To get into the patriotic spirit, these are the best 4th of July movies to celebrate life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. America’s War of Independence to divest 13 colonies from the British Empire established the United States of America in 1776, and there are more than a few ways to celebrate the nation’s birth. Countless movies explore not only the pivotal founding of the United States but life in America through the centuries by the generations of people who have settled in the country and continue to make it one of the most diverse places in the world.

Whether fans prefer historical epics, educational dramas, raucous comedies, or kick-ass action movies that revel in the individualistic spirit that America is known for, there’s a little something for everyone. Fourth of July movies also celebrate Hollywood, one of America’s most significant contributions to global entertainment, with a wide variety of genres and narratives. There’s no better way to throw a party for the US of A than by exercising the freedom to choose whatever movie stirs pride, patriotism, and diversity the most.

15

Born On The Fourth Of July

Directed By Oliver Stone

Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July stars Tom Cruise as New York teen Ron Kovic, a role that is a big departure from Cruise’s more action-packed movies. In the ’60s, Ron enlists in the Marines to fulfill his patriotic duty during the Vietnam War and accidentally kills a fellow soldier before becoming permanently paralyzed. Not only does the movie feature a touching performance from Cruise, particularly as Kovic becomes an anti-war demonstrator, but it also highlights the difficulties veterans experienced as they reintegrated into civilian life at the time, abandoned by political parties and some of their closest supporters.

14

Independence Day

Directed By Roland Emmerich

Independence Day is a ’90s blockbuster depicting what would happen if an alien invasion happened on the 4th of July. It focuses on several different storylines, including the president (Bill Pullman) trying to negotiate peace, a fighter pilot (Will Smith) permitted to shoot down the mother ship if it becomes hostile, and a scientist (Jeff Goldblum) designated to find a way to save the planet if that doesn’t work. While it’s easy to dismiss it as one big American action fest, its message of global solidarity in the face of a universal threat stands out amidst Independence Day‘s explosions.

13

Glory

Directed By Edward Zwick

Solidarity and a commitment to liberty take center stage in Glory, an American Civil War movie that focuses on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, America’s first all-African-American regiment led by Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) following the Battle of Antietam. The unit includes Cabot Forbes (Cary Elwes), John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman), and many men like Silas Trip (Denzel Washington), who escaped a life of picking cotton in the fields. Many commit to the ultimate sacrifice for a country that refused to give them the same respect, with performances that bring life to many forgotten heroes who made it free.

12

Lincoln

Directed By Steven Spielberg

If fans choose to watch a movie about a former president who helped shape America into a land of equal opportunity, Lincoln offers a compelling historical and educational narrative led by the formidable Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln. It traces Lincoln’s push for the 13th Amendment during the worst of the nation’s Civil War, showcasing the opposition he faced as he sought to end the conflict and usher in a new era of prosperity and tolerance. Director Steven Spielberg pulls at the heartstrings with a stacked cast that includes Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader, and Joseph Gordon Levitt.

11

Harriet

Directed By Kasi Lemmons

The establishment of the Underground Railroad by abolitionist Harriet Tubman is one of the most inspirational stories associated with America’s continued pursuit of independence. Cynthia Erivo stars as Tubman in the Harriet cast, whose commitment to finding secret ways to free African American people from all across America is as dynamic and thrilling as any superhero story. The true story behind one of the most famous and heroic figures in US history is communicated with powerful performances, sweeping cinematography, and a tone somewhere between Black Panther and 12 Years A Slave.

10

Team America: World Police

Directed By Trey Parker

One of the best action comedies of the 2000s that doesn’t get nearly enough credit is Team America: World Police, which satirizes and spoofs everything good (and bad) about the U.S. in one high-octane adventure. Developed by the minds behind South Park, it follows the wise-cracking marionettes in Team America as they try to thwart North Korean leader Kim Jong Il’s terrorist scheme and the efforts of Hollywood elites who criticize their “world police” tactics. Heavily influenced by the A-Team, Rambo, MacGuyver, and other works that are aggressively pro-America, it provides reflection about American militarism with its popcorn entertainment.

9

Top Gun

Directed By Tony Scott

Considered one of Tom Cruise’s most rewatchable movies, Top Gun is a staple on the 4th of July thanks to Cruise’s performance as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. Maverick is one of the best pilots in the Navy’s elite Top Gun program and an all-American hero protecting his country from Russian threats with his unconventional flying methods. Cruise learned to fly a Tomcat for the role, one he got to revisit decades later in Top Gun: Maverick. The sequel shows even more impressive views of America’s land and sea through the cockpit of a fighter jet, making it perfect for a double-feature.

8

About My Father

Directed By Laura Terruso

Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco stars as Sebastian, a hotel manager intending to propose to his longtime girlfriend at her parents’ Independence Day party. Hilarity ensures when his immigrant father Salvo (Robert De Niro) is also invited, and the ornery Sicilian hairdresser has a hard time fitting in with his son’s privileged future in-laws at their lakeside retreat. About My Father and its ending bring a lot of laughs and explore the intricacies of second-generation family stories about trying to fit in through humor. Meanwhile, the 2023 movie celebrates the differences that make American citizens stand out and come together.

7

Rocky

Directed By John G. Avildsen

At this point, there are nine Rocky and Creed movies, but the original film remains one of the most electrifying sports movies ever. Written and starring Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, an amateur boxer who dreams of winning the World Heavyweight Championship, Rocky’s journey to success is one of the most inspiring examples of self-improvement and self-determination. America loves an underdog, and there’s no character who better fits that archetype nor embodies the nation’s fighting spirit than Rocky, who knows that it ain’t about how hard a person hits, but how hard they get hit and keep getting up.

6

Hamilton

Directed By Thomas Kail

The Broadway musical Hamilton took the world by storm in 2015 as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s take on the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton gripped audiences. The musical is unlike any other adaptation the United States’ early days as Miranda tells the first Secretary of the Treasury’s story through hip-hop and R&B-inspired songs. Hamilton also only casts people of color as its primary performers (except for the character of King George III) to reflect America’s racial diversity. Thankfully, Disney+ released a live stage recording of Hamilton in 2020 for those who were unable to see it on Broadway.

5

Saving Private Ryan

Directed By Steven Spielberg

War movies (featuring the United States military) are always a reliable go-to when contemplating what to watch on the 4th of July, and Saving Private Ryan is undoubtedly one of the best. Steven Spielberg’s 1998 epic film follows a group of soldiers, led by Tom Hanks’ Captain John Miller, who embark on a mission to find Private James Francis Ryan during World War II. While the movie’s entirety is engrossing from start to finish, one of the most memorable moments in Saving Private Ryan is its opening, which brutally depicts the United States Army’s Omaha Beach D-Day landings.

4

Selma

Directed By Ava DuVernay

Like other works on this list, Selma tells a true story related to American history. Ava DuVernay’s 2014 movie chronicles the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama, led by civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Hosea Williams, and John Lewis. The marches were organized to advocate for African-American citizens’ right to vote and were instrumental in the passage of the Voting Rights Act. Selma is one of the most important films based on U.S. history and is the perfect 4th of July watch as a reminder that the Civil Rights Movement wasn’t that long ago.

3

National Treasure

Directed By Jon Turteltaub

National Treasure is one of the more light-hearted movies on this list as it depicts a treasure hunter (played by Nicolas Cage) stealing the Declaration of Independence to prevent someone else from doing so. The 2004 action-adventure heist film is exciting as the characters discover clues located in several important U.S. landmarks to find treasure, and there’s no better way to celebrate the 4th of July than to watch it. A sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, is another great movie to experience on America’s Independence Day. Thankfully, the fun will continue as National Treasure 3 is currently in development.

2

Forrest Gump

Directed By Robert Zemeckis

If one is looking to watch a movie containing multiple historical American events, look no further than Forrest Gump. Robert Zemeckis’ comedy-drama tells the story of Forrest Gump, a fictional character played by Tom Hanks in the Forrest Gump cast, from childhood to adulthood. Forrest Gump follows Forrest as he befriends and falls in love with Jenny, is named to the All-American college football team (allowing him to meet President John F. Kennedy), enlists in the Army and serves during the Vietnam War, runs across the country, and much more. Hanks later won an Oscar for his performance as Forrest.

1

Captain America: The First Avenger

Directed By Joe Johnston

It doesn’t get any more festive on the 4th of July than watching Captain America: The First Avenger starring Chris Evans as Captain America in his first MCU appearance. When the U.S. Army recruits Steve Rogers, he takes a superhuman serum developed by the government to turn into a super soldier, who protects humankind from Nazis and supernatural forces, all the while promoting patriotism over propaganda. While the movie is self-contained, it’s also a nice jumping-off point for the rest of the MCU if fans want to have a marathon of 4th of July movies involving Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.