Hallmark viewers love Will Kemp, and it’s easy to understand why. His charisma on screen is unparalleled. But choosing how to rank his Hallmark movies is easier said than done. From serious to comedic, Kemp has a wide range that Hallmark fans never tire of watching.
Here’s a look at our picks for Will Kemp’s Top 5 Hallmark movies.
1. ‘Christmas Waltz’
When we make our favorite list of Lacey Chabert movies, “Christmas Waltz” will no doubt be at the top of that list too. Chabert and Kemp shine in this movie, bringing out the best in each other. Their chemistry and camaraderie is top notch. And the storyline also delivered: “After Avery’s storybook Christmas wedding is canceled, a dance instructor helps her face her fears in life and fulfill her dream of learning to dance.”
This movie was so good that fans have been clamoring for a sequel ever since. And while Hallmark tried to recapture the magic in their “Dancing Detective” series, and Great American Family even tried to recapture it in a “Christmas Waltz” “sequel” of their own, nothing holds up to the original.
In a public Facebook group for Hallmark fans, one person wrote in a discussion about the film: “Their acting effortlessly compliments each other and their dancing draws you like a magnet just to see if they will make a mis-step. I cannot help but wonder if dancing is a part of their repertoire. They seem to do it so very well and elegantly.”
2. ‘Paging Mr. Darcy’
When Hallmark presented its lineup of Jane Austen-themed movies in 2024, “Paging Mr. Darcy” was one of the best of the bunch. Will Kemp and Mallory Jansen starred in a film with a unique premise: “When an overly serious scholar attends a Jane Austen annual conference, she strikes a deal with the man playing Mr. Darcy and finds her perspective, and her heart, changed.”
One reviewer gave the film an A+, writing: “Eloise handled her emotions by being rigid, while Sam did it through humor. Like Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet of Pride and Prejudice, they each got in their own way when it came to romance… The actors made the most of the witty script by Reina Hardy. Their powerful chemistry was a joy to watch throughout.” And she said about Kemp: “Kemp couldn’t have been more elegant and charming if he’d tried.”
3. ‘Love, Romance & Chocolate’
This 2019 film is still just as charming today. Starring Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp, the movie was filmed on location in Belgium, particularly in Bruges, in December. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. And the storyline was delightful. Chabert played a heartbroken accountant who goes on a romantic getaway anyway after her boyfriend breaks up with her. She meets a renowned choclatier competing in a competition, and she becomes immersed in helping.
In a public Facebook group for Hallmark fans, one person wrote in a discussion about the film: “I love this so much!!! I always look forward to watching [this movie] every year!!!” Another person commented, “I have this movie in my own personal home collection and watch it several times a month and like it very much.”
4. ‘Royal Matchmaker’
This film dates back to 2018, but it still holds the same charm all these years later. “Royal Matchmaker” stars Bethany Joy Lenz, Will Kemp and Brittany Bristow. The synopsis reads: “A struggling NYC matchmaker is hired by a king to find his son a suitable wife in time for a national celebration. As the clock ticks towards her deadline, the matchmaker finds him the perfect wife — only to realize that she’s fallen in love with him!”
Royalty-themed Hallmark films are always fun to watch, and this one ranks among the best.
In a public Facebook group for Hallmark fans, one person wrote in a discussion about the film: “Definitely among my all time favorites! Love these two!” Another fan shared, “One of my very favorites, especially these two actors!”
5. ‘A Not So Royal Christmas’
This absolutely delightful movie stars Will Kemp and Brooke D’Orsay. The unique storyline has both characters hiding secrets, including the unique secret that Kemp’s character is only pretending to be royalty. And D’Orsay’s character is spending time with him because she wants to land an interview with him to get her dream job. But she fudges about her current job to get exclusive access.
One reviewer gave the film an A, writing that it had refreshing twists. She noted: “[It] turned the royalty movie subgenre upside down by featuring an average guy posing as an eminent person… This movie breathed new life into Hallmark’s royalty rom-coms. Kudos to Anna White for a delightful script.”
Honorable Mention: ‘A Merry Scottish Christmas’
OK, this one isn’t truly a Will Kemp movie. But his cameo was so perfect that we had to include it in the lineup! It’s tough for a star to really shine in a cameo role, but Kemp pulled it off. His dialogue with Chabert was so witty we were tempted to root for the two of them again. And the callouts to other movies they’ve been in together were perfection.
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Best Will Kemp Hallmark Movies: Our Top 5