Our Hallmark 2022 Christmas Movie Wishlist (Includes ‘Christmas Waltz 2’)
Now that Hallmark has aired all 41 Christmas movies, and everything is still fresh, this is a good time to create a wish list for their upcoming 2022 Hallmark Christmas movies.
This was a great crop of movies. Hallmark has done so many things right. It is wonderful to see that the network is more diverse. They are trying more humor, and they even seem to be having fun in the movies.
However, there were some missed opportunities that could be rectified for 2022. Yes, it was very sad that this year there was not an elegant Sir Ron Oliver movie on Hallmark this season, and Michael Rady was too busy on Chicago Med to film another fan favorite. But, these things happen.
However, there are a few things that the network can control.
Here is our very short, but humble list of what could make Hallmark Christmas 2022 even better.
Bring Back When Calls The Heart Christmas
For several years, the When Calls The Heart Christmas Day movie became a Heartie tradition. Despite 2020 Covid restrictions, Hallmark had announced that there would be a When Calls The Heart Christmas. However, about six weeks later, they canceled that. Instead, they supersized the season with more episodes.
But, in 2021, there was no news whatsoever on a WCTH Christmas movie.
Moreover, the new network in town, GAC Media, took over the When Hope Calls franchise. They surprised Hearties and brought back Lori Loughlin and Daniel Lissing, in the very emotionally satisfying When Hope Calls Christmas.
However, the new network made a rookie mistake by not airing the movie on Christmas Day, as the WCTH Christmas movie historically aired.
What Hallmark could do in 2022 is air a short WCTH musical special. Even a half-hour show would be very satisfying. Besides, the cast has already shared that they want to do a musical episode.
Everyone, except Kavan Smith, in that cast is a singer and many play instruments. Just look at Kayla Wallace’s Instagram. She has shared some beautiful songs. Although Kavan Smith claims he does not sing, he could charmingly emcee the event, and allow his co-stars to shine.
In addition, before the 2020 movie was canceled, one of the cast members revealed on the Deck The Hallmark podcast that Erin Krakow and her brother wrote a holiday song meant for the Christmas movie.
Hearties would love a musical show. But Hallmark, please make sure the musically gifted Paul Greene participates, as he is not part of Season 9, but is still beloved as Dr. Carson Shepherd.
Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs
Where Was Christmas Waltz 2?
Hallmark’s number one Christmas movie in 2020 was Christmas Waltz. Despite rumors, there was not a Christmas Waltz 2.
Moreover, if Hallmark fans wanted to see the incomparable Will Kemp dance, they had to go to Netflix, where he did a luscious tango with Vanessa Hudgens, in Princess Switch 3: Romancing The Star.
On November 22, Will Kemp wrote on Instagram, “#mondaymotivation Last year The Waltz this year The Tango – excited for whatever is next! 🕺🏻❤️🙏🏼#ChristmasWaltz #ThePrincessSwitch3 #two #amazing #partners #TV #Film#monday #motivation.”
Hopefully “what is next” is Christmas Waltz 2.
Why Was Alicia Witt Missing From Hallmark Christmas Movies?
Alicia Witt has been in a Hallmark Christmas movie every year since 2013. Her last Christmas movie was 2020’s Christmas Tree Lane, where she wrote the script, as well as original songs for the movie.
However, the 46-year-old actress did not get the call to do a Christmas movie in 2021. It does not seem like Christmas without her perky holiday spirit.
More tragically, both of her parents recently passed away in their home. According to People, they are investigating their deaths, which could have been due to furnace issues.
Witt has made one statement, “I ask for some privacy at this time to grieve and to wrap my head around this turn of events, and this surreal loss.”
More Hallmark Christmas Movies With Male Character Focus
Two of Hallmark’s best 2021 Christmas movies were A Kiss Before Christmas (James Denton), and A Dickens Of A Holiday (Kristoffer Polaha). One of the reasons for this was that the story was more focused on the male lead.
The success of both movies proves that fans will watch movies where the male lead’s story is the main focus. Remember, brothers, boyfriends, and husbands are watching alongside us. These same guys watch Netflix’s Virgin River because of the prominent male stories.
Do Not Diminish Hallmark Hunks To Supporting Roles
That said, what was a huge 2021 Hallmark faux pas was to relegate Brennan Elliott (Open Before Christmas), and Niall Matter (A Christmas Together With You) to limited screen time.
If this is a friendship story, as with these two movies, then it is ok to skip the romance. As these movies are limited to an hour and twenty-odd minutes, they have to make some tough choices. This was very disappointing to their fan bases.
They are not third wheels. They are leading men.
Fix Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Time
Some of the best 2021 Hallmark Christmas movies were Miracles of Christmas movies on their sister channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Christmas can be a tough time when you have suffered a loss. These movies deal with more emotional stories that deal with grief.
The problem is that they premiere at 10 p.m. Eastern. In the old days, they aired at 9 p.m. Eastern, but they overlapped with the other channel’s premiere.
The later time now means that fans watching the Hallmark Channel premiere do not miss the first half of the Movies & Mysteries channel premiere.
Having two distinct networks is great. However, many complain on social media that 10 p.m. is too late.
Now that Hallmark has successfully tried premiering new movies at 6 p.m. Eastern, during Thanksgiving weekend, why not try that time slot for the premiere of these movies the other weeks?
Keep Having Fun
Watching Tyler Hynes play waiter in Andrew Walker’s movie, and Andrew through the same restaurant in Tyler’s Hallmark Christmas movie was a lot of fun this season. Even the little red truck made an appearance, despite no Evergreen movie in 2021.
Hallmark, keep having fun. Everyone is filming at the same time, so please continue these cameos.
In addition, don’t be afraid to share some Christmas magic and more whimsical storylines. Don’t forget, time travel is also a lot of fun!
Lastly, it was great to see Hallmark CEO Wonya Lucas, EVP Lisa Hamilton Daly, and SVP Samantha DiPippo on the Jimmy Kimmel Show. Jimmy unsuccessfully pitched a lot of crazy Christmas movie ideas, and the trio was fabulous.
It was great for fans to see who is behind those Christmas movies that they watch all year round.
Hallmark fans, if you could ask the network to make some changes for 2022, what would they be?
They should show some of the Christmas movies from the earlier years- 2012-3-4-5- etc
i
Many of those were terrific……
I wanted a sequel to A Timeless Christmas, shown in 2020. Didn’t get it in 2021, but I still hope for it sometime!
I bought a mug to drink my tea, specially for watching Hallmark Christmas Movies!