The Best Hallmark Channel Holiday Movies Where Magic Is Real, Ranked By Reviews

Holiday season is approaching, and Hallmark Channel fans everywhere know what that means — it's time to compile a viewing list of the best on-theme movies the network has to offer. We've got you covered with every new Hallmark movie to watch this November, but if your repertoire could use a bit of extra joy and light-heartedness, why not dive into movies with a little holiday magic? While your average Hallmark holiday film features snowy days and nights, small town charm, and plenty of over-the-top decorations, there's just something a little more special about that added element of fantasy. Enchanted snow globes, gift-giving stockings, and angels are on the table when it comes to some of Hallmark's best offerings.

Many of these films can also be hit or miss, but we scoured the reviews and found the hits filled with magic and whimsy that fans love. Whether you're in the mood for a story of time travel or Santa Claus's daughter, take a look at the best Hallmark Channel holiday movies where magic is 100% real.

"Annie Claus is Coming to Town" is fun for the whole family and great for fans of the "Santa Claus" franchise. This film follows Santa's daughter as she leaves the North Pole for Los Angeles to see what life is like outside her magical home. The best part? Santa keeps tabs on her via a magical snow globe. Through her adventures, Annie finds romance and gains a new perspective on the holidays. This film holds an average weighted IMDb score of 6.1/10, an unweighted average of 6.6/10, and an average individual score of 6/10.

2015's "Magic Stocking" is a Hallmark Channel classic starring "Jane the Virgin" star Bridget Regan. This movie, featuring the classic magical item trope, has an IMDb weighted average rating of 6.4/10, an unweighted average rating of 6.6/10, and a most common individual rating of 7/10. It follows Lindsey Monroe, a widow who picks up a worn-out holiday stocking, and it begins producing items that are meaningful to her and her family. It then helps to heal their grief and brings unexpected joy. It's a cozy, heartfelt film, and although it sits toward the bottom of this list, it's still a worthwhile watch.

"Sex and the City's" Kristin Davis stars in 2016's "A Heavenly Christmas" which is a touching story with supernatural elements. Workaholic Eve Morgan dies suddenly and becomes a Christmas angel assigned to help a struggling musician (played by Erin McCormack). Shirley MacLaine also stars in this feel good holiday movie that has something for everyone — drama, romance, and fantasy. It has an average IMDb rating of 6.5/10, an unweighted average rating of 6.7/10, and most common individual rating of 7/10, putting this one firmly in the middle of the pack.

2011's "Christmas Magic" follows New York event planner Carrie Blackford (played by Lindy Booth) who has to earn her way into heaven after a fatal car crash in a snowstorm. She's then assigned as a guardian angel to save widowed restaurant owner Scott and his daughter Abby. Although this one has similar vibes to "A Heavenly Christmas," this one has a slightly higher average IMDb score of 6.6/10, an unweighted average rating of 7/10, and most common individual rating of 7/10.

"A Dream of Christmas" features elements of quirky romantic comedy and fantasy — the perfect holiday mix. All of Nikki DeLoach's Hallmark Channel movies are fun, but this one is especially so. It features Penny, a young married woman who's given a wish by a Christmas angel. She wishes to be single again and to have her dream career, but soon realizes it isn't what she wanted after all. She then embarks on a quest to win back her husband. This one holds an average IMDb score of 6.8/10, an unweighted average rating of 7/10, and most common individual rating of 7/10.

2016 hit "Journey Back to Christmas" is a favorite among Hallmark Channel fans. This film stars Candace Cameron Bure and has an average IMDb rating of 7.1/10, an unweighted average rating of 7.3/10, and most common individual rating of 7/10. World War II-era nurse Hanna is grieving her missing husband and gets caught in a storm the same day as a passing comet, knocking her out. Upon waking, she realizes she's been transported forward in time to 2016 and meets a man named Jack (played by Oliver Hudson) who helps her navigate the modern era.

Apparently, Hallmark Channel fans love a good holiday time travel trope. 2023 film "A Biltmore Christmas" tops our list with an average IMDb rating of 7.6/10, an unweighted average rating of 8/10, and most common individual rating of 10/10. Starring Bethany Joy Lenz, this whimsical movie follows Lucy Collins, a screenwriter hired to pen a remake of a classic holiday film from the '40s, originally filmed at a historic house called Biltmore. She visits herself and unknowingly uses a magical hourglass to transport her right to the set of the original production.