Lifetime is set to deliver another unforgettable holiday season with its 2025 “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” movie lineup, featuring 13 new original films brimming with romance, family, and festive thrills, premiering from November 29 to December 20.
The anticipation for holiday films is already building, and Lifetime is stepping up to the plate with its eagerly awaited “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” annual movie lineup for 2025. Fans can prepare for a cascade of festive storytelling, heartwarming romances, and even a chilling thriller, all designed to capture the spirit of the season.
On Thursday, October 16, Lifetime officially unveiled its full slate of 12 new holiday-inspired movies set to premiere on the main Lifetime channel, alongside a special holiday thriller for its Lifetime Movie Network (LMN) audience. This comprehensive schedule kicks off on Saturday, November 29, and will run through Saturday, December 20, ensuring a month full of yuletide entertainment, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
The 2025 lineup is particularly notable for its diverse narratives and star-studded cast. Viewers can look forward to performances from familiar faces like Brandy Norwood, who leads the kick-off film, Christmas Everyday, and James Lafferty, who stars in the closing feature, A Pickleball Christmas. The network is known for blending classic holiday tropes with fresh, engaging storylines, ensuring there’s something for every fan of festive cinema.
In a landscape where holiday programming begins earlier each year, Lifetime is a key player. This trend, also seen with networks like Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas” starting in mid-October and Great American Family’s “Great American Christmas” featuring stars like Mario Lopez and Candace Cameron Bure, highlights the immense popularity of these seasonal offerings. As Us Weekly noted, fans are certainly not complaining about the extended festive cheer.
The Complete “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” 2025 Movie Schedule
Here’s your definitive guide to every new movie premiering during Lifetime’s 2025 “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” event, including cast details, official loglines, and premiere dates.
Brandy Norwood stars in ‘Christmas Everyday’, kicking off the holiday season. Christmas Everyday
Premieres: Saturday, November 29, at 8 p.m. ET
Stars: Brandy Norwood, Sy’rai Smith, Debbi Morgan, Robert C Riley
Official description: “Following the death of her father, Fancy (Norwood) has been more determined than ever to uphold her father’s cherished Christmas traditions as her mother Evelyn (Morgan) has also begun losing her sight. But things aren’t a smooth ride as Fancy simultaneously is planning her bridezilla baby sister, Belle’s (Smith), wedding. When a water pipe bursts and disrupts the fairytale wedding plans, Fancy finds herself unexpectedly drawn to the rugged, yet charming, contractor Jaylen (Riley), who is tasked with renovating the house. Through all the chaos, she learns valuable lessons about faith, family, and the true meaning of Christmas. Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman (UnReal) also stars as Fancy’s co-worker Germaine.”
Vivica A. Fox and Jackée Harry feature in ‘The Christmas Campaign’. The Christmas Campaign
Premieres: Saturday, November 29, at 10 p.m. ET
Stars: Vivica A. Fox, Jackée Harry, Chelsea Rose Brooks, Austen Jaye
Official description: “Kayleigh Brooks (Brooks) is a driven, no-nonsense digital advertising executive who thrives on competition, while her counterpart, Darren Morgan (Jaye), is a laid-back strategist with a creative flair. Their boss, Monique (Vivica A. Fox), puts them together to come up with a fun and festive spin on a holiday sales pitch for their top client, Santa’s Pajamas. Sparks fly — not only in the office but in their rivalry to nail the pitch. Kayleigh wants it all, and Alex is determined to win — no matter the cost. As they battle it out, their personal lives collide with their professional ambitions, and neither expects that the key to success might just be each other. From a Christmas Toy Drive to a family dinner full of surprises where Kayleigh introduces Darren to Denise (Jackée Harry), her mom, the two clash and connect in a series of moments that are both funny and heartfelt. But when their competition turns into something more, will their growing feelings for each other survive the pressure?”
Ciara Hanna and Josh Henderson star in the LMN thriller ‘Do You Fear What I Fear’. Do You Fear What I Fear
Premieres: Thursday, December 4, at 8 p.m. ET, Lifetime Movie Network
Stars: Ciara Hanna and Josh Henderson
Official description: “When Claire (Ciara Hanna) lands her dream job in the city, she thinks she’s finally escaped her picture-perfect Christmas hometown. But her fresh start turns chilling when eerie holiday decorations begin appearing in her apartment… each one a message from someone who knows her too well. Who is the dangerous ‘Secret Santa’ watching her? Is it her charming new neighbor? The ex who won’t let go? To find out, Claire will have to turn the tables and set a trap of her own. Josh Henderson also stars.”
‘Jingle All the Way to Love’ follows a lawyer’s quest to find her mystery man. Jingle All the Way to Love
Premieres: Friday, December 5, at 8 p.m. ET
Stars: Erin Agostino and Romaine Waite
Official description: “Andi Kelton (Erin Agostino) receives a lucky sleigh bell from a handsome stranger at a New Year’s party, only to pass it on. Years later, now a lawyer, Andi wins a radio contest where the host, Jake (Romaine Waite), turns the story of the sleigh bell and stranger into a segment, as listeners help track down her mystery man before Christmas.”
‘A Christmas Cookbook’ finds comfort and romance in a festive food club. A Christmas Cookbook
Premieres: Friday, December 5, at 10 p.m. ET
Stars: Ashley Newbrough and Franco Lo Presti
Official description: “Newly single at Christmas, Veronica Cearley (Ashley Newbrough) finds unexpected comfort in The X-Mas Club — a festive group of food lovers who cook, give back, and celebrate the season solo. But when sparks fly with the club’s warm-hearted founder, Cullen Murdock (Franco Lo Presti), she realizes that the best part of Christmas might not be the food or the traditions — but the people who feel like home.”
Loretta Devine and Naika Toussaint in ‘Deck the Hallways’. Deck the Hallways
Premieres: Saturday, December 6, at 8 p.m. ET
Stars: Loretta Devine, Naika Toussaint, Jaime M. Callica
Official description: “Zoe (Naika Toussaint), a Bay Area tech exec, returns to Chicago to visit her grandmother Agnes (Loretta Devine), who’s traded old traditions for bold new adventures — including canceling the cherished holiday party her late husband started. Missing the festive warmth of her childhood, Zoe teams up with her charming childhood crush, Jace (Jaime M. Callica), and their 5th Floor neighbors to revive the celebration. As sparks fly between Zoe and Jace, a last-minute cancellation threatens the fun, but Agnes steps up. Together, the building rallies for a joyful Christmas Eve—showing that holiday spirit, new memories, and maybe even new love are made by those bold enough to keep traditions alive.”
‘Merry Missed Connection’ explores a mix-up of diaries at a speed dating event. Merry Missed Connection
Premieres: Saturday, December 6, at 10 p.m. ET
Stars: Emily Alatalo and Andrew Bushell
Official description: “Marie (Emily Alatalo) has it all, including an in-depth account of her life from the last 24 years. So, when she goes to a speed dating event in a last-ditch effort to find a man to take home for Christmas, she takes her diary with her, complete with her list of dos and don’ts she’s compiled over the years, just for reference. But in the midst of the event, she puts her diary down and picks up the wrong one. Will the star-crossed diaries and potential soulmates find their way back to each other for Christmas? Andrew Bushell also stars as Andrew.”
Nischelle Turner in ‘A Runaway Bride for Christmas’. A Runaway Bride for Christmas (working title)
Premieres: Friday, December 12, at 8 p.m. ET
Stars: Nischelle Turner and Mark Ghanime
Official description: “When runaway bride, Emma (Nischelle Turner), seeks refuge in the only town she’s ever called home, she unexpectedly falls for her former high school crush Mitch (Mark Ghanime) — who’s hiding his own heartbreak. But when her ex arrives, determined to win her back, she must decide if she’s brave enough to risk her heart again before Christmas.”
‘Christmas in Alaska’ features rival journalists stranded together. Christmas in Alaska
Premieres: Friday, December 12, at 10 p.m. ET
Stars: Emma Johnson and Marcus Rosner
Official description: “Rival journalists competing for the same lucrative promotion find themselves stuck together in snowy Alaska after their plane is forced to make an emergency landing. As Megan (Emma Johnson) follows her young son’s festive bucket list, and Oliver (Marcus Rosner) puts his family issues aside to help save his sister’s inn, they find themselves caught up in a totally unexpected Christmas romance.”
Arielle Kebbel and Tyler Hilton star in the Nashville-set ‘Thank God: Christmas at Keller Ranch’. Thank God: Christmas at Keller Ranch
Premieres: Saturday, December 13, at 8 p.m. ET
Stars: Arielle Kebbel and Tyler Hilton
Official description: “After pro-hockey player Wes Campbell (Tyler Hilton) suffers an injury during a high-profile game just three weeks before Christmas, he is referred to Keller Ranch in Nashville to recover. There he meets no-nonsense rancher Maggie Keller (Arielle Kebbel), a single mom to son Dawson (Eshan Lyall) and equestrian-assisted therapist. Despite his initial skepticism, Wes is desperate to return to the ice and decides to give equine therapy a shot. As Maggie manages to break down Wes’s walls, he also helps her heal from the grief of her husband’s death. But as an unexpected romance blossoms between the two, will it go the distance or is it just a holiday fling?”
‘Rodeo Christmas Romance’ brings together an equestrian and a veteran. Rodeo Christmas Romance
Premieres: Saturday, December 13, at 10 p.m. ET
Stars: Rebecca Dalton and Corey Sevier
Official description: “When fiercely independent equestrian, Emma (Rebecca Dalton) finds herself ranch-sitting for a friend while caring for her injured horse over Christmas, she clashes with a brooding veteran, Noal (Corey Sevier) — only to discover that the magic of the season may be what they need to heal their hearts.”
‘Sweet Holiday Romance’ involves a pastry chef and a fudge-making challenge. Sweet Holiday Romance
Premieres: Friday, December 19, at 8 p.m. ET
Stars: Erin Karpluk and Christopher Russell
Official description: “Amanda (Erin Karpluk), a world-renowned pastry chef, is worried she’s losing her edge. Wanting to reclaim her title as the Queen of Christmas Cookies, she enters the Chicago Christmas Market Christmas Cookie Competition, which requires that bakers pair up with other businesses to create the best confections. Knowing she’ll find inspiration in her hometown of Paisley, Amanda decides to pair with The Little Shop of Fudge, a staple in the community. Little does she know, the owner, Jackie, has left her handsome nephew, Simon (Christopher Russell), in charge of operations, and he doesn’t have a clue about making fudge. With Jackie away, Simon and Amanda must work together to recreate Jackie’s world-famous fudge in time for the competition, learning that their opposite philosophies just might make for a sweet and savory romance.”
James Lafferty stars in ‘A Pickleball Christmas’, the grand finale of the lineup. A Pickleball Christmas
Premieres: Saturday, December 20, at 8 p.m. ET
Stars: Zibby Allen and James Lafferty
Official description: “Fresh off the biggest win of his career, tennis star Luke Hollis (James Lafferty) heads home to Florida for Christmas, only to discover his family’s racquet club is on the verge of being sold. Teaming up with Caroline (Zibby Allen), the club’s pickleball coach, Luke reluctantly agrees to compete in a high-stakes holiday tournament that could save the club. As sparks fly both on and off the court, Luke realizes the greatest victory might just be love, family, and a new chapter at home.”
From heartwarming tales of rediscovered love to thrilling mysteries shrouded in holiday cheer, Lifetime’s 2025 “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” lineup offers a diverse array of stories. Mark your calendars and prepare to snuggle up with cocoa, because this season is packed with movies that celebrate faith, family, and the magic of Christmas.
