Top 7 Best Hallmark Movie Tropes
Every Hallmark movie is the same. Right?
We might delight in the holiday-themed romances particularly because of their predictable plots, but there’s more to these cheaply made rom-coms. Each individual movie features a trope, or cliche, that ends with our protagonists in love.
Here are my 10 favorite Hallmark movie tropes to warm your heart this holiday season (or any season).
City Girl Comes Home
The classic: she’s from the small town where our story unfolds, but has spent her 20s in the big city. She’s home for the holidays and oh, who’s that? Jake from high school?
Oh yeah, they’re falling in love this Christmas and she’ll decide to move back home. You just can’t beat the high school glow-up guy who shows her the true spirit of Christmas. Thus, this trope is #1.
DILF For the Win
That adorable little boy is that hot man’s son, and he’s a single parent? Our protagonist is going to fall for him and his ability to be a good dad SO FAST.
Something about an attractive man with a baby just melts a girls’ heart, including mine! Hence, DILFs win the #2 spot on this list.
Fake It Till We Make It
Fake dating is one of the most common tropes for romance novels (if you’re an Emily Henry addict you’ll get what I mean), but have you seen it in Hallmarks? Movies like “Undercover Holiday” feature couples that need to “pretend we’re together for the family function” or other said event.
When it comes to a couple of 30-somethings pretending to date, there’s no way they’re not catching real feelings this holiday season! Just because it makes me feel fuzzy and warm to watch them realize they actually kinda sorta like each other, this trope is #3.
Second Chance Romance
This time our city girl comes home to her high school sweetheart, who’s magically had a massive glow-up since then. Maybe their relationship didn’t work out then, but when they’re forced to work together to make the community Christmas Fair a success…
Their relationship rekindling makes my heart soar. Is it me hoping I can have my Lacey Chabert moment and win back my ex under a mistletoe? No. Definitely not. This is #4, case closed.
Puppy Love
When there’s a fluffy friend involved, our protagonists bond over their love for animals…and each other! Plus, they come with hilarious pun titles like “A Tail of Love”. Come on, you laughed at that.
Whether our characters are working together at an animal shelter or caring for a family members’ ill dog, something about those fuzzy creatures brings audiences a cozy romance they can’t help but love. Who doesn’t love a cute dog? It’s #5 for a reason.
Loss and Love Bond
Sometimes both our man and woman have lost an important figure in their life, perhaps a parent or sibling. These heartbreaking tragedies become heartwarming connections for our lovers. They even bring the whole family together for Christmas, lifting everyone’s spirits after the loss.
I appreciate Hallmark’s ability to tackle life’s hardships while retaining the cozy, holiday feeling of their movies. Watching two grieving souls find comfort in each other and their shared experience makes this trope an easy #6.
Family Affairs
Our city girl’s mother happens to own an adorable hometown bakery. This holiday season, she returns home to help with the Christmas cookie rush, and there’s a hot new employee.
All I have to say is thanks for hooking this one up mom. Maybe it’s my soft spot for baking and sweet treats, but this trope always gets me. The fact no one in my family owns a bakery to hire hot guys at makes this one #7.
Hallmark movies are a staple of the holiday season, or if you’re like me, any season. I can’t wait to cuddle up with these cozy tropes and write more content for Hop Into Hallmarks!
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