We're about to enter the most wonderful time of the year, at least that's what the song calls it, anyway. Although there's still plenty to stress about — from fancy parties to visiting or hosting family, to (eek) all that gift shopping we'll have to do — there is one thing we know we can look forward to as we count down the days to the holidays: cheesy movies. Both Lifetime and Hallmark have pretty impressive holiday movie lineups and have created a handful of new movies for 2018, just to celebrate this joyous occasion. Plus, after we sat down and actually read the descriptions of what each channel had in store for us, we recognized a few familiar names we can't wait to see!
It turns out that a handful of these holiday movies happen to star some of our favorite actors from the '80s, '90s, and the aughts. The woman who played the mom on our go-to childhood show? She's going to be on Lifetime. The kid actors we were once obsessed with? They're all grown up now, and we can catch them still doing their thing on Hallmark this year. Some holiday flicks will even reunite iconic casts on-screen — so on top of that exciting One Tree Hill special, there will be mini Sister, Sister, and The Cosby Show reunions, too. For those of us who are avid TV watchers or get super into nostalgia, this is pretty much the best gift we could ever ask for.
So, which famous, throwback faces will be popping up throughout the season? And which movies will we be able to see them in?
We've compiled a list of 45 of the biggest and most recognizable holiday movie stars for 2018, saving you the trouble of frantically searching.
This article originally appeared on Cafe Mom.
MELISSA JOAN HART
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina has us thinking about the OG witch, Melissa Joan Hart. Thankfully, we can catch her on Lifetime this year, both in a preview for the holiday lineup and in the movie A Very Nutty Christmas, which premieres on November 30.
VANESSA LACHEY
Sigh. It seems like just yesterday that Vanessa was hosting MTV's TRL. The actress (and wife to singer Nick Lachey) will be playing a single parent in Lifetime's A Twist of Christmas on December 1.
TONI BRAXTON
The singer just announced that she's going on tour next year, but on November 24, she's using her acting skills to play a workaholic money manager in Lifetime's Every Day Is Christmas.
MEGAN HILTY
Broadway lovers and fans of the TV show Smash will be excited to see this star front and center again — this time in Santa's Boots on Lifetime (December 8).
SARAH DREW
The actress may have left Grey's Anatomy, but she's still building her resume, adding the role of Hannah in Christmas Pen Pals on December 15.
KYLA PRATT
Yay for child stars who continue to see success! Kyla Pratt — who some may remember from Dr. Dolittle, One on One, or as the voice Penny on Disney's The Proud Family — can also be seen on Lifetime, playing Sadie in The Christmas Pact (December 2).
TATYANA ALI
Ashley Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air will be ruling our TVs in a few short weeks. Not only is she in Lifetime's Jingle Belle (November 25), but she'll also star in Hallmark's Christmas Everlasting(November 24).
ALEXANDRIA BRECKENRIDGE
The question is, where don't we know Christmas Around the Corner's (December 14) Alexandra Breckenridge from? The actress has had roles on This Is Us, The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, and even popped up in Freaks and Geeks.
HILARIE BURTON
Hilarie Burton is back to work! She'll be in The Christmas Contract (November 22), and the One Tree Hill reunion special, 'Tis the Season: A One Tree Hill Cast Reunion, which will both air on Lifetime.
BETHANY JOY LENZ
Bethany will reunite with her One Tree Hill costars on-screen for the reunion special. She'll also star in Lifetime's Poinsettias for Christmas on November 23.
STEPHEN COLLETTI
Of course we know Stephen from Laguna Beach and The Hills, but he also starred on One Tree Hill back in the day. That means he'll be part of the reunion — and will star in Lifetime's Hometown Christmas on December 16.
DANNEEL ACKLES
CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY
Unlike his former One Tree Hill pals, Chad is on The Hallmark Channel rather than Lifetime this year. His holiday movie is called Road to Christmas and will air November 4.
TIA MOWRY-HARDRICT
Tia is teaming back up with a few folks from her Sister, Sister days (not her sister Tamera, sadly) in Lifetime's My Christmas Inn on November 21.
JACKÉE HARRY
One of Tia's costars, Jackée Harry who played her mom, will also star in Lifetime's My Christmas Inn on November 21.
TIM REID
We guess Tim didn't want to miss out on the Sister, Sister action, either! He'll star in My Christmas Inn too. We can't wait to watch!
BEVERLEY MITCHELL
BARRY WATSON
Barry Watson, formerly the lovable big brother, Matt Camden, on 7th Heaven, will be in A Very Nutty Christmas, which folks can watch November 30
TEMPESTT BLEDSOE
TV worlds are colliding! Tempest, who was Vanessa Huxtable on The Cosby Show, will be in the same movie as Tatyana Ali, from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Jingle Belle, which premieres November 25.
KESHIA KNIGHT PULLIAM
Of course, Lifetime didn't tap just one Cosby kid for its movies. Keshia, who played Rudy on The Cosby Show, is reuniting with her on-screen sister in Jingle Belle.
JASMINE GUY
Jasmine Guy, who made us develop a love-hate relationship with her A Different World character, Whitley Gilbert, will be in The Christmas Pact (December 2)
KADEEM HARDISON
The Christmas Pact has another familiar face in it, too: Dwayne Wayne from A Different World.
MARISSA WINOKUR
Tony-winning actress Marissa Winokur will be showing off her acting skills in A Very Nutty Christmas (November 30).
LORETTA DEVINE
From Grey's Anatomy to Boston Public, Loretta has a long list of credits, and now, Lifetime's Jingle Belle is one of them.
SHARON LAWRENCE
Sharon is best known as Sylvia Costas from NYPD Blue. And on November 23, she's starring in Poinsettias for Christmas.
MELISSA GILBERT
On December 16, Little House on the Prairie fans can catch Melissa in Lifetime'sHometown Christmas.
PATRICIA RICHARDSON
Talk about a throwback! Home Improvement alum Patricia's latest project is A Christmas in Tennessee, which airs December 9.
CAROLINE RHEA
A Christmas in Tennessee also stars Sabrina, the Teenage Witch's Caroline Rhea.
KELLEY JAKLE
We know why this Christmas Harmony (November 24) actress looks so familiar: She's played Jessica in all three Pitch Perfect movies.
CHANDRA WILSON
Chandra's most recognizable role is from Grey's Anatomy, but fans can catch her in Christmas Harmony alongside Kelley Jackle on November 24.
NICHOLAS BRENDON
Xander Harris from Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be popping up in A Golden Christmas on December 22.
JULIE GONZALO
Viewers who think that 3 Holiday Tails' (December 23) Julie Gonzalo looks familiar probably recognize her from A Cinderella Story or Veronica Mars.
SALLY STRUTHERS
Yes! The All in the Family and Gilmore Girls star continues to do her TV thing in Christmas Harmony, which premieres on Lifetime on November 24.
JESSICA LOWNDES
Jessica has become the queen of TV movies over the years. Although we can't wait to watch her next hit, Christmas at Pemberley Manor (October 27), we'll always remember her days on the 90210 reboot.
LEANN RIMES
The singer is the main character, Eve, in Hallmark's It's Christmas, Eve (November 10), which revolves on an interim school superintendent.
KELLIE PICKLER
It's fitting that the name of Kellie Pickler's Hallmark movie is called Christmas at Graceland (November 17), considering the American Idol alum is a country singer.
DANICA MCKELLER
As part of Hallmark's holiday lineup, the Wonder Years actress is the lead in Christmas at Grand Valley, set to air November 22.
LACEY CHABERT
It's a very Mean Girls holiday on Hallmark! Lacey — otherwise known as Gretchen from the movie — will be in Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe come November 23.
JONATHAN BENNETT
Aaron Samuels from Mean Girls, aka Jonathan Bennett, is also starring in a Hallmark movie: Christmas Made to Order (December 23).
PATTI LABELLE
No double takes needed here: We already know that the singer is set to star in Hallmark's Christmas Everlasting on November 24.
CANDACE CAMERON BURE
A few Fuller House ladies will be popping up in Hallmark's holiday movies — such as Candace, who is in a movie called A Shoe Addict's Christmas (November 25).
LORI LOUGHLIN
Fuller House's Lori's film is called Homegrown Christmas (December 8). Though a few photos she posted from set caused controversy among her followers, we can't wait to watch.
JODIE SWEETIN
Joining her Fuller House costars, Jodie plays the lead in a Hallmark movie called Entertaining Christmas (December 16).
ALEXA PENAVEGA
Alexa rose to fame as Carmen in Spy Kids and will play Gretchen in Christmas Made to Order (December 23).
CARLOS PENAVEGA
Alexa's husband, Carlos, has also been acting for years — and was once Carlos in Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush. His Christmas movie for this holiday season is called A Midnight Kiss that is set to air December 29.
