Bust out your American flags, because today is the 4th of July!
Until the fireworks illuminate the night sky tonight, you may be looking for a fun activity to celebrate our beloved country all day long…
While there are TONS of activities you may partake in this Independence Day, from beach days to block parties to backyard barbecues, what is better than a movie marathon filled with some American classics?
The Decider team developed a list of films that are perfect to watch on America’s birthday, especially for those of you who are looking to have a more laid-back holiday. Whether you’re craving something fun, something intense, or even something that captures a piece of American history, there is sure to be something on our list that tickles your fancy.
Grill up your hot dogs, grab yourself a slice of apple pie and get comfortable (in your red, white and blue loungewear, of course), because we can guarantee that these films will make you refuse to turn your television off.
Top Gun is arguably one of the most successful movies of all time, and it was even selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress in 2015. Due to this extreme success, a highly-anticipated sequel to the critically-acclaimed film hit theaters 36 years later, sending all action-lovers into a frenzy.
In May of 2022, Top Gun: Maverick was released, serving as the the second-highest-grossing film of the year as well as the highest-grossing film of Tom Cruise’s career. Maverick returns in this highly-anticipated sequel, still serving as one of the United States Navy’s top pilots and continuing to push the envelope and take risks. He quickly finds himself training a group of graduates from his alma mater, Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School, for a one-of-a-kind mission, setting the scene for a must-see storyline that hooks you right from the start.
Given the extreme success of the film and the use of IMAX-certified 6K full-frame cameras, some may argue that Top Gun: Maverick is even better than the original…
The only way to set the record straight is to watch it for yourself, and the 4th of July is the perfect day to do so!
Directed by the one and only George Clooney, The Monuments Men is an intriguing war film based loosely around the non-fiction book, The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History, ultimately adding a bit more history to our list.
The film takes place during World War II and follows a group of allies from the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives program throughout their mission to preserve a series of American artifacts before the Nazis destroy them. With an engaging “treasure hunt” aspect to the movie, The Monuments Men had our eyes glued to the screen from start to finish, as well as our hearts bursting with pride for our beloved country.
Amassing $155 million worldwide, The Monuments Men was a huge success – with just one watch, you will quickly see why!
Another must-see film that covers the harsh realities of warfare is none other than Saving Private Ryan.
Throughout the movie, Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) makes the dangerous decision to infiltrate enemy territory to try and find his comrade, Private James Ryan (Matt Damon). Given that all three of Ryan’s brothers have been killed in combat in the past, Miller makes a promise to Ryan’s mother to save her last remaining son, ultimately creating a gut-wrenching film that highlights the passion, heroism and devastation that comes with warfare.
With Steven Spielberg serving as the director, as well as actors like Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Vin Diesel and more making up the star-studded cast, Saving Private Ryan is an extremely well-done film that is definitely a must-watch this Independence Day if you’re looking for a good cry.
American Sniper highlights the harsh realities of warfare, adding a much more serious film to our list of flicks to watch this upcoming 4th of July.
Within the film, a member of the United States Navy named Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) serves as one of the most lethal snipers in American history. After serving four tours of duty in Iraq protecting our beloved country, Chris quickly finds that it is difficult to shake the memories of his time at war, ultimately impacting his ability to be a good husband and father to his family back home.
While it may not be the most lighthearted film, American Sniper captures the horrifying moments veterans tend to face in an extremely poetic way, making for a haunting film that is sure to give you chills.
Another movie that is on the more serious side and perfect to watch this upcoming Independence Day is titled Glory. Starring some of the biggest names in Hollywood, such as Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman and Matthew Broderick, it is a critically-acclaimed film that is sure to have you beaming with American pride by the end.
The inspiring story highlights the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first all-black volunteer unit during the Civil War, and their struggles with racism throughout their time in the United States Army. Within this must-see film, the regiment makes it their mission to ensure the freedom of enslaved Americans, despite the prejudice they may face along the way.
With five Oscar nominations and three wins, including Best Supporting Actor for Denzel Washington, Glory is truly a phenomenal film that will definitely have you shedding a few tears.
Serving as the 20th highest-grossing film of 1984, Red Dawn is yet another captivating war film that received praise from both viewers and critics alike.
In the 1980s, the odds of a World War III were fairly high, due to high tensions with Russia at the time. Because of this, the story of Red Dawn highlights a group of teenage guerillas who are forced to defend their country in World War III after witnessing Soviet and Cuban troops descend into their hometown of Calumet, Colorado.
Even though the 2012 remake may grasp your attention, starring hunks like Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Josh Peck and more, be sure to stick to the original this upcoming 4th of July. With a 14% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the reboot is anything but desirable…
While it is not a war film, Selma is another critically-acclaimed movie that covers the harsh realities of racial injustice within the United States.
The plot showcases the marches that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (David Oyelowo) orchestrated from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965, in an attempt to secure equal voting rights within America. Much like we see in Glory, Selma highlights a great deal of prejudice throughout this tumultuous journey, and it is sure to have you tearing up from your couch.
Being nominated for Best Picture and winning Best Original Song at the 87th Academy Awards, receiving four nominations and winning Best Original Song at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards and more, Selma is truly a phenomenal film.
Born and raised in Orange County, California, Melanie Rooten is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. Melanie has a true passion for all things pop culture, and she tends to spend her free time going to concerts and music festivals, binging her favorite TV shows, spending time with her friends and family and cheering on the Oklahoma Sooners (of course). You can connect with her on Twitter (@MelanieRooten) to see all of her recent articles.
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