5 Niall Matter Hallmark Movies Perfect For A Snowy Winter Day & Hot Cocoa

It's time to break out the fuzzy blankets, prepare your cozy winter pajamas, arrange the festive playlists, and make sure your mug never runs out of hot cocoa. And the only thing that can make the holiday cheer better is a movie marathon on a cold snowy day. 

Of course, blockbuster hits like "Elf" and "The Holiday," and nostalgic millennial animated favorites such as "Arthur's Perfect Christmas" will always have a special place on our holiday screens. But no network does Christmas quite like Hallmark and when it comes to delivering that signature mix of rugged charm and grounded warmth, Niall Matter is an absolute staple for any cold weather watch list. 

Alongside Paul Campbell, who has so many Hallmark movies perfect for a cozy night in, Matter is one of the faces of Hallmark's annual "Countdown to Christmas" program. So, we were delighted to put together some of his absolute best holiday movies for a cozy cocoa-filled marathon. From playing the guy who wears an ugly sweater after an accident, to heading up operations in the Smoky Mountains, these are the Niall Matter Hallmark movies you don't want to miss. 

The title "Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater" says it all, and it's the perfect rom-com to start your movie marathon. Maggie, played by Ashley Williams, was expecting to have a quiet Christmas after her daughter went off to her father's for the holidays. But everything changes when she runs into Lucas, played by Niall Matter, with a Christmas tree. After accidentally injuring him, Maggie lets him stay while he recovers, and what ensues is the ultimate cozy holiday mishap. Lucas, who's a bit burned-out from work, is quite the holiday Scrooge after his broken arm ruins his Christmas plans. 

But, Maggie's warm home, holiday spirit, and the ugly Christmas sweaters she makes him wear just might be what he needs to melt his cold and grumpy exterior. Can a synopsis get any more Christmas than that? Matter's character has a genuine heart, but also lots of funny things to say — making his playful banter and undeniable chemistry with Williams an absolute joy to watch. 

More than 60% of reviewers on IMDb gave the movie a seven star rating or higher. One person wrote, "That's it, that's the plot, it's quite plain, but enjoyable nonetheless. Niall Matter and Ashley Williams, the duo we didn't know we needed. They had good chemistry, and after watching so many movies with them I don't get tired." 

While romance movies with all kinds of difficult obstacles and missed connections are great when you want a good cry, sometimes you just want a romance where fate takes an easier path. And, "We Met in December" is exactly that. Air travel during the holiday season can be a nightmare, but for Dave, played by Niall Matter, and Annie, played by Autumn Reeser, it just may be a game of fate. A layover brings the two together at a hotel and they end up spending magical time together connecting, but that's it. They end up parting ways without exchanging any information, and now fate and a little holiday magic may be their only chance at finding each other again. 

This 2025 holiday romance movie will give you all of the Christmas feels just by the decoration of the hotel in which Dave and Annie meet. The twinkling and moody fairy lights, towering trees, and lush wreaths with velvet ribbons create an ultra cozy, romantic backdrop that will make you want to take your decorating game to the next level. 

As with many Hallmark movies, many reviewers echoed a similar sentiment that there's nothing really groundbreaking about the plot, but it's an easy watch. That said, a 10 out of 10 star reviewer titled their review, "PREDICTABLE ... but Christmas movies are supposed to be lighthearted!"

What's any movie marathon without a mystery? And when it comes to Hallmark movie marathons, a cozy mystery is an absolute non-negotiable. "Finding Father Christmas" is far from a whodunnit, but it is a good story for anyone who loves a heartwarming tale about unearthing family secrets and following clues to discover where it is you truly belong. 

Niall Matter plays Ian, a charming man who tries to help Miranda, played by Erin Krakow, navigate his small festive town and piece together the identity of the father she never knew. This story is full of the warmth everyone needs around the holidays and the backdrop of beautiful Vermont dusted in snow and Matter's grounded charm only amplify that cozy feel-good atmosphere. 

This holiday movie was clearly a hit with Hallmark fans as nearly 2,000 people of over 3,000 reviews gave the movie a seven star rating or higher. One thing we noted was that so many fans loved Matter as the love interest. One reviewer gave this pick 10 stars, noting, "Niall nailed it again ... Best actor on Hallmark. He comes off so sweet, and kind. His personality shines in every show that he is in." This film is also the first of a movie trilogy series, so if you end up liking it, you'll have two more to watch, "Engaging Father Christmas," and "Marrying Father Christmas." 

If you're into sport or always looking for the perfect sports romance book for your next read, you're going to find "Frozen in Love" adorable. This 2018 Hallmark movie starring Niall Matter and Rachael Leigh Cook, who looked so different with a pixie hair cut transformation, is that exact sports romance energy on screen. Plus, there's also the opposites attract trope that makes this duo's story much more interesting. 

Adam isn't just hotheaded, he's a hotheaded professional hockey player, and his temper on the ice has earned him quite the reputation. In an attempt to clean up his name, his team forces him into a joint PR campaign with Mary, a small bookstore owner who is just trying to save her family business from closing. You'd think the high energy and chaos of the sports world and the mellow and quiet world of a cozy bookstore would clash completely, but that's where the magic of this movie lies. 

Fans of the network praised this movie for being one of the most realistic holiday love stories. An eight star reviewer wrote, "I am a single dad and usually watch these movies with my teen daughter ... Speaking for both of us, we really enjoyed this movie. We found it more realistic and relatable then many of the other Hallmark holiday season themed movies, and we thought the chemistry between the leads was great." 

"Christmas at Dollywood" is the perfect movie to watch this holiday season, especially if you're a country music fan and all things Dolly Parton! This movie has everything fans of Christmas, Dolly Parton, and love stories, could want in a single film. Niall Matter plays Luke, who likes to play by the book and keep operations at Dollywood running strictly on schedule. But, when Rachel, an event planner from a big city, arrives to organize the park's massive 30th anniversary Christmas celebration, Luke's orderly world gets turned upside down.

With a special appearance by the late Dolly Parton herself, this movie will remind you that miracles can happen if you're willing to open your heart just a little bit to some holiday magic and compromise. The Dollywood setting brings glittering warmth to the film and the low-stress plot makes it an absolute breeze to curl up with on a snowy winter day. It's the kind of flick you want to turn on and bake a batch of warm Christmas cookies to.

A reviewer gave the movie seven stars, saying, "Warm and likable. Not much happens, but it doesn't seem to matter as everything takes place in Dollywood, which makes watching fun and interesting enough. A couple of Dolly Parton's songs are featured as well." And, that just might be the perfect description for this movie. A no frills, low stress holiday movie that delivers pure cozy comfort. 

Surprise! Since it's a movie listicle dedicated to Christmas and the holidays, we were feeling extra generous and wanted to gift our readers a bonus pick. "A Christmas Together With You" is filled with holiday magic and emotional depth, as it tells the story of a mature romance between a widower and a woman from his past. Although Niall Matter isn't the main lead, he does an amazing job as one of the matchmakers who helps bring the sweet second-chance romance to life. 

Matter brings to his role the perfect balance of his warm humor and sincere heart that turns what could have been a simple supporting character into an absolute highlight of the movie. It's also set in a small town, which makes it all the more cozy and merry for the holidays — perfect for another comfort watch on a snowy evening. Aside from Matter, Laura Vandervoort, Harry Lennix, and Liza Huget round out a stellar cast. 

While you may not think it's the best second-chance love story, it has a warm and encouraging message that it's never too late to find love. An eight star reviewer said, "I enjoyed this film, as I enjoy all the romances that don't follow the typical Hallmark plots, and have some originality and creativity unique to the storyline, along with good actors, of course. The storyline is sweet, uplifting, and original." 

When curating this list of Niall Matter Hallmark movies perfect for a snowy winter day and hot cocoa, we wanted to make sure every film delivered lots of holiday feels. That wasn't too hard, as Matter is one of the leading men of the channel and he has done quite a few Christmas movies throughout the years. We focused on selecting the ones that varied in tropes, co-stars, and overall festive vibes.

The movies that received a six star rating or higher on IMDb, exuded holiday vibes, and featured a unique plot earned a spot on our list. Whether you're in the mood for an opposites attract romance or a dazzling country-themed holiday celebration set right in Dollywood, this lineup is full of the perfect Niall Matter holiday charm. So, get yourself a delightful holiday mug, fill it up with your hot cocoa and just enjoy all the Christmas magic.