Candace Cameron Bure, the reigning queen of Christmas, is back with another must-watch film, Another Sweet Christmas, that even made its way to theaters this year. 

But if you didn’t carve out time to see it on the big screen, you’re probably wondering when it will be available to stream on Great American Family. 

Here’s everything we know—that you need to know, too!

When Will Another Sweet Christmas Stream on GAC?

Fresh off its successful theatrical run, the film, starring Candace Cameron Bure and Cameron Mathison, will begin streaming on Dec 18 on Great American Pure Flix. It will also premiere on Great American Family and GFAM+, Saturday, December 20 (8p).

Great American Family

What Is Another Sweet Christmas About?

Another Sweet Christmas is a Sophie Marlow and Sam Stackhouse’s sequel story to Home Sweet Christmas. 

Per the press release, it is Great American Media’s first Original film made for theatres, but it was only shown on the big screen for three nights only from Nov. 30, 2025, through Dec. 2, 2025.

The synopsis teases, “When Sophie (Bure) and Sam’s (Mathison) picture-perfect love story becomes the
inspiration for a Christmas movie, their hometown of Waynesbridge, Washington, transforms
into a dazzling holiday film set. But as the cameras roll and the spotlight grows brighter, real-life
pressures begin to intrude. Can Sophie and Sam’s story survive when life stops playing by the
script? Another Sweet Christmas asks the question every great love story must face: what lasts
when the cameras stop rolling?”

Watch the Another Sweet Christmas trailer below! 

Will There Be a Sequel to Another Sweet Christmas?

Yes, and since Another Sweet Christmas was technically the sequel, it’s a threequel! Sam and Sophie’s love story continues on, with production on the third movie underway in Europe. It will also be available on the big screen in 2026, though no premiere date was announced just yet. 

Virgin River is getting into the spirit of the holidays!

While most of Virgin River, including Mel and Jack, were under the impression that this was the “best Christmas ever,” even despite a few hiccups with the “extraordinary” family dinner they planned, if you’ve ever seen an episode of this series, you were likely waiting for the other foot to drop. 

**Warning—spoilers from the episodes ahead!**

Things on Virgin River are typically perfect—until they aren’t, but it’s also a very accurate reflection of real life; it’s made up of a blend of good and bad moments, many of which help you realize just how lucky and thankful you are. 

Virgin River Season 5 Episodes 11 and 12, titled “The More the Merrier” and “Father Christmas,” gave fans the very first Christmas in the quaint and charming town, and, if you’ll believe it, Mel and Jack’s first Christmas together. Is it just me or is the timeline exceptionally slow on this show?

Then again, Charmaine made a pointed joke about the length of her pregnancy, which honestly feels like it has spanned decades at this point, so the birth of her twins, which yes, finally happens during this momentous episode, ends up feeling slightly rushed. 

The fact that she has a quick labor isn’t just great for her—it’s a blessing for Mel and Doc as it allows them to get back to all their Christmas Eve shenanigans without missing a beat. 

Despite all that transpired between Mel, Charmaine, and Jack, Charmaine still finds a source of support within them, especially Mel, who stands up for her when Calvin arrives at the clinic when Charmaine goes into labor. Mel might be the only person in town now who knows the identity of the father of Charmaine’s twins, and she’s all too content with keeping it to herself. Personally, I’d be as bad of a secret keeper as Hope, blabbing the news to Jack at the earliest convenience. But Mel is a trusted source who can keep a secret, especially with the patient confidentiality at play. Though, hopefully, Charmaine decides what she’s going to do about her little Calvin problem sooner than later because he seems adamant about being part of those boys’ lives. It’s true that parenthood changes people, sometimes for the better, but Calvin’s caused so much pain in town that I don’t know if it’s possible for him to turn over a new leaf. 

The good news is that come Virgin River Season 6, Charmaine won’t be pregnant anymore, and we can close the book on the longest TV pregnancy ever. 

Mel’s quest to find her biological father was a huge part of the Christmas episodes. Through love letters unearthed by her sister Joey, Mel found out that her mother had a secret love affair with a man named “Champ” in Virgin River, thus making her connection to the town much more significant. 

Together with Jack and her new bangs (love ’em!), she set out on a merry scavenger hunt to uncover her dad’s identity, eventually learning that he won the 1976 Lumberjack Games in town before finding his name: Everett Reid. If you’re slightly disappointed that this isn’t someone we already know, well, join the club. It feels like a missed opportunity… for now, though I’m waiting to hear Everett out fully before I officially cast my judgment. While he initially denied being Mel’s father when she first approached him, even though it was obvious that he was lying, Mel didn’t question it, simply focusing on the people who chose to be in her life—her chosen family. 

And there are plenty of them, including Doc, who agreed to walk Mel down the aisle during her wedding to Jack. 

However, at the end of the episode, Everett arrived at the cabin and changed his mind about wanting to be in Mel’s life. He explained that the initial shock of seeing her—his daughter who looked just like the woman he loved and lost—threw him for a loop. And it’s understandable considering Mel essentially ambushed him without any warning. He needed time to process and think about what it was that he wanted out of this new relationship.

Everett then says that he has to tell her something, but naturally, the episode ends right before he gets the chance, leaving fans on a cliffhanger till next season. What could it be? Is Everett dying? Has he been following Mel’s whole life from a distance? Did he know she was in Virgin River?

And how is it that there is someone in Virgin River who has managed to keep his identity a secret? Living in a secluded cabin has its benefits, but how has he managed to fly under the radar for so long? The fact that no one knows him is kind of a hard sell for me… at the moment, at least. 

Who Is Mel’s Father in ‘Virgin River’?

Jack and Brie were dealing with family matters head-on as their parents, fresh off of a divorce, came to town and immediately started bickering. Brie was running interference before Jack stepped in and basically used one of their old plays against them—sit in your room and don’t come out until you’ve talked through everything. By the end, they emerged as friends, with dad accepting of mom’s new relationship with Javi, as they both acknowledged that they needed to make an effort to bring the family back together. It was a sweet moment showcasing that things don’t always pan out the way we hope in life, but we have to be open to making things work for the sake of the children, even when they are grown adults.

In the end, the big family dinner that Mel wanted was able to happen—and everyone enjoyed themselves. 

Mel not only got the gift of jewelry this year, but Jack also went out of his way to give her the gift she’s been asking Santa for ever since she was a little girl—a pony! A dog named Pony that is. 

Maybe it was the spirit of Christmas but Jack was so fun, silly, and cheery throughout the episode. He wasn’t carrying the weight of his past and trauma, and it was refreshing to see him almost act like a little boy again around everyone he loved and trusted. I need more of this Jack in the future, please. 

The biggest mistake that the series has ever made was driving Brie and Brady apart. I mean, why? What was it for? No one benefitted from it. Brie and Mike just don’t have the same chemistry, unfortunately. They are cute, but it’s nothing compared to the electricity between Brady and Brie, even when they see each other in passing. 

Brady makes a great family man with Lark and Hazel, but I couldn’t get invested in the relationship either, and it turns out that there was a good reason for it—Lark is playing him completely. 

In the final—and biggest twist—of the episodes, Lark answers a call from Hazel’s dad, Jimmy. Yep, you know it’s bad news when Jimmy, from prison, calls to check in on how things are going and Lark informs him that “Brady doesn’t suspect a thing.” I hate everything about this, solely because of how hard Brady’s been trying to become a better man and distance himself from this life. He thought he was finally coming out on the other side after helping to take down Calvin and Melissa, but all of that is about to blow up in his face because he let his guard down.

Lizzy and Denny are expecting a baby girl, a genuinely uplifting storyline that has warmed the hearts of everyone in town, except Lizzy’s mother, who was initially distraught by the news and assumed her daughter was throwing away her life. Lizzy managed to convince her mother that this is what she wanted—to be a mom and have a fulfilling career, and from where I’m standing, Lizzy has a good head on her shoulders. She’s come a long way from the girl who arrived in town initially. And quite frankly, she cut her mother way too much slack!

Doc figured that the annual tree decorating competition was the perfect time to repropose to Hope—and their love definitely inspires everyone around. There’s so much to celebrate these days! 

Virgin River. (L to R) Annette OÕToole as Hope, Tim Matheson as Doc Mullins, Kai Bradbury as Denny, Sarah Dugdale as Lizzie, Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan, Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe in episode 512 of Virgin River. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2023

Muriel and Cameron are going strong, with everyone in town acknowledging their deep connection and chemistry. However, when Cameron’s ex fianceé blew into town as part of her apology tour during her recovery process, it forced Muriel to look at their relationship a little differently. If Cameron stays with Muriel, he’s giving up the possibility of having a family and children in the future. And while he says he’s okay with that, Muriel wants him to be sure as she doesn’t want him to resent her for it in the future. Nothing would break her heart more than taking this opportunity away from him. Cameron promises he’ll think about it, but it definitely seems like he’s made up his mind about what he wants out of life and who he wants to spend it with. The life he imagined with his former fianceé once upon a time is long gone now that he’s met Muriel—but I’m glad that she’s prioritizing his happiness rather than being selfish, proving that she’s a mature adult who just wants to be realistic about their relationship rather than allowing herself to get swept up in the moment. These are real issues that need to be addressed. 

And finally, Wes’ death is about to blow up Preacher’s life now that the body has been identified. In case you need a refresher, he helped bury the body after Paige accidentally pushed her abusive husband down the stairs in self-defense. Had they just reported his death at the time, it would’ve likely been a lot less problematic than what they are facing now, but considering that Wes was a respected cop with a lot of pull on the force at the time, the self-defense claim might’ve not held up at the time either. 

Kaia realizes something is wrong based on the call and questions him about it immediately, though it’s unclear if Preacher will come clean to her. She is the fire chief now, so it’s likely better for him to tell her upfront in the privacy of their home, but will she be receptive? This is a huge bomb dropping on their otherwise idyllic relationship, particularly after she accepted a new job to stay in town and be with him. Do you think she’ll stand by his side or will this be the demise of their relationship? 

What did you think of the holiday episodes? Did you enjoy the festivities? Do you think everything with Mel’s dad will turn out okay? Share your thoughts! 

Who Is Lark on ‘Virgin River’?

Tis the season to be jolly—and it helps that there’s a handful of new holiday movies coming at you from the most popular streamers. 

As the festive season approaches (after Halloween, it’s all a blur until the new year) and the temperature drops (some places in the U.S. have already experienced their first snowfall of the season), there’s nothing like settling in with your loved ones for a cozy movie night filled with heartwarming moments, laughter, and love. 

For the holidays, especially, there’s no shortage of programming, but there are some films that are breaking through the noise. 

So throw on your flannel PJs, grab a peppermint latte or hot chocolate, and turn on the fire for an evening in front of the TV. 

We’ve compiled a list of the must-watch films (there’s even something for the horror buffs and those who want to venture to the theaters for some entertainment)—consider it an early Christmas gift. 

Thanksgiving – In Theaters Now

Did someone say they wanted a proper holiday-themed slasher? Well, look no further. The citizens of Plymouth, Massachusetts are targeted by the killer, who is dressed like a pilgrim and using weapons “straight off of the Thanksgiving table” (creative, right?), to attack his victims as revenge for the chaos of a Black Friday department store massacre that occurred years ago. Also starring Addison Rae, Rick Hoffman, Patrick Dempsey, Gina Gershon and more. 

It’s a Wonderful Knife – In Theaters Now

Justin Long seems to be carving out a place for himself in the horror-comedy genre following his stint on Goosebumps. In this twist on It’s a Wonderful Life, Winnie (Jane Widdop) finds herself haunted by the previous Christmas Eve, where she saved her whole town from a psychotic killer. When she wishes she was never born, her wish is granted as she’s instantly transported to a nightmarish parallel universe where the masked killer is alive and slashing through the snow. 

Candy Cane Lane – Prime Video – Dec. 1, 2023

Eddie Murphy is headed to the silver screen to save Christmas in this whimsical holiday tale. Murphy stars as Chris, a man who makes a deal with a mischievous elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell) to better his chances of winning the neighborhood’s annual Christmas decorating contest. Pepper, however, casts a spell that brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life and wreaks havoc on the town in the process, as Chris’ family rallies to break the spell and save the big day. Also starring Tracee Ellis Ross. 

How to Fall in Love by the Holidays – The Roku Channel – Nov 3, 2023. 

Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher stars as Nora, a beloved writer-turned-CEO of a Goop-like lifestyle brand called Prism who is tasked with writing a dating column about falling in love by Christmas in order to save her company. And she finds herself turning fiction into reality while teaming up with a handsome photographer assigned to the piece. Will the magic of the season help her meet her deadline?

Dashing Through the Snow  – Disney+ – Nov 17, 2023

Ludacris and Lil Rey Howery join forces for a holiday comedy that will have you feeling the holiday spirit. Single father Eddie (Ludacris) comes across a man dressed as Santa, who falls through his chimney, no less, and needs help stopping a group trying to get their hands on his naughty and nice list. The Christmas adventure could change Eddie’s negative feelings toward the holiday and reunite him with his estranged daughter. Also starring Madison Skye Validum, Kevin Hart, and Teyonah Parris.

Ex-Mas – Freevee – Nov 17, 2023

When Upload’s Robbie Amell, as Graham, tells his family he can’t make it home for the holidays, they invite his ex fianceé Ali, played by Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester. But when Graham makes a surprise appearance, he’s forced to confront his ex as they battle it out to see who the family would rather spend Christmas Day with.

Genie – Peacock – Nov 22, 2023

Hailing from the filmmaker of Love Actually and Notting Hill comes a fantasy holiday film starring Melissa McCarthy and Papa Essiedu. Essiedu’s Bernard Bottle’s life is on a downward spiral following his divorce, so he rubs an antique jewelry box for luck and out emerges McCarthy’s Flora, a genie trapped in a bottle for 2,000 years after a misunderstanding with a sorcerer in 77 B.C. With her unlimited wishes, Flora works to get Bernard’s family back, while the duo find friendship and holiday magic along the way. 

Best. Christmas. Ever! – Netflix – Nov 15, 2023

Brandy and Heather Graham are two former college besties, Jackie and Charlotte, who unintentionally spend the holidays together and promise it will be the best Christmas ever. But when Charlotte’s jealousy of Jackie’s highly successful Christmas newsletters bubbles up to the surface, she sets out to prove that her friend’s life can’t be as perfect as it sounds to make her feel better about her own struggles. 

What Happens Later – In Theaters Now

Meg Ryan’s triumphant rom-com return alongside David Duchovny finds the two exes snowed in an airport together when their flights are delayed due to a winter storm. As they are forced to spend an evening with each other for the first time in years, they begin to wonder “What if”?

6 Reasons Why We Love Hallmark Christmas Movies