happens the next day, the next, and the next. A family-friendly version of Bill Murray's "Groundhog Day" hijinks ensue. But things take a turn when Marty crosses paths with Chloe, a recently fired journalist played by Laci J. Mailey (we're noticing a pattern with Hallmark's female leads and their chosen professions this year).

Marty falls in love with Chloe, but awakens the next day in a state of dismay, as Christmas Day has still refused to come. From that point forward, Marty has a new mission: find a way to both get the girl and escape the time loop. We wonder: what's the over-under on whether or not we'll get a nod to "A Christmas Carol" with Marty asking a young boy outside his window what day it is?

Many people have no doubt fantasized about the perfect vacation romance — a brief but magical moment in time where the stars align and, against all probability, you find yourself deeply connecting with someone you've never met before while you're both away from home. Of course, anyone who's actually experienced some version of this knows it's rarely quite as storybook in real life. Still, it's fun to imagine. And what better place for a bit of wish fulfillment than the so-called Most Magical Place on Earth — during the most wonderful time of the year, no less?

That brings us to "Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True," which marks the very first Hallmark movie to be filmed at Walt Disney World, and is scheduled to premiere over Thanksgiving weekend on Saturday, November 28 at 8 p.m. EST. The film stars Lacey Chabert as a woman by the name of Lindsey, who embarks on a Disney vacation with her family while still reeling from an awful first date with a man named Philip, played by Travis Van Winkle. The universe soon gives them a second chance at love, as Philip's family just so happens to be staying in the room right next to Lindsey's.

During an appearance on "Live with Kelly and Mark" in July, Chabert described filming the movie as a "dream come true" in its own right. "When they called and asked me to be a part of it ... I started crying," she said. Will "Holiday Ever After" ultimately be a 90-minute commercial for Disney World? Probably. But it should also make for a heartwarming enemies-to-lovers story that will allow you to enjoy a day at Magic Kingdom from the comfort of your living room.

Remember that episode of "King of the Hill" where Hank and Bobby take a cross-country drive in an 18-wheeler, and Peggy decides to reimagine their road trip into a holiday song about being home in time for Christmas? Well, the good folks over at the Hallmark Channel were apparently taking notes.

Okay, to be fair, there are a few more elements at play in "Miles to Christmas" that we're sure will help it both stand on its own and be an incredibly fun watch all around. Set to air on Sunday, November 29, at 8 p.m. EST, this festive road movie stars "How I Met Your Mother" alum Ashley Williams as Cassidy Fields, a no-nonsense businesswoman whose holiday travel plans are thrown into disarray by a freak snowstorm. With two flights canceled and few options left if she wants to make it home in time to see her dad for Christmas, Cassidy hits the road with — and begins to fall for — semi-truck driver Chase Woods, played by Steve Lund.

The film also stars Alison Sweeney as Chase's sister Jo, whom Cassidy forms a close bond with as well, despite their drastically different personalities. Hallmark bills "Miles to Christmas" as a story all about finding common ground in the face of everything going wrong at once. Add some holiday-themed road trip excitement into the mix, and you have a movie that promises to exemplify why Williams is one of Hallmark's most lovable leading ladies.

From "21 Jump Street" in the '80s and early '90s to "The Celebrity Apprentice" in 2010, Holly Robinson Peete is undeniably a star who transcends eras. As a Hallmark veteran, she'll also be double dipping during this year's Countdown to Christmas. In addition to guest-starring in Season 3 of "Mistletoe Murders," Robinson Peete is also set to play a key leading role in the movie "Hearts All Aglow." She'll appear as Tasha, a world-famous (yet mysterious) singer hosting a Christmas gala at the music museum she founded. And, through their shared goal of tracking her down at the event, two lovers-to-be will come together.

Enter Mari (Mishael Morgan), a fellow music historian, and Julian (B.J. Britt), a prominent local attorney, who both attend the gala — Mari by invitation, Julian ... not so much. Mari wants to find Tasha so she can both get a rare interview with the reclusive star (remember what we said about journalism being a theme this year?) and, more intimidatingly, ask her a favor. Julian, meanwhile, has a favor of his own to ask.

You see, Julian donated a piece of sheet music signed by legendary jazz singer Nat King Cole — which had belonged to his late mother — to Tasha's museum. The problem? His sister wants it as a Christmas present for her daughter. Naturally, Mari and Julian join forces to double their chances of securing an audience with Tasha by winning a series of party games, only to win something else altogether. You can see how this music-themed romance blossoms when "Hearts All Aglow" premieres on the Hallmark Channel on Friday, December 18 at 8 p.m. EST.