Although Hallmark movies have inevitably been categorized as “cheesy” or “too corny,” their expected endings and laid-back “vibe” have become a holiday staple for many individuals. And, now that new movies are being added to watchlists, everyone is ready to lounge at home while watching the vaguely two hour movies, where two souls fall in love. With the reliable “happily ever after,” unrealistic storylines and excessive or extreme acting, why do we continue to watch these films and still enjoy them?

Studies have shown that with our overly busy lives, it is nice to watch something that we know will have a sentimental and happy ending. Without the outside worries like politics, or other tensions that we face, it lets viewers stay comfortable as they cure their craving for escapism. 

Not to mention, the familiar holiday season ambiance brings us joy and hope towards the upcoming holiday. 

“The human brain loves patterns and the predictability is cognitively rewarding. Those predictable story arcs that draw on the standard patterns we recognize from fairytales offer comfort by presenting life as simple and moralistic,” said Pamela Rutledge, a behavioral scientist.

This genre of entertainment allows ultimate fans to escape reality through the easily found solutions in the movies. 

“While few of us are going to switch places with a doppelganger, save Christmas for ourselves or someone else, marry a prince/princess, fall for a person who turns out to be a billionaire or find true love in the span of an hour, [Hallmark movies] still allow us to experience the emotions associated with social validation, the yearning for connection, compassion and empathy,” Rutledge explained.

Due to the fact that holiday seasons tend to cause high stress for a vast majority of the population, these feel-good movies are easy to watch while promoting optimism for the rest of the day. Many of the Hallmark films also have an underlying message where the protagonist goes with their gut, values friendships, and does what is morally right. This can move the audience to work towards a specific dream represented in the movie, or to get in touch with those that they want a relationship with. 

“Their real magic, beyond the fake snow and the cherub-faced actresses, lies in giving us a sense of what we desire most at Christmas: to set our busyness aside for a while to spend time with the people we love,” writes Colleen Dulle, journalist for The American Magazine.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and watch some Hallmark movies to satisfy your holiday needs!

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