Hallmark Fans Are Sounding Off About “Disappointing” First Christmas in July Movie

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Hallmark's official 2023 Christmas in July lineup is rolling out on the network, but the first of the two films for the annual event left fans with some interesting thoughts.

On July 8, the popular television channel premiered the movie A Royal Christmas Crush starring Katie Cassidy and Stephen Huszar. The premise of the film centered around a woman named Ava (played by Katie), who found herself working at the exclusive Royal Ice Hotel. But as she started getting more involved in her unexpected new career venture, she never expected to meet Prince Henry (portrayed by Stephen), the most important guest of all. As the duo stumble through their relationship, they eventually fall in love and live happily ever after.

Ahead of the movie's premiere, a short video was uploaded on Hallmark's official Instagram to promote the project. "Can sabotage from within the castle take away Ava @katiecassidy and Prince Henry's @stephenhuszar fairytale love story, or will their romance prevail?" read the caption. "Tune in to #ARoyalChristmasCrush starting NOW! 🎄 #ChristmasInJuly."

Shortly after A Royal Christmas Crush aired on Saturday night, Hallmark fans went to social media to voice their thoughts on the flick. While some loved the concept behind the romantic movie, others felt another way about it.

"This was a disappointment 😢 We already saw one at this ice castle," one person wrote on Instagram, referencing other Hallmark films with similar premises. "Not the best movie for Christmas! It didn’t land for me with these characters! Very blah 😑," another remarked. "There was no Christmas in this Christmas in July movie," a different follower added.

While longtime viewers had mixed reviews for A Royal Christmas Crush, Katie spoke out about some of the elements involved in making the movie. As she told Entertainment Tonight, she loved how supportive the dynamic was between her and Stephen's characters.

"I think there's a lot of curiosity on Ava's part. There's this person who she sees who's so sheltered and has everything taken care of for him," she told the outlet. "She's just very real and down to earth. I think that is where they both lift one another up and make each other better people overall."

You Might Also Like

• 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile

• The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper