Hallmark has given fans plenty of movies to talk about throughout the 2020s. From Christmas movies and royal love stories to time travel and unexpected family discoveries, the network has covered quite a bit of ground over the last several years.
But which Hallmark movie was the highest rated by fans on IMDb each year?
That’s what we’re taking a look at. And let’s be real, there are some pretty big Hallmark favorites represented here. Several familiar stars have landed on the list, including Andrew Walker, Kimberley Sustad, Kristoffer Polaha, Lacey Chabert, Tyler Hynes, Bethany Joy Lenz, and more.
Note: IMDb's ratings can change over time as more viewers rate each movie, so these ratings reflect where each title stands at the time of this writing.
2020: ‘Christmas Waltz’
The highest-rated Hallmark movie of 2020 is “Christmas Waltz,” starring Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp. The movie currently has an IMDb rating of 7.0/10.
“A woman dumped by her fiancé a month before her storybook Christmas wedding decides to take the series of ballroom lessons intended for her wedding dance.”
Yep, this movie has pretty much everything you’d expect from a Hallmark romance, including Christmas, a broken engagement, ballroom dancing, and a new love interest.
“A Paris Christmas Waltz,” which was released in 2023, followed the same premise and was considered a sequel. However, it wasn’t a Hallmark movie. Great American Family took over for the sequel, with Jen Lilley and Matthew Morrison starring.
Watch ‘Christmas Waltz’ on Hallmark+
2021: ‘My Christmas Family Tree’
For 2021, “My Christmas Family Tree” takes the top spot with an IMDb rating of 7.5/10. The movie stars Aimee Teegarden and Andrew Walker.
“When Vanessa receives the results from her Family Tree DNA test, she discovers a family she didn’t know existed and travels to their home for Christmas.”
Honestly, this is such a fun setup for a Christmas movie. Vanessa thinks she’s simply getting the results of a DNA test, only to discover an entire family she didn’t know about. She then heads off to meet them during the holidays, which seems like a pretty memorable way to spend Christmas.
Watch ‘My Christmas Family Tree’ on Hallmark+
2022: ‘Three Wise Men and a Baby’
Hallmark’s highest-rated movie of 2022 is “Three Wise Men and a Baby,” starring Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, and Paul Campbell. It currently has an IMDb rating of 7.5/10.
“Three brothers are surprised when they find themselves forced to care for a baby during the holidays, during the journey they begin to rebuild their relationships as brothers while rediscovering their love for Christmas.”
And honestly, this one clearly made an impression because it didn’t stop with just one movie.
Two sequels, “Three Wiser Men and a Boy” and “Three Wisest Men,” were released in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Talk of a fourth film has also been happening, although Hallmark has not officially confirmed another sequel yet.
Watch ‘Three Wise Men and a Baby’ on Hallmark+
2023: ‘A Biltmore Christmas’
“A Biltmore Christmas” takes the highest-rated spot for 2023 with an impressive IMDb rating of 7.7/10. The movie stars Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha.
“It follows Lucy as she’s hired to write the script for a remake of a holiday movie. She joins a tour of the grounds and when she knocks an hourglass over, she finds herself transported back in time to 1946.”
Time travel isn’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a Hallmark Christmas movie, but that’s part of what made “A Biltmore Christmas” stand out.
The movie also clearly connected with viewers, considering its rating is the highest on this entire list (so far).
And the Biltmore connection isn’t over. “A Grand Biltmore Christmas,” set in the same location and starring Holland Roden and Niall Matter, is due for release December 5, 2026.
Watch ‘A Biltmore Christmas’ on Hallmark+
2024: ‘The Real West’
In 2024, “The Real West” came out on top with an IMDb rating of 7.0/10. Kimberley Sustad and Lucas Bryant star in the movie.
“A family vacation to a working Ranch introduces Professor Rebecca to Jake West. Rebecca is a widow chasing tenure and Jake is a handsome cowboy who never settled down.”
This movie gives viewers a little something different with its working ranch setting and cowboy love interest. Yep, Hallmark has managed to find plenty of different ways to bring two people together over the years.
And who doesn’t love a good Hallmark cowboy romance?
Watch ‘The Real West’ on Hallmark+
2025: ‘The Reluctant Royal’
“The Reluctant Royal” is currently the highest-rated Hallmark movie from 2025, with an IMDb rating of 6.9/10. Andrew Walker and Emilie de Ravin star.
“Philly mechanic Johnny is surprised to learn that his long-lost father is a duke. But the duke isn’t quite what he expected, nor are his growing feelings for the duke’s advisor Prudence.”
A mechanic finding out that his father is a duke is definitely not your everyday Hallmark storyline. But it seems like that’s part of the fun of this one.
Johnny’s unexpected connection to royalty gives the movie a little bit of a different feel while still delivering the romance Hallmark fans expect.
Watch ‘The Reluctant Royal’ on Hallmark+
2026: ‘Lost in Paradise’ (For Now)
Of course, we can’t officially say which movie will be the highest-rated Hallmark movie of 2026 just yet. With almost four months left in the year, there are still plenty of opportunities for another movie to take the top spot.
At the time of this writing, “Lost in Paradise,” starring Lacey Chabert and Ian Harding, is in the lead with an IMDb rating of 6.9/10.
“When the founder of a high-end fashion company gets marooned on an ‘deserted’ island with a chef, romance blossoms as they work together to survive.”
Let’s be real, a deserted island isn’t exactly the first location that comes to mind when thinking about Hallmark, but that’s what makes this one stand out.
Watch ‘Lost in Paradise’ on Hallmark+
Which Hallmark Movie Will Take the Top Spot?
GettyIt seems like 2026 could still change this entire list before the year is over. Why? Well, a massive Countdown to Christmas slate is already planned for 2026.
For now, though, “Lost in Paradise” is holding onto the top spot for this year. Meanwhile, “A Biltmore Christmas” remains the highest-rated Hallmark movie of the decade so far.
With plenty more movies still to come, we’ll have to wait and see if either ranking changes in the future. And be sure to let us know which movie of the 2020s you’d put at #1.
