Hidden Gem Hallmark Movies to Watch as You Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday
America is celebrating its 250th birthday this July 4, and the country is gearing up for a blow-out celebration. But between fireworks, parades, and backyard barbecues, you might be looking for a break from the festivities. For a low-key, feel-good way to mark the semiquincentennial, Hallmark has you covered. The network’s sweet stories of love and romance are often set in picture-perfect, all-American small towns (though they were likely filmed across the border in Canada), with many featuring classic “Made in the U.S.A.” elements like Fourth of July festivals, summer camp, and country music. We’ve rounded up this list of 10 hidden gem Hallmark movies to watch as you prepare to toast to America’s 250th!
‘When Sparks Fly’
Before she married into the British royal family, Meghan Markle starred in this 2014 Hallmark movie about a reporter named Amy whose editor sends her back to her small town to write a story about her parents’ fireworks business. After Amy arrives, her best friend asks her to step in as the wedding planner for her Fourth of July-themed wedding to Amy’s ex-boyfriend.
‘Banner Fourth of July’
In this 2013 Hallmark flick (also known as A Family Reunion), three estranged musical siblings return to their hometown when their mother falls ill. Once there, they learn that the town is on the verge of bankruptcy. The solution? The members of The Banners Project must overcome their differences so they can perform at a Independence Day concert that could save the town from financial ruin.
‘Sister of the Bride’
A professor named Stephanie and her new boyfriend visit her parents in Palm Springs for the Fourth of July holiday, where they plan to break the news to her skeptical parents that they’re getting married. But Stephanie’s sister and her long-term boyfriend have also decided to tie the knot, and both sisters want a July 4th wedding. To make things extra-complicated, Stephanie’s parents have decided to sell their home, forcing a change of plans.
‘Love and Sunshine’
The Wonder Years alum Danica McKellar stars in this Hallmark movie that pays tribute to the military. She plays Ally Craig, who has been fostering retired military dog, Sunshine, as she recovers from a broken engagement. When Jake Terry, Sunshine’s military partner, returns to claim the dog, sparks fly. The pair share a romantic moment during a Fourth of July party, but their future is thrown into question when Jake must return to active duty.
‘Kiss at Pine Lake’
Barry Watson play a man who decides to buy his uncle’s summer camp, only to discover that the business is on the verge of collapse. As he fights to save his beloved camp, he reunites with his childhood sweetheart (Mia Kirshner), who is now working for a company that want to redevelop the camp’s land. Though this isn’t strictly a Fourth of July movie, it ends with the camp’s big Independence Day barbecue and fireworks.
‘Roadhouse Romance’
Is there a more American food than barbecue? Roadhouse Romance follows Callie (Lauren Alaina), who returns home to Tennessee after her military deployment to save her family’s struggling BBQ restaurant and country music joint. She connects with a TV director (Tyler Hynes) who’s passing through down and ends up teaching her a valuable lesson about looking towards the future rather than focusing on the past.
‘Double Scoop’
Ice cream is the quintessential Fourth of July sweet treat, so hit play on this Hallmark movie that celebrates the joy of the perfect cone. Taylor Cole and Ryan McPartlin play employees at rival New York City ad agencies who travel to small-town Wisconsin to compete for the business of a rapidly growing ice cream company.
‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told’
In this movie from Hallmark’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered series, the POstables must figure out how to deliver a badly burned letter from a soldier serving in Afghanistan to its intended recipient, who turns out to be a bullied high school student. Meanwhile, Oliver (Eric Mabius) navigates as complicated situation with his father.
‘For Love and Honor’
Good Witch star James Denton plays a by-the-book army veteran who takes over as commandant at a military academy. He instantly squares off with the school’s new Dean of Academics (Natalie Brown). But when they are forced to work together to help save the school, sparks fly.
‘Season for Love’
Autumn Reeser plays a talented chef who returns to her Texas hometown, where she winds up entering the town’s famous BBQ cookoff. But she gets more than she bargained for when the surprise judge turns out to be her high school love (Marc Blucas).
All movies are streaming on Hallmark+.
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