Three Wise Men And A Baby broke an impressive record and Nielson data shows that it was the "most-watched movie" of 2022. Variety reported that it had 3.6 million total viewers, reached 411,000 women between the ages of 25 and 54, and was watched in 2.9 million homes. It's no surprise that the Hallmark movie did so well since it features popular actors Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, and Andrew Walker.
Hallmark Christmas movies have a huge fanbase and every year, there are many people who are curious to find out which ones they absolutely can't miss. But there are also people who aren't so sure about these heartwarming films. Several Redditors have shared their hot takes on why they don't love Hallmark Christmas movies and the problems that they have with them.
Why Aren't The Plots Different?
There are common elements of Hallmark Christmas movies. Fans love that there are similar storylines and it's clear what is going to happen. There will be bright sparkling Christmas trees, adorable towns with merry residents, and the love story always has a happy ending.
While the general feeling is that it's a good thing that these plots are similar, not everyone feels that should be the case. Redditor thebigbroke said, "I love hallmark movies but what kinda sucks for me is that they usually follow the same storylines and there’s not much different about them."
The Same Actors Appear In All The Movies
From Lacey Chabert to Ashley Williams, there are many actors who appear in many Hallmark movies year after year. They always play cheerful, bubbly characters who are ready for the magic of the season or who, alternatively, need to learn how to appreciate this time of year more.
Redditor BalsamTree wonders about casting the same actors, and shared the unpopular opinion, "Why do they same actors keep acting in multiple different movies? I just don't get it." For many fans, though, this is what they like as it's comforting to see familiar faces.
The Movies Are Too Corny
It's typical to see Hallmark characters walking through a town square lit up with lights, enjoying some hot chocolate and easy banter. The other residents know the protagonist and often share a sweet memory or say that they should move back home. Of course, these scenes are super corny, and that's what fans appreciate about these films.
While these movies are what make the holiday season what it is, some feel that these movies are a bit too much. Redditor BalsamTree shared the hot take, "I've never been able to get behind that hype at all. They're all cheesy, not in the good way at all."
It's Better To Rewatch Older Movies Than Check Out New Ones
With so many 2022 Hallmark Christmas movies to choose from, it's always easy to find at least a few films that seem appealing. Fans like these stories because they are warm, cozy, and happy, and viewers are excited to find out about each year's new releases.
One Redditor thinks that Hallmark's previous films are more enjoyable and prefers to rewatch those rather than seek out fresh films. The fan wrote, "I like the older ones much better than the newer ones. I have a lot of my favorites on DVD or recorded, so I typically don’t tune in to the new ones."
They're Great To Put On In The Background
While it's often nice to put on a familiar sitcom and do some chores or focus on another task, Hallmark fans love tuning into each new film and focusing on the cozy worlds that have been created. Redditor Goulet531 shared the unpopular opinion tha the movies "make for good background tv."
While there are casual fans who don't pay attention to everything in each movie, especially since the plots are often similar, many do have a genuine love for these movies. There are always charming, romantic moments to be entertained by.
Hallmark Movies Should Be More Realistic
Redditor hp4948 shared that it would be great if a Hallmark Christmas movie was about a main character who appreciates the relationship that she's in at the beginning of the movie. Typically, a "city girl" character will have a partner who works as much as they do and when they meet someone in a small town, they feel that's a deeper connection. The Redditor wrote "it’s probably too realistic for hallmark."
The wish that Hallmark Christmas movies were more realistic is definitely an unpopular one. Fans love the fairy tale aspect of these films and the fact that characters' lives are changed over the course of one holiday season.
Hallmark Should Stop Making So Many Movies About Royal Christmases
The A Christmas Prince Netflix movies have been enjoyed by countless fans, and there have been many Hallmark films focused on royal storylines. Redditor Jazmin Flower doesn't think that there should be any more. The fan wrote, "I'm so over the royal-themed movies. I enjoyed The Prince & Me as much as anyone, but the time for that to be such a regular theme that Hallmark copies has long ed."
This is definitely an unpopular opinion since viewers seek out the same kinds of movies that they have liked, year after year. A royal setting is a popular one. It feels different enough from regular life to be compelling and is a nice fantasy.
The Writers Need To Come Up With Less Predictable Storylines
For most, Hallmark Christmas movies are predictable and that's a positive thing. It's great to know that the characters will end up finding love, mending family problems, and learning what their true purpose is. Redditor freelancerjourn doesn't want these movies to be predictable, though. The Redditor wrote, "I think Hallmark needs more writers who think outside the box. Almost every Hallmark movie opens up with a big-city skyline... I love many Hallmark movies. But it really has become almost predictable."
If these movies had unexpected plotlines, they wouldn't be so comforting to watch. It would be tough to see characters giving into the obstacles that have kept them apart or not reaching for their dreams.
The Small Town Trope Isn't Fun
The comforting joy of watching this type of movie is enjoying looking at a charming small town. Some places have intense, almost over-the-top decorations and holiday activities, like the 2015 film Christmas Land. This is what fans like, though, and this setting is one of the most beloved tropes in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Replying to a thread about Hallmark movie tropes that should disappear, Redditor wallybazoum shared the unpopular opinion that "Excessively quaint small towns" don't need to be in these movies. For many fans, it's hard to imagine these stories not taking place in these adorable places where people go all out to celebrate the season. Lights, decorations, cookies, hot chocolate, and events in the town square are all necessary and expected parts of these movies.
The Characters Aren't Excited Enough About Love Interests
Hallmark Christmas movies always include love stories where things work out. The characters might have problems or flaws that they want to work on, but these are often glossed over in favor of the necessary happy ending. These films are romantic, with characters falling for each other during seasonal activities or when they return to their hometown and realize there's another path that they could go down.
Redditor Ufology24 doesn't feel that the movies lean into the romance enough and that the two main characters don't seem "excited" enough about the people they are supposed to like. The fan wrote, "I want the lead to be all giddy with their friends about the crush. Instead, most times the characters are so blah about each other. I want them to be excited, not restrained or clueless."
