15 must-watch Hallmark Channel Christmas movies

The Nine Lives of Christmas

Cast: Kimberley Sustad, Brandon Routh, Gregory Harrison

Year: 2014

It is said that you don’t adopt a cat, rather the cat adopts you. When fireman Zachary (Brandon Routh) discovers a stray cat named Ambrose on his doorstep, he has no idea how much his life is going to change. Ambrose’s human passed away and he needs a home, so Zachary decides the cat can stay for a while…but a while turns into a more steady relationship as the cat finds his way into Zachary’s heart.

He runs into Marilee (Kimberley Sustad) at the store and the vet student offers him some advice about pet care and paint colors. Zachary can’t stop thinking about her even though he’s a dedicated bachelor. He has a girlfriend but she’s a little too over the top and he’s been struggling with his relationship with her for some time. When she gets rid of Ambrose because he’s taking up too much of Zachary’s focus, and in the process gets Marilee fired from her job, Zachary decides he needs to take action.

This perennial favorite Christmas movie was part of Hallmark’s adoption initiative Pet Project to help shelter animals find homes. The Nine Lives of Christmas is a feel-good movie through and through, and it helps that Sustad and Routh’s chemistry is through the roof. Also, there are cats. It’s a match made in holiday heaven.