Don’t call yourself a Christmas fanatic if you don’t like a good, cheesy, made-for-T.V. holiday flick.
We all know that movie.
A business professional is too Scrooge to enjoy the merry feels.
A dysfunctional family threatens to ruin the holiday cheer.
And if someone isn’t finding love by the end of the movie, it’s an automatic failure.
Luckily, a bunch (and I mean a bunch) of holiday flicks are hitting the small screen this year, and don’t worry, if you don’t own a T.V. they’ll probably end up on Hulu or Netflix eventually.
They’re filled with all the ingredients that generate Christmas nostalgia. Not to mention, they feature some favorite sitcom stars that inherently know how to get you in your feelings.
Hit the next pages for some movies to keep your holiday mushiness at a ten!
Coins for Christmas – TV One (Premieres December 16)
Essence Atkins (Smart Guy, Marlon) plays a desperate single mom who takes a job working for a retired footballer played by Stephen Bishop (Being Mary Jane). They completely don’t get along at first, but of course, after getting to know each other, they form a friendship and learn more about themselves in the process.
Merry Wishmas – TV One (Airing now)
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Tamela and David Mann (House of Payne) star in this spirited family flick. Tamela’s character Kenni is a successful businesswoman who hasn’t returned to her South Carolina hometown in years.
Of course, as soon as she arrives, the family drama begins and she’s also reacquainted with her old high school friend Jessie (David Mann).
Tatyana Ali (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Love That Girl) plays a corporate lawyer, Lucy, who must return to her Wisconsin hometown after her sister’s unexpected death. She’s put in charge of handling her sister’s estate only to find out how eccentric her will is – in order for Lucy to inherit the family home, she must live there for 30 days through the holidays.
Oh, and while she’s home, Lucy also runs into her old high school sweetheart Peter (played by Dondre Whitfield). Add in Patti LaBelle as a mother figure and you’ve got a perfect balance of holiday romance and family drama.
Christina Milian (Grandfathered) plays Noelle, who was raised by a Christmas fanatic mom. When her mother dies, Noelle plans to sell her mom’s house only to discover that she’s been hiring someone to decorate it – Dave (played by Mark Taylor from the ever-classic 2000 movie Seventeen Again). Dave convinces Noelle to let him continue his Christmas decorating tradition and as his displays go up, Noelle’s guard comes crashing down. She starts to embrace the town’s Christmas gala, which was her mom’s legacy.
And of course…
Romance ensues!
The Christmas Pact – Lifetime (Airing now)
Can two best friends fall in love?
This movie is Love & Basketball all over again as Kyla Pratt (One on One, Love & Basketball) plays Sadie, who makes a childhood pact with her best friend Ben (played by Jarod Joseph). They struggle to keep their Christmas pact alive as they get older, but with the help of some holiday magic, they recommit to their bond, and their love for each other grows.
Sounds mushy and nostalgic.
We’re ready.
Jingle Belle – Lifetime (Airing now)
Tatyana Ali returns to the small screen with another network, but this time, she’s returning to her hometown!
Wait…
I guess this movie isn’t much different from Christmas Everlasting.
But THIS time Ali plays Isabelle a singer and songwriter who used to perform with her high school sweetheart Mike (Cornelius Smith Jr.). However, they separated in their college years and now they find themselves reunited when Isabelle returns to her hometown to write music for the annual Christmas Eve Pageant.
The catch is, Isabelle must work on the pageant with Mike, who’s directing it.
Perfect setting for romance!
My Christmas Inn – Lifetime (Airing now)
Another Lifetime movie brings the holiday feels with Tia Mowry (Sister, Sister) playing Jen, an advertisement agent who gets a big promotion at her job. However, her life is turned upside down when…
You guessed it…she inherits a dead family member’s property.
She takes on her late aunt’s cozy inn in Alaska and when she goes to inspect the property, she meets a handsome town attorney named Steve (Rob Mayes). As she spins more time with the small town community, Jen starts to question if Alaska is the place where her heart belongs.
Our final holiday movie has Tia Mowry showing her lovely face once again.
This time, she plays an ambitious architect who has to prove her clout by winning a gingerbread contest. However, she loses her star pastry chef before the big day. As an alternative, she hires a local dad baker (Duane Henry) to do the job.
Of course, she gets the feels for the baker when she discovers the cozy home he’s built for himself and his young daughter. Now, she’s torn between winning a big contract in another city or going after happiness right where she’s at.
