Crown for Christmas is a 2015 Hallmark Channel holiday romantic comedy directed by Alex Zamm, starring Danica McKellar as Allie Foster, a fired New York hotel housekeeper who takes a job as governess to a rebellious young princess in the European kingdom of Winshire. There she discovers her employer is none other than the princess’s father, the handsome widowed King Maximillian, played by Rupert Penry-Jones. As she helps prepare the palace for Christmas, sparks fly and an unexpected romance unfolds.
The 1 hour 26 minute film, rated TV-G for general audiences, also features Ellie Botterill as Princess Theodora and Colin McFarlane as Chancellor Riggs, alongside Alexandra Evans, Amy Marston, Emma Sutton and Pavel Douglas in supporting roles.
Subscription Streaming Options
Crown for Christmas is widely available across multiple subscription platforms, primarily in North America.
Hallmark+ serves as the primary streaming home for the film, accessible through the standalone Hallmark+ app or via the Hallmark+ Amazon Channel and Hallmark+ Apple TV Channel. This makes it easy for Prime Video and Apple TV users to add the film to their watchlists.
fuboTV and Philo, two popular live TV streaming services, both carry Hallmark Channel content in their lineups and include the film as part of their subscription packages. DIRECTV Stream similarly offers access to the movie for its subscribers.
For public library cardholders, Hoopla is an excellent free option — the film is available for streaming at no cost with a participating library membership.
Netflix availability is region specific. In Canada, the film is available to stream with a standard Netflix subscription. However, it is not available on Netflix in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia. Similarly, the film is not currently available on Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, or Paramount Plus.
Rent or Buy Digital Options
For viewers who prefer to own a copy or watch without a subscription commitment, Crown for Christmas is available for digital rental and purchase across all major platforms:
- Apple TV Store: Rent or purchase the film in high definition. Rentals typically allow 30 days to start watching and 48 hours to finish once you begin.
- Amazon Prime Video: Rent or buy a digital copy, even for non-Prime members. British listings note rental windows include 30 days to start and 48 hours to finish once started.
- Google Play Movies & YouTube: Available for both rental and purchase through Google’s storefront.
- Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu): Rent or purchase the film on this platform.
- Microsoft Store: Also offers the film for digital rental and purchase.
Pricing estimates based on standard digital retailer rates for catalog films typically see rentals ranging from 2.99to2.99to3.99 in standard or high definition. Purchase prices generally range from 9.99to9.99to14.99 for a permanent digital copy.
Regional Availability Summary
Streaming access for Crown for Christmas varies significantly by country:
- United States: Wide availability on fuboTV, DIRECTV Stream, Hallmark+ (via various channels), Hoopla, and Philo. Also available for rent or purchase on major digital retailers.
- United Kingdom: Not available on any subscription streaming service. Must rent or purchase from digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video.
- Australia: No subscription streaming options available.
- Canada: Available on Netflix (including the ad-supported tier) and Hoopla.
- Netherlands: May be available for digital rental on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.
- New Zealand: No streaming options currently available.
For the most up-to-date availability in any region, streaming aggregator services like JustWatch or Reelgood offer real-time, region-specific listings. Users outside covered territories can set free notifications through these tools to be alerted when the film becomes available in their region.
Physical Media Options
For collectors or viewers without reliable internet access, Crown for Christmas is available on DVD. The film can be purchased as a single DVD release or as part of Hallmark holiday collection sets that bundle two or three movies together. Copies are readily available through major retailers like Amazon as well as secondhand marketplaces. Many public library systems also carry the DVD in their circulating collections.
Film Background
Crown for Christmas was written by the husband-and-wife screenwriting duo Neal H. Dobrofsky and Tippi Dobrofsky, produced by Amy Krell and Brad Krevoy for Brad Krevoy Television, and premiered on the Hallmark Channel on November 27, 2015. The film has since become a holiday staple, re-airing every Christmas season as part of Hallmark’s annual ‘Countdown to Christmas’ programming event.
Critical reception has been generally positive, with the film maintaining a user score of approximately 70 out of 100 on TMDb and an average of 6.9 out of 10 across multiple review aggregators. Viewers consistently praise the lighthearted tone, the palpable chemistry between McKellar and Penry‑Jones, the charming European setting, and the overall feel‑good holiday escape the film provides.
Final Recommendation
For most viewers in the United States, the most convenient way to watch Crown for Christmas is through a subscription to Hallmark+ or by using one of the live TV streaming services like fuboTV or Philo. For those in Canada, a Netflix subscription offers the simplest access. If you are outside these regions or prefer not to subscribe, a digital rental on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, or Google Play is the most affordable one-time option, typically costing under $4.
Before making any purchase, using a tracking tool like JustWatch or Reelgood is highly recommended to confirm the most current availability in your specific region, as streaming rights for catalog titles frequently shift over time.