A large part of the reason Hallmark‘s Haul Out films work is because they’re so intentionally dorky and ridiculously campy that they manage to be charming if you’re in the right mood for it. For me, I generally am, and while the original two are great, Haul Out the Halloween takes the cake—or, maybe pumpkin—for the best one yet.
Maybe it’s my biased opinion, but seeing Kimberly J. Brown and Daniel Kountz back on my screen, where the real-life couple plays an actual couple, heals the heartbreak teenage me experienced in the hands of Kal’s betrayal in Halloweentown 2: Kalabar’s Revenge. With hilariously subtle nods to Halloweentown—“Quick, they can be flammable. I’d know.” “Halloween is cool!”—the film delivers something that’s dazzling for a variety of generations.
Evergreen Lane might be known for how hard it goes on Christmas, but they’ve done a pretty decent job of Halloween, too. The film opens up with what might actually be the prettiest Hallmark wedding I’ve ever seen as Wes Brown’s Jared and Lacey Chabert’s Emily tie the knot, surrounded by some of the enchanting autumnal foliage and the most gorgeous fall archway.
As the wedding kicks off the new adventure for the loved duo, it becomes an even bigger story about what a true partnership looks like and extends toward becoming the entire film’s theme. With this, Haul Out the Halloween fully honors grief, romance, and second chances, surrounding the spooky holiday with a whole lot of cozy love.
While there’s certainly some lore within that makes the film better when watched consecutively with its predecessors, it can also be consumed as a standalone. It’s especially enticing for the ’90s kids who loved Halloweentown, but surely, even the viewers who just press play might be riveted by how utterly ridiculous it is. (Complimentary.) These movies aren’t trying to be the next best thing, and yet every year they deliver something outright adorable.
The chemistry between Brown and Chabert continues to be precious, and few can hold a candle to Melissa Peterman’s specific brand of comedy. Plus, in more ways than one, the film interestingly honors friendships in a way the other two movies didn’t touch on. Haul Out the Halloween feels like the biggest love letter to this community and everything that they’ve built throughout the years. Unlike the sequel, having neighbors that actually want to be part of the community makes it significantly cozier.
These films consistently do a lovely job emphasizing the importance of community and coming together for those in need, and while we go a lot harder with this one with various revelations, it all comes back to making matters right in the end. We all know HOA in the real world is far from this dorky or friendly, yet it’s exactly where all the charm lies. And Haul Out the Halloween shines as yet another love letter to extreme passion and new beginnings.
On a final note, Kimberly J. Brown and Kountz feel like they’ve been part of the story all along, and if there’s a fourth film, these two should also be a part of it.
Haul Out the Halloween is now streaming on Hallmark+.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Hallmark