Summary
While some celebrate the 4th of July with barbecues and fireworks, others might prefer to stay in and watchmoviesthat either take place during the holiday or encapsulate its meaning, andone film from the 1990s remains the quintessential 4th of July watch.Of course, there are a variety of options to choose from. Hollywood has produced a countless number of movies depicting real events in United States history, includingGlory,Lincoln, Gettysburg,and more. Meanwhile, others likeCaptain America: The First AvengerandForrest Gumpare also among some ofthe best movies to watch on July 4th.
Despite a large library of patriotic films to choose from to celebrate America’s Independence Day, one is undoubtedly the best of the best. It was released in the mid-1990s and still holds up 30 years later.The1990s action movieis a popular watch when the 4th of July comes around,and it will seemingly stay that way for many years to come.
Independence Day Still Remains The Best 4th Of July Movie
Independence Day Was Released On August 18, 2025
Independence Daypremiered almost 30 years ago, but it’s still the best 4th of July movie ever made. For starters, it takes place on the American holiday. The fictional story answers the question of what would happen if aliens invaded the United States on July 4th. Yes, the concept is a bit bizarre compared to other patriotic films likeBorn on the Fourth of JulyorSaving Private Ryan. However,Independence Dayand its endingcelebrate the spirit of unity,a quality that America was founded on, as several American heroes join forces to save the country and the world.
Harvey Fierstein
Marty Gilbert
The 1996 science fiction action film,directed by Roland Emmerichand written by Emmerich and Dean Devlin, stars Will Smith as a Marine pilot, Bill Pullman as the President of the United States, and Jeff Goldblum as a highly intelligent technician. Together, they are all integral in defending the country and the world from the aliens. Ultimately,Independence Dayis the perfect 4th of July film because highlights the American spirit and is a great movie to watch with one’s family.
How Independence Day’s Iconic White House Explosion Was Filmed Without CGI
Roland Emmerich’s alien invasion blockbuster Independence Day benefited from an entirely practical approach to its dramatic White House explosion.
Independence Day’s Lasting Legacy Explained
The 1996 Film Is Still Popular Today
It has been almost three decades since 20th Century Fox releasedIndependence Day,but it remains one of the mostpopular films to watch on the 4th of July. It was a huge box office success when it premiered in 1996, earning $817.4 million against a $75 million budget, making it the highest-grossing movie of the year. The science fiction action film’s success continues several years later due to its entertaining and patriotic qualities. Plus,many networks still airIndependence Dayevery year on and around July 4th,ensuring its everlasting legacy as the best 4th of Julymovie.
Independence Day
Cast
Roland Emmerich’s iconic 1996 sci-fi disaster movie Independence Day chronicles the attack of a hostile race of aliens against planet Earth. When extraterrestrial aircraft occupy Earth without warning, the forces of humanity quickly band together to stop them. At the behest of President Thomas J. Whitmore (Bill Pullman), US Marine pilot Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith) and satellite engineer David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) organize humanity’s last-ditch counterattack against the technologically-advanced alien mothership.
