Holiday Rom-Coms to Stream in 2026: Hallmark, Great American Family, Netflix and More
Holiday rom-com season is here. Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas starts Friday, October 16, 2026, with a record 34 new movies, and Great American Family has 18 new films of its own. Netflix, UPtv, OWN, Lifetime and The Roku Channel are adding more. Here is where each lineup airs and how to stream it, as of October 16, 2026.
2026 holiday movie lineups at a glance
| Network or streamer | New movies | Season dates | Where to stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hallmark Channel (Countdown to Christmas) | 34 | Oct. 16 – Dec. 20 | Hallmark+ the day after each premiere; live TV services that carry Hallmark |
| Great American Family (Great American Christmas) | 18 | October – Dec. 19 | Great American Pure Flix, often before the TV premiere; GFAM+ |
| Netflix | 3 announced | Nov. 4, Nov. 18, Dec. 2 | Netflix |
| UPtv, Lifetime, OWN, The Roku Channel | Varies | Through December | Live TV streaming or the network’s app |
Hallmark Countdown to Christmas 2026
Hallmark’s 17th Countdown to Christmas opens Friday, October 16, at 8 p.m. ET with ’Tis the Season for Setups, starring Amanda Schull and Victor Webster. New movies premiere Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET, with extra 6 p.m. premieres during Thanksgiving week. The channel runs holiday movies around the clock through Christmas.
Highlights include Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story (Saturday, October 17), My Christmas Cowboy with Amy Acker and Luke Macfarlane (November 13), Double Booked for the Holidays with Rachael Leigh Cook (November 22) and Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True with Lacey Chabert (November 28). The season ends Sunday, December 20. New Hallmark movies stream on Hallmark+ the day after they air.
Great American Family’s Great American Christmas
Great American Family has 18 new Christmas movies running through Saturday, December 19, including Silver Bells at Christmas (October 24), The Christmas Ring (November 7–8) and A Very Evergreen Christmas (December 19). TV premieres are generally at 8 p.m. ET, and many films stream first on Great American Pure Flix a day or more before they air.
Netflix holiday rom-coms in 2026
| Movie | Netflix release |
|---|---|
| A Dog’s Perfect Christmas | Wednesday, November 4 |
| Guarding Stars | Wednesday, November 18 |
| In a Holidaze | Wednesday, December 2 |
How to watch the holiday movie channels
Hallmark Channel, Lifetime and UPtv are carried in many DIRECTV packages, so you can watch premieres live and record them. Channel numbers and package contents vary by address; check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
If you only want the holiday movie channels, Frndly TV carries Hallmark Channel, Great American Family, Lifetime and UPtv starting at $8.99 a month (Basic, as of October 2026). It does not carry OWN. For Hallmark on demand, Hallmark+ costs $8.99 a month. See our guide to the best live TV streamers for Hallmark Channel.
More holiday viewing
Looking for older favorites? See Christmas movies on Hulu, Christmas movies on Prime Video, kids’ Christmas movies and the free Vizio WatchFree+ Christmas movie.
Frequently asked questions
When does Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas 2026 start?
It starts Friday, October 16, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET with 'Tis the Season for Setups and runs through Sunday, December 20, with 34 new movies.
Where can I stream new Hallmark Christmas movies?
New Hallmark Channel movies stream on Hallmark+ the day after they premiere. You can also watch live through a TV provider or live TV streaming service that carries Hallmark Channel.
How many new Great American Family Christmas movies are there in 2026?
Great American Family has 18 new Christmas movies this season, running through December 19. Many stream first on Great American Pure Flix.
What Christmas movies is Netflix releasing in 2026?
Netflix has announced A Dog's Perfect Christmas (November 4), Guarding Stars (November 18) and In a Holidaze (December 2).
What is the cheapest way to watch Hallmark and Great American Family?
Frndly TV carries Hallmark Channel, Great American Family, Lifetime and UPtv, with plans starting at $8.99 a month as of October 2026.
Want Hallmark, Lifetime and live sports on one bill this holiday season? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 16, 2026 from Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas 2026 schedule, Great American Family’s schedule, Netflix release listings and Frndly TV’s help center (plan prices). Dates and prices are set by each network or service and may change. DIRECTV channel lineups, package contents and prices vary by address. All marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.