MOVIES FOR MILITARY APPRECIATION WEEK FROM THE HALLMARK COLLECTION
movies for military appreciaton week
There are several Hallmark movies with military content. Here’s a few of my favorites. What are yours? From one Veteran’s wife to another Happy Veteran’s Day.🫶
The Christmas Card
““The Christmas Card” is the story of Cody Cullen (John Newton), a career soldier who is deeply touched by an anonymous holiday card he receives while serving in Afghanistan. When he returns to the United States, he treks to the picturesque California town of Nevada City, from which the card originated. He soon meets and unexpectedly falls in love with Faith (Alice Evans), the woman who sent the card – and is practically accepted as a new member of the family by her parents (Asner and Lois Nettleton). But there’s one major roadblock to happily-ever-after: The girl has a boyfriend who moves fast to propose once Cody is in the picture. Will Faith accept? Or is the soldier a soul mate who rescues Faith in the nick of time?”
This one is my ALL TIME FAVORITES. Get the DVD Amazon or watch on Prime.
A Dog Named Christmas
A Hallmark Hall of Fame based on the book by Greg Kinkaid.
“When Todd, a developmentally-challenged 20 year-old with an affinity for animals, hears that the animal shelter is looking for families to foster a dog for Christmas, he’s eager to sign up. But Todd's father George says “no adoptions” – even temporary ones – claiming he wants to protect Todd from disappointment. Mary Ann, Todd's mother, knows better. Something else is troubling George – something he doesn’t want to face. With Mary Ann’s support, Todd’s persistence pays off. He chooses a friendly yellow lab and names him “Christmas.” Bringing Christmas home proves to be a life-changing event for the whole family, allowing Todd to show that he can care for the dog on his own, and inspiring George to love a new member of the family. Stars Bruce Greenwood, Linda Emond & Noel Fisher.” (SPOILER: One of the characters is a Vietnam Veteran)
A heartwarming movie. Get a DVD on Amazon or watch on Prime or Read the book.
The Lost Valentine
A Hallmark Hall of Fame based on the book by James Michael Pratt.
”Susan Allison (Jennifer Love Hewitt), jaded TV reporter, receives a sentimental Valentine's Day news assignment: the story of Caroline Thomas (Betty White), who has waited 60 years for her pilot husband -- declared missing in action during World War II -- to return to her. After first scoffing at the assignment, Susan finds she has much to learn from both the story and Caroline's demonstration of love, faith and remembrance.”
A beautiful story and maybe a tearjerker for some. Get a DVD on Amazon or watch on Prime or Read the book.
A Christmas Visitor
“A grieving family, who have not celebrated Christmas in 11 years since the death of their son on Christmas Eve 1991, renew their faith in the joyful season. When a young hitchhiker turns up and spends the holiday with them, he brings some extraordinary surprises to the family, helping them to make this the most exquisite celebration of their lives.”
This one has a little twist. Get a DVD on Amazon or watch on Prime
My Grown Up Christmas List
“Based on the Amy Grant/David Foster hit holiday song of the same name, “My Grown-Up tells the heartwarming story of Taylor Nichols (Wallace) and Luke Malone (McGarry) and the special bond that grows between them over the course of several Christmases spent together and apart. Taylor, a successful journalist, has returned home after her mom’s passing a few years prior to help her grandfather with his Christmas store. And Luke has just returned home from military duty to spend the holidays with his family. When Taylor and Luke meet, their chemistry is undeniable, and we follow them along their journey from a warm friendship to a budding romance. They work together to overcome any challenges that arise and commit to making the most important wish on their Christmas list come true – to spend every Christmas together for the rest of their lives.”
I really like this one. The ending has stuck in my mind since I first saw it. Get a DVD on Amazon or Watch it on Prime.
An Uncommon Grace
“Following her tour of duty, army nurse Grace Conner (Macallan) returns to her grandmother’s (McGillis) farm in Ohio’s Amish country, and answers a neighbor’s call for medical assistance following a mysterious intrusion and shooting at his family’s nearby farm. Soon, Grace, who is not Amish, and Levi Troyer (Faris) develop a deep connection that is more than simply neighborly, and must sort out their forbidden relationship while Grace follows clues that ultimately lead her to the killer.”
It’s been a while since I watched this but I remember it being a departure. Get it on DVD or Watch it on Prime or read the book.
Time For You To Come Home for Christmas
“Katherine (Sweeney) braces herself for bittersweet memories of her late husband as she and her son Will (Kiefer O’Reilly, “Project Blue Book”) set out to spend Christmas with her parents in Virginia. Their long train journey is enlivened by their seat-mate, Jack (Bryant), a gentlemanly guitarist with a gift for conversation and handy deck of cards. Katherine and Jack’s paths cross again in her hometown, where Jack has temporarily joined a band playing at the annual Christmas charity dance. In the days that follow, Katherine and Jack find the bond between them growing deeper as they enjoy some of the simple joys of the season. Meanwhile, Jack is trying to solve a mystery from his own past – and the surprising result will lead to a new beginning for both Katherine and Jack.”
I love the Time For You to Come Home Series. Get it on DVD or watch it on Prime.
A Veteran’s Christmas
“Formerly in charge of the Search & Rescue K-9 Unit in Afghanistan, Captain Grace Garland (Mumford) receives an honorable discharge and returns stateside. Missing her Marine “family,” including Christmas, her white lab, Grace heads cross-country to Cincinnati for a new job, but her jeep breaks down and sends her into a snow bank. Unharmed, she is greeted by a dog that leads her to his owner, Joe Peterson (Faris), the Judge of Rivers Crossing. He has Grace’s jeep towed to his uncle’s auto shop, where she learns the damage might take three weeks to repair due to the busy holiday season. Luckily, Joe has a guesthouse and Grace finds that being stranded in Rivers Crossing during Christmas isn’t so bad. She also finds herself falling for Joe, but is uncertain if he’s still in love with his ex, who’s in town for the holidays. As Grace and Joe spend time enjoying the Christmas festivities, their feelings for each other grow, and he begins to wonder if he should take the job of District Court Judge in Chicago as he’d planned. If he goes, Grace sees no reason to accept the sheriff’s offer to run the town’s Search & Rescue department. Accidentally overhearing Joe on the phone with his ex, Grace decides it’s time to leave and, broken-hearted, she boards a bus for Cincinnati…until Joe sets in motion a surprise that could make Grace stay in Rivers Crossing forever.” Soft spot for dogs and a Marine (like me) this one’s for you. Get a DVD or Watch it on Prime.
The Christmas Doctor
“Zoey (Peete) is a traveling doctor who prefers short assignments to staying put. Two weeks before Christmas she is assigned to a small-town clinic upstate while the town’s only doctor recovers from surgery. Once she arrives, she is greeted by the town’s colorful residents, as well as the handsome software engineer Luke (Holmes). As the holidays draw near, Zoey can’t help but be charmed by this town and its people, and is surprised when she starts to feel at home.”
This is another movie that has a little twist and has stuck in my mind. Get it on DVD or watch it on Prime.
Come Fly With Me
“Not long after Capt. Emma Fitzgerald (Hemmens) arrives at Nellis Air Force Base for her two-year assignment on the famed Thunderbirds team, her shy, 11-year-old daughter Lucy (Pietra Castro, “The Power”) is befriended by Alice (Georgia Acken, The Sacrifice Game), whose civilian father Paul (Matter), a widower, is raising her on his own. Alice is in awe of Emma, as she dreams of becoming a pilot someday despite suffering from a heart condition. As the foursome spends time together, the girls decide to play matchmaker in the hope that a romance will lead Emma to put down roots rather than move again when her time with the Thunderbirds ends. Emma and Paul are drawn to each other and a spark develops, but Emma is overwhelmed by the demands of her Thunderbirds training and tells him she needs to focus on her flying. But when Alice’s health suddenly worsens, the thing keeping Emma and Paul apart could be what ultimately brings them all together.”
Hallmark’s take on a “Top Gun” style movie in cooperation with the US Airforce. Get it on DVD or watch it on Prime
Five More Minutes
“Christmas at the Candy Cane Confectionary has been bringing joy and delicacies to the community for over 50 years. When, Jerry (Eric Keenleyside, “Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries”), the owner, suddenly passes away, his granddaughter Clara (DeLoach) and her mother Bonnie (Sherry Miller, “The Virgin Suicides”) are faced with their first Christmas without him. Clara wishes for five more minutes with the grandfather who always helped her through tough times. Clara’s wish is answered in unexpected ways when a journal from her grandfather’s past turns up in the store and a young man named Jay (Alexander Jones, “The Christmas Doctor”) answers a help wanted post. Through her grandfather’s journal, Clara discovers his first great love from the past as she faces her feelings about her own first love in the present day with Logan (Haydn-Jones), while Bonnie may have the chance to love again.”
Love some added magic? You’ll love this one. Get it on DVD or watch it on Prime.
The Christmas Note
“Having just moved back to her hometown without her serviceman husband but with her young son, Gretchen Daniels finds her life in disarray as Christmas approaches. But she discovers new purpose when she helps to deliver a message to her neighbor, Melissa, which makes her an ally in the quest to find the neighbor's sibling she never knew she had. The women become bonded not only by the search, but by the understanding that being there for each other means they're no longer alone. This friendship becomes the greatest Christmas gift of their lives.”
Heart for adoption Get it on DVD , watch it on Prime or read the book that inspired the movie.
There are SO many and several more that I have enjoyed. Scroll through the photos below and see the additional movies I found. Find one I missed? Let me know in the comments!
If you like something more mainstream check out my friends blog Good Movie Finder for movies about veterans returning home.
Additional movies:
use the SCROLL <> TO VIEW MOVIES
All For Love DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
An American Story(Hall of Fame) on PLEX
Christmas Bedtime Stories DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
Christmas Homecoming DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
The Christmas Shepherd DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
Decoration Day(Hall of Fame) DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
For Love & Honor DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
Holiday for Heroes DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
Home for Christmas Day DVD on Amazon or on Prime.
A Homecoming for the Holidays DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
In Love & War(Hall of Fame) DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime
Journey Back to Christmas DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime
Love and Sunshine DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime
Once Upon a Christmas Miracle stream on Prime.
Operation Christmas DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
Roadhouse Romance DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Lost Without You DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas stream on Prime.
USS Christmas DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
The Valley of Light(Hall of Fame) stream on Prime.
Write Before Christmas DVD on Amazon or stream on Prime.
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