Podcast
Forever Hallmark Christmas Podcast
Hosted by Rich & Rene · EN
Just two guys talking about Hallmark Christmas movies. That’s it—nothing else.
No other channels, no series, no reality TV, and no detours into Loveuary, Spring Into Love, Summer Nights, or Fall Harvest. If it’s not a Hallmark Christmas movie, we’re not covering it. Each week on The Forever Hallmark Christmas Podcast, we review a favorite from past years and keep up with the current films from Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas every October through December.
Christmas... all year long!
*** The Forever Hallmark Christmas Podcast is not affiliated with Hallmark Media.
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade
1w ago00:35:18Tap to summarizeLove at the Thanksgiving Day Parade (2012) marks the Hallmark debuts of Autumn Reeser, Antonio Cupo, and Ali Liebert. Featuring top-tier production from Ron Oliver (The Christmas Train) and a sharp script by Nancey Silvers (The Nine Lives of Christmas), it's widely considered one of Hallmark's most mature films of the era, with scenes you probably wouldn't see on the network today.But one question has fueled debate for years: Is it a Thanksgiving movie... or a Christmas movie?To settle the score, we polled fellow Hallmark podcasters, content creators, and even director Ron Oliver himself. The results? Much closer than we expected.This fan-favorite review is guaranteed to spark some holiday debate!As always, we cover:• Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts – courtesy of Director, Ron Oliver • What we liked and our favorite scenes. • Things we’d rewrite. • The best supporting characters. • “Are We Sure?” — our ultimate Hallmark logic check. • Will Emily and Henry’s relationship last? • The Mistletoe Meter – Let’s talk about that final kiss and give it a letter grade. • Who (or what) truly won the movie. • We rate the film and talk about what movie is coming up next!For the love of Hallmark!Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmasEmail: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com*** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.
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Love Under the Mistletoe
2w ago00:28:25Tap to summarizeChristmas in July 2026 wraps up with Jen Lilley (Grace) and Nick Bateman (Ryan) starring in Love Under the Mistletoe. With only six speaking roles in the entire movie (yes... six!), this one leans heavily on the classic Hallmark formula—and it absolutely embraces it.We've got the overworked big-city executive returning to his small hometown for Christmas. Two former high school crushes reconnect. A charity gala is organized to save a struggling town. And, of course, a BBD (Big Bad Developer) wants to replace a beautiful historic home with a modern condo tower.Add in a cookie-baking montage, a tree-lighting ceremony, festive decorations everywhere, and you've got the kind of cozy, cookie-cutter Christmas romance Hallmark built its reputation on. But does that formula still work in 2026?We break the movie down and offer our verdict!As always, we cover:• Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts. • What we liked and our favorite scenes. • Scenes we’d rewrite. • The best supporting characters. • “Are We Sure?” — our ultimate Hallmark logic check. • Will Grace and Ryan last as a couple? • The Mistletoe Meter – Let’s talk about that final kiss and give it a letter grade. • Who (or what) truly won the movie. • We rate the film and talk about what movie is coming up next!For the love of Hallmark!Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmasEmail: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com*** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.
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Snowbound for the Holidays
3w ago00:24:58Tap to summarizeTrey runs a rustic ski lodge where both he—and the lodge itself—seem to be stuck in the 1990s. When tech and hospitality specialist Cassidy arrives, "opposites attract" is put to the ultimate test.Filmed in a small town in northern Ontario during the dead of winter, the movie fully embraces its Christmas atmosphere. From the whimsical snow tubing and wish lantern scenes to the tender dance and almost-kiss (Walkman included!), it delivers plenty of heartfelt moments.In this episode, we share behind-the-scenes stories, including why the town left its Christmas decorations up for an extra month, how the brutal cold forced the cast and crew indoors between takes, why the lodge featured real Christmas trees instead of artificial ones, and how Vanessa Lengies filmed the movie while pregnant.As always, we cover:• Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts… with information straight from Director Christopher Giroux. • Some great moments in the film… we let you know what our favorite was! • Scenes we’d rewrite. • The best supporting characters. • “Are We Sure?” — our ultimate Hallmark logic check. • Will Cassidy and Trey last as a couple? • The Mistletoe Meter – Let’s talk about that final kiss and give it a letter grade. • Who (or what) truly won the movie. • We rate the film and talk about what movie is coming up next!For the love of Hallmark!Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmasEmail: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com*** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.
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O Little Christmas Market
4w ago00:27:30Tap to summarizeThe guys kick things off with a little history lesson on Hallmark's Christmas in July—from its beginnings with a single weekend in 2012 and how it evolved, to the very first original July Christmas movie in 2015 (yes, it's a Lacey Chabert classic), where the event stands today, and the highest-rated Christmas in July originals of all time.Then it's on to Christmas in July 2026 – Week 2 as Kat Barrell (The Christmas Baby) and Stephen Huszar (Melt My Heart This Christmas) star in O Little Christmas Market. The script feels like a classic Hallmark movie from a decade ago—formulaic? Sure. Creative? Absolutely.This movie has a little bit of everything: miniature Christmas displays, shipping containers, a lonely Christmas tree in a train station, a charming holiday market... and, naturally, developers threatening to tear it all down.And, of course, we ask the important questions. Rich can't figure out why Grayson doesn't hop the next train home—or where he found that tuxedo in town. Meanwhile, Rene investigates the cost of moving shipping containers and isn't afraid to question Zoey's wardrobe choices.As always, we cover:• Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts. • Our favorite moments. • Scenes we’d rewrite. • The best supporting characters. • “Are We Sure?” — our ultimate Hallmark logic check. • Will Grayson and Olivia last as a couple? • The Mistletoe Meter – How good of a final kiss did Olivia and Grayson give us? We’ll give it a letter grade. • Who (or what) truly won the movie. • We rate the film and talk about what movie is coming up next!For the love of Hallmark!Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmasEmail: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com*** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.
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Christmas Under Construction
Jul 900:27:51Tap to summarizeHallmark’s Christmas in July 2026 kicks off with Christmas Under Construction, a movie that first debuted on Hulu two years earlier. Fan favorites Daniel Lissing and Jessica Lowndes reunite a decade after Hallmark’s beloved December Bride. But after ten years, is the chemistry still there?For a movie with only eight speaking roles, there’s a surprising amount going on. There’s a couples therapist who moonlights as a home renovation host, her boyfriend who’s obsessed with every grooming trend imaginable, a man determined to preserve his grandfather’s cozy cabin, and a girlfriend eager to knock down walls, modernize it, and flip it for a profit. Add an uptight media executive and an ambitious gossip columnist, and you’ve got... quite the mix.As always, we keep it real. Beyond the romance and renovations, we tackle the big question: Does Christmas Under Construction actually feel like a Hallmark movie? Let the friendly debate begin.As always, we cover:• Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts. • Our favorite moments. • Scenes we’d rewrite. • The best supporting characters. • “Are We Sure?” — our ultimate Hallmark logic check. • Cooper and Chelsea… will their relationship last? • The Mistletoe Meter – Chelsea and Cooper give us two kisses towards the end of the film. We’ll give them both a letter grade. • Who (or what) truly won the movie. • We rate the film and talk about what movie is coming up next!For the love of Hallmark!Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmasEmail: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com*** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.
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Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy
Jul 200:33:27Tap to summarizeEvergreen… Part Three! This time we’re heading back to Hallmark’s beloved Christmas town for Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy (2019), featuring a star-studded cast led by Maggie Lawson and Paul Greene in their second Hallmark movie together. Joining them are Ashley Williams, Jill Wagner, Holly Robinson Peete, and Barbara Niven.A 50-year-old time capsule takes center stage, Evergreen’s magical snow globe suffers an unexpected mishap, and three intertwined romances keep the Christmas spirit alive as the town once again works its holiday magic.Hallmark writer Zac Hug was finding his stride with the network, delivering an ambitious script packed with memorable characters, multiple storylines, and plenty of star power—yet somehow making it all come together very nicely.In this episode, we cover:• Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts. • Our favorite moments. • Scenes we’d rewrite. • The best supporting characters. • “Are We Sure?” — our ultimate Hallmark logic check. And we’ve got a bunch. • Ben and Katie… will their relationship last? • The Mistletoe Meter – Katie and Ben with FIVE kisses… which might be a record! We’ll give them a letter grade. • Who (or what) truly won the movie. • We rate the film and talk about what movies are coming up next!For the love of Hallmark!Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmasEmail: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com*** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.
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A Holiday Spectacular with Julie Sherman Wolfe
Jun 2501:14:41Tap to summarizeRich and Rene join forces with Amy and Garry from Pour the Wine, It's Romcom Time (so grab a glass of vino) to celebrate Hallmark's landmark 2022 film, A Holiday Spectacular.Then we hit the Hallmark lottery.Writer Julie Sherman Wolfe joins us for an incredible behind-the-scenes look at one of Hallmark's most ambitious projects ever: a period piece set in 1958 and centered around the legendary Radio City Rockettes.Think you know this movie? Think again.In this episode:• How a conversation between Rich and director John Putch led to Julie joining the podcast.• Julie's journey from stand-up comedy to sitcom writing, Disney Channel projects, and a five-year road to her first Hallmark movie, Hello, It's Me.• How a family connection to the Rockettes sparked the original meeting that eventually became A Holiday Spectacular.• The writing process behind one of Hallmark's most ambitious productions—and how it differed from her other films.• What it was like attending the film's premiere inside Radio City Music Hall—including the celebrity who left her star-struck and the musical performance she'll never forget.• The late-night conversation at the premier with two Hallmark actresses that ultimately inspired a couple of 2025 Hallmark films (think… Spain).• The movie's original title (and no, it wasn't A Holiday Spectacular).• Why 1958 was the perfect setting for the story and how the Rockettes' sisterhood reminded Julie of her own friendships with two fellow Hallmark writers.• How Hallmark keeps pairing her scripts with incredible Broadway talent, including Ginna Claire Mason and Derek Klena leading the way in this film.• The Hallmark destinations she still hopes to write about someday.And of course, Julie joins us for rapid-fire questions:Eggnog: yay or nay? Classic or modern Christmas music? Real or artificial tree? Ugly Christmas sweaters?(Spoiler: Julie has quite the collection.)Bottom line: fire up Hallmark+, watch (or rewatch) the extended cut with 18 additional minutes of Hallmark magic, then settle in for 75 minutes of stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes details that will make you appreciate this movie more than ever.For the love of Hallmark!Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmasEmail: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.comFollow Amy and Garry: www.instagram.com/pourthewineitsromcomtimeFollow Julie: www.instagram.com/julie_sherman_wolfe*** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.
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A Bride for Christmas
Jun 1800:34:46Tap to summarizeKimberley Sustad’s first Hallmark movie. Andrew Walker’s Hallmark debut. Arielle Kebbel’s first turn with the network too. With an average age of just 28, our three leads bring plenty of youthful energy - but don’t expect perfection. This movie is packed with wonderfully flawed characters!In A Bride for Christmas (2012) - Writer Barbara Kymlicka delivers a clever, sharp script that borrows a few elements from the 2003 movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and somehow turns them into pure Hallmark magic. Bonkers, ridiculous, outrageous... and completely impossible to stop watching.And the "dog shelter kiss" in this movie is considered one of the best in Hallmark history… will it pass the Mistletoe Meter grading criteria? In this episode, we cover:• Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts • The best moment • What we’d rewrite in 2026 • Those supporting characters who deserved more screen time • “Are We Sure?” — much needed Hallmark logic checks • We know Aiden and Jessie get married – but would their relationship have lasted if the movie ended with them only engaged? • The multiple kisses (four in all!)… and the letter grades they earned – one was steamy!!! • The MVP of the movie • Our personal — and completely meaningless — final ratingFor the love of Hallmark!Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmasEmail: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com*** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.
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The Nine Lives of Christmas
Jun 1100:34:24Tap to summarizeKimberley Sustad's first Hallmark starring role. Brandon Routh fresh off a career that includes playing Superman. Firefighters. Cats. A terrific Nancey Silvers script. And one of the most delightfully unlikeable characters Hallmark has ever given us.That's the recipe for the 2014 fan favorite The Nine Lives of Christmas. And Hallmark fans clearly agree—when Entertainment Weekly ranked the best all-time Hallmark Christmas movies back in 2025, Nine Lives landed at #2, second only to A Biltmore Christmas.In this episode, we cover:• Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts • Our favorite moments • Scenes we’d rewrite • The best supporting characters • “Are We Sure?” — our ultimate Hallmark logic check • Whether Marilee and Zach would actually last as a couple • The multiple kisses… and the letter grades they earned • Who (or what) truly won the movie • Our personal — and unbiased — final ratingFor the love of Hallmark!Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmasEmail: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com*** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.
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A Timeless Christmas
Jun 400:31:54Tap to summarizeErin Cahill (Megan) may be one of Hallmark’s most charming leading ladies. And Rich and Rene are confident enough to admit it: Ryan Paevey (Charles) is one remarkably handsome dude.Things get delightfully complicated when Charles travels from 1903 to 2020 and must convince Megan—a historian who has spent years studying his life—that he’s actually the man she’s written about.This beloved 2020 Hallmark favorite was written and directed by Hallmark legend Ron Oliver (Christmas at the Plaza, The Christmas Train), and he provides us with incredible behind-the-scenes stories about how the movie came to life. SPOILER: It almost didn’t.Featuring a magical Christmas clock, a time-travel twist, a stellar supporting cast, and some of the most heartfelt conversations ever seen in a Hallmark Christmas movie, this one gives us plenty to discuss.In this episode: • Behind-the-scenes stories from Ron Oliver • Our favorite moments—and Ron’s favorites, too • Scenes we'd rewrite • The MVP supporting characters • “Are We Sure?” — our Hallmark logic check • Will Charles and Megan actually make it? • The final kiss • Who (or what) really won the movie • Our completely objective and totally unbiased final ratingFor the love of Hallmark!Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmasEmail: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com*** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.
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