If you’re anything like me, you probably spent the last two months of 2025 buried under a mountain of fake snow, peppermint mochas, and enough "royal" misunderstanding plots to last a lifetime. But then January hits. The tinsel is back in the attic. The house feels weirdly empty. Honestly, this is when the post-holiday slump usually kicks in, and that’s exactly where the January 2026 "Winter Escape" programming comes in to save the day.
Right now, the vibe has shifted from cozy fireplaces to tropical humidity and international intrigue. We aren't just looking at small-town bakeries anymore. We’re talking the Amazon, Melbourne, and the Italian coast.
If you are looking for hallmark movies on now, you have probably noticed that the network is leaning hard into the "destination" trend this year. It feels like they realized we all just want to be anywhere else but in the freezing rain.
The Big Saturday Premieres: Your January Roadmap
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what’s actually hitting your screen this month. Hallmark has locked in a five-movie premiere schedule for Saturdays at 8/7c. It’s a pretty solid mix of their heavy hitters—Lacey Chabert, obviously—and some fresh pairings that actually make sense.
Lost in Paradise (January 3)
The month kicked off with Lost in Paradise. Lacey Chabert plays a high-end fashion mogul who gets marooned on a "deserted" island with a chef played by Ian Harding. It’s a classic "opposites attract" setup, but with a survivalist twist. Think Castaway, but with much better hair and a significantly higher chance of a romantic dinner made of coconuts.
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A Melbourne Match (January 10)
Mallory Jansen stars as Georgie, a travel writer on assignment in Australia. She runs into Zach (Ryan Corr), an ex-footballer. What I like about this one is that Mallory Jansen actually served as an executive producer and writer. It feels a bit more grounded than the usual "I fell in love with a prince in twenty-four hours" trope.
Love on the Amazon (January 17)
This one is coming up fast. Jaicy Elliot plays Gabby, who heads to Brazil to find her researcher sister. She ends up on a riverboat with a rugged captain named Ryder, played by Rafael de la Fuente. If you’ve seen Romance in Style, you already know Jaicy has great timing.
Caught by Love (January 24)
Rachael Leigh Cook and Luke Macfarlane. Honestly, that’s usually enough to get people to tune in. This one sounds a bit more like a caper—it involves a jewel heist investigation at a resort. It’s giving Christmas Charade vibes but in a summer-esque setting.
Missing the Boat (January 31)
The month ends with Kristoffer Polaha and Emilie Ullerup. They play two strangers who literally miss their cruise ship in Italy and have to race across the country to catch up with it. It’s a re-teaming of the leads from Hearts of Christmas, so the chemistry is basically guaranteed.
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What’s Happening with When Calls the Heart?
Hearties, you’ve probably been counting down the minutes. Season 13 officially kicked off on January 4, 2026.
The premiere picked up right in the thick of things. Elizabeth and Nathan’s romance is finally front and center, but Hope Valley is dealing with the literal fallout of a massive wildfire. Plus, Brooke Shields is back as Charlotte Thornton.
The schedule for the show is a bit different if you’re a streamer. While it airs Sundays on the main channel, Hallmark+ subscribers are getting the episodes on Mondays. It’s a bit of a wait, but the extra content on the app usually makes up for it.
The Hallmark+ Factor: Is It Worth the Extra Cash?
The network is really pushing Hallmark+ this year. It’s not just for rewatching The Way Home or Chesapeake Shores anymore.
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Right now, they’ve launched a reality dating show called Second Chance Love. It’s hosted by Matthew Lawrence and Chilli (yes, from TLC). They take four former couples to Sardinia to see if they can fix what broke. It’s a weird departure for Hallmark, but kind of a fun "guilty pleasure" watch between the scripted movies.
- Streaming exclusives: Movies like Lost in Paradise and A Melbourne Match are available for "next-day" streaming.
- The Classics: They’ve got a "Winter Movie Marathon" rotating through old favorites like Winter in Vail and Winter Castle.
- Mystery Marathons: On the Hallmark Mystery side, they’ve been running Aurora Teagarden marathons on Sundays.
Finding Hallmark Movies on Now: A Quick Cheat Sheet
If you’re trying to find hallmark movies on now and you’re staring at a confusing cable guide, here is the simplified breakdown for the rest of the month:
- Saturday Nights (8/7c): Brand new "Winter Escape" premieres.
- Sunday Nights (8/7c): When Calls the Heart (Season 13).
- Sunday Mornings (10a/9c): Mystery marathons (Aurora Teagarden, etc.) on Hallmark Mystery.
- Mondays: New episodes of When Calls the Heart drop on Hallmark+.
- Thursdays: New episodes of Second Chance Love on Hallmark+.
Actionable Tips for the Dedicated Viewer
Don't just channel surf. If you want to stay on top of the schedule without losing your mind, use the Hallmark Movie Checklist App. It sounds nerdy, but it’s the only way to track which of the new 2026 premieres you’ve actually seen, especially since they all start to blend together after the third tropical sunset.
If you’re watching via a streaming service like Philo or Frndly TV, set your DVR for the "Winter Escape" tag. These services often group the themed movies together, making it way easier to find them than searching for individual titles.
Lastly, keep an eye on the Hallmark Mystery channel for January 31. While the main channel is doing the cruise movie, the Mystery channel is doing a marathon featuring Jill Wagner and Kristoffer Polaha. It’s a "double Polaha" day. Plan your snacks accordingly.
Next Steps for You: Check your local listings for Saturday, January 17, to catch the premiere of Love on the Amazon. If you’ve missed the first two movies of the month, head over to the Hallmark+ app where they are currently available for on-demand streaming.