Hallmark Launches 17th Annual Countdown to Christmas
The network is debuting 34 original holiday movies over a 10-week period this season.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Television
Live Poll
Do you plan to watch Hallmark's holiday movie lineup this season?
Hallmark has officially kicked off its 17th annual Countdown to Christmas film event, which features a record lineup of 34 original movies. The seasonal program will run for 10 weeks with new content airing throughout the weekend.
Why it matters
This expansion significantly increases the network's holiday output, offering 10 more original premieres than the 2025 season to meet growing seasonal viewership demand. The event solidifies the network's long-standing strategy of saturating the holiday entertainment market with consistent new content.
The 2026 event features 34 original films across a 10-week span, an increase of 10 movies over the previous year. Premieres are scheduled for 8 p.m. ET/PT every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on the Hallmark Channel.
The players
Hallmark Channel
This cable television network is owned by Hallmark Cards and serves as the primary broadcast home for holiday-themed programming.
Hallmark+
This is the dedicated subscription streaming platform that provides digital access to Hallmark content.
The details
New holiday movies debut on the Hallmark Channel during weekend slots, while subscribers can access the films on the Hallmark+ streaming service the day after their cable premiere. The rollout began in mid-October and is expected to continue through the weekends leading up to Christmas.
Timeline
October 16, 2026: Countdown to Christmas event began
October 17, 2026: Holiday Touchdown film premiere
October 18, 2026: Mr. & Mrs. Christmas film premiere
Industry Dynamics
This release reflects the broader entertainment trend of franchise saturation, where networks maximize seasonal engagement by significantly scaling up original content volume. It positions Hallmark to maintain its dominance in holiday programming against a growing field of streaming competitors.
Viewers can watch new movies every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the Hallmark Channel. Those who prefer on-demand viewing can access the films on Hallmark+ the day after their broadcast premiere.
The takeaway
Hallmark's expanded 10-week schedule provides a consistent pipeline of holiday content for dedicated fans of the genre. Viewers should check local listings or the Hallmark website to track the specific release dates for the 34 upcoming film premieres.
Further reading
Explore more seasonal programming trends in our Television section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Star.
Live Poll
Do you plan to watch Hallmark's holiday movie lineup this season?
