The Fourth of July summer celebration means car shows, picnics, boating, fireworks, and remembering what Independence Day is all about. To make the July 4th party complete, why not take a break and relax with a favorite patriotic movie before the fireworks and evening festivities. The movie titles listed below can be purchased on the Amazon Web site or may be available for download from Amazon's Video on Demand service. Many can be rented from popular video stores. Check TV listings for movies offered for the holiday.
Top 12 Movies for the 4th of July
Most of the movies listed below relate to Independence Day, but a few are popular favorite films selected for summer viewing. Grab a bag of popcorn, a cold drink, and celebrate America in the comfort of home.
- Born on the Fourth of July. (1989) Rated R. Starring Tom Cruise, Amanda Davis, Seth Allen, Raymond J. Barry. Cruise portrays Ron Kovic, a combat veteran from the Vietnam War. Paralyzed from a gunshot wound, this true story depicts the horror of war and the degrading, horrendous treatment Kovic endured during rehab back in the states. Joining the anti-war protest, his view of patriotic idealism is redefined in a speech delivered during the 1976 Democratic national convention.
- Yankee Doodle Dandy. (1942) No rating. Starring James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Michael Curtiz. Cagney gives a splendid performance as composer-entertainer George M. Cohan. The story covers the brilliant career of Cohan, and includes a spectacular patriotic performance.
- The Music Man. (1962) Rated G. Starring Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, and a very young Ron Howard. Preston plays the part of "Professor" Harold Hill, a self-proclaimed band director who tries to scam the citizens of River City, Iowa, by creating a boys' band. Great musical entertainment for the entire family.
- The Great Escape. (1963) Not rated. Starring Steve McQueen and James Garner. A World War II drama and probably one of the greatest prison-escape movies ever filmed.
- 1776. (1972) Rated PG. Starring William Daniels and Howard Da Silva. A musical tribute to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This film offers a better-than-average portrayal of historical events.
- Johnny Tremain. (1957) Not rated. Starring Hal Stalmaster, Luana Patten. Based on the book of the same title by Esther Forbes, this movie is a great way to teach children the historical facts of Independence Day, including such events as the Boston Tea Party.
- The Patriot. (2000) Rated R. Starring Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, and Jason Isaacs. The story begins in South Carolina, where Benjamin Martin (Gibson) is forced to join the American Revolution or he'll lose his farm. He and his patriotic son (Ledger) battle the Redcoats in this action-packed drama that is very loosely-based on historical fact.
- Independence Day. (1996) Rated PG-13. Starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman. An alien invasion of Earth, complete with spaceships and fiery doom. Not exactly a 4th of July movie, but it's still a favorite, like the classic 1953 version of H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds.
- National Treasure. (2004) Rated PG. Starring Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger. In search of the Knights Templar Treasure, Benjamin Franklin Gates (Cage) goes on a treasure hunt that ultimately finds him stealing the authentic Declaration of Independence because it supposedly has clues to finding the treasure on the back. There are the usual bad guys trying to interfere, but the movie itself is packed with action, some cool historical trivia, and is generally good family entertainment.
- National Treasure 2 – Book of Secrets. (2007) Rated PG. Starring Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger. Ben Gates (Cage) is out to clear his great-great-grandfather's name as a conspirator in President Lincoln's assassination plot. To find the evidence he needs, Gates has to kidnap the U.S. president to gain access to the book of secrets that holds information about a city of gold, the Kennedy assassination, and all sorts of highly guarded information that would change the pages of history.
- Saving Private Ryan. (1998) Rated R. Starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon. A group of soldiers is sent on a rescue mission to save the only surviving brother after three others are lost in battle. A five-star movie that's unforgettable.
- Flags of Our Fathers. (2006) Rated R. Starring Ryan Phillippe, Barry Pepper. Six soldiers raise an American flag on Mount Suribachi, during the 1945 battle for Iwo Jima. The photo taken of the flag-raisers became a historical symbol for America. The story is based on the book by James Bradley.
The 4th of July is the time for families to celebrate America's independence and the ability to maintain that freedom throughout history. Movies are meant to entertain for the most part, but a few of the suggestions listed here are based on true lives and events. War movies, musicals, and dramas offer a wide variety of viewing enjoyment for America's birthday celebration. Take a break from the heat and the Fourth of July activities outdoors and relax indoors with a great movie.
Mary King - Mary King is a Suite101 Topic Editor for the Caregiver Support and Home Management sections. She has authored 5 teen-based novels.
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