Posted by Hallmark and Lifetime Ramp Up Faith and Family Holiday Shows for 2025
Whether or not it’s going to be a white Christmas remains to be seen, but it’s slated to be a faith filled holiday season, with Hallmark’s and Lifetime’s lineup of faith and family centered films on the entertainment docket for 2025.
The two networks will also rely heavily on a contingent of country music celebrities to add sentiment and star power to their Christmas programming.
Lifetime gears up for the holiday season by headlining a Christmas movie inspired by the 2023 hit song, “Thank God,” with country singer Kane Brown and wife, Katelyn.
The debut film, Thank God: Christmas at Keller Ranch, is described as a “heartwarming Christmas romance” featuring a professional hockey player who suffers a serious injury and moves to Keller Ranch during his recuperation. He’s destined to encounter the single mom who runs it, and the plot begins to unfold.
The film stars Tyler Hilton and Arielle Kebbel, while singer/songwriters Kane and Katelyn Brown are executive producers. The film’s namesake song appears several times during the movie, and touches on themes of redemption, commitment, and faith. The original picture is part of the annual lineup of Christmas movies known as the channel’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” series.
While charming romance films aren’t new to the Christmas circuit, Thank God: Christmas at Keller Ranch marks one of the first or rare occasions the word “God” appears in the film title. Additionally, the movie’s theme song uses the phrase “Thank God” 25 times in less than three minutes.
Faith and tradition continue to headline as Hallmark revs up its Christmas spirit in anticipation of the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, Hallmark is partnering with the famed music venue as well as country music star, Brad Paisley, in the upcoming Christmas film, A Grand Ole Opry Christmas.
Paisley was brought in to write original music for the movie and will also perform in the film. A Grand Ole Opry Christmas revolves around a country-music storyline that builds to its conclusion in a concert event held at the iconic arena. In the film, the protagonist is given the opportunity to confront her past through a Christmas miracle, and ultimately choose whether to heal and move forward with her life.
Paisley was also commissioned to write an “anthem” to serve as this year’s theme music behind Hallmark’s annual “Countdown to Christmas” programming. The lineup features nonstop Christmas movie content which has already begun to air and will continue through New Year’s.
Is putting God back in Christmas a fluctuating trend or a return to Americana roots? Either way, US households should find no shortage this year of family-friendly and reason-for-the-season viewing. Find out more.