5 Perfect Paul Campbell Hallmark Movies For A Cozy Girls' Night In
Something about sweater weather makes you want to sit on your comfy couch and enjoy a movie marathon. For those who aren't strict about genres and media form, that can mean putting on anything from the "Lord of the Rings" films to a string of feel-good TV movies, perhaps from the Hallmark network.
If you've watched enough Hallmark movies, from fan-favorites with fall vibes to popular book adaptations, you'll know that while the heartwarming, cozy storylines and scenic settings are a major draw, so are the familiar faces. Take Paul Campbell: Not only is he the star of more than a dozen Hallmark movies, but he also writes some of the network's most heartfelt and often hilarious scripts, including "Three Wise Men and a Baby," which he wrote and starred in. His witty delivery and self-deprecating humor turn standard romantic tropes into pure comfort watches.
With how long he's been dedicated to the network, Women.com thought he deserved to have some of his absolute best works highlighted. We promise this list of Paul Campbell Hallmark movies will be perfect for a cozy girls' night in. They're the kind of movies you can turn on while catching up with your best friends, providing the ideal backdrop of lighthearted, stress-free laughs, genuine warmth, and easygoing charm. But fair warning: expect lots of tinsel, festive romance, and lots of hot cocoa, even if it feels too early in the holiday season.
Three Wise Men and a Baby is the perfect way to start a Paul Campbell Hallmark movie marathon
First on the list is "Three Wise Men and a Baby." As mentioned above, Paul Campbell co-wrote and co-starred in this holiday movie, which was part of the 2022 "Countdown to Christmas" program. It instantly became an all-time record breaker for the network, earning the title of the most-watched movie of the year. No wonder the network loves Campbell. But beyond its impressive ratings, the movie is refreshing because it's not your typical romance TV movie.
Instead of focusing on a central love interest, the story puts family loyalty and personal growth front and center. Campbell stars alongside Andrew Walker and Tyler Hynes as three brothers. They end up with a baby left at the fire station where Walker's character works, which sets off a hilarious cascade of chaos as the estranged brothers are forced to move back in together and learn the ropes of 24/7 childcare.
As of this writing, over 4,500 people have watched and rated the movie, and it maintains an impressive 7.5-star out of 10 IMDb rating. A user who gave the movie 10 stars wrote, "Hallmark has hit the Christmas jackpot with this one. Paul Campbell and Kimberley Sustad have written a script that is funny, poignant, nostalgic and heartfelt. All the things you want in a Christmas movie, and especially a Christmas movie from Hallmark. ... Couldn't have asked for better material."
Christmas by Starlight is a holiday enemy-to-lovers romance done right
Paul Campbell and Kimberley Sustad clearly work well together, because this next Hallmark movie is another Christmas classic co-written by and starring the duo: "Christmas by Starlight." Released as part of the network's 2020 "Countdown to Christmas" program, it's what all Christmas TV movies should be. It's an easy, stress-free watch that doesn't take itself too seriously, and it's packed with that sharp banter both Campbell and Sustad are so well-known for.
The story follows Annie, a lawyer trying to save her family's beloved café from being demolished, and William, a charming heir to the development behind the project. Of course, their paths will cross in the most unthinkable way, and it's your typical enemies-to-lovers trope executed to perfection. Think classic case of mistaken identity with Christmas-in-a-big-city vibes and a fake event-planning pact that turns bitter rivals into an irresistible match.
This was another one of Campbell's Hallmark movies that earned a rating above 7.0 stars on IMDb. The movie sits at a 7.2-star average with more than 49% of viewers giving it an eight or higher, which proves it's an undeniable Hallmark fan favorite. Many reviews say the ending is predictable, but the fast-paced comedic chemistry between the leads and the positive energy make it an easy watch.
Dating the Delaneys is a non-holiday rom-com that delivers everyday comfort
"Dating the Delaneys" is the first non-holiday movie on this list and also the first one Paul Campbell didn't co-write. It's your typical romance TV movie, but that's what you expect from Hallmark. However, Campbell works his magic, and his natural charisma and effortless charm carry the movie from start to finish. Although the plot might make it sound like it's one of the Hallmark movies adapted from a book, it's an original storyline that tackles a heartwarming multi-generational dating dynamic with a ton of humor and relatable depth.
Maggie is a divorced mom navigating the dating scene at the same time as her mother and her teenage daughter. Then, her longtime friend Michael, who's the sweetest single dad, steps up to play a practice date coach to help rebuild Maggie's confidence, and those mock dates quickly turn into real feelings. If you watched "The Last Bridesmaid" and "Weddings Every Weekend" and loved the chemistry between Campbell and Boston, this sun-soaked 2022 movie is an absolute must-watch.
Reviewers on IMDb said the story follows a well-worn path, but the pair's predictable yet effortless chemistry makes it work anyway. Some viewers noted that the setup feels identical to their dynamic in "The Last Bridesmaid," but Campbell and Boston handle the all-too-familiar formula with such breezy charm that the clichés fade into the background. We'd say that's exactly what makes this perfect for a cozy girls' night in.
Three Wiser Men and a Boy is the grand finale to Three Wise Men and a Baby
If you added "Three Wise Men and a Baby" to your Paul Campbell Hallmark marathon, you'll want to go ahead and add "Three Wiser Men and a Boy," too. As the title might indicate, the movie is a sequel to the network's massive 2022 ratings hit. The Brenner brothers are back, and the baby has grown up into the cutest little boy. He needs their help again — except this time, the brothers aren't changing diapers, and are instead directing his school's holiday pageant.
It's holiday chaos once more, but you'll love it if you enjoyed the first movie. Stephan, Luke, and Taylor scramble to save the play, navigate their love lives, and manage their own personal hurdles with the familiar fast-paced comedy style and charm that made the original so adorable. Campbell and Kimberley Sustad teamed up again to co-write the script, so you can expect lots of laugh-out-loud moments and witty banter.
The 2024 sequel sits at a 6.9-star rating on IMDb, which is proof that Campbell knows what he's doing both in front of and behind the camera. It's full of fuzzy warmth that might feel borderline cringey at times, but that's exactly what makes it so comforting. An IMDb user wrote, "I'm a sucker for Paul Campbell movies, because I expect each to be as good as the 2021 film he wrote, 'An Unexpected Christmas,' which is one of my favorites ..."
The Cases of Mystery Lane: Death Is Listening is the perfect cozy mystery
It's not a cozy girls' night in movie marathon without a good ol' cozy mystery, and luckily we have "The Cases of Mystery Lane: Death Is Listening" as our final Paul Campbell Hallmark movie on this list. And no, it's not set during Christmas, which will give your gals the perfect break from holiday cheer.
This whodunnit stars Aimee Garcia as Birdie Case and Paul Campbell as Alden Case, a married couple who can't seem to stay away from a good murder mystery. The amateur sleuths find themselves investigating the suspicious death of a popular true crime podcast host. As expected with movies starring Paul Campbell, he and his leading lady, Garcia, have lots of fun banter that instantly pulls viewers in.
It's definitely a comforting Hallmark mystery trope, but it still manages to keep you guessing with lots of twisty clues to make you feel like you're right beside them solving the case. This cozy mystery doesn't sit as high in ratings on IMDb as the others above it, but it still maintains a respectable 6.8-star rating with more than 60% of users giving it a 7-star rating or higher. With all of the holiday cheer on this list, this movie is a refreshing palate cleanser that shows just how versatile Campbell really is.
How we came up with this list
Along with the leading ladies of Hallmark, who are stunning without makeup, Paul Campbell is easily one of the most recognizable faces of the network. From playing a mystery sleuth husband to being the sweet, normal guy who makes a princess fall for him, he has so many TV movie roles under his belt that make him a longtime network fan favorite.
Now, if you're a fan of the network, you know what to expect with Hallmark movies. Whether it's a cozy mystery or a festive holiday movie, there are the classic tropes and formulas that make them a good comfort watch. And while Campbell leans into those beloved and familiar patterns with lots of charm, narrowing down his massive catalog wasn't easy.
As mentioned, Campbell has starred in more than a dozen movies for the network, so we decided to stick to ratings and audience scores to curate his absolute best offerings. That's why there are a lot of holiday movies on this list, as those earned the highest praise from viewers. That said, we were excited to see at least two movies that weren't holiday-themed make the list by receiving a 6.5-star rating or higher.