Hallmark movies tend to be a bit formulaic. Even though they are not the highest in cinematic originality and quality, they are still addicting and popular, especially around the holidays. No matter where you are in life, you can't go wrong with the family-friendly Hallmark movie. Just what makes a Hallmark movie plot?

There Needs To Be One Character Who Climbed the Corporate Ladder and Another Who Stayed Close to Home

Every classic Hallmark movie has that one character who just had to get out of their small town and the other who saw the value of it all along and stayed behind. Of course, that character that left became wildly successful and is in line for either a huge promotion or is getting a big account. The one who has stayed behind generally always has a cute and beloved restaurant or book store.

It Helps if the One Who Stayed Close to Home was a Past Love Interest of the Corporate Worker

Now, at times the one who stayed behind teaches the corporate employee about the value of small town life. However in the really good Hallmark films, the character who stayed close to home was a past love interest, even an ex boyfriend or girlfriend. This really adds to the "complexity" of the story.

It's Also Very Very Common for the Small Town They Grew Up In To Be Super Friendly and Perfect

Of course the setting has to be a small town with no big business or corporations but is still economically stable. On top of it, the people all get along in perfect harmony minus a couple of meddlesome older ladies, and newcomers are welcomed and taken care of. Totally realistic settings are Hallmark's strong point.

The Corporate Worker Realizes What They Loved About What They Ran From

The character returning home realizes that family and community are more important than their big job back in the city. To add to it, their corporation generally turns from being a wonderful place to work to being super hyper about work and deadlines, so the love for home increases.

Specifically the Person They Left

The biggest thing they find out is that they still have feelings for the person they left behind. These feelings are strong and can't be stopped now, and the person always lets them come back with open arms. All they need is one mildly awkward discussion about some hurt feelings and it's like nothing ever happened.

Let's Add In a Past Relationship Including Cute Child

To make things more complicated and to show just how committed and awesome one of the characters are, it's pertinent that they have had a spouse that passed away, but left behind with them an adorable and insightful elementary-school-aged child. This adds to the beauty of family and brings up the importance of moving on.

Also a Loving and Tradition-Minded Older Relative

The best is when one of the relatives from either party is an older man or woman who is living very traditionally. They are super gentle, loving and wise and always teach about the importance of taking the time to enjoy life and keeping the traditions of a small town.

There's Roughly 45 Minutes of Good Love Times

Now comes everyone's favorite part of these movies. The indulgent and stereotypical part about falling in love. There's usually a rowboat ride through a lake, blissful walks through gorgeous gardens or fields, and maybe a horse drawn carriage ride. The men are full of cute surprises, and the women maybe even throw in a surprise of their own. Things are picture-perfect and dreamy.

Then There's a Misunderstanding

Then some hidden secret comes up, a secret someone meant to bring up, but things were going so well... Or maybe there's a misunderstanding because one person doesn't get the whole story, or there's a busy body who tells a half truth. In the more annoying instances when the accused tries to explain themselves, the other person is just 'so hurt' they won't listen and talks over them, which in turn makes the accused pitied by the audience and the 'hurt' party seem annoying and overbearing.

Generally Either the Wise Elderly Family Member or Surprisingly Insightful Child Helps Patch Things Up Individually

Then comes in some needed advice. The older member of the family might talk some sassy sense into them. This is usually one of those slow clap moments. Or maybe the kid comes in and unknowingly gives insight or truth through their innocence. Either way someone gets told about themselves and it's great.

Everything Clashes and Resolves at (Insert Traditional Town Event/Family Party/ Wildly Successful Event Planned Throughout Movie)

Now usually every Hallmark movie ends with some sort of sweet and well-planned event. At this event, everything wraps up with the couple getting together. In some films they even flash forward to their happy wedding. It's as nauseatingly sweet as peanut butter pie and we all have to admit, we love it.