5 Luke Macfarlane Hallmark Movies Perfect For A Night In With Hot Cider

As the seasons begin to change and the days get shorter, few things hit quite like a Hallmark movie. These cheerful, romantic films are dependable and cozy. "They are just adorable and feel good," wrote one Reddit user. "Just makes you feel like everything will be ok." Year after year, many actors return to star in new Hallmark releases, which means regular reviewers find reliable favorites, like recurring leading man Luke Macfarlane. And the actor has several Hallmark films that are perfect for a movie night as the weather gets colder. 

MacFarlane made his Hallmark debut in 2014 when he starred in "The Memory Book." Since then, he's appeared in a variety of romances, including several holiday movies, and garnered a devoted fan base. "Luke is one of my absolute faves," wrote one Reddit user. "He's just so charming and earnest onscreen." Macfarlane's warmth onscreen might be a product of the genuine delight he has for these comforting movies. "I've said this a million times, I'll keep saying it. I love making Hallmark movies. I love it," Macfarlane told TVGoodness in 2026. "When they do call and they say, 'Come play with us,' I say yes because it's always one of the most joyful kinds of experiences I get to have as an actor." Hopefully, fans will get to see him in more Hallmark movies, but these films will have to hold them over until then. 

Two pals swap houses in "Notes of Autumn," which stars Luke Macfarlane as a novelist with writer's block. After he and his best friend change places, he finds himself developing an improbable romance with a chef from far away from home. In fact, this top-notch Hallmark film features two romances, as each friend falls head over heels for someone from the other's world.

This 2023 romantic comedy also upended expectations by featuring a gay love story, and the sparks between Macfarlane and his romantic co-star, Peter Porte, are practically bursting off the screen. "I LOVED this movie! Luke and Peter had amazing chemistry, as did Ashley [Williams] and Marcus [Rosner]," wrote one Reddit user. "It just felt so much fresher and more modern than the typical Hallmark movie."

Many fans noted the similarities between "Notes of Autumn' and a beloved Nancy Meyers Christmas movie. "It's like 'The Holiday,' but fall and gay. I love it so much," wrote one Letterboxd user. Even better, it's the rare Hallmark release that truly pays homage to the fall season, compared to many of Hallmark's October releases that already feel Christmas themed. But "Notes of Autumn" revels in changing foliage and golden tones, which means it pairs perfectly with an evening cup of cider or cocoa.

In "Catch Me If You Claus," reporter Avery Quinn, played by Italia Ricci, thinks she's found her first big scoop when she catches an intruder in her living room. But her professional ambitions get turned upside down when she discovers he's actually Santa Claus' son, Chris. As Chris, Luke Macfarlane found one of his goofiest romantic leads yet. "I remember asking the producer [Joel Rice] and the director [Bradley Walsh], 'Is this too much? Am I doing too much?' and they said, 'No, it's great. Keep going.' They really did let me play," Macfarlane told TVGoodness in 2023. Much of the charm of this movie can be chalked up to Quinn and Macfarlane, who have electric chemistry. "Both are fantastic actors, and with this great script, they had a winner," wrote one Reddit user. "I have to add, Luke may be the Hunkiest Hallmark [Hunk] out there." 

In addition to romance, this movie has a little heat, too. Like most Hallmark movies, it's still family-friendly, but that doesn't stop Macfarlane from being an undeniably spicy leading man. "I have many thoughts about Luke Macfarlane in a tight shirt tied up with Christmas lights, but they are inside thoughts," wrote one Letterboxd user. That makes it perfect for bringing a little warmth to your chilly fall and winter evenings.

When the world feels cold and gray, "Taking a Shot at Love" might just be the perfect romantic movie to warm you up. It's not a Christmas movie; instead, the winter setting in this 2021 Hallmark movie provides a backdrop for a romance between a ballet dancer and a professional hockey player. Luke Macfarlane stars as an injured NHL star who undertakes dance therapy with Alexa PenaVega. "Luke Macfarlane and Alexa Penavega have great chemistry together," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "The scenes where Luke is trying to do the positions and moves are funny because he is a big muscular man."

The story serves up both sports drama and romance in equal measure. "I thought this was charming," wrote one Letterboxd user. "It was a sparkling script." If you want a wintry movie that isn't explicitly Christmas-themed, then "Taking a Shot at Love" is the ideal film to warm up your evening. If you love it, then you might enjoy these essential hockey romance books to check out if you're a rookie to the genre.

"A Shoe Addict's Christmas" is a playful riff on "A Christmas Carol" featuring a shoe-obsessed woman, Noelle, who rediscovers the spirit of Christmas after getting locked inside a department store overnight. As she tries on different pairs of shoes, she finds herself whisked away to Christmas Days long past and reconnects with her love for the less materialistic side of the holiday. Across from Candace Cameron Bure, Luke Macfarlane stars as a firefighter named Jake who supports her in throwing a fundraiser for a local charity.

Many Hallmark fans count this 2018 Macfarlane flick among their holiday favorites. "It was a fun Christmas movie with a little bit of magic and a lot of heart," wrote one Letterboxd user. While opinions were mixed on the cutesy title, they felt the playful writing and warm cast were well worth watching. "If you've never seen it, don't be put off by the title. I kind of was," wrote one Facebook user. "It has a really great story and I like Candice Cameron Bure and of course Luke McFarland is one of my favorites." It's a perfect dose of cheer as the evenings get darker and colder.

A fake relationship turns real in this 2016 holiday movie about two strangers who fall in love. In "The Mistletoe Promise," Luke Macfarlane plays a divorce lawyer who hates the holidays and hopes that a relationship — even a fake one — will help him land a partnership at work. He has delightful chemistry with Jaime King, and their romance unfolds in a charming and believable fashion. While this couple might have a few of classic Hallmark movie red flags that are hard to ignore, it doesn't stop this from feeling like a festive treat. "I love this movie. It's one of [the] movies that got me into Hallmark," wrote one Reddit user. "I am not generally a fan of the lying plot lines, but both of them are just so charming, I can get past it."

Many fans named this Macfarlane gem as one of their top picks, and it's among the Hallmark movies and TV shows adapted from a book. "'The Mistletoe Promise' is one of my favorites," wrote one Reddit user. "It's loosely based on a book of the same name by Richard Paul Evans. The book is also great." The holiday vibes mean it's the perfect movie if you're looking to cozy up on a chilly evening.

In determining the Luke Macfarlane movies best suited to the colder months, priority was given to the films set in autumn or winter, including holiday movies. Macfarlane movies included in Hallmark's spring seasonal releases were disqualified from consideration. Within the category of fall/winter releases, movies were evaluated based on user star ratings on Letterboxd and Amazon. Qualitative reviews on the subreddit r/Hallmark were evaluated, where both the number of positive mentions and the strength of the recommendation were taken into consideration.