🌟 Memorial Day Weekend 2026 🌟 Patriotic TV Specials, New Mystery, and More ➤➤

( click here to enlarge image )

Wishing you all a nice Memorial Day weekend...

On this Memorial Day, we remember the brave men and women of our military who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

What a meaningful time it is, as our country approaches her 250th birthday, to proudly fly our American flags, to gather with dear family and friends for backyard barbecues, enjoy picnics in the park, and small-town parades. These simple moments are beautiful reminders of how precious our freedoms truly are.

If you have plans this weekend, you'll want to set your DVR now. Or if you plan to be home, then I hope you'll enjoy some patriotic programming, perhaps settle in for a new mystery, or watch the latest episode of County Rescue, which honors our military through the inspiring charitable work of Tunnel to Towers. I’ve included these programming highlights below.


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Saturday, May 23, 2026:

True Justice: Eye for An Eye

Storyline: Our Warriors work to exonerate a mother wrongly accused of murdering another mother in the Parent School Coalition.

True Justice: Eye for An Eye

Premieres Saturday, May 23, 2026

at 8pm/7c on the Hallmark Channel

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Sunday, May 24, 2026:

County Rescue

Season 3 - Episode 2&3

Episode 2 - Somewhere Far More Beautiful:
The County Rescue team provides support for the Tunnels 2 Towers marathon as Andy meets the new team members.

Episode 3 - Rhythms:
On Andy's first day back, life-and-death calls force him and the team to confront grief, purpose, and the quiet strength that sustains them.

County Rescue

Season 3 - Episode 2&3

Premieres Sunday, May 24, 2026

at 8pm/7c on Great American Family

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Sunday, May 24, 2026:

2026 National Memorial Day Concert

Live from the U.S. Capitol, the National Memorial Day Concert features stories, tributes, and musical performances by world-renowned artists and the National Symphony Orchestra, with a special tribute of the country’s 250th anniversary.

Hosted by Gary Sinise and Mary McCormack, with performances by Noah Wyle, Melissa Leo, Andy Grammer, Jonathan Banks, Mickey Guyton, Jamey Johnson, Alan Jackson, Mary McCormack, Laura Osnes, Blessing Offor and Maestro Jack Everly conducting the National Symphony Orchestra.

The 2026 National Memorial Day Concert

airs Sunday, May 24, 2026

at 8/7c. on PBS

on the eve of Memorial Day

(Please check your local listings.)

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Monday, May 25, 2026

Memorial Day Marathons

Memorial Day Marathons / Patriotic Programming

Columbo - Great American Family
Reba - UPtv
Matlock (original series) - Hallmark Mystery
Wedding-themed movies - Hallmark Channel
Patriotic movies (For Love & Honor, Love and Sunshine) - Hallmark Family
Patriotic movies (including The Best Years of Our Lives) - FMC
Patriotic/Military movies (all weekend) - TCM



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Monday, May 25, 2026

Marking the 25th as we

Countdown to Christmas!

This Monday, May 25th, also marks 7 months 'til Christmas Day!

We love celebrating every 25th day of the month here at It's a Wonderful Movie as part of our Countdown to Christmas tradition... and whether you join in every month or if you've never participated, you’re warmly invited to join along!

If you'll be watching something merry and Christmassy on the 25th (or anytime over this long weekend), please share with us in comments.

In honor of Memorial Day, I've decided to watch one of my favorites, The Christmas Card. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of this beloved Hallmark classic!

I’ve always appreciated how this patriotic film honors the courage and sacrifice of those who have served our country, especially the heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice. And I just love the way the Spelman family works closely together in their family-owned lumber business. It truly is a wonderful film filled with comforting small-town charm, a lovely little country church, and a sweet romance that will always hold a special place in my heart!

If you happen to find a little quiet time during what may be a busy Memorial Day weekend, I’d love for you to join in the Christmas fun. And of course, please share which Christmas movie you chose in the comments below!


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I pray you all have a peaceful, safe, and relaxing Memorial Day Weekend.

We are deeply blessed to live in a country where we can enjoy our freedoms, and we honor those courageous heroes who have fought to protect them!

God Bless America!!!❤️☆💙

Blessings to you all,

Net

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SHINING HIS LIGHT:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

~ Joshua 1:9

🌟 Memorial Day Weekend 2025 🌟 Patriotic TV Specials, Movie Marathons, and More ➤➤

On this Memorial Day...
we pause to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation, and we lift up heartfelt prayers for those who continue to serve today. We are truly blessed to live in a country where we can enjoy our freedoms and honor those who have fought to protect them.

This weekend always brings a blend of emotions- a time for solemn reflection and heartfelt gratitude, as well as a celebration of the freedoms we cherish, marking the unofficial start of Summer! (Plus, this Sunday marks 7 months 'til Christmas day!)

If you're planning to relax with some patriotic programming or catch one of the new movies on TV, I’ve included some of the highlights below...


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Saturday, May 24, 2025:

Love On The Danube: Royal Getaway

Storyline: A jilted art gallery manager takes her honeymoon cruise solo and meets a charming prince posing as a European gentleman, who shares her passion for art.

Love On The Danube: Royal Getaway

Premieres Saturday, May 24, 2025

at 8pm/7c on the Hallmark Channel

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Sunday, May 25, 2025:

A Bestselling Kind of Love

Storyline: Nora is thrilled when her first novel shoots to the top of the bestsellers list but is terrified of speaking in front of crowds to promote her book, so Nora’s literary agent hires Daniel, a public speaking coach, to help Nora overcome her fears, which is easier said than done.

A Bestselling Kind of Love

Sunday, May 25, 2025

at 7pm/6c on UPtv

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Hallmark Channel's Memorial Day Weekend Movie Marathons-


Royal-themed Movie Marathon:

Friday:
A Royal Christmas
One Royal Holiday

Saturday:
A Royal Winter
Royal-ish
The Royal We
The Reluctant Royal
Royal Matchmaker
Love On The Danube: Royal Getaway *NEW


Vineyard-themed Movie Marathon:

Sunday:
Napa Ever After
Autumn in the Vineyard
The Perfect Pairing
Raise a Glass to Love
Paris, Wine, & Romance


Wedding-themed Movie Marathon:

Monday:
Love at First Dance
Ms. Matched
Wedding Bells
My Boyfriend's Back: Wedding March 5
Bridal Wave
The Perfect Bride
Marrying Mr. Darcy
The Wedding Cottage
A Country Wedding
Hearts Around the Table: Kiki's Fourth Ingredient


Hallmark Mystery has a mix of mystery movies airing all weekend long, including Murder, She Baked, Curious Caterer, Garage Sale Mysteries, with a Matlock marathon on Monday.

Hallmark Family has a special rare airing on Saturday of the Hallmark Hall of Fame movies: Sarah, Plain, and Tall, Skylark, and Sarah, Plain, and Tall: Winter's End.


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Great American Family's Memorial Day Weekend Highlights-


Christmas Movie Night:

Friday:
Christmas Under the Northern Lights
A Cinderella Christmas Ball
Peppermint & Postcards


Classic Rom-Coms:

Saturday:
An Autumn Romance
For the Love of Chocolate
A Royal Seaside Romance

Sunday:
Retreat to Paradise
Seasoned with Love
Prescription for Love


Memorial Day Mystery Marathon:

Monday:
Murder She Wrote Movie Marathon


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UPtv's Memorial Day Weekend Highlights-


Movie Marathon:

Friday:
The Librarian: Quest for the Spear (2004)
The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines (2006)
The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice (2008)

*Note: Although these movies are older, I've personally never seen them. If you’ve viewed any of them and would like to share your thoughts or a quick review, feel free to drop a comment below.


Series Marathons:

Saturday:
Heartland
Hudson & Rex
Blue Bloods


Classic Rom-Com Highlights:

Sunday:
Sincerely, Yours, Truly
The Story of Love
Love Stories in Sunflower Valley
A Bestselling Kind of Love *NEW


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image credit: TCM / SERGEANT YORK Gary Cooper 1941

TCM's Memorial Day Weekend Programming Honors the Military-

From May 23rd to May 26th, TCM will air more than 40 movies commemorating those who lost their lives serving in the United States Armed Forces.

To see the full schedule in a printable PDF, click here.


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Sunday, May 25, 2025

Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise co-host the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert, The program is a tribute to the service and sacrifice of the men and women in the U.S. armed forces, their families, and all those who have given their lives for the country. The concert will feature musical performances, documentary footage, and dramatic readings.

The 2025 National Memorial Day Concert airs Sunday, May 25, 2025, 8/7c. on the eve of Memorial Day. (You may also want to check your local listings for this original showing and potential encore airings.)


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Sunday, May 25, 2025



This Sunday, May 25th, also marks 7 months 'til Christmas Day!

Here at "It's a Wonderful Movie" we highlight every 25th day of the month - TOGETHER! - as we Countdown to Christmas! You can also join along!

If you'll be watching something Christmassy this weekend, please share in comments below.

In honor of Memorial Day, I will be watching the military movie USS Christmas starring Jen Lilley and Trevor Donovan.

USS Christmas was filmed across both North Carolina and South Carolina. Key locations included Wilmington, North Carolina, where the Battleship North Carolina stood in for the USS Polaris and Charleston, South Carolina, where the USS Yorktown was used for several shipboard scenes.

This patriotic film ignites a deep passion for country, honoring the bravery and sacrifice that define the American spirit.


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image credit: RTWIB Canvas Painting - Vintage Truck Americana Wall Art
available at Amazon

I pray you all have a safe and relaxing Memorial Day Weekend. I'm incredibly grateful for our military, who have bravely fought to protect the freedoms we hold dear- freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and so much more.

I was heartbroken to hear about the tragic killing this week of a young couple, soon to be engaged, who were staffers at the Israeli Embassy in D.C. While we are fortunate to have freedom of religion, it's heartbreaking that we live in a world where hatred persists. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones of this couple during this difficult time. I'm praying that even in the midst of darkness, there will be the gentle, healing presence of His Light.

May God bless America, as we pray for peace at home and all around the world.

Wishing you a restful and meaningful Memorial Day weekend as we honor and remember those who gave their lives in service, and cherish this special time with family and friends.

God's blessings to you all,

Net

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"Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life
for his friends."

~John 15:13

"Blessed is the nation
whose God is the LORD,

The people whom He has chosen
for His own inheritance."

~Psalm 33:12

🌟 Memorial Day Weekend 2022 🌟 Patriotic TV Specials, Movie Marathons, and More ➤➤

Blessings to you all on this Memorial Day holiday weekend. We are given this special time to relax and enjoy with family and friends because of the great sacrifices made by our military, on our behalf, for our freedom. May you all have a restful and peaceful Memorial Day, as we remember and honor our fallen soldiers.

If you'd like to watch or record any of the special movies or shows on TV this weekend, I've included some of the highlights below...

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All Weekend Long and Monday, Memorial Day...
Saturday, May 28 - Monday, May 30, 2022:

*Love Around the World*

Movie Marathon on the Hallmark Channel

including Christmas!

*Note: "THE PRESENCE OF LOVE" (a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries premiere) will be airing Monday on the Hallmark Channel- for the first time.

Saturday on the Hallmark Channel:

YOU HAD ME AT ALOHA - 10am
ROME IN LOVE - 12pm
ROAD TRIP ROMANCE - 2pm
HER PEN PAL - 4pm
PARIS, WINE & ROMANCE - 6pm
🎄NEXT STOP, CHRISTMAS - 8pm
🎄CHRISTMAS IN TAHOE - 10pm

Sunday on the Hallmark Channel:

LOVE ON ICELAND - 10am
LOVE AT SEA - 12pm
LOVE ON SAFARI - 2pm
SUN, SAND & ROMANCE - 4pm
LOVE, ROMANCE & CHOCOLATE - 6pm
🎄CROWN FOR CHRISTMAS - 8pm

Memorial Day...
Monday on the Hallmark Channel:

AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT - 10am
DESTINATION WEDDING - 12pm
SUMMER VILLA - 2pm
THE WEDDING VEIL UNVEILED - 4pm
THE PRESENCE OF LOVE - 6pm (*NEW on the Hallmark Channel)
🎄CHRISTMAS AT CASTLE HART - 8pm
🎄CHRISTMAS IN ROME - 10pm

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All Weekend Long and Monday, Memorial Day...

Friday May 27 to Monday May 30, 2022:

Memorial Day Weekend Movie Marathon

on TCM

TCM is airing 39 War Movies in all...

⭐️ Including: Twelve O’Clock High, Battleground, December 7th, Home of the Brave, For Me and My Gal, The Longest Day and many more.

Please note: I have not seen all of these classic films, and I don't recommend war movies, due to violence, for young children. I am beyond grateful for our military and all the sacrifices they have made (and continue to make) for our freedom.

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Friday May 27 to Monday May 30, 2022:

INSP's Duke Days of May

Memorial Day Weekend Tribute

Friday:
⭐️ McQ - 3pm
⭐️ Rio Lobo - 8pm

Saturday:
⭐️ Rio Bravo - 8pm
⭐️ In Old California - 11pm

Sunday:
⭐️ Big Jake - 2pm
⭐️ The Horse Soldiers - 8pm
⭐️ The Green Berets - 10:30pm

Monday, Memorial Day:
⭐️ The Green Berets - 8am
⭐️ El Dorado - 2pm
⭐️ The War Wagon - 5pm
⭐️ Flying Leathernecks - 8pm

Please note: I haven't seen all of these classic John Wayne films. I don't recommend all war/western movies for family viewing, due to violence.

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All Weekend Long and Monday, Memorial Day...
Saturday, May 28 - Monday, May 30, 2022:

 

Memorial Day Weekend Programming

on GAC Family

⭐️ Saturday - The Lone Ranger Marathon
⭐️ Sunday - Bonanza Marathon
⭐️ Monday - Beverly Hillbillies Marathon

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Saturday, May 28, 2022:

A Martha's Vineyard Mystery Movie Marathon

on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Saturday on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries:

⭐️ A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO DIE: A MARTHA'S VINEYARD MYSTERY - 1pm
⭐️ RIDDLED WITH DECEIT: A MARTHA'S VINEYARD MYSTERY - 3pm
⭐️ SHIPS IN THE NIGHT: A MARTHA'S VINEYARD MYSTERY - 5pm
⭐️ POISONED IN PARADISE: A MARTHA'S VINEYARD MYSTERY - 7pm

Plus:
⭐️ CURIOUS CATERER: DYING FOR CHOCOLATE - 9pm

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Sunday, May 28, 2022

Mystery 101 Movie Marathon

on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Sunday on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries:

⭐️ MYSTERY 101 - 11am
⭐️ MYSTERY 101: PLAYING DEAD - 1pm
⭐️ MYSTERY 101: WORDS CAN KILL - 3pm
⭐️ MYSTERY 101: DEAD TALK - 5pm
⭐️ MYSTERY 101: AN EDUCATION IN MURDER - 7pm

Plus:
⭐️ CUT, COLOR, MURDER - 9pm

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Sunday, May 29, 2022:

Love Under the Lemon Tree

premiere on UPtv

Story-line via UPtv: After being laid off from her job, budding photographer Beck realizes her dreams and enters a lucrative destination photography contest, heading off to the island of Serenity island. Staying at the Lemon Tree Farm, Beck is determined to help the handsome owner save his picturesque farm with the power of social media.

Love Under the Lemon Tree

premieres Sunday, May 29, 2022

at 7pm/6c. on UPtv

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Sunday, May 29, 2022:

National Memorial Day Concert 2022

on PBS

The National Memorial Day Concert Returns to the Capitol for 2022. 

Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna will return to host the National Memorial Day Concert: A Night of Remembrance, which will air as usual on PBS stations around the country and the American Forces Network on Sunday, May 29, from 8-9:30 p.m. ET

On America's national night of remembrance, a star-studded lineup of musicians perform in a concert honoring the military service of men and women in uniform, their families, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

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I pray you all have a safe and relaxing Memorial Day Weekend.

May God Bless America - as we pray for peace at home and all around the world!

Blessings to you all, Net

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SHINING HIS LIGHT:

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, 

the people whom He has chosen as His heritage!"

~Psalm 33:12

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Military-themed Hallmark movies on DVD: