The 20 Best Movies to Watch During Your 4th of July Weekend These films embrace all things American—the good, the bad, and the complex By Harper's Bazaar Staff Published: Jul 03, 2025 12:39 PM EDT Independence Day: Directed by Roland Emmerich. With Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell. The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive. Independence Day (also known by its promotional abbreviation ID4) is a 1996 epic science fiction action film directed and co-written by Roland Emmerich and starring an ensemble cast that includes Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Margaret Colin, Randy Quaid, Robert Loggia, James Rebhorn, and Harvey Fierstein. The film focus on a a hostile alien invasion of We all know Will Smith is a big movie star, but in the 2000s, he was such an immediate hitmaker that he garnered the nickname "Mr. 4th of July." Where did that term come from and why did it vanish? Independence Day is considered the quintessential 4th of July movie due to its patriotic themes and engrossing action. The 1996 film stars Will Smith, Bill Pullman, and Jeff Goldblum and has remained popular over the years. With its box office success and continued annual airings, Independence Day's legacy as the best 4th of July movie endures. Independence Day Will Smith, Bill Pullman, and Jeff Goldblum star in one of the all-time great popcorn pleasures. Aliens attack the earth and it takes a quirky engineer, a plucky President, and a heroic military pilot to save the day. What does that have to do with the 4th of July? Listen to the President’s stirring pep talk. (Side note: July 4 provides the best metaphors!) There is a clear hierarchy when it comes to every movie that has been released on the Fourth of July weekend dating back to 1985. News The 14 best Fourth of July movies to watch on Independence Day – and where to stream them Even cynics will be stirred by these patriotic movies and paeans to American virtue Independence Day: Resurgence: Directed by Roland Emmerich. With Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Jessie T. Usher, Bill Pullman. Two decades after the first Independence Day invasion, Earth is faced with a new extra-Solar threat. But will mankind's new space defenses be enough? Independence Day Will Smith, Bill Pullman, and Jeff Goldblum star in one of the all-time great popcorn pleasures. Aliens attack the earth and it takes a quirky engineer, a plucky President, and The biography of Ron Kovic. Paralyzed in the Vietnam war, he becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by the country for which he fought. Director Oliver Stone Stars Tom Cruise Bryan Larkin Raymond J. Barry Movies that came out over the Independence Day weekend include a lot of major blockbusters. Films that get a July fourth release are big: Think 'Transformers,' Spider-Man 2' and pretty much any film starring Will Smith. After Independence Day, Will Smith became King of the Fourth of July blockbuster. Twenty years later, what happened? For a rousing good time this Independence Day, what could be better than watching Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum kick alien butt? This 1996 flick is not only action-packed and filled with hilarious one-liners, it also features one of the most stirring speeches ever made by a celluloid president. The best 4th of July movies to watch on Independence Day and feel patriotic Even political cynics will be stirred by these patriotic movies and paeans to American virtue. Whether it's Tom Cruise playing a cocky Navy pilot, Will Smith taking on aliens or Jessica Chastain helping bring down Osama bin Laden, Hollywood has plenty of films to satisfy one's Fourth of Willard Carroll Smith II[3] (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, rapper, and film producer. Known for his work in both the screen and music industries, his accolades include an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, and four Grammy Awards. Films in which he has appeared in have grossed over $10 billion worldwide, [4][5] making him one of Hollywood's most bankable stars Watching Will Smith take on an entire invading alien force feels like a right of passage every single July 4th, as Independence Day remains one of the main films attached to the holiday. July 4 is also the subject of many movies based around American pride, but none more famous than the aptly titled Independence Day starring Will Smith. Smith, also known as Mr. July, finds himself at the center of the 1996 science fiction action film as a giant alien mothership arrives on earth. To hot outside? Here's a list of some 4th of July movies you can stream to help you get through the day.
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