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The word cloud of âAmericaâ is made of many names: history, war, politics, protests, oppression, opportunity, freedom, innovation, independence, Tom Hanks. But because July 4 is rapidly approaching, if you want to put on your patriot hat for one day of the year, we're here to help with that. No matter your definition of âAmerican,â these 30 movies are perfect for an Independence Day spent on the couch...or post-4th of July party hangover binge watching. Red, white, and blue-vie marathon anyone?
âSaving Private Ryanâ (1998)
In this WWII epic, a team of United States Army Rangers led by Tom Hanks go behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan (Matt Damon) and bring him home after his brothers were killed in action. The film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, taking home five.
âNational Treasureâ (2004)
In this classic action flick, Nicolas Cage plays a historian racing to find a hidden collection of precious artifacts, aided by a secret coded map on the back of the Declaration of Independence (which he has to steal first).
âHamiltonâ (2020)
The only movie musical youâre allowed to watch on Independence Day is Lin Manuel Mirandaâs masterpiece, Hamilton. What can we say about Hamilton that hasnât already been said (by literally everyone)? Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, singing, dancing, etc.
â13thâ (2016)
13th, titled after the Thirteenth Amendment, explores race in America and how the legacy of slavery remains alive and well in our justice system across the country. While we celebrate freedom, it's important to remember that for many in this country, âfreedomâ comes with fine print.
âAmerican Sniperâ (2014)
This biopic unpacks the story of Navy S.E.A.L sniper, Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper), who was a very accurate shot while serving a tour in Iraq. Kyle became the deadliest marksman in U.S. military history, and the film follows his career and the toll service took on his family life and mental health.
âThe American Presidentâ (1995)
Before there was Scandal, there was The American President. This film follows a fictional widowed U.S. president who falls in love with an environmental lobbyist while mounting a reelection campaign.
âBorn On The Fourth Of Julyâ (1989)
This biographical anti-war film stars Tom Cruise as Ron Kovic, a Vietnam war veteran who was paralyzed on the front lines. After his injury leaves him discharged from the military, Ron becomes an anti-war activist. The New York Times describes the film as âthe most ambitious non-documentary film yet made about the entire Vietnam experience.â
âForrest Gumpâ (1994)
While this film may not be specific to Independence Day, itâs totally tied up in American history. The film follows decades in the life of Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) who witnesses (and often influences) American history in the 20th century. Throughout the beloved film, Forrest gets drafted, meets JFK, becomes a ping pong diplomat, inspires John Lennonâs âImagine,â and spills the tea on Watergate.
âHidden Figuresâ (2016)
Hidden Figures follows the true story of a group of Black women who excelled as NASA mathematicians in the 1960s. Played by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle MonĂĄe, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson played a major role in the Space Race. You dreamt about being an astronaut because of these three women.
âZero Dark Thirtyâ (2012)
A war epic for the modern era, Zero Dark Thirty details the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden following the September 11th attacks. The al-Qaeda leader was killed at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L.s Team 6 in 2011. Jessica Chastain won a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of a fictional CIA intelligence analyst.
âIndependence Dayâ (1996)
Not *exactly* historical, Independence Day is a sci fiction action film starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, and Jeff Goldblum. After an extraterrestrial race attacks the earth, the humans work together to launch a counterattack on the 4th of July. If youâre looking to commemorate the holiday but flunked out of U.S. History, this one's for you.
âMr. Smith Goes To Washingtonâ (1939)
This vintage classic follows the story of a newly appointed U.S. Senator who works to fight the corrupt world of American politics. Pretty controversial for 1939, the film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and is considered one of the greatest of all time.
âGloryâ (1989)
This Civil War flick stars Denzel Washington and Matthew Broderick and tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first all-Black volunteer company of its time. The Academy loves a war film⌠Glory was nominated for five Oscars and took home three.
âApollo 13â (1995)
Another slam dunk for Americaâs sweetheart Tom Hanks! Apollo 13 tells the story of the aborted 1970 lunar mission which failed just two days into the mission to land on the moon. Under NASAâs direction, the crew traveled around the Moon and returned to earth six days after launch.
âSelmaâ (2014)
Directed by Ava DuVernay (also the mind behind 13th), Selma follows the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery. Film critics said this one should be required watching for high school students across the country.
âLincolnâ (2012)
Daniel Day-Lewis stars as none other than Honest Abe Lincoln, a struggling American president during the Civil War. This film takes viewers inside cabinet discussions to emancipate enslaved people across the country in 1865.
âJawsâ (1975)
A killer shark on a beach on Long Islandâwhatâs this got to do with Independence Day? The murderous shark in Jaws arrives to the beach over 4th of July weekend, and heâs not the only one; Crowds of summer travelers flock to the beach for the holiday, and chaos ensues.
âCaptain America: The First Avengerâ (2011)
This 4th of July, enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is transformed into a super-soldier to stop the Red Skull amid World War II. Weâll say this one is 90 percent superhero drama, 10 percent historical fiction.
âA League Of Their Ownâ (1992)
Sporty girls, assemble! A League Of Their Own tells the story of the IRL All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was assembled during WWII when many men were drafted into service. Baseball, war, Tom Hanksâthis one passes the Independence Day vibe check.
âJackieâ (2016)
Starring Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy, Jackie follows the former first ladyâs experience in the hours and days following the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy. If you were a fan of K. Stew in Spencer, give this one a try, since both were directed by Pablo LarraĂn.
Courtney Young is a freelance writer covering all things entertainment and pop culture, having previously written for Betches, Mic, and The Cut. Her Real Housewives locale of choice is New Jersey, her emotional support show is Girls, and her toxic trait is romanticizing mafia culture. You can follow her on Instagram @courtneyyoungg.
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