Hallmark Channel has unveiled its 16th Countdown to Christmas slate, a festive lineup that officially opens Friday, Oct. 17 with Mistletoe Murders Season 1 making its Hallmark Channel debut. The network confirms that the first new holiday movie, A Royal Montana Christmas, premieres the following day, Saturday, Oct. 18, with premiere times generally set for 8 p.m. ET/PT unless otherwise noted.
Beyond the opening weekend, the slate blends familiar Hallmark romance with fresh twists, including a second collaboration with the NFL in Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story. Other highlights include My Secret Valentine, reuniting Lacey Chabert and Andrew Walker in She’s Making a List, and A Newport Christmas starring Wes Brown and Ginna Claire Mason, which Brown described as a project that married timeless Christmas warmth with a late 1800s setting and a unique time-travel element. The slate also expands into new holiday series alongside the return of the reality competition Finding Mr. Christmas.
The schedule lays out a dense calendar of premieres from Oct. 18 through late December, with most films debuting on Saturdays and Sundays and the occasional midweek premiere. The network lists Mistletoe Murders Season 1 as the channel’s premiere title on Oct. 17, followed by Mistletoe Murders Season 2 on Friday, Nov. 7. Other notable entries include Baked With Love: Holiday, a series premiere on Oct. 27; Finding Mr. Christmas Season 2 premiering Oct. 27; Christmas On Duty on Nov. 1; A Newport Christmas on Nov. 2; Christmas Above the Clouds on Nov. 8; A Keller Christmas Vacation on Nov. 9; Three Wisest Men on Nov. 15; Tidings For the Season on Nov. 16; and Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story on Nov. 22, which includes cameos from well-known figures tied to both Hallmark and football.
The movie roster continues with Melt My Heart This Christmas on Nov. 23, We Met in December on Nov. 27, The Snow Must Go On and The More the Merrier on Nov. 28, An Alpine Holiday and A Grand Ole Opry Christmas on Nov. 29, and The Christmas Cup and Christmas at the Catnip Café on Nov. 30. December remains packed with premieres, including She’s Making A List on Dec. 6, Single on the 25th on Dec. 7, Oy to the World! on Dec. 14, A Make Or Break Holiday on Dec. 20, and The Christmas Baby on Dec. 21. A special entry, Twelve Dates ’Til Christmas, is listed as a series premiere on Dec. 5, with episodes continuing through the series finale on Dec. 19. All times are 8 p.m. ET/PT unless otherwise specified.
In addition to its film slate, Hallmark is highlighting new and returning series, including the ongoing Season 2 run of Mistletoe Murders and the continued run of Finding Mr. Christmas, which anchors a broader push into holiday programming that blends romance, whimsy, and seasonal nostalgia. The lineup also signals continued integration of cross-genre elements, from historical-setting romances to contemporary comedies and light fantasy, designed to extend holiday cheer through late December.
Industry observers note that the Countdown to Christmas slate remains a centerpiece of Hallmark’s annual strategy, drawing viewers who seek comfort and celebration during the holiday season. The network has not only expanded its film library but also experimented with formats and guest appearances, reinforcing its role as a cultural anchor for Christmas entertainment in the U.S. The 2025 schedule is expected to attract both longtime Hallmark fans and new audiences curious about the network’s evolving take on holiday storytelling.