All Of Erin Krakow's Hallmark Channel Movies (So Far), Ranked By Reviews

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These reviews may contain spoilers.

The Hallmark Channel has launched many actors into international stardom over the years, including Lacey Chabert, Paul Campbell, Andrew Walker, Alison Sweeney, and Luke Macfarlane. Known for portraying Elizabeth Thatcher in the ongoing period series "When Calls the Heart," Erin Krakow, too, has become a fixture on the network. Die-hard fans of the show (who call themselves Hearties) may also remember her as Tanya Gabriel in the Lifetime drama "Army Wives." In recent years, Krakow has made her mark in several TV movies, and not all of them are Christmas-themed. Let's rank these titles from least to most popular, based on IMDb ratings as well as reviews across various platforms, blogs, and publications. You can read about our methodology at the end of this article.

Born in Philadelphia on September 5, 1984, Krakow holds a BFA from The Juilliard School in New York City. She's been married to her "When Calls the Heart" co-star Ben Rosenbaum since June 2025, and they welcomed a baby girl in April 2026. Comparing her demanding dual role as both actor and producer on the series with her more relaxed movie work, she told ET Online in 2023, "This has been refreshing and really challenging for me — to just show up, do my part as an actor ... and then step away and let everyone else handle post[production]. It took a lot of surrendering." So, which of these romance movies do Krakow's fans prefer? Here they are in descending order.

Directed by Christie Will, "A Cookie Cutter Christmas" marked Erin Krakow's first role as a leading lady in a Hallmark Christmas movie. It stars Krakow and Miranda Frigon as schoolteachers and lifelong rivals Christie and Penny, opposite David Haydn-Jones as their love interest, James, and Alan Thicke as Chef Krueger. Christie and Penny compete in a benefit baking contest while vying for James' heart. "We get to see a lot of different sides of my character; some flattering and some not so flattering," Krakow told The Pop Culture Principle in 2014, adding, "There are a lot of elements in the script that I think people will relate to. The rivalry aspect being one of them, and maybe it will help people recognize that they should let bygones be bygones, move on, and find some peace and enjoy the holidays together."

Unfortunately, that bitter rivalry was precisely what turned off some viewers, who complained about a lack of heartwarming moments, character growth, and Christmas magic. Others noted an absence of chemistry between Krakow and Haydn-Jones, feeling that Thicke's scenes were far more appealing. On the plus side, audiences appreciated the endearing connection between the teachers and students as well as the engaging mix of romance, friendship trials, and community spirit. Fans of Krakow's girl-next-door persona even wished for a sequel.

Vaguely inspired by Jane Austen's beloved novel "Sense and Sensibility," this Hallmark movie follows sisters and party planners Ella (Erin Krakow) and Marianne (played by the gorgeous Kimberley Sustad, who has come a long way since then). It also stars Luke MacFarlane as their client Edward, a toy company CEO. Recalling that she and MacFarlane attended college together in NYC, Krakow told TV Insider in 2023, "I looked up to him, but we didn't really get to work together in school. But it was a lot of fun to get to work together on this movie and reminisce about our time at school and just become closer pals. He's a really great guy."

While viewers appreciated their pairing, they mostly praised Krakow and Sustad's effortless performances and dynamic as sisters and business partners. The movie's other highlights included Ella's wardrobe as well as the set's cozy German Christmas village vibe. However, many felt the soundtrack was intrusive in some scenes. They also thought that Marianne's romance subplot deserved more attention and that Sustad perhaps should have been cast as the female lead.

Many shows and movies on Hallmark are inspired by popular books, including the "Father Christmas" trilogy, of which "Marrying Father Christmas" is the third and lowest-rated installment. Based on the novellas by bestselling author Robin Jones Gunn, the series stars Erin Krakow as Miranda, who falls in love with a lawyer named Ian (played by Niall Matter) while trying to uncover the truth about her biological family in a small Vermont town. Many viewers felt this last chapter wasn't quite as captivating as the first two, despite its high production value, natural performances, and realistic moments. Overall, they were let down by the slow pacing and underwhelming plot incidents.

On the other hand, fans of the finale praised the leads' chemistry, noting it was stronger than in the previous installments. They were moved to tears during the main couple's wedding ceremony (particularly Ian's emotional vows). By combining romance and mystery, "Marrying Father Christmas" managed to deliver a satisfying, albeit predictable, conclusion.

Released as "Chance at Romance" on the Hallmark Channel and "Friend Request" on the PixL network, this title stars Erin Krakow as Samantha, a hopeless romantic who is sick and tired of her unsuccessful blind dates. She emails Heath (played by Ryan McPartlin), a photographer whose impressive work she has just discovered. While she thinks she's corresponding with Heath, it turns out she's been exchanging messages with his 12-year-old son, who has been trying to find his dad a perfect match with the help of their housekeeper.

Despite its predictability, this lighthearted film features a romance that develops slowly but naturally, timely comedic moments, and relatable characters. It makes for an enjoyable, heartwarming watch for the whole family. Nevertheless, some viewers felt the ending was rushed and too many scenes were cliché, such as the leads' interrupted kiss and unnecessary misunderstandings. They also found it hard to believe that two adults as attractive and charismatic as Sam and Heath had remained single for so long — as per their reasoning.

Directed by Peter Benson and featuring Erin Krakow as Meg, Robert Buckley as Graham, and Glynis Davies as Aunt Renee, "Blind Date Book Club" is set in the coastal town of Nantucket but was filmed in the picturesque Canadian province of British Columbia. In this lighthearted story with inspiring dialogue, Meg is a bookstore owner who receives Graham's new novel under a pseudonym to be reviewed by her book club. "Our crew did such a fantastic job creating this bookshop within a little hotel in Langley. I've got to give them a lot of credit," Krakow shared with TV Goodness in 2024. "Anytime I stepped into that set, I really felt like I was in a charming little small-town bookshop."

Viewers and critics appreciated that the plot didn't center purely on romance but rather tackled the lead's professional struggles, noting the overall realistic wardrobes and hairstyles (which some audiences found a bit messy and frumpy). They gushed about Meg's radiant smile and her strong focus on her books and circle of friends. That said, true Hallmark fans couldn't help but highlight the cozy seaside setting and the couple's swoon-worthy first kiss. They just wished the romance had developed more realistically and that the soundtrack was less monotonous.

"A Summer Romance" earned David Winning a Leo Award (British Columbia's annual film and television awards) for best direction in a TV movie. Erin Krakow, who portrayed Montana ranch owner Samantha opposite Ryan Paevey as Richard, an ambitious developer, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. "He's a great collaborative director. He always shows up with a smile on his face," she gushed to TV Goodness about Winning in 2019. "We have a great working relationship, so it was very comfortable showing up to set knowing each other really well."

Viewers felt the movie lacked emotional depth, though its gorgeous scenery made it a memorable addition to Hallmark's summer lineup. They praised the strong chemistry between Paevey and Krakow as well as their characters' comical moments, hoping for a sequel. On the other hand, some reviewers found Samantha a little too harsh and demeaning toward Richard as a city slicker, wondering why he would ever fall for her. Others criticized her flawless wardrobe, makeup, and hair — details that clashed with a supposedly overwhelmed, financially struggling rancher.

"Engaging Father Christmas" is the second installment of the aforementioned "Father Christmas" trilogy. It stars Erin Krakow as Miranda, an interior designer who leaves Seattle to spend Christmas with her biological family in Carlton Heath, and Niall Matter as Ian, a lawyer who runs the local inn with his parents. While sequels can often be disappointing, this one delivered on all fronts: casting, writing, and acting. Through her natural charisma and subtle mannerisms, Krakow managed to make her character and her personal quest truly believable. "It's been especially wonderful to reunite with Niall, who is just so fun," the actor gushed to Hallmark back then, adding, "The days never felt long ... and Niall is hugely responsible for that."

Nevertheless, the romance between the leads felt a little underdeveloped, and the spark between the actors wasn't quite there, as per many online reviews. Additionally, some viewers noted that the movie was clearly shot in the summer, pointing to details like patches of greenery and characters not wearing enough winter clothing.

The first and highest-rated installment of the "Father Christmas" movie series introduces audiences to Miranda (Erin Krakow), who lost her mother at a young age and still doesn't know her biological father's identity. Three days before Christmas, she finds mysterious clues about the latter in her mom's suitcase. Determined to track down her family, she sets out for the picturesque Vermont town of Carlton Heath, where she meets Ian (Niall Matter), whose parents own the inn where she's staying.

Although considered less gripping than the book it's based on, this heartwarming release was praised for the main cast's stellar, convincing performances. Its themes of grief, estranged parents, and blended families resonated strongly with viewers who have faced similar issues. In short, "Finding Father Christmas" seamlessly combined magical holiday elements with mystery and timely comedic moments. As Dove.org put it, "This is a wonderful story of discovering one's roots and the sense of belonging. It also tells a story of forgiveness and great love."

Featuring Erin Krakow as overachieving CEO Ella Neezer and Tyler Hynes as her ex-boyfriend, Jake Phelps, "Christmas Above the Clouds" is a modern-day reimagining of one of the world's most beloved holiday tales: Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." The story follows Ella, who's flying alone to Australia to avoid the festive season. On board, three ghosts (along with Jake) force her to confront pivotal moments from her life, eventually helping her regain the holiday spirit. This movie was a hit and nabbed two awards for its editing. "The writing was really so smart, and the comedy was tight and clever, and it really allowed for a lot of transformation within the story," Krakow told Swooon in 2025. "I was, of course, excited to reunite with some of my favorites, Peter Benson, who was directing, and when I learned that Tyler might be willing to join us, I was thrilled."

For fans of the Ebenezer Scrooge character, this Hallmark release was a refreshing, fun rom-com take that showcased Krakow's range. It also made them rethink some of their questionable life decisions. "I'm reminded to be more thankful for the people and situations around me during this season! Loved the characters, the set, and how the script unfolded," a user shared on IMDb. Other viewers complained about the predictable ending and pointed out that sunny Krakow was miscast as a grumpy character, noting that her name wasn't even a clever variation of Ebenezer.

"Santa Tell Me" marked Daniel Lissing and Erin Krakow's first on-screen reunion since "When Calls the Heart." It was a much-anticipated release because Jack, Lissing's character on the show, had been killed off, leaving Hearties devastated. According to Samba TV, this was Hallmark's most-watched holiday movie of 2024; it later received a Leo Award nomination for best casting. The cast features Krakow and Lissing as co-workers Olivia and Chris, alongside other channel alums like Benjamin Ayres, Christopher Russell, and Kurt Szarka — all of whom play a character named Nick. The story follows Olivia, who discovers a magical letter from Santa predicting she'll find true love by Christmas Eve with a man called Nick. She then dates the three Nicks to determine who is the right one.

"They were all not only wonderful actors but [also] wonderful human beings, and the whole project was a lot of fun," Krakow told TV Fanatic in 2024, adding, "Toward the end of the film, when they were all meeting for the first time and fighting each other off, they really had a blast." Although fans dubbed Krakow and Lissing a Hallmark dream couple and found Olivia charming and relatable, they lamented the scarcity of scenes between the two leads. Some critics and viewers felt the story lacked direction, describing it as a confusing jumble of fantasy, comedy, and drama.

For Erin Krakow's loyal fan base, "The Wedding Cottage" may very well be the relatable rom-com that crowned her a top Hallmark star — at least for 2023. At the time of publication, it holds a 70% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.1 on IMDb. The story follows Krakow as Vanessa, a wedding-guide creator who convinces Evan (played by Brendan Penny) to renovate his cottage for a romantic wedding celebration.

Viewers praised Krakow for her warm persona and comedic skills, as well as her great on-screen chemistry with Penny as the couple slowly tore down each other's walls. "I would work with Erin any day of the week," Penny gushed to Just Jared back then, adding, "She's easy to get along with, she's lovely, she's hilarious, she's just great." Audiences shared that enthusiasm. "Give me a dozen more Brendan Penny and Erin Krakow movies. They were adorable together," The Happy Hallmarker wrote. "It's a go-to whenever I'm feeling in need of uncomplicated comfort," a user chimed on IMDb, while some Redditors dubbed the movie the best non-Christmas release of the year and asked for a sequel. The cherry on top? Unlike most formulaic Hallmark romances, this one featured several swoon-worthy kisses.

Boasting an audience score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.1 on IMDb, we crown "It Was Always You" the best of Erin Krakow's film roles for Hallmark. Furthermore, a 2024 Just Jared poll also voted it co-star Tyler Hynes' top movie on the network. When Swooon asked the latter in 2025 about the possibility of a sequel, he replied, "It won't have the same impact as the initial because there's nothing like falling in love." Nonetheless, he added, "The audience can ask for whatever they want, and it will most likely materialize." He also gushed about working with Krakow, crediting "her unbelievable talents" with the movie's success.

The story centers on Elizabeth (Krakow), who's engaged to a rigid, dry dentist and starts falling for his laid-back brother, David (Hynes). While some viewers didn't appreciate this love triangle, others were smitten with Krakow's subtle body language and facial expressions as well as her remarkable chemistry with Hynes. Other highlights included sharp comedic dialogue, engaging subplots, and arguably "the best ending in any Hallmark movie ever," according to a Redditor. "I watch this once a year and cry," another user chimed. "If I could live in any Hallmark movie, it would definitely be this one."

Here's how we determined the ranking of Erin Krakow's movies for the Hallmark Channel: First, we looked at each release's star rating on IMDb. Next, we compared both glowing and negative reviews across multiple platforms, including Reddit, Rotten Tomatoes, Letterboxd, and Facebook groups. We also considered insights from publications and blogs known for their thorough analyses. Finally, we factored in our own perspective as viewers and incorporated quotes from Krakow and her co-stars to understand what made these movies work so well.