30 Best 4th of July Movies

This musicial blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway to tell the story of Alexander Hamilton, an American revolutionary, statesman and Founding Father of the United States. You’ll watch a live show so riveting, you’ll think you’re sitting front row.

Cynthia Erivo stars as abolitionist Harriet Tubman. The movie tells the story of Tubman’s incredible legacy, including leading the Underground Railroad and guiding enslaved people to freedom.

If you have someone in your life that won’t shut up about the Hamilton soundtrack, they’ll probably love 1776. It’s actually a pretty accurate retelling of the first ever Independence Day — minus the catchy songs, of course.

Dating is hard, especially when you’re the president of the United States. This sweet romantic comedy follows a widowed U.S. President as he falls for an environmental lobbyist — and all of the bumps along the way.

A treasure map on the back of the Declaration of Independence? It’s not the craziest thing that happens during this story’s running time. This Nicolas Cage action flick is pure campy fun.

Get ready to laugh with Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith, Tiffany Haddish and Queen Latifah as they head to New Orleans during 4th of July weekend to attend the Essence Festival.

You’ll be on the edge of your seat during this twisty thriller that dramatizes the hunt for Osama bin Laden following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Harrison Ford does what only Harrison Ford could do in this Cold War action movie — play a U.S. President who can fight of assassins with his bare hands.

It might not stoke your inner patriot, but this film is set on July 4. A beach town is rocked when a killer shark is out for blood. Steven Spielberg’s thriller, based on the novel by Peter Benchley, is a can’t-miss summer flick.

Training to become a Navy fighter pilot, Maverick (Tom Cruise) certainly has his work cut out for him. But with a new bestie named Goose and a crush on his flight instructor, we see just how much this young pilot can accomplish. It went on to win the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Movie and reigns as one of the most popular Halloween costumes of all time.

In this movie released the day before the 4th of July in 1996, Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith) and President Whitmore (Bill Pullman) are on a mission to save the United States … from an alien invasion. This sci-fi action film is a twist on your classic war movie.

If you want to sing and dance your way through the 4th of July, just turn on this musical starring James Cagney. Looking back at the life of Broadway icon George M. Cohan, you’ll hear all the patriotic tunes you know and love (like “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Over There”).

Just three years after Top Gun, Tom Cruise starred in the movie based on former Marine Ron Kovic’s life. You’ll see how he transforms from dedicated soldier to a critic of the war that left him paralyzed.

When local hero Jefferson Smith is surprisingly appointed to serve in the United States Senate, he becomes even more shocked when he learns what he’s up against. The fictional story of a young idealist entering the Senate was met with positive reviews from viewers and is even featured in the Senate’s history.

You’ll feel all the feels watching this movie about the first African-American regiment, led by Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick). With famous faces like Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, we honor and celebrate the men who risked their lives during the Civil War.

John Wayne takes the helm as Lt. Col. Benjamin Vandervoort in this film about D-Day. Presenting the perspectives of the Allies storming the Normandy beaches and the Germans, this film shows what happened in 1944 from all angles.

Geena Davis and Lori Petty play a competitive pair of sisters in this film, loosely adapted from the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. During World War II, these women came together to play ball after so many men went off to war.

Ideal for the whole family, no one can forget the epic 4th of July scene in The Sandlot. The gang of adventurous, baseball-loving boys will make your kids (and you!) laugh out loud.

Just a year later, Hanks played one of the three astronauts aboard NASA’s spacecraft Apollo 13. The movie about the near-disastrous true story changed up the real quote, but it brought us the memorable line, “Houston, we have a problem.”

In this heart-wrenching film, you’ll see Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) go behind enemy lines in the hopes of locating missing soldier, Private James Ryan (Matt Damon). All three of Ryan’s brothers have been killed in combat, and Miller makes it his mission to save him.

After his son is murdered, a peaceful farmer is forced to fight the British to avenge his death. Mel Gibson’s performance earned him the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor.

The real-life event is depicted in this period romance drama following two best friends (Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett) who fall for the same woman (Kate Beckinsale). It was nominated for three Oscars, and won for Best Sound Editing.

If you’re like us, you’re a sucker for an emotional sports drama. Telling the true story of Herb Brooks, Kurt Russell stars in this moving film about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team defeating Russia to earn the gold.

This movie is about three formerly unsung heroes, NASA’s Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe). Together, they worked to launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit. The film was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer.

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) turns into the ultimate superhero after he’s rejected from the military because of his small stature. His transformation ultimately helps him combat the Nazis in this fictional portrayal of World War II.

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Spend the holiday with a 4th of July movie honoring Dr. King’s legacy and his vision for our freedom. David Oyelowo stars as the civil rights leader in Ava DuVernay’s film chronicling the iconic Selma, Alabama march for peace.

Celebrate the 4th of July holiday with Rocky and a movie marathon! Watch the fireworks fly across your screen with Sylvester Stallone’s classic American tale about the ways strength and grace lead us to heroic victory.