Incredible lakeside visuals, a charming small-town Christmas, and Jewel’s “Winter Wonderland” setting the tone - Hallmark’s Christmas in the Air (2017) knows how to make an entrance.

Eric Close stars as Robert, a widowed dad doing his best to hold it all together for the holidays, alongside Catherine Bell as Lydia, a professional organizer who brings a refreshing twist to the usual Hallmark career lineup. Rich is all in on Lydia’s poinsettia greenhouse and that bold outdoor holiday show, while Rene soaks up the festive lakeside holiday vibes and Robert’s heartfelt dad moments.

But not everything lands. Rich questions the chemistry between Robert and Lydia, and Rene believes the misunderstanding needs a rewriting. There’s love for the ice rink, the toy shop, and even some behind-the-scenes insight as writer Janna King shares a few favorite moments.

Of course, we ask the important questions: how is everyone affording those dreamy lake houses… and what exactly is going on with Robert’s all-in-one game box? The guys agree on the couple’s future (rare!), but can’t settle on an MVP. And that final kiss? Let’s just say… it didn’t stick the landing. 

Hallmark, if you’re listening - your new “final kiss consultants” are ready to start and we work cheap. Email below.

We keep it fun, keep it real, and always… keep it Hallmark Christmas. 

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*** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media. 

Winnie Cooper is all grown up! Danica McKellar trades suburbia for royalty in Hallmark’s 2015 hit Crown for Christmas - the network’s highest-rated holiday movie of the year. And yes… this royal romance actually hits different.

Allie heads to Europe for the holidays as governess to the spirited Princess Theodora and Rene loves how instantly likable the King is, while Rich connects surprising dots between this film and other favorite movies. And both agree: this is absolutely a top-tier Hallmark snowball fight.

But not everything gets the royal seal of approval. Rich isn’t crazy about the palace’s wine glass choices, questions that early “almost kiss,” and isn’t buying Fergus pulling off an FBI-level background check within a few hours. Rene’s wondering why Riggs is still employed, where Allie learned to waltz like that, and if there was a hidden romance between Fergus and Mrs. Claiborne.

The guys split (as usual) on supporting characters, debate whether Allie and Max actually go the distance, and even break down how camerawork affects the all-important kiss… pay attention Hallmark Directors! And when it’s time to crown an MVP? No consensus.

Fun, festive, and just the right amount of chaos - just how we like our Hallmark. 

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There have been countless takes on A Christmas Carol, but in 2022, Hallmark writer Zac Hug delivered one of the most unique twists yet with Ghosts of Christmas Always.

Widely considered one of Hallmark’s best, the film gives Rich and Rene plenty to unpack - from its layered story to the chemistry between the three ghosts and a standout musical score.

Rene questions whether Peter would really fall for a ghost, while Rich wonders if a bolder ending - with Kat staying in the afterlife - might have made the movie even better.

A strong supporting cast adds to the charm, though each host has a ghost they wish got more screen time. And when you cast a Broadway-caliber singer? Let her sing — no lip-syncing needed.

As always, we decide if Kat & Peter last, rate the kiss, and name our MVP. But the final score? Let’s just say Rich and Rene have never been further apart… and may never be again.

Plus — all 20 “Ghost Rules,” fully broken down by Rich (check our socials).

We keep it fun, keep it real… and keep it Hallmark Christmas.

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It was 2014. On November 29, a massive 5.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the “Queen of Christmas,” Candace Cameron Bure, in Christmas Under Wraps - a record-setting night Hallmark still hasn’t matched since. With just 15 films in that year’s Countdown to Christmas (a number that doubled within three years), this movie helped spark the boom.

Set in a small Alaskan town, Dr. Lauren Brunell finds unexpected community - and romance - with pilot, electrician, and all-around awesome dude, Andy Holliday. It’s classic Hallmark formula… and it works.

Rene and Rich agree on the film’s best moment and what they’d rewrite, but clash over the top supporting character - and whether Lauren and Andy’s relationship can last in Alaska. Things heat up when Rene calls Rich’s MVP pick “illegal,” and Rich doubles down on his claim: this is the most important Hallmark Christmas movie ever.

And one more thing… That’s Garland for Ya!

We keep it fun, keep it real… and keep it Hallmark Christmas.

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*** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media. 

2022 brings us “A Royal Corgi Christmas” - featuring the charismatic Hunter King in her first Hallmark Christmas movie alongside Jordan Renzo. But let’s be honest… the real star? An energetic corgi named Mistletoe.

Can America’s favorite YouTube dog trainer tame a “Playboy Prince” with little interest in the throne?

Rich isn’t buying Cecily’s college psychology classes magically turning her into a master dog trainer - and also has questions about Hobbs making a move on the Queen. Rene wonders if “Puppygate” would actually derail Edmond’s path to the crown and calls a foul on the prince’s very uneven gift-giving at the foster center. What the Hallmark?!

Both agree: Mistletoe (and the rest of the corgis) steal every single scene - and if anyone knows where to get some Mistletoe merch, we’re all ears.

Would Cecily and Edmond last a year? Rich lays out four reasons why… not a chance.

Producer Edwina Forkin provides us with behind-the-scenes stories—including a complex one-take scene, filming across multiple Irish castles, giving up her own home to the dogs and trainers, and the impact of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing during production.

Oh - and Hunter King in the blue dress? WOW.

We keep it fun, keep it real… and keep it Hallmark Christmas.

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Not affiliated with Hallmark Media. 

Hallmark’s A Kiss Before Christmas (2021) breaks just about every cozy rom-com rule. A meet-cute that takes nearly an hour to fully reveal itself. A misunderstanding resolved immediately. A real antagonist working against our leads—so refreshing! And two card-carrying AARP members with off-the-charts chemistry. 

With a gentle nod to It’s a Wonderful Life, James Denton and Teri Hatcher prove that TV flames from 2004 can still create magic at Christmastime. Add Marilu Henner into the mix and you have a top-notch cast that pulls out every emotion over 86 minutes. 

But here’s the twist: one of Hallmark’s best scripts in years took five years to make it to the screen. Thanks to insights shared with us by writer Mark Amato, we unpack the long road this movie took to reach Hallmark… along with the small but important assist from Mr. Denton that helped get it across the finish line.

Is this one of the best Hallmark Christmas movies ever made? Rich and Rene make a strong case.

We keep it fun, keep it real… and keep it Hallmark Christmas.

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Not affiliated with Hallmark Media; Image courtesy of Hallmark Media. 

Crazy. Bonkers. Ridiculous. And somehow impossible to stop watching. That pretty much sums up Hallmark’s A Very Merry Mix-Up, starring Alicia Witt.

For the first time, the show introduces a new segment featuring information from a filmmaker from the movie sharing some “stories behind the story” from the making of the film.

Rene and Rich both embrace the sweet story of Grandpa Joe and his wife, while also sharing a mutual pet peeve: characters dropping an “I love you” after only a few days. Rich wonders why Will would send Alice to meet his wildly dysfunctional family without him, while Rene questions (more than once) why Alice and Will are even together in the first place.

As always, we discuss what we’d rewrite, give the kiss a letter grade, and crown an MVP.

And of course, we tackle the biggest question of all: was the role of Alice originally meant for Jennifer Lopez???

We keep it fun, keep it real, and always keep it Hallmark Christmas.

Not affiliated with Hallmark Media; Image courtesy of Hallmark Media.

Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe (2018) features a stellar cast including Hallmark royalty Lacey Chabert and network favorite Brendan Penny. The classic Hallmark setup is here: a career-driven woman heads home for the holidays to save something important (this time, a struggling charity gala) while reconnecting with her high school rival. It was a hugely popular storyline back in the day—but can writer Nina Weinman’s eight-year-old script still hold up in 2026?

With a title like Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe, Jane Austen fans might also expect a few nods to the 1813 classic. Does the movie deliver?

Rich pushes for a mid-movie kiss and questions the suspiciously low Christmas tree prices, while Rene falls for the heartfelt father-daughter moments and can’t understand why Carl refuses to give up on Darcy.

As always, we do our Hallmark duty—breaking down our favorite moments, naming the best supporting character, and crowning the movie’s MVP. We also debate whether Luke and Darcy would still be together a year after that final kiss… and speaking of the kiss, was the mistletoe enough to earn the smooch a solid grade?

As always… we keep it fun, keep it real, and keep it Hallmark Christmas. 🎄

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Send us an email to: [email protected]! We’d love to hear from you! Until then… For the Love of Hallmark!

The Forever Hallmark Christmas Podcast is not affiliated with Hallmark Media. Images courtesy of Hallmark Media.

Hallmark’s Christmas Cookies (2016) stars Jill Wagner and Wes Brown in their Hallmark Christmas debuts — but does this fan-favorite actually hold up? Rich can’t quite make sense of the central storyline, while Rene believes young Bonnie (the adorable scene-stealer) might be the movie’s secret weapon.

We break down:

• The meet cute (for the first time on the show)

• A loaded “What Would We Rewrite?” segment

• That big end-of-movie speech

• And whether Jake and Hannah would really last 12 months

For the fifth straight week, we’re split on Best Supporting Character. And when Rene makes his case for long-term love, Rich delivers the quote of the year: “Rene, you’ve lost your Hallmark mind!” Plus — that final kiss. Wow.

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*** The Forever Hallmark Christmas Podcast is not affiliated with Hallmark Media. Photo courtesy of Hallmark Media.

Finding Santa (2017) proves that not every Hallmark Christmas movie needs to be overly deep and complex — sometimes a cozy holiday romcom is exactly what the season ordered. Rich and Rene don’t quite see eye-to-eye on Ben and Grace’s chemistry, debate the best supporting character, and — like the seasoned professionals we are — assign letter grades to two kissing scenes with four overall kisses (with “Professor” Rich nearly handing out a failing grade to one of them). And that public proposal? Let’s just say one of us was swooning… the other was not. Plus: Is Santa school actually a thing, or just classic Hallmark magic? And who (or what) was the Christmas MVP of the movie? Listen now and find out! And if you love Hallmark Christmas as much as we do, hit follow so you don’t miss a single cozy breakdown.

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*** The Forever Hallmark Christmas Podcast is not affiliated with Hallmark Media. Image courtesy of Hallmark Media.