GRISWOLDDAD
Parenting, Entertainment, and Travel Tips
Independence Day Movies to Watch with the Whole Family
When you're done with the swimming pool and the cookout, before the fireworks extravaganza begins...you're going to need something to do. In the downtime between the traditional July 4th events, pop in a movie... Is "popping in a movie" still a thing? Maybe that's only what old people say now.
Maybe, "digitally hit play".
Either way, once you figure out if you're old or a millennial, watch a movie in whichever manner suits you best. This list of movies celebrates 'Merica! Enjoy them as you commemorate United States' independence from England and formation as its own country.
The Patriot
Braveheart goes revolutionary! Mel Gibson fights an English general that wronged his family in this take on the Revolutionary War. Lots of action and drama will have you rooting for America to stop the Red Coats.
*Older Kids and Teens
Captain America
You don't get much more flag-waving the Captain America! He likely best epitomizes the ideals of America and, therefore, is the most "American" superhero. He is the star-spangled "Sentinel of Liberty" after all. That's the reason that Captain America made both our Memorial Day and Independence Day movie lists! "Captain America" is a fun WWII movie with action and fun aplenty. He isn't battling the British, but the Nazis make for better bad guys anyway.
*All Ages
An American Tail
This is the movie that made Dreamworks Animation! Spielberg worked with Don Bluth, a former Disney artist to create this and a few other movies before formally starting the animation department of Dreamworks. In this now classic tale, Fievel's family of mice emigrates to the US from Russia to escape feline persecution. Two problems arise from their trip. First, unbeknownst to the Mousekewitz', there are cats in America! Second, little Fievel gets lost along the way and separated from his family. The viewer then gets to watch as Fievel tries to survive the new land on his own while nearly missing seeing his family over and over. Much like Frozen entered "Let it Go" into the minds of a generation, this movie was responsible for everyone knowing the words to and singing along with "Somewhere Out There". Also much like Frozen, American Tail will surely bring a tear to the eye. If you want Fievel without the waterworks, try part 2, which is more comedy and less drama.
*All Ages
Independence Day
While this movie doesn't show how Americans came together to stop their British oppressors, it DOES show the world coming together to stop alien oppressors. So, it still fits the Independence Day theme in more than name alone. Plus, how can you go wrong with a breakout role for Will Smith that lead him to his continued success in the world of Sci-Fi combined with Jeff Goldblum hot off his Jurassic Park success? Answer, you can't.
*Older Kids and Teens
Miracle
Miracle is a Disney sports movie that pits the US against Russia in the true story of the 1980 Olympics. In a hockey game that had further reaches than just the ice rink, based on the Cold War, the US team was a Cinderella team that wasn't expected to win against the unbeatable Russians. Now...this may be seen as a spoiler, but the movie is called "Miracle", so expect good things for the US team.
*Older Kids and Teens.
Pearl Harbor
You may get lost in the love story in which two brothers fall in love with the same girl, but this movie does a great job displaying what Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor was like. As the impetus that brought the US into WWII, this movie also does a good job commemorating our part of the fight against the Nazis and the Empire of Japan.
*Older Kids and Teens
Rocky
It's not happenstance that Rocky heads to Russia in part 4 to fight for America in the ring wearing his red, white, and blue shorts. No, from part 1 he embodies the American dream as he works hard to move himself up from nothing to becoming a contender to the heavyweight boxing title, fame, and fortune. Hard work, training, and a music montage proves Rocky is a great boxer and never gives up. With that same stick-to-it attitude, every American could be somebody!
*Older Kids and Teens
Air Force One
What's more American than watching the US president kicking butt and taking names? In a Die Hard-esque plot, Air Force One gets taken over by terrorists led by Gary Oldman. Oldman, at his evil best, takes all on board hostage. No one can stop him. No one, that is, except the military-trained president, played by Harrison Ford, who is still loose on the plane!
*Older Kids and Teens
National Treasure
In a modern day Indiana Jones-style story mixed with the popularity of the Davinci Code, Nicolas Cage leads a treasure hunt that takes him to multiple historic American artifacts. With each artifact, most notably the US Declaration of Independence, he must solve puzzles and riddles to find the hidden treasure before the bad guys find it first.
*Older Kids and Teens
Apollo 13
Houston, we have a ... hit movie. Tom Hanks leads the cast as the astronauts of Apollo 13 go on a mission that was supposed to be the 3rd moon landing...that is until something goes wrong in the ship. Then, it's all hands on deck to get the astronauts home safely.
*Older Kids and Teens
Now that you've cheered along America in one or more of the movies from our Independence Day movie list, head back outside to watch some fireworks. Later, though, when you're ready to watch something else and need a suggestion, check out some more of our movie lists.