Each year, the Hallmark Channel brings in close to one million viewers, the majority of which come from the month of December. Many people are quick to judge Hallmark movies, calling them boring and unoriginal. It is true that many of these movies have similar plots; they are quick romantic comedies where the couple ends up together at the end of the movie. Despite this, there is still a large group of Hallmark lovers who find these movies to be comforting. For some, the very reasons why others hate Hallmark movies actually sum up every reason they love them.
Often, the simplicity of the plots is what makes these movies so appealing to many. The majority of Hallmark movies, despite being predictable, are extremely positive and have happy endings. The movies showcase many of the best parts of humanity, turning towards kindness and compassion as opposed to conflict, and in the end, unresolved disputes are rare. The positivity they have is one of the biggest reasons that so many viewers watch Hallmark movies, it comforts them.
“Sometimes I just want to watch something that I know will have a good ending,” said Audrey Biancalana, a junior at Glenbard South. “Honestly, I don’t mind that they are predictable,” she continued. “It makes them really easy background movies for when I’m doing something else at the same time.”
Hallmark movies are perfect for when you are doing something different but still want something playing in the background. Many people like having something playing in the background when doing an activity such as homework, but being worried about not being able to fully follow the plot while actually getting work done discourages that. Hallmark movies rarely have heavy subjects, and it’s often quite easy to determine what is happening in the movie even without your undivided attention to it. Their simplicity makes it easy to catch up on what’s currently going on in the movie without having to rewind constantly.
For many, Hallmark movies also have a nostalgic factor to them. They focus on the “magic” feeling that so many people crave around the holidays, transporting their viewers to a simpler, more charming world. With so much negativity and uncertainty in the world today, it’s not surprising that so many people turn to more positive media from time to time.
