Danica McKellar Is the Queen of Hallmark Christmas Movies—Here Are Our Faves!
The holidays are in full force and this is the time of year when you're likely sitting in front of the TV watching Christmas movies—and maybe wrapping a few gifts! This year marks Hallmark Channel's 10th anniversary of their Countdown to Christmas extravaganza and with each year bringing more and more new holiday films starring your favorite Hallmark Channel actors and actresses. One of those is Danica McKellar.
Related: Here’s Every New Original Christmas Movie to Hallmark This Year
McKellar is no stranger to Hallmark. The star of over a dozen Hallmark Channel movies, including the new Matchmaker Mysteries on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, McKellar is practically Canadian with all the time she spends up in Vancouver (where many of the movies are filmed.) In fact, I actually bumped into her at the airport in Vancouver when I was up there visiting a couple months ago!
McKellar has been also been a staple in Hallmark's holiday films. This year is no different as she stars in Christmas at Dollywood with Niall Matter and an appearance by Dolly Parton herself! Fans are already hoping for a trilogy of Dollywood movies—Hallmark Channel, are you listening?
Related: Here’s Every New Original Christmas Movie to Lifetime This Year
Here are five of Parade.com's favorite Hallmark Christmas movies featuring Danica McKellar—and when they're next airing on the Hallmark Channel.
CHRISTMAS AT DOLLYWOOD
Sunday, December 15 at 4 p.m. on Hallmark Channel
When an event planner returns to Tennessee to plan the Christmas celebration at Dollywood, she's paired with the head of operations who thinks he can handle the party just fine on his own. Starring Danica McKellar and Niall Matter.
CHRISTMAS AT GRAND VALLEY
Saturday, December 28 at 1 p.m. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Burned out from the hubbub of the Chicago gallery world, artist Kelly returns home to the picturesque Grand Valley just in time for Christmas. Maybe her favorite town’s shining season will reinvigorate her love of art and guide her down her next path. Leo, businessman and all-star dad to his children, struggles to balance his time this holiday season. When he's assigned to review a hotel in Grand Valley for its value, he sees this as the perfect opportunity for a Christmas family vacation. It isn’t long until Kelly and Leo’s worlds collide. As Kelly re-experiences her favorite Grand Valley traditions with Leo and his children, she begins to find her way back to her passion for art. Starring Danica McKellar and Brennan Elliott.
Related: Hallmark's Leading Ladies Reveal Their Favorite Way to Watch Hallmark Christmas Movies
COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Sunday, December 21 at 10 a.m. on Hallmark Channel
Lizzie Richfield is at a crossroads when she lands a job as house manager for the exclusive Ashford Estate in the Virginia countryside. While preparing the place for sale, Lizzie plans one final Christmas Eve gala for the Marley family, though they seem to be a family in name only. There’s Kip Marley, who never met a party he didn’t like; Robert, the handsome but all-business executor of the estate; Sloane, who arrives with her two young children, sans husband, and the 80-year-old matriarch, Pippa, a spitfire who doesn’t want to put the house up for sale at all. As Lizzie is inserted into the home and the lives of the Marley family she finds herself drawn to Robert—even as Kip pursues her. Can she navigate her suddenly complicated love life while helping mend family feuds and maybe teaching all the true spirit of Christmas?
MY CHRISTMAS DREAM
Friday, December 20 at noon on Hallmark Channel
Christina, the manager of McDougal’s flagship department store, is determined to land the manager position for their new Paris location. She sets out to impress Victoria, the store’s owner, by creating the best holiday display in McDougal’s history. Fresh out of inspiration despite assuring Victoria otherwise, Christina turns to a recently-fired store employee who also happens to be a talented artist and single dad to his young son. Stars McKellar, Deidre Hall and David Haydn-Jones.
CROWN FOR CHRISTMAS
Tuesday, December 24 at 2 p.m. on Hallmark Channel
After getting fired from her job as a maid at a ritzy New York City hotel, Allie reluctantly accepts a temp gig as the governess to a young girl who is part of a powerful family in Europe that lives in an actual castle. Once arriving, Allie learns the girl is named Princess Theodora and her father is Maximillian, the King of Winshire. The King informs Allie that the Princess has a tendency to terrorize authority figures, a predilection that has grown worse since her mother’s death. Yet governess and Princess wind up hitting it off while at the same time a spark forms between Allie and Max. However, Countess Celia is expecting to wed the King. Will Max take a stand for his feelings for Allie and make it truly a merry Christmas for all (or at least, most)? Possibly the best line in any Hallmark movie comes from this film, "You had me at sewing kit."
Check HallmarkChannel.com for additional airings of your favorite Christmas movies!
Ready to get in the holiday spirit? Here are the 100+ best Christmas movies to watch this holiday season!
