The Christmas Train

Name: The Christmas Train
Genre: Christmas, Big City, Second Chance Romance, Proposal Ending, Former Exes
Released: 2017-01-01
Duration: 1 h 39 min
Rating: 6.4
Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Danny Glover, Joan Cusack, Holly Elissa

6.4/10 · 3,863 ratings20171h 39mChristmasWeirdness 3/10Bingo card

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The premise

A cynical journalist decides to take a train from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles for Christmas to get inspiration for a story in honor of his late father. He gets to know the other passengers and runs into an old flame while aboard.

How unusual is it?

Mostly classic comfort-watch, give or take a second-chance romance.

Who’s in it

Our Guy

Dermot Mulroney

as Tom Langdon

Our Girl

Kimberly Williams-Paisley

as Eleanor Carter

Alongside them

Show all 10 cast

Behind the camera

Show

Directed by

Ron Oliver

Written by

Every trope, all in one place

Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 34 to find more movies that do the same thing.

Why we’d put this one on

A grown-up, prestige-leaning entry with a cast above the usual pay grade. Dermot Mulroney plays a cynical journalist who rides the rails from Washington to Los Angeles for Christmas in honor of his late father, meeting a carriage full of characters and an old flame, played by Kimberly Williams-Paisley, along the way. Danny Glover and Joan Cusack round out the train. At a weirdness of 3 it is a gentle, talky, snow-globe journey rather than a high-concept one. If you want a Christmas romance with a literary, road-trip feel, climb aboard.

34 tropes in one movie

We counted 34 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

The backstory

Based on The Christmas Train by David Baldacci.

The Christmas Train is a 2017 American Christmas romantic drama television film directed by Ron Oliver and written by Neal Dobrofsky and Tippi Dobrofsky, based on the 2003 novel of the same name by David Baldacci. The film stars Dermot Mulroney, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Danny Glover, and Joan Cusack.

From Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

How it stacks up

Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.

Higher-rated than 46% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog The Christmas Train belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

BINGOA dance or a ballSomeone apologises and means itSomeone races to catch the other before they leaveA misunderstanding nearly ruins everythingA cosy interior full of warm lightingA nervous voicemail goes unsentSet in a big cityA happy endingA handwritten note or letterThe leads kissThe lead works as a writerA long-distance relationship★A change of heart by the final actOld flames reuniteA slow-burn romanceA shared meal around a crowded tableA heartfelt love confessionA toast at a celebrationSomeone inherits money or propertyA cup of cocoa, coffee or ciderThe leads laugh at the same momentA classic Hallmark meet-cuteA first impression that turns out completely wrongThe leads start out at odds

Hallmark Bingo

Your The Christmas Train card is dealt.

Twenty-four squares pulled from this movie’s own quirks — the cosy classics, a few only-in-this-one curveballs, and a couple of decoys. Mark them as you watch.

Open your card

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

Tom Langdon
Lead
Journalist
cynicalreflectivewarming
Eleanor Carter
Love interest
Tom's old flame
Love interest reunited aboard the train
warmsharpkind
Max Powers
Supporting
Fellow passenger
Passenger Tom befriends
jovial
Agnes
Supporting
Fellow passenger
Passenger Tom befriends
warm
Lelia
Supporting
Fellow passenger
Passenger on the train
friendly
Higgins
Supporting
Train staff
Person on the train

Questions people ask about The Christmas Train

Where can I watch The Christmas Train?

The Christmas Train is available via fuboTV, Philo, and Hallmark+ Amazon Channel. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

Is The Christmas Train based on a book?

Yes. The Christmas Train is based on The Christmas Train by David Baldacci.

How long is The Christmas Train?

The Christmas Train runs about 1 hour and 39 minutes, and was released in 2017.

Is The Christmas Train a Christmas movie?

Yes. The Christmas Train is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.

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