Hallmark Christmas movies are often criticized for their lackluster and repetitive plot lines, lack of representation, and overall “cheesiness.” Despite these critiques (and the fact that I am Jewish), my family and I have watched countless Hallmark movies together.

Recently, we have noticed a major shift in these films for the better. For the past couple of the years, the plots have become more unique and entertaining, there has been more diversity, and the cinematography has even advanced.

The common “formula” for a Hallmark movie usually revolves around a “busy city woman” coming back to her hometown for Christmas and falling in love with both the “small-town life” and her old high school boyfriend. While this basically describes every Hallmark movie that came out between 2016 and 2020, this “formula” has been left in the past.

Out of all the Hallmark Christmas movies I watched in the past few years, not even one of them followed the traditional “Hallmark formula” that is often parodied online. In fact, many of the plots were actually on the level of those that I would see in Hollywood films. For example, the 2022 movie Three Wise Men and a Baby was a comedy-drama which followed three brothers who had to care for a baby that was found on their doorstep. Due to the new direction this movie took and its positive critic reviews, this film actually became the most-watched cable TV movie of the year.

Another gripe that many people have towards Hallmark movies is their lack of diversity. This argument is completely understandable, as almost all Hallmark movies used to primarily feature white couples (with diverse actors as supporting roles). In recent years, the Hallmark Channel has listened to this criticism and has been making strides towards more representation. Hallmark’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team has greatly expanded, and the company has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. In early 2021, Hallmark even hired Alexis Carr to lead the growth of Hallmark Mahogany (a subset of the channel to honor and celebrate Black culture).

The other day, my mom’s friend texted her regarding her excitement towards Hallmark’s new movie, Christmas with the Singhs (2024). This movie follows an interracial couple trying to navigate celebrating Christmas together despite their different cultures. My mom’s friend’s relationship with her husband was very similar to the relationship portrayed in the film (she is Indian and her husband is White). Therefore, this storyline was very compelling for her. Additionally, she was very happy to see her Indian culture portrayed accurately and celebrated in a Hallmark film. This reaction really proved to me how important representation is in the media, even in something as mundane as Hallmark movies.

For my family, it has been really exciting to see Jewish characters and holidays represented through Hallmark movies (which are usually synonymous with Christmas). When we began watching these movies together, there was absolutely no Jewish representation whatsoever. In recent years, movies like Hanukkah on Rye (2022), Love, Lights, Hanukkah! (2020), and the Eight Gifts of Hanukkah (2021) have really changed the narrative on what Hallmark movies can be. These films don’t just include “surface level” Judaism, but they really go in-depth with specific Jewish prayers, food, and stories. Additionally, the plots are very unique and completely break the “Hallmark mold”. My family and I especially enjoyed last year’s Round and Round, a time loop film about a magical dreidel set to a 1980s soundtrack.

While many people (including my family and I) have appreciated these changes, they did not come without pushback. The Holiday Sitter (2022), for example, was the first ever Hallmark film featuring an LGBTQ main couple. This movie (along with Hallmark’s recent changes), angered many “traditionally Christian” Hallmark stars, including network-staple Candace Cameron Bure. In 2022, she announced both her departure from the channel and the creation of the Great American Family channel to “put Christianity back into Christmas”. After this announcement, many other Hallmark stars began leaving the network and joining Bure’s new, “more traditional”, channel.

I, for one, am thankful that the Hallmark channel is weeding out these actors as they show their true colors. As a fan of the network for a while, I am proud of their current efforts to move past their bad reputation and towards a more inclusive and entertaining future.