Hallmark Channel movies are known for their typical formulas that make up lovey-dovey romcoms and Christmastime classics. For over 20 years, the network has aired hundreds of films that tell new but predictable love stories by mixing and matching their roster of notable actors.
RELATED:Most Overdone Tropes In Hallmark Channel Movies
But some Hallmark movies have hopped on the common craze in media known as the Easter egg hunt. From nods to other popular franchises to a phrase onlyMean Girlsfans would catch to some beloved actors reuniting, some Hallmark movies offer fans more than your everyday romcom.
‘Fuller House’ Nods — ‘The Christmas Contest’ (2021)
The Christmas Contestcame out in 2021 and was an exciting moment forFuller Housefans whenFull HousealumCandace Cameron Burereunited with her reboot beauJohn Brotherton. But that wasn’t the end of theFuller Housenods.
A notable Easter egg to the ’80s sitcom was during the poker scene when it’s revealed the winning hand was a full house. More Easter eggs can be found on a Christmas tree in the film, decorated in ornaments featuring real-life candid photos of the two actors, including one taken in front of the iconic red door of the Tanner house.
Danica McKellar’s Books — ‘Christmas At Dollywood’ (2019)
2019’sChristmas at Dollywoodis remembered as country music phenomenonDolly Parton’s Hallmark Channel debut,but the Christmas film also carries an Easter egg for another one of its stars, Hallmark alumDanica McKellar.
The actress, who holds a Ph.D. in mathematics, has authored several children’s books on math, some of which appear in this film. The 2017 bookGoodnight, Numbers, among others, can be seen on the table at the beginning of the movie. This wouldn’t be the first Hallmark film to nod to McKellar’s love of math, as the 2017 film Campfire Kiss starred the actress as a high school math teacher.
Soap Stars Reunite — ‘A Little Daytime Drama’ (2021)
A Little Daytime Dramacame out in 2021 and told the story of two former soap opera stars who are asked back to their old stomping grounds to help its writer save the show from cancelation. But the movie wasn’t too far from home for its stars.
RELATED:‘General Hospital’ Reveals the Details of Their Historic 60th Anniversary
The film starredJen LilleyandRyan Paevey,who previously starred in Hallmark’sHarvest Lovetogether, but their connection doesn’t end there. The two actors arereal-life former soap stars,Lilley starring onDays of Our Livesand Paevey starring onGeneral Hospital.Their connection goes even further when Lilley previously played Maxie Jones, who was married to Paevey’s Nathan West onGH,though a different actress played Maxie at the time.
Making Fetch Happen — ‘The Holiday Sitter’ (2022)
Jonathan Bennetttook Hallmark Channel by storm in recent years when he played a gay character in 2020’sThe Christmas Houseand its 2021 sequel. The actor then made history when he playedHallmark’s first leading gay characterin 2022’sThe Holiday Sitter.
Long before he made waves on Hallmark Channel, Bennett starred as Aaron in the hit teen comedyMean Girls,which got an unexpected shout-out inThe Holiday Sitter.When Bennett’s character wakes up one morning to the family dog on top of him, he tells the dog, “Stop trying to make fetch happen,” about the 2004 film’s unforgettable slang term.
A Blake Shelton Song — ‘Time for Me to Come Home for Christmas’ (2018)
TheTime For Me To Come Homeseries started in 2018 whenTime For Me To Come Home For Christmaspremiered, based on a book byDorothy ShacklefordandTravis Thrasher,which in turn was based on theBlake Sheltonsong “Time for Me to Come Home.”
The movie spawned four sequels, most recently with 2022’sTime for Him to Come Home for Christmas,and all five films hold a special Easter egg. You can hear a version of Shelton’s song that started it all sung in each movie in the series.
Kissing Bridge From ‘When Calls The Heart’ — ‘Always Amore’ (2022)
The Hallmark Channel primetime seriesWhen Calls The Hearthas gained a cult following since it premiered in 2014, starring Hallmark favorites likeErin Krakow, Chris McNally,andJack Wagner.But fans of the show can spot an unexpected Easter egg in the 2022 movieAlways Amore.
TheHallmark Movies & Mysteriesfilm features a scene at whatWhen Calls The Heartfans know as Kissing Bridge, making viewers wonder if the leading couple Elizabeth and Ben visited some familiar faces of Hope Valley.
If I Only Had Christmasstarred Candance Cameron Bure andWarren Christiein 2020 in a film about a cheerful publicist who must work with a cynical VP on a charity event. While the film’s title is a play on the song “If I Only Had A Brain,” the movie features several other nods toThe Wizard of Oz.
RELATED:Winter-Time Hallmark Movies To Watch On A Snow Day
Not only is Bure’s character Darcy from Kansas City, but she works at Dumm Public Relations, a nod toJudy Garland’s given name is Frances Gumm. Darcy’s father and stepmother are named Henry and Emma, referencing Dorothy’s Uncle Henry and Auntie Em, and Darcy even wears red shoes similar to Dorothy’s ruby slippers.
Merry and Bright Sign —‘‘Tis the Season to Be Merry’ (2021)
‘Tis the Season to Be Merryis your typical Christmas romcom about a woman who travels to Vermont to work on writing her relationship book and winds up meeting the man of her dreams. But this 2021 film holds an Easter egg for another Hallmark Christmas movie from years past.
After the auction, the camera settles on a Merry & Bright Candy Cane sign: this sign is an Easter egg for the 2019 movieMerry & Bright,which centered around a candy cane manufacturer of the same name.
Lacey Chabert Shouts Out A Co-Star — ‘Haul out the Holly’ (2022)
2022’sHaul Out the Hollystarred Christmas queenLacey ChabertalongsideKristoffer Polahaand followed Chabert’s Emily, who comes home for Christmas and ends up celebrating with other members of her hometown when her parents leave on an unexpected trip.
During a scene when Emily sits down to watch a Christmas movie, she pokes fun at the network by saying she hopes it’s one about a prince just before Hallmark’sChristmas in Viennacomes on. Chabert’s character says, “Oh, it’s the one in Vienna. I love this guy!” about the film’s star,Brennan Elliott,who Chabert starred with in the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries seriesCrossword Mysteries.
Christopher Lloyd And Lea Thompson Reunite — ‘Next Stop, Christmas’ (2021)
Hallmark Channel is known for recycling when it comes to its actors, mixing them up into new pairings while sometimes allowing actors to star alongside each other more than once. But the 2021 filmNext Stop, Christmasstarred two actors new to the network while reuniting an iconic acting duo.
Starring alongsideChandler MasseyandLyndsy Fonseca,who both made their Hallmark Channel debuts in the film, was actorsChristopher LloydandLea Thompson,who memorably starred together as Doc Brown and Lorraine McFly in theBack to the Futuretrilogy.
KEEP READING:New Movies And TV Shows Coming To The Hallmark Channel In 2023
