Hollywood’s ultimate heartthrob is back, and this time, he’s saying “I do” in the most unexpected way! Fresh off his gripping role in Sullivan’s Crossing, Chad Michael Murray is trading rugged drama for twinkling lights, mistletoe kisses, and a fake marriage that explodes into real fireworks. The trailer for Hulu’s Joy to the World dropped like a Christmas bomb, and fans are already losing their minds. “Chad in a holiday rom-com? Take my money NOW!” screams social media. Dropping November 1 on Hulu and Disney+, this feels-good flick promises to be the cozy cure for your holiday blues – but with a sizzling edge that’ll keep you glued to the screen way past bedtime.

Chad, with that signature smoldering gaze and windswept hair, steps into the life of Max – the ultimate best friend turned pretend hubby. After dominating Sullivan’s Crossing as the brooding Cal Jones, navigating family secrets and small-town heartaches in Nova Scotia’s misty wilderness, Chad is flipping the script. No more brooding handyman vibes; enter the charming everyman who gets roped into the wildest holiday charade. Fans of his One Tree Hill days know Chad owns the rom-com throne – remember Lucas Scott breaking hearts? Now, he’s breaking barriers between fake and forever.

The story? Oh, it’s a delicious recipe for romance. Meet Joy Edwards, played to perfection by the radiant Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage, You). She’s a lifestyle guru whose cookbooks paint her as the queen of domestic bliss: perfect husband, adorable kids, a storybook country home dripping in holiday cheer. But it’s all smoke and mirrors. Joy’s built an empire on lies, and when she announces her final book, a sneaky TV network crashes her world with a live Christmas dinner broadcast from her “idyllic” farmhouse. Panic mode: activate!

Enter Max – Chad’s character – her loyal best friend and driver, who’s been harboring a secret crush (and a broken heart from their past). “Too bad you made me your driver… could’ve made me your husband,” he quips in one trailer zinger that sends chills. Joy doesn’t hesitate: “Will you marry me?” Cue the swoon-worthy “I do” under twinkling lights. They assemble a ragtag fake family – think borrowed kids, quirky relatives – to fool the cameras. But as snow falls, eggnog flows, and stolen glances turn into lingering touches, the line between pretend and passion blurs faster than melting candy canes. Will the truth come out mid-turkey carve? Does holiday magic turn their “heartburn” history into happily ever after? The trailer teases epic chemistry, laugh-out-loud mishaps, and enough heart-melting moments to rival The Holiday.

What elevates Joy to the World from standard Hallmark fare to must-stream status? The cast is a holiday dream team. Emmanuelle Chriqui brings fiery vulnerability – her Joy is equal parts glamorous fraud and relatable mess. Chad? He’s the whole package: funny, tender, and yes, still panty-dropping handsome at 44. Their on-screen sparks are instant – watch that wedding scene and try not to fan yourself. Then there’s Ayesha Curry, Stephen’s powerhouse wife, sprinkling real-life glamour and warmth into the mix. NBA fans, rejoice: she’s trading courtside seats for festive feasts. Supporting players like Josh Reich, Taya Messier, and a slew of scene-stealers round out the family frenzy, directed by veteran Jerry Ciccoritti (Away from Her) with a script from Neal and Tippi Dobrofsky that balances slapstick with soul.

Chad’s holiday hot streak is no accident. Last year, he melted hearts in Netflix’s Merry Gentleman, proving he’s the king of Christmas crushes. Fans gush: “Two years of Chad holiday movies? I’m booking therapy for my obsession!” From Sullivan’s Crossing‘ emotional depths – where he prayed nightly for the role’s success – to this feel-good fantasy, Chad’s range shines. “I’ve always loved bringing joy to the screen,” he once shared, and boy, does he deliver.

But let’s talk vibes: Joy to the World is your ugly-sweater party in movie form. Lavish sets ooze yuletide luxury – think roaring fires, garland-draped mantels, and a kitchen bursting with pies. The soundtrack? Jingling originals that’ll have you belting along. It’s the anti-grinch: pure escapism for stressed shoppers, family drama dodgers, and anyone craving that “butterflies in December” rush. In a world of reboots and sequels, this original gem feels like a warm hug from an old flame.

As November 1 ticks closer, the hype train is full steam. Will Joy and Max’s fake-it-till-you-make-it scheme implode in glorious rom-com fashion? Does Chad deliver his career-best kiss? One thing’s certain: Joy to the World isn’t just a movie – it’s the holiday event you’ll replay till New Year’s. Fire up Hulu or Disney+, grab the hot cocoa, and prepare to fall head over heels. Your heart’s about to get a whole lot jollier.