“A Magical Christmas Village,” starring Alison Sweeney, Luke Macfarlane, and featuring Marlo Thomas, aired on Hallmark Channel during the 3rd weekend of 2022’s Countdown to Christmas, on November 4, 2022. It was filmed in Vancouver, Canada.
Melissa Salmon provided the script, having written for Alison Sweeney several times in the past, including 2017’s “Christmas at Holly Lodge.” Jason Furukawa directed, this being his first Hallmark feature.
The poster is cute, but I do wish that Luke Macfarlane was visible in it since it’s not like he’s a minor character in the movie.
Music: Opening credits featured Little Bit of Christmas (affiliate link) by Juliet Roberts.
In a nutshell
I tend to like Alison Sweeney’s movies, so I was looking forward to this one, especially since it also added a touch of Christmas magic with the little village. If I didn’t have a cat that would terrorize that village the same way Godzilla invaded Japan, I’d probably have one of those little villages in my house every holiday season as well. Despite these things, I was a bit disappointed by the movie.
The Plot of “A Magical Christmas Village”
Summer’s life changes when her mother Vivian move in with her and daughter Chloe. Vivian sets up a miniature Christmas village, and as Chloe begins setting up the figurines, real-life events seem to mimic the scenes she creates.
Actors & Chemistry
Alison Sweeney was solidly good in this one, but she always is. She seems like the consummate professional actress who knows the brief and lands it without effort. It’s seamless with her. The same holds true for Luke Macfarlane, who was Mr. Charming just as much as he ever is.
The rest of the cast was good as well – I particularly liked Maesa Nicholson, who played Chloe. She’s been in three Hallmark projects this year, and has been great in all of them. I’m sure Hallmark will keep hiring, which makes me happy.
And of course, Marlo Thomas. While younger folks may not know who she is, I am just old enough to remember “That Girl” and how revolutionary that show was at the time. While the character of Vivian dove too hard into the hippie realm (which doesn’t match Vivian’s possible age in this movie), it was fun having Thomas back on my TV.
Find the Tropes!
An overhead shot of a car driving down the road. Single mom(s). Dead parent. Cute (teenaged) kid. House with a front porch. A Christmas market.
A very pretty Christmas gazebo. We saw some crafting going on. Ice skating complete with a slip and fall. Chloe dressed up like an elf. A final kiss as the snow begins falling.
Did I Hear/See That Right?
The movie did not start out well at all. As two women walk through an old building, one of them says something like, “It was hard to see from your blueprints, but this place is amazing.” Um….it’s one big, dark open room with nothing in it but furniture covered in drop cloths and a FULLY DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREE while workmen do construction in the background. WHAT?
Mom Vivian has to move out of her boyfriend’s house and all she has is a few suitcases and about 10 boxes? And most of those boxes hold her Christmas village and (apparently) glass canisters of dry goods? Did she give up ALL her possessions to move in with the guy?
Did Ryan pick up Summer before dinner? Because it was implied they’d meet there, and yet he took her home and they said good night at her door. Or did they walk from main street to her house? Is the town that small? I have so many questions.
There were so many nitpicky things that I know I should let go. But I can’t. The sister hands her husband a hot glue gun and he pretty much has to hold the HOT GLUE end AND she pushes it up against his winter coat when she hands it to him. And is there a need to go to a Christmas market almost every day?
Feelgoods
I know Summer calls her mother “Vivian” several times instead of Mom, but it made me laugh because my 18-year-old son has called me “Jane” for at least 10 years with no signs of stopping. At first he’d only do it when he was upset with me and trying to make a point, but now he does it all the time.
Loved the “Elf” quote that Chloe put on the fridge. That’s one of my all-time favorite modern Christmas movies.
The random “reach out and touch her upper arm” as Ryan was leaving the Christmas market in the first half of the movie was HILARIOUSLY AWKWARD and I loved it.
Re-watchability of “A Magical Christmas Village”
I don’t think I’d watch this again. This movie was too…normal? staid? safe? for a magical Christmas movie.
The Rankings
Despite the minor issues with how the movie’s story was told, it will likely end up solidly in the middle for the year, which is a good thing.
I also want to add that I chose not to write up last weekend’s “Christmas Bedtime Stories,” starring Erin Cahill and Steve Lund. I was somewhat okay with the movie until the last ten minutes. When the MIA husband showed up at the Daddy/Daughter dance, I just got MAD. Listen, I know this is Hallmark and so it’s a very easy breezy version of life. But it was egregious to show that a person can be a prisoner of war for YEARS and come home and automatically resume their life. And not just come home, but come home with NO announcement of his return, NO slow exposure to normal life, NO PTSD and then just pop up at a holiday dance. That does an incredible disservice to the POW experience.
I knew any write-up I provided would just be one long rant about what really happens when a POW is brought home (hint: it can takes weeks/months to re-introduce them to normal life). The only reason the movie scored as high as it did was because it had about 1,000 tropes and I liked the cast.
- Ghosts of Christmas Always (air date: Oct 30) – 732 pts – weighted score: 122.4 (85.9%)
- A Kismet Christmas (air date: Oct 24) – 664 pts – weighted score: 113.2 (79.4%)
- Two Tickets to Paradise (air date: June 25) – 664 pts – weighted score: 111.4 (78.1%)
- Just One Kiss (air date: Apr 2) – 660 pts – weighted score: 111.2 (78.0%)
- The Presence of Love (air date: Mar 13) – 650 pts – weighted score: 110.9 (77.8%)
- Wedding of a Lifetime (air date: Sept 17) – 640 pts – weighted score: 108.2 (75.9%)
- Dating the Delaneys (air date: Aug 20) – 638 pts – weighted score: 106.5 (74.7%)
- Love, Classified (air date: Apr 16) – 624 pts – weighted score: 106.1 (74.4%)
- A Royal Runaway Romance (air date: Apr 9) – 617 pts – weighted score: 105.9 (74.3%)
- Jolly Good Christmas (air date: Oct 29) – 625 pts – weighted score: 105.7 (74.2%)
- We Wish You a Married Christmas (air date: Oct 22) – 623 pts – weighted score: 105.7 (74.1%)
- Rip in Time (air date: May 22) – 622 pts – weighted score: 105.3 (73.9%)
- We Need a Little Christmas (air date: Oct 22) – 614 pts – weighted score: 105.1 (73.7%)
- Campfire Christmas (air date: July 16) – 621 pts – weighted score: 104.9 (73.6%)
- Noel Next Door (air date: Oct 21) – 609 pts – weighted score: 104.8 (73.5%)
- Caribbean Summer (air date: June 11) – 636 pts – weighted score: 104.7 (73.5%)
- A Cozy Christmas Inn (air date: Oct 28) – 626 pts – weighted score: 104.6 (73.5%)
- Always Amore (air date: Apr 3) – 618 pts – weighted score: 104.5 (73.3%)
- Hidden Gems (air date: Jun 4) – 611 pts – weighted score: 102.3 (71.8%)
- A Magical Christmas Village (air date: Nov 4) – 592 pts – weighted score: 101.8 (71.4%)
- Pumpkin Everything (air date: Oct 8) – 603 pts – weighted score: 101.6 (71.3%)
- Autumn in the City (air date: Oct 15) – 594 pts – weighted score: 100.2 (70.3%)
- Love in the Limelight (air date: Aug 6) – 604 pts – weighted score: 100.0 (70.2%)
- Second Chance at Love (air date: Mar 26) – 585 pts – weighted score: 99.7 (69.9%)
- Christmas Bedtime Stories (air date: Oct 29) – 575 pts – weighted score: 98.8 (69.3%)
- Romance in Style (air date: Aug 13) – 562 pts – weighted score: 97.2 (68.2%)
- Big Sky River (air date: Aug 7) – 568 pts – weighted score: 97.1 (68.1%)
- Game, Set, Love (air date: Aug 27) – 552 pts – weighted score: 95.3 (66.9%)
- A Tail of Love (air date: Apr 23) – 557 pts – weighted score: 94.4 (66.2%)
- The Perfect Pairing (air date: Jan 15) – 563 pts – weighted score: 92.7 (65.0%)
- Christmas in Toyland (air date: July 23) – 544 pts – weighted score: 92.4 (64.8%)
- The Wedding Veil Legacy (air date: Feb 19) – 543 pts – weighted score: 92.0 (64.5%)
- Welcome to Mama’s (air date: Feb 26) – 540 pts – weighted score: 91.9 (64.5%)
- Butlers in Love (air date: Jan 29) – 527 pts – weighted score: 91.3 (64.0%)
- Feeling Butterflies (air date: Mar 12) – 542 pts – weighted score: 91.2 (64.0%)
- To Her, With Love (air date: Sept 11) – 536 pts – weighted score: 89.4 (62.7%)
- The Wedding Veil Unveiled (air date: Feb 12) – 515 pts – weighted score: 86.9 (61.0%)
- My Grown-Up Christmas List (air date: July 9) – 514 pts – weighted score: 86.9 (60.9%)
- Road Trip Romance (air date: May 14) – 492 pts – weighted score: 85.9 (60.3%)
- Don’t Forget I Love You (air date: Jan 22) – 508 pts – weighted score: 85.8 (60.2%)
- The Wedding Veil (air date: Jan 8) – 508 pts – weighted score: 83.3 (58.4%)
- Where the Heart Belongs (air date: Jan 1) – 435 pts – weighted score: 74.5 (52.3%)
- 14 Love Letters (air date: July 31) – 420 pts – weighted score: 73.5 (51.6%)
To see where this movie lands in my overall rankings of Hallmark movies, visit my Hallmark Movie Rankings page!
What did you think of “A Magical Christmas Village”? Comment below and let me know!
FAQs
Hallmark For All Seasons » A Magical Christmas Village? ›
Where can I stream the movie? “A Magical Christmas Village” is available to stream on Philo, fuboTV, VidGo, DirecTV Stream, YoutubeTV and Frndly TV.
Where is the cast of A Magical Christmas Village filming? ›“A Magical Christmas Village,” starring Alison Sweeney, Luke Macfarlane, and featuring Marlo Thomas, aired on Hallmark Channel during the 3rd weekend of 2022's Countdown to Christmas, on November 4, 2022. It was filmed in Vancouver, Canada.
What are the Hallmark movies and mysteries Christmas movies for 2023? ›Hallmark Media announces the first original holiday movie for 2023 with “A Biltmore Christmas,” starring Bethany Joy Lenz (“Good Sam,” “An Unexpected Christmas”) and Kristoffer Polaha (“We Wish You a Married Christmas,” Jurassic World: Dominion).
Is Marlo Thomas in A Magical Christmas Village on Hallmark? ›Marlo Thomas as Vivian in A Magical Christmas Village.
Is Alison Sweeney still making Hallmark movies? ›Alison Sweeney, the executive producer and star of the “Hannah Swensen Mystery” films, confirmed another installment of the TV movie series for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on Wednesday, two days before the premiere of the latest film “Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery.”
Where can I watch animated Christmas classics? ›Cartoon Christmas Classics - Watch Free on Pluto TV United States.
Who is the grandma in A Magical Christmas Village? ›Vivian, ever the magical Fairy Godmother type grandmother, sets up the family heirloom miniature Christmas village. She shares this tradition with Chloe and tells her that the magical village grants Christmas wishes. As Chloe begins to engage with the village, real life events appear to mimic the scenes she creates.
Where is the most magical Christmas town? ›Tromso, Norway. Tromso is a winter wonderland located north of the Arctic Circle, so it's no wonder guests feel like they're at the North Pole when they visit. Though the town only gets a few hours of light each day, locals make the most of it with seasonal celebrations and plenty of lights draped around town.
Who is the mother in A Magical Christmas Village? ›3) Marlo Thomas as Vivian
Marlo Thomas portrays the character of Vivian in A Magical Christmas Village. Thomas plays Summer's mother in the film, and based on the synopsis, she plays a pivotal role in the story.
1) The Jane Mysteries: Inheritance Lost
The Jane Mysteries is set to be Hallmark's latest signature original mystery series of the season. The Jane Mysteries: Inheritance Lost is an upcoming mystery film set to release on Movies & Mysteries on May 12, 2023, at 9 pm ET/ PT.
Is Hallmark Mystery 101 coming back in 2023? ›
Paul Dailly at April 26, 2023 8:54 am . We have some bad news if you were hoping for more stories in the Mysteries 101 franchise. Hallmark revealed on social media following a Mystery 101 marathon over the weekend that no more movies will be produced.
Will there be any more Hannah Swensen mysteries in 2023? ›Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison are set to return for Carrot Cake: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. It will air later in 2023 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
What year was A Magical Christmas Village made? ›A Magical Christmas Village is a Hallmark Channel original movie that premiered on November 4, 2022, as part of its annual Countdown to Christmas event.
Why did Winnie leave Hallmark? ›Danica McKellar became a breakout star for her portrayal of the beloved Winnie Cooper in “The Wonder Years.” But when the hit show came to an end in 1993, the teenaged McKellar temporarily stepped out of the spotlight to pursue a wildly different path. A 'Wonder Years' reboot is here.
Who plays Chloe in A Magical Christmas Village? ›Maesa Nicholson: Chloe Ashby
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Now Hynes is returning to Hallmark with a new take on the romantic comedy, a genre with which Hynes is well versed. In a recent conversation with Southern Living, Hynes described it as “a warm kind of romantic modern ride.”
Did Cindy Busby leave Hallmark? ›One of her best-known roles before Hallmark was as a series regular on the beloved Canadian series Heartland. She played the role of Ashley Stanton in the series based on the books by Lauren Brooke. The series is still going strong despite Busby's departure in 2011, recently renewed for its sixteenth season.
What is the oldest animated Christmas show? ›The first animated TV special was the December 18, 1962 60-minute Christmas special Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, produced by UPA; and it really opened the floodgates.
What channel has all the classic Christmas movies? ›TCM Classic Christmas Movies - 2023 Holiday TV Schedule - Turner Classic Movies.
Does Netflix have classic Christmas movies? ›And then there's the other classics: the Netflix original rom-coms (and all their sequels) like The Princess Switch and A Christmas Prince. So get a cup of hot cocoa ready to sip and start watching with your family! We've got 51 movies for you to make it through this season. Netflix Christmas movie marathon, anyone?
Who plays Ryan in A Magical Christmas Village? ›
Luke Macfarlane as Ryan in A Magical Christmas Village.
Who is the little girl in Christmas movie Magic? ›Luckily it turned out that sticking with 'Christmas Movie Magic' was the right decision and well worth it. Despite a shaky and very robotic start, Holly Deveaux is on the whole very winning in her role with the right amount of perkiness and charm.
Who is the little girl in one magic Christmas? ›Elisabeth Harnois: Abbie Grainger.
What is the most popular Christmas village? ›Calling itself the Best Christmas Town in America, Colonial Williamsburg particularly shines at Christmastime. Traditions abound, such as caroling by torchlight, a gun-salute display, and every home in the historic area lighting a candle in their windows—dating back to the days of the Founding Fathers.
Where is the perfect Christmas town in the United States? ›Santa Claus, Indiana
Named after Saint Nick himself, this Indiana town has year-round Christmas spirit. Of course, it ramps up during the actual holidays. Meet Santa, drive through a light show, stay at the lakeside cottages, and shop at the town's Christmas-themed boutiques.
And as it turns out, it's not all too good to be true! While some of the movies may feature fictional towns, many have been shot in real-life locations that are just as charming as they seem on TV — and would make for the perfect destination to ring in the holidays for true Hallmark lovers.
Who sings in A Magical Christmas Village? ›'A Magical Christmas Village': Marlo Thomas & Alison Sweeney Tease Classic Mother-Daughter Holiday Squabbling (VIDEO)
Does the same actress play the mom in a Christmas story and a Christmas story Christmas? ›Dillon retired from acting in 2007, and as a result she did not reprise her role as Mrs. Parker in 2022's A Christmas Story Christmas. Julie Hagerty stepped into the part.
What is Luke Macfarlane doing now? ›But acting is not his only passion. He loves playing the cello and this skill was used in another Hallmark's movie Chateau Christmas (2020). Luke working constantly on his career development joined the cast of Netflix's Christmas Rom-Com Single All the Way (2021) and the major studio film Bros (2022).
What mysteries did Hallmark cancel? ›Nearly two years since fans last saw the adventures of Professor Amy Winslow and Detective Travis Burke in the “Mystery 101” series of movies, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has officially announced the series has been canceled and concludes with the seventh movie, 2021's “Mystery 101: Deadly History,” which ended on a ...
Is tyler hynes making any new hallmark movies for 2023? ›
Hallmark Channel Announces 6 New 2023 March Movies Starring Tyler Hynes, Kimberley Sustad, Paul Campbell and More.
What new Hallmark movies are coming up 2023? ›- The Dog Lover's Guide to Dating. Premieres SUN JAN 1 8/7c. Starring Rebecca Dalton and Corey Sevier. ...
- The Wedding Veil Expectations. Premieres SAT JAN 7 8/7c. ...
- The Wedding Veil Inspiration. Premieres SAT JAN 14 8/7c. ...
- Love in Glacier National: A National Park Romance. Premieres SAT JAN 28 8/7c.
When an art gallery robbery leads to the death of the contemptible gallery… manager, former Boston detective Jeff Jackson teams up with local Doctor – and old flame – Dr. Zee Madeiras, to catch the killer. Jesse Metcalfe returns in an all-new Martha's Vineyard mystery movie in 2021!
Will there be any new Mystery 101 Hallmark movies? ›'Mystery 101' Canceled at Hallmark Movies & Mysteries After Cliffhanger - Variety.
Will there be any more Mystery 101 movies on Hallmark Channel? ›On Saturday, Hallmark confirmed the popular TV movies would not be returning to the network while responding to a fan's question on Instagram about when the next one would air. "We loved making 'Mystery 101' and we're so glad you enjoyed sleuthing along with us," Hallmark shared.
Does Hannah Swensen get engaged to Mike? ›Hannah and Mike (Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison) have gotten engaged! 💍 But before they can walk down the aisle they've got a new case to crack. Tune in for the all new Signature Mystery, "Sweet Revenge: A Hannah Swensen Mystery," Sunday at 9/8c. Emma Rachel and 3,466 others like this.
What happened to Bill in Hannah Swensen Mysteries? ›Bill appears gradually throughout the first book working with Hannah to find evidence after Ron's death. After the murder was solved, Sheriff Grant promoted him to Detective to work with Mike Kingston the new supervisory detective.
What is the latest Hannah Swensen mystery? ›Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison have some fun in the kitchen in a sneak peek of the newest installment of the Hannah Swensen Mysteries, Carrot Cake Murder. The two former soap stars and Hallmark Channel staples will reunite with Gabriel Hogan and Barbara Niven in the movie, which debuts TONIGHT, May 19.
When can I see A Magical Christmas Village on Hallmark? ›Hallmark will premiere its newest holiday romance movie “A Magical Christmas Village” on Friday, November 4 (11/04/2022) at 8 p.m. ET.
Where was Hallmark A Magical Christmas Village filmed? ›“A Magical Christmas Village,” starring Alison Sweeney, Luke Macfarlane, and featuring Marlo Thomas, aired on Hallmark Channel during the 3rd weekend of 2022's Countdown to Christmas, on November 4, 2022. It was filmed in Vancouver, Canada.
Where can I watch A Magical Christmas Village? ›
Right now you can watch A Magical Christmas Village on fuboTV.
Did Luke Macfarlane quit Hallmark? ›In an interview, Macfarlane confirmed that he was leaving Hallmark for good, throwing a little shade while he was at it. "They've been very good to me, but I think I've told my story for now with those folks," Macfarlane told the LA Times in a 2022 interview promoting Bros.
Why did Candace Cameron Bure really leave Hallmark? ›“It just so happened that my contract was expiring when Great American Family started up. So we did not start having those discussions until we were well into negotiations with Hallmark Channel for renewing. And as every business person knows, you've got to do what's right for contracts.
Did Jen Lilley leave Hallmark? ›In 2022, Lilley ended her association with Hallmark Channel, and signed a four-film deal with GAC Media, the owners of Great American Family channel.
Who is the grandmother in the magical Christmas village? ›Vivian, ever the magical Fairy Godmother type grandmother, sets up the family heirloom miniature Christmas village. She shares this tradition with Chloe and tells her that the magical village grants Christmas wishes.
Who is Christmas Noelle? ›Noelle is a 2019 American Christmas fantasy comedy film written and directed by Marc Lawrence, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film stars Anna Kendrick as Noelle Kringle, the daughter of Kris Kringle.
Is Christmas Town on Amazon Prime? ›Amazon.com: Christmas Town : Nicole de Boer, Patrick Muldoon, Garry Chalk, Ron McGee, George Erschbamer, Jeffrey Barmash, Kirk Shaw: Prime Video.
Who is streaming One Magic Christmas? ›One Magic Christmas | Disney+
Where can I watch Christmas horror movies? ›You are able to stream A Christmas Horror Story by renting or purchasing on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu.
Is there a Disney Christmas Village? ›Mickey's Christmas Village brings holiday magic to your home with intricate details. From Department 56 - officially licensed by Disney .
Can you watch the new Hallmark Christmas movies on Amazon Prime? ›
Watch the latest from Hallmark Movies Now on Prime Video Channels — no apps or cable required.
What Christmas films are free on Amazon Prime? ›- Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas. StarringTyler Perry. ...
- Christmas Cartoons: 14 Christmas Cartoon Classics - 2 Hours of Holiday Favorites. StarringPaul Wing. ...
- A Bride for Christmas. StarringArielle Kebbel. ...
- The Christmas Lodge. ...
- Christmas in Mississippi. ...
- Merry Kissmas. ...
- Dear Santa. ...
- The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas.
A Christmas Story and its sequels are on HBO Max. You can also watch the films on Amazon Prime Video U.S. with an HBO Max with Amazon trial, or watch the original 1983 film on Amazon Prime Video U.K. for free with Prime.
Where can I watch Hallmark movie Christmas Magic? ›Watch Christmas Movie Magic Streaming Online | Hulu (Free Trial)
Who plays in the magical Christmas village on Hallmark? ›Alison Sweeney and Luke Macfarlane star in the original… Christmas movie, "A Magical Christmas Village."
What channel is Mountain Magic Christmas on? ›The show can also be streamed on Peacock and NBC.com subscribers can stream the episode online. What TV channel is “Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas” on? “Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas” airs on NBC.
Does Netflix have a Christmas horror story? ›Currently, there are only two Christmas horror offerings on Netflix. One is a Polish film, and the other is a Danish fantasy series.
What is the scary Christmas movie on HBO Max? ›For those looking to get into the wholesome Christmas spirit, HBO Max's hidden Yule Log horror film is not for you. By typing "Adult Swim Yule Log" into the search bar, users will be treated to a feature-length horror, dark comedy movie that is sure to entertain.
Is there any Christmas horror movies? ›- Better Watch Out (2016) ...
- Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022) ...
- The Advent Calendar (2021) ...
- All the Creatures Were Stirring (2018) ...
- Anna and the Apocalypse (2017) ...
- Black Christmas (1974) ...
- A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
Relentless in her pursuit of the perfect Christmas, Darcy (Caitlin Thompson) finds herself magically transported to her Christmas village where everything is perfect and every day is Christmas.