Independence Day: Classic Movies To Watch This 4th Of July Weekend

Independence Day in the USA is always a good time to watch old movies centered on American history themes. What best way to celebrate this 4th of July than revisiting some classics.

Many adaptations of important events in our nation’s history have been brought to life on the big screen. From the revolutionary war to the hunt for terrorist Osama bin Laden and every thing in between.

There are classics that deal directly with historic events such as the revolutionary war, the civil war, and other important milestones.

But Hollywood has also provided us with films that are inspiring because of feats that are ingrained in our national conscience.

The films touch on different subjects that are important in the history of our country from sporting events to disasters that affect thousands. We can all relate to them as Americans.

If something of significance has occurred in our nation, you can almost bet that there is a movie about it. Some are better than others, but there are several classics that we keep coming back to.

These movies have become part of our traditions and are good go-to films to watch on the 4th of July weekend.

So after you are done with your grilling and fireworks display, why not watch a good movie?

The Patriot (2000)

The film stars Mel Gibson as a hard working farmer who is sucked into fighting with the Militia in Colonial times after his son, played by the late Heath Ledger, is brutally murdered by a sadistic British officer. Gibson is convincing as the heartbroken father who is bent on avenging the young man’s death.

JFK (1991)

Directed by Oliver Stone, it stars Kevin Costner, Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman, and Jack Lemon. Costner plays a determined New Orleans attorney looking into the Kennedy assassination when he discovers that there is more to the official report. Suspense and intrigue is the theme of this film. Interesting theories about one of the most traumatic events in American history.

All The President’s Men (1976)

Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman star in Alan J. Pakula’s film about the Watergate scandal. The pair play reporters Woodward and Bernstein, who uncovered the plot that ended up bringing the Nixon presidency down.

Apollo 13 (1995)

The Ron Howard film stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner, and Bill Paxton as the crew of the doomed space craft from the Apollo era. After the crew successfully enters into orbit there is a major technical problem that strands them in space and it is not known whether they can return home. The whole nation was riveted watching the events unfold.

Glory (1989)

If you haven’t seen this one, you must. Starring Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, and Matthew Broderick Glory, is the story of the first African American all volunteer company during the civil war. Intense and emotional film about breaking barriers during those tumultuous times.

Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

Starring Tom Cruise as Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic, the film is the true story of Kovic’s experience as a soldier fighting in the war. After being paralyzed, he became an anti-war activist. His struggles as he returns home are the focus of the film. He was actually born on the 4th of July.

Lincoln (2012)

Daniel Day-Lewis won the Oscar for his performance as the civil war President. The movie is set in the days prior to the emancipation declaration and the difficult decisions that Lincoln was faced with while the war raged on.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Steven Spielberg directs Tom Hanks in one of the most visually descriptive films about the landing of Allied forces on the Normandy beach on D-Day. The initial scene of the film is a breathtaking account of what our soldiers went through on the day that started the end of the Nazi rule in Europe.

Pearl Harbor (2001)

As the name indicates the film is about the day that will live in infamy, when Japan brought the US into World War II by attacking the naval base in Hawaii. The movie stars Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett.

Flags of our Fathers (2006)

Clint Eastwood is at the helm of this film about the life stories of the six men who raised the American flag in the island of Iwo Jima during a battle which became the turning point in the fight for the Pacific during World War II.

This is just a short list of the many films Hollywood has produced through the years, which are centered on historical events in American history.

Have you seen any of these films? Which are your favorite Independence day movies of all time?