The Most Popular Hallmark Movies, Ranked
Sometimes there's nothing better than snuggling up on the couch and watching a wholesome Hallmark movie. Whether you're in the mood for a rom-com or a mystery, you have plenty of options to choose from! The company produced 103 movies in 2019, 40 of which were about Christmas. And it's easy to see why Hallmark makes so many movies — that year, Hallmark was the most popular cable network for women between the ages of 25 and 54 (via The New Yorker). Clearly, we all love a heartwarming love story, and no one does it like Hallmark!
And many of Hallmark's original TV movies are really good. We've gone through the ratings on Rotten Tomatoes to find out which Hallmark movies have stood the test of time and remain fan favorites. So, if you're looking for a comforting TV movie to watch, we've got you covered. Here are the most popular Hallmark movies, ranked.
14. Christmas Next Door
Hallmark is famous for its Christmas movies. After all, the network is very good at making romantic, lighthearted films — and that's the perfect vibe at Christmastime. One of their most popular Christmas movies is "Christmas Next Door." The 2017 holiday romance has an audience rating of 60% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film tells the story of Eric (played by "Desperate Housewives" star Jesse Metcalfe), a hardened bachelor who has made an entire career out of writing books about being single. When he is forced to spend Christmas with his neighbor April after he's made to look after his niece and nephew, he begins to re-evaluate his lifelong commitment to singledom, and, inevitably, Eric and April fall in love (via Romper).
It's easy to see why this film is one of the network's most popular. As actress Fiona Gubelmann, who plays April, said in an interview on the "Hallmarkies" podcast, "I'm obsessed with Christmas ... Getting to work in 'Christmas Next Door,' that was like no acting required." No wonder this movie is so good — Gubelmann's real love of Christmas must really shine through!
13. Christmas Magic
It should come as no huge surprise that the next most popular Hallmark movie is also a Christmas romance. "Christmas Magic," released in 2011, is a touching holiday film about a woman named Carrie, played by actress Lindy Booth, who is trying to "pass over" into heaven after a bad car accident. To get there, she must help a depressed restaurant owner and single father with his struggling business before Christmas day. Of course, sparks fly between Carrie and the restaurant owner, resulting in a bittersweet romance.
With a 61% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it's pretty clear that this film stands apart from some of the other Hallmark Christmas movies out there. One viewer even wrote, "This is a [must-watch] heartwarming Christmas movie every year bound to be classic one day!" Another commented, "Very sweet and buoyed by an angelic (pun intended) Lindy Booth." Clearly, this movie really is magical!
12. Apple Mortgage Cake
Even though Hallmark is famous for its Christmas movies, it also produces many heartwarming films that don't center around the holiday season, too. One of the most popular is "Apple Mortgage Cake." This 2014 drama is based on the true story of Angela Logan, an actress who went unpaid after her agency closed in 2009. In order to pay all of her bills and continue supporting her three sons, she decided to start selling apple cakes, as noted by O, The Oprah Magazine. Within just a couple weeks, Logan had sold 900 cakes and made $36,000!
With a 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it seems that Hallmark did a great job of bringing Logan's story to life. "You want to do it with respect and, at the same time, be honest and real," said Kimberly Elise in an interview about playing a real person. Fortunately for Elise, Logan said, "She's one of my favorite actresses." "Apple Mortgage Cake" is one exceptionally well-made film that you should definitely add to your Hallmark movie list.
11. Switched For Christmas
The 2017 rom-com "Switched For Christmas" is one of Hallmark's best-loved holiday flicks — and it's easy to see why. This film features some super fun rom-com tropes. The story follows twins who decide to switch places during the Christmas season because they're sick of their own holiday plans. Of course, they both find romance along the way. This one is definitely the perfect pick for fans of movies like "The Parent Trap" or "The Princess Switch." Plus, with a rating of 64% on Rotten Tomatoes, you can rest assured that the movie is seriously good.
And we have to say — this movie's success is largely down to the amazing double performance by the lead actress. After all, the two main characters are played by the same woman! And she totally pulls it off. "It was such a challenge to play multiple roles and act against myself," said actress Candace Cameron Bure to All Mom Does. Of course, Bure is no stranger to holiday Hallmark movies. "I put a Christmas movie out every single year," she said, "but I am always [trying] to find a great script and make it different and top the last one I did and hope viewers love it." It seems like this one was the perfect choice for her, and viewers loved it just as much as she had hoped.
10. The Color of Rain
Not all of the most popular Hallmark movies are lighthearted. The 2014 drama "The Color of Rain" is one example of a popular Hallmark film that took on a much more serious tone. With a 65% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this film was based on the tragic real-life story of Michael and Gina Spehn, a couple who met and fell in love after their respective spouses both died of cancer. The pair first developed a friendship because of their similar experiences, before it developed into something more. Michael said in an interview, "We found common ground in our grief and in our overcoming grief." The couple married two years later.
The film stars "Mean Girls" actress Lacey Chabert and Warren Christie, who were both eager to do justice to the real-life couple. "It was so special in how inspiring it was," Chabert told TV Goodness. "And I thought it would be something that people could relate to and hopefully also learn from." Christie explained that their goal had been to make sure the family was happy with the film. Well, the family was happy, and so was a much wider audience, too!
9. The Christmas Box
"The Christmas Box," which came out in 1995, may be an oldie, but it's still a goodie. This was one of Hallmark's original holiday movies and with a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 66%, it seems to have stood the test of time. The film, based on a popular book of the same name, follows a family who moves in with an old widow and discovers the true meaning of Christmas. The film features the classic Hollywood star Maureen O'Hara as the widow, so it's easy to see why it stands out from the crowd.
As O'Hara said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, she was first drawn to the film because of the story. "You read a script and you like it and you think, 'Hmmmmm, that would be fun to do something with,'" she said. She later added, "It's going to be a wonderful Christmas story. Please, God." Well, it seems O'Hara's prayer was answered — based on its rating and continued popularity, "The Christmas Box" seems to still be a well-loved Christmas story over 20 years later.
8. Love Begins
Unlike many other Hallmark films, the 2011 movie "Love Begins" is actually a period romance set in the 19th century. It's a part of the "Love Comes Softly" saga, but features all new characters. In this film, which has a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a stranger comes to town and ends up working as a farmhand for two sisters. Just as he begins to develop feelings for one of them, her fiance returns to town, leaving her with a big decision.
If you like escaping into the past, this heartwarming romantic film is the perfect thing for you. As Julie Mond, who plays Ellen in the film, said in a Hallmark Channel interview, the two characters learn important lessons as they fall in love. "I think most importantly Ellen learns to let somebody help her," she said. Actor Wes Brown added, "She starts to realize, 'Well, maybe there's a little more to this country-bound, gold-seeking person than, you know, her prejudgments were."
This definitely sounds like the perfect enemies-to-lovers romance — plus, it's set in the Wild West! What's not to love?
7. Morning Show Mystery: Mortal Mishaps
Not every Hallmark hit is a romance. Some of their most popular films are actually thrillers. "Morning Show Mystery: Mortal Mishaps," released in 2018, is the perfect example. This mystery film has a rating of 71% on Rotten Tomatoes — and for a good reason. This super fun mystery movie tells the story of a morning show host who finds herself the No. 1 suspect in a murder case after a TV exec dies. So, naturally, she decides to solve the mystery for herself to clear her name. We all love a whodunnit, and this one sounds like it will not disappoint.
Holly Robinson Peete, who plays lead character Billie Blessings, explained in an interview with KTLA 5 that the movie was inspired by a book written by morning show host Al Roker. Roker even had a tiny cameo in the film! By the sounds of things, a big part of the film's success was Robinson Peete's chemistry with her co-star Rick Fox. "He's drop dead gorgeous ... He's a generous actor, he studies his craft, he came prepared, and he was a dream to work with," she said. Sounds like the film is a dream to watch, too!
6. Christmas Getaway
What makes a good holiday romance? Usually a couple who meet, disagree, and then slowly teach each other not only the meaning of love but also the meaning of Christmas. Well, if that's the winning formula, then Hallmark's 2017 film "Christmas Getaway" ticks all the boxes. This simple, sweet rom-com tells the story of a travel writer who accidentally ends up sharing a rental home with a widower and his family for Christmas. With a rating of 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, it seems this film really is the perfect pick.
The movie stars Teryl Rothery as the widower's mother. She explained in an interview on My Devotional Thoughts that the movie has everything you could want from a Christmas flick. "You'll see some ice skating, sleigh rides, singing and caroling and all sorts of fun stuff," she said. Plus, of course, it has a beautiful happy ending. As Rothery put it, "This is Hallmark after all."
5. The Lost Valentine
While most Hallmark TV movies star actors who are somewhat familiar, a few of them do have Hollywood stars in the mix. For instance, the 2011 film "The Lost Valentine" stars none other than Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt — that alone is enough to warrant its 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes!
The movie follows White as a war widow who goes back to her local train station each year on the same day in the hopes that her missing husband will return from the war — of course, by now, the pilgrimage is purely symbolic. Hewitt plays a young reporter tasked with telling her story. Of course, things take a romantic turn when the reporter begins to develop feelings for the widow's grandson. As one review from Variety noted, Betty White alone makes the movie totally worth watching. But, if you enjoy a good love story, Hewitt's storyline will probably delight you too!
4. The Watsons Go to Birmingham
You might not expect Hallmark to make films with a political or social justice focus, but "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" is just that. This film follows the Watson family in 1963 on a trip to Alabama where they inadvertently become a key force in the Civil Rights Movement. Clearly, this film isn't just another sappy movie from Hallmark, so we're hardly surprised that it has a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Producer Nikki Silver said in the film's featurette, "It's a great story, and there are images in this film that you just don't see today." While this film is definitely a heartwarming story about a family, it also offers viewers some real educational content, too. As one review in The Hollywood Reporter noted, the film is perfect viewing for young people, as it gently encourages difficult but important conversations about the history of the Civil Rights Movement in America. Sounds like this isn't just one of Hallmark's best movies — it's also one of its most important.
3. Edge of the Garden
The 2011 Hallmark film "Edge of the Garden" tells the charming story of a big city man named Brian who impulsively moves to an old house in the country. Things get a little paranormal when he finds out that he can see the spirit of the woman, Nora, who lived in the same house 50 years ago. It seems this somewhat spooky love story was a hit — the film has a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
If you're a romantic, this film will not disappoint. Actor Rob Estes, who plays Brian, explained in an interview, "We can see each other and hear each other and try to get an understanding of each other, but we can't touch." Actress Sarah Manninen, who plays Nora, added, "I think the audience will like the love story and the fact that the story is about two people who have this great friendship and then learn something from each other and take that with them and use it in their lives." Well, we are sold!
2. Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Home Again
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Home Again" is part of the popular series that follows the Postables, a group of postal workers who attempt to redeliver old lost mail. In "Home Again," the group discovers an ancient vase and uncovers an exciting mystery. It's an old-fashioned, charming film that instantly stole the hearts of Hallmark fans — no wonder it has a rating of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes!
The great thing about this film is that it's part of a great series of films — and according to some, the films just keep getting better and better. Right after "Home Again," you can watch the follow-up film "Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Altar." Actress Kristin Booth said in an interview about the film, "This script is, I think, the best [writer Martha Williamson has] ever written — just the way that the Postables story and the letter story, the way that it all works together." Apparently, she cried every time she read the script. Sounds like this whole series is worth watching!
1. Love Comes Softly
One of Hallmark's most successful film franchises is the "Love Comes Softly" series, so it's hardly surprising that the original film has one of the highest ratings of any Hallmark film on Rotten Tomatoes with an 87% audience score. This 2003 film stars Katherine Heigl and Dale Midkiff as a couple who marry out of necessity in the prairies of America in the 19th century. The film is based on a book by Janette Oke. She explained in an interview that the story was based on the true story of her own ancestors, who had to marry in order to survive.
As the film's director Michael Landon Jr. explained in an interview with Christian Answers, the movie has a strong Christian undercurrent, which meant it wasn't easy to get off the ground. "I took ten years to get ['Love Comes Softly'] done because everybody thought it was too soft," he said. "But you know, I've always been somewhat outspoken in my faith. Each film has something of a soul, and I think people can smell a fake." Luckily, he persevered and made the film that he envisioned. And based on its enduring popularity, we think it's safe to say he made all the right choices!