My Top 10 Movies to Watch on the 4th of July

Among the many activities and traditions that come with my favorite holidays, I always have my favorite movies that I love returning to for special occasions. When it comes to my annual Independence Day celebration, I have my own little selection of titles that I love to cherry pick for viewing before the fireworks. They don’t have to be the most inspirational, or even the most directly related to the holiday itself … but there is something about them, wither in tone or imagery, that just feels right for the occasion. Agree or disagree, these are my personal top 10 favorite movies I love to watch as part of the 4^th of July celebration.   

 

#10 “Miracle” (2004) 

The year is 1980, the heated days of the Cold War, with conflicts tense between America and the Soviet Union, and one Hockey coach named Herb Brooks is determined to give the USA something special during the pressing time … beat the un-defeated Soviet Hockey team at the US College Olympics. While the narrative is predictable and even cliched, “Miracle” delivers on the execution, and fills me with both a winning sense of pride and enthusiasm. 

The cast is solid all-around, as they carry the film with a sense of passion, and it's hard not to get wrapped-up in their stories, even if a touch predictable. Watching this aggressively narrow-sighted coach gradually connect and bond with his team is at the heart of the film, and along with its patriotic imagery, it’s one of those simple offerings that compliments any good 4^th of July viewing experience.    

 

#9 “McLintock!” (1963) 

John Wayne is one of the great all-American icons, and a Western staring the patriotic titan is always a good choice for the holiday event. His 1963 Western comedy “McLintock!” focuses on him as an aged rancher, trying to preserve his land from outside forces, while also contending with his divorced wife played by Maureen O’Hara, who wants custody of their daughter. Despite all that, it’s one of his most laid-back and light-hearted outings. 

What puts this film on my list is the third-act set during a 4^th of July celebration, in which all the film’s most memorable action and hummer takes place, including an amusing chase sequence between our two leads. While John Wayne has admittedly had better Westerns then this, I always felt “McLintock!” had the most personality visual appeal to go along with the patriotic summer event.

 

#8 “Live Free or Die Hard” 

If the original 1988 “Die Hard” was your idea of Christmas … then you got to be there for Independence Day as well. Going from the confines of a tall building, to traversing across the USA (including Washington D.C.) on the 4^th of July weekend, John McClane is back to deal with a new band of enemies … cyber-terrorists. It’s a straightforward action romp, and it’s all around a solid piece of summer entertainment. 

It’s cool to see McClane out of his element, the tension is high, and just like the original film, it’s a thrilling little adventure to add some flavor to the holiday experience.    

 

#7 “Patton” (1970) 

From the iconic opening speech, with the massive American Flag backdrop, this film sets the stage for one of the great theatrical American biopics, to go along with the red-white-and-blue holiday. When it comes to War movies in general, the 1970 classic “Patton” has always been a personal favorite … with one of my all-time favorite character performances leading the charge. George C. Scott’s commanding performance is what cares this great war epic, and it’s as definitive as any portrayal in the history of American biopics. 

Throw in quotable lines, memorable imagery, thrilling tank battles, and an iconic music track provided by the late great Jerry Goldsmith, and it’s all around one of my favorite Oscar Winning Pictures.

 

#6 “Independence Day” (1996) 

Well … this countdown just wouldn’t feel complete without the movie barring the most direct and obvious title to tie-in with the holiday. Good old “Independence Day”, it’s a straightforward alien-invasion movie, as well as a 90’s staple for summer popcorn entertainment. The films efforts to give its premise an all-American feel is admittedly kind of silly, but still very appealing, and even the presidents admittedly corny speech is still a rousing moment that always gets me ready to celebrate the fourth. 

Will Smith and the cast in general are all memorable, the effects still look great and while the film isn’t the most meaningful experience to watch for the holiday, it certainly delivers the fireworks … and sometimes, that’s good enough.    

 

#5 “Rockey 4” 

Once again, we have another Sports movie set amidst the Cold-War on my list, and still just as patriotic as ever. Visually, this film gets me in the mood for the Fourth of July, more so than any other film in the “Rocky” series, despite the ending being set on Christmas. The main selling image of the film is Rocky wrapped in the American Flag, which is also the big closing shot of the film, and it’s Apollo Creeds patriotic ego that sets the whole narrative in motion. The character was always driven by a sense of patriotic pride, but this time he goes full on propaganda with his red, white and blue, Uncle Same inspired image. 

He even opens his match with a big musical number performed by James Brown called “Living in America”. It makes for another goofy, yet very memorable highlight in the film. Whenever the Fourth of July comes around, I always want to watch this musical number, and by extent … always love watching this film for the occasion.

 

#4 “The Patriot” (2000) 

When it comes to war movies to watch on Independence Day … one set during the Revolutionary War is an obvious, yet fitting choice. While I’ve never placed Mel Gibson’s “The Patriot” among the all-time inspiring war movies, it’s still an engaging, and highly re-watchable experience, with an A-list cast, and no shortage of iconography on display. 

Gibsons valiant charge with the flag has always stuck with me as a memorable movie moment. Directed by Roland Emmerich … the same talent who directed the previously mentioned “Independence Day” with Will Smith … shows his range of talent in this picture, and suggests he could have done more outside of his disaster movie wheel-house.   

 

#3 “Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011) 

When you have a character dressed from head to toe in Red, White and Blue, and just happens to have America in his title … you’ve got an instant shoe-in for 4^th of July viewings. Good old Captain America is old-fashioned, fun and as far as decorative visuals and moods are concerned, nothing tops his first movie. Everything from its tone, to its propaganda imagery, to it’s musical selection, and stage show moments are all very comforting to go along with the Independence Day celebration. 

Honestly, I think it’s the most appropriately decorated film for the occasion, but it also offers great characters, solid action, and is just the right kind of escapist fun to compliment any Summer celebration.   

 

#2 “Glory” (1989) 

The Civil War may not be as close to Independence Day as the Revolutionary War, but regardless, the 1989 War epic “Glory” contains just about everything the holiday stands for … chivalry, patriotism, valor, unity, self-sacrifice, and above all else, respect for one’s fellow man. Everything from the cinematography, to the music, to the performances are all first-rate, with Denzel Washingtons Oscar winning performance leading the charge. While the historical accuracy can be a little dodgy in spots, the film hits the right points where it counts for a great movie, getting us to care for these soldiers before they valiantly charge into battle. 

Also, this film features a moment of a solider retrieving the American flag amidst a battle … and it puts Mel Gibsons charge from “The Patriot” to absolute shame.  Colonel Shaw: “If this man should fall, who will lift the flag and carry on?” Corporal Searles: “I Will!”.  

 

Before I reveal my number One favorite movie to watch on the 4^th of July, here are some quick Honorable Mentions …

“National Treasure”

“Sands of Iwa Jima”

“Gettysburg”

“An American Tale: Fievel Goes West”

“I Know What You Did Last Summer” 

 

#1 “The Sandlot” (1993) 

Maybe this isn’t the most significant or even patriotic movie to watch for the holiday event … but regardless, it’s still the one I’m most drawn to re-watching on Independence Day. The film is set during a time when Baseball was the definitive all-American sporting event without question, and for me, it cares over into “The Sandlot”, making it feel like an all-American classic. 

On top of that, there’s a great little scene set during a 4th of July celebration (appropriately matched with Ray Charles “America the Beautiful”), in which the kids have a night game, but are distracted by all the bright colors exploding in the night sky … that is with the exception of young Benny, who just keeps running in the background. It’s a great moment, one that defines Benny’s character as one who lives for Baseball, and for whatever reason … whenever the 4th of July comes around, I always think of this scene. From its comforting summer atmosphere, to decorative scenes (including a chase through a Founders Day celebration), and clear love for the all-American Sport … it makes “The Sandlot” feel like a perfect way to celebrate the all-American holiday

Thanks for reading my list … and continue to enjoy the movies you love!