Mon Sep 23 22:02:00 UTC 2024: ## From “It Happened One Night” to “The Christmas Card”: How Cheesy Holiday Rom-Coms Became a Tradition

While the classic romantic comedy has roots dating back to the silent film era, the rise of the cheesy, made-for-TV holiday rom-com is a more recent phenomenon.

The genre’s origins can be traced back to the 1940s with films like “The Shop Around the Corner,” starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. This film, a story of two co-workers who fall in love through anonymous letters during the Christmas season, was a major hit and exemplifies the early roots of holiday romance films.

However, the modern iteration of the Hallmark Christmas movie, with its predictable plot and focus on heartwarming holiday cheer, truly emerged in the early 2000s. The Hallmark Channel, which had been airing holiday films since its launch in 2001, experienced a major success with the 2006 movie “The Christmas Card.” This film solidified the channel’s commitment to Christmas content and led to the creation of the popular “Countdown to Christmas” program.

Since 2009, the “Countdown to Christmas” has become a staple of the holiday season, airing a mix of new and classic festive specials every day leading up to Christmas. The program’s success has resulted in a massive increase in the production of holiday rom-coms, with Hallmark alone releasing 47 new movies in 2024 to celebrate the countdown’s 15th anniversary.

The popularity of these films, often referred to as “Hallmark Christmas movies” even when produced by other networks, highlights their place in the holiday tradition. The formula is simple, combining a traditionally attractive couple, some romantic drama, and a happy ending filled with holiday charm. This formula, while predictable, has captivated millions of viewers, making cheesy holiday rom-coms an essential part of the holiday season.

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