Lacey Chabert is full of surprises! On June 6, 2025, Hallmark Channel announced that the third movie in her popular “Haul Out the Holly” franchise will not center around Christmas like the first two films did. Rather, the cast just wrapped filming “Haul Out the Halloween,” to be released in the fall. But that’s not the only surprise.
While many members of the original cast have returned for the movie, one of Chabert’s besties, actress Kimberly J. Brown, has joined the cast alongside her husband, Daniel Kountz. The couple met in 2001 while filming Disney Channel’s “Halloweentown II” and Chabert served as a bridesmaid at their April 2024 wedding.
Fans React to Clever Teaser Video for ‘Haul Out the Halloween’
In a cute teaser video for the new movie, posted to social media on June 5, Chabert is joined by returning cast members Wes Brown, Melissa Peterman, Ellen Travolta, and Stephen Tobolowsky at the front of door of their new neighbors’ house.
After marveling at all the Halloween decorations on their front stoop, the group decides to knock on the door to meet the new neighbors. Brown and Kountz answer the door — and they’re appearance has nostalgic fans of the duo’s “Halloweentown” movies flipping out.
One person commented on the post, “Ahhhhh !!!! I am so excited !!!!! Please say this is for real ?!?”
After Hallmark Channel’s social media team replied, “Oh, it’s real!” multiple fans wrote about how pumped they were, including one who exclaimed, “This is real? REALLY?! When worlds collide! 🤯 I am SO EXCITED!! 🎃👻🧡🖤🧡🖤”
Another fan wrote, “The gasp I gusped! This is like all of my favorite things and people in one!”
“I was fully unprepared for that reveal 😍,” someone else chimed in.
Brown played Marnie Piper in Disney’s cult classic “Halloweentown” movies and 2004’s “Halloween High.” She and Kountz kept in touch after “Halloween II,” but didn’t meet up again until 2016, she told People, and the duo wound up falling in love.
Before their 2024 wedding, Chabert threw a bridal shower for Brown and shared on Instagram that their friendship “has blessed my life since I was about 8 years old and I love her dearly!”
After the shower, Brown posted photos and wrote of Chabert, “I wouldn’t be where I am in my life today without this lady so thank you, Lace, for not only creating the most special shower, but also being such a source of love, inspiration, strength, and uncontrollable laughter in my life. I love you forever.”
Lacey Chabert Serves as Executive Producer of ‘Haul Out the Halloween’
HallmarkAs with 2022’s “Haul Out the Holly” and 2024’s “Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up,” Chabert serves as an executive producer on the new “Haul Out the Halloween” movie and knew Brown and Kountz needed to be part of it.
In a press statement, Chabert said, “Kimberly and Daniel have been dear friends for many years. When we started on this third movie, set during Halloween, I just knew that they would be the perfect addition to this hilariously funny cast. I loved making this movie with friends – who so many people grew up sharing this holiday with. It’s a dream come true.”
The logline for the movie states, ““For a neighborhood as renowned for its spectacular holiday displays as Evergreen Lane, the street has long been modest when it comes to Halloween. But when fun and spooky new neighbors, Luna (Brown) and Marvin (Kountz) move to the block, Emily (Chabert), Jared (Brown) and the rest of the HOA agree to get in on the seasonal fun and launch EverSCREAM Lane to fundraise for a local charity.”
“As the block pulls together to plan creepy contests,” the synopsis continues, “spine-chilling décor and a spooktacular carnival, new haunted hijinks ensue with Pamela (Peterson), Ned (Tobolowsky), Mary Louise (Travolta) and the rest of the block. Through the process, Emily rediscovers the joys of the holiday that she and her late grandmother once cherished.”
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Lacey Chabert’s Best Friend Joins Cast of Her Popular Hallmark Franchise: ‘Dream Come True’