That's the jingle bell rock! With the holiday season upon us, it’s the perfect time to sip hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies straight through to the new year.
While nothing beats the Home Alone, Elf, and How the Grinch Stole classics, there are also plenty of other Christmas films to accompany these joyful times. In particular, the Hallmark channel has a full Christmas catalogue to choose from, and now one more will be added to their merry repertoire.
In a festive collaboration reported by Variety, Hallmark and the Disney Channel are teaming up for their first co-produced film: Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True. The networks will share production, creative direction, and distribution, with the film set entirely at Walt Disney World in Orlando and starring former Mean Girls actress Lacey Chabert.
What is Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True about?
Lindsey (Lacey Chabert) and her family travel to Disney World to celebrate the holidays together. But things take an unexpected turn when Lindsey discovers who is staying in the next room: Philip, a guy she’d recently gone out with on a disastrous first date, who’s also there with his family.
While neither is thrilled to see the other, they each decide to make the most of their time at Disney. As a variety of entertaining mishaps occur and the magic of Disney shines through, Lindsey and Philip begin to realize they're not so different after all. With a classic rivals-to-romance trope, a Cinderella Fountain wish, and plenty of mouse ears, this is a holiday film you won’t want to miss.
Lacey Chabert stars in the Christmas romantic movie
The film’s lead is none other than Hallmark darling, Lacey Chabert. Chabert began working in productions such as All My Children, Party of Five, and Family Guy.
Chabert gained international fame as Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls (2004), acting alongside Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler. As Gretchen, she served as second-in-command to the Plastics, whose hair is so full of secrets that she starts spilling them once her allegiance to Regina George is tested.
Her career, which spans more than 20 years, includes starring in multiple Hollywood and theatre productions. Chabert is also recognized for her voice work in The Wild Thornberrys, Rugrats, and Bratz.
As of 2025, Chabert has appeared in more than 40 Hallmark Channel films and has also worked as an executive producer in multiple of them. Last year, she starred in the holiday Netflix film Hot Frosty alongside Dustin Milligan from Schitt’s Creek, and she just starred in She's Making a List for the 2025 Christmas season.
More cast, crew, and production details
Alongside Chabert, the film will also star Travis Van Winkle as Philip, Richard Kind, Taegen Burns, Asher Alexander, and Patrick Renna. Christy Carlson Romano, a former Disney Channel star known for her work in Even Stevens and Cadet Kelly, is set to appear as well.
The film is written and directed by Canadian writer and director Ryan Landels. As Variety notes, “Hallmark and Disney will release an exclusive collection of products inspired by the movie down the line, including greeting cards, ornaments, gifts, and gift wrap, available next holiday season.”
When will the film be released?
As previously mentioned, the movie is set to be filmed entirely at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It will also air during 2026’s 17th annual Countdown to Christmas.
Stay tuned for more information on the film, the actors, and more!
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