Firecracker Films for 4th of July

When you think of Independence Day, usually activities like hosting a barbecue, setting off fireworks, and watching a parade come to mind. But why not watch some of the most patriotic movies to ever grace the silver screen and get fired up this 4th of July? Here’s a list of must-see movies that salute our country and our people’s undying spirit of determination.

Air Force One (1997)
Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen

Hijackers seize the plane carrying the President of the United States and his family, but he (an ex-soldier) works from hiding to defeat them.

Apollo 13 (1995)
Directed by: Ron Howard

This is the true story of a moon-bound mission that developed severe trouble, and the men that rescued it with skill and dedication.

Armageddon (1998)
Directed by: Michael Bay

When an asteroid the size of Texas is headed for Earth the world's best deep core drilling team is sent to nuke the rock from the inside.

Black Hawk Down (2001)
Directed by: Ridley Scott

Elite U.S. soldiers drop into Somalia to capture two top lieutenants of a renegade warlord and find themselves in a desperate battle with a large force of heavily-armed Somalis.

Born On The 4th Of July (1989)
Directed by: Oliver Stone

This is a biographic film about Ron Kovic. Paralyzed in the Vietnam War, he becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by the country he fought for.

Dave (1993)
Directed by: Ivan Reitman

A presidential look-alike finds himself in the oval office "filling in" for the president who has fallen ill. Lacking the political savvy of the real president, "Dave" proceeds to govern the country with a refreshingly straight-forward approach.

A Few Good Men (1992)
Directed by: Rob Reiner

A military lawyer defends Marines accused of murder; they contend they were acting under orders.

Forrest Gump (1994)
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

Forrest Gump, while not intelligent, has accidentally been present at many historic moments, but his true love, Jenny, eludes him.

Independence Day (1996)
Directed by: Roland Emmerich

The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy. Fighting superior technology, Man's best weapon is the will to survive.

A League of Their Own (1992)
Directed by: Penny Marshall

Two sisters join the first female professional baseball league and struggle to help it succeed amidst their own growing rivalry and the backdrop of World War II.

The Memphis Belle (1990)
Directed by: Michael Caton-Jones

The "Memphis Belle" is a World War II bomber, piloted by a young crew on dangerous bombing raids into Europe. This is their story.

Men in Black (1997)
Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld

Two men who keep an eye on aliens in New York City must try to save the world after the aliens threaten to blow it up.

National Treasure (2004)
Directed by: Jon Turteltaub

A treasure hunter is in hot pursuit of a mythical treasure that has been passed down for centuries, while his employer turned enemy is onto the same path that he's on.

The Patriot (2000)
Directed by: Roland Emmerich

Peaceful farmer Benjamin Martin is driven to lead the Colonial Militia during the American Revolution when a sadistic British officer murders his son.

Pearl Harbor (2001)
Directed by: Michael Bay

Pearl Harbor follows the story of two best friends, Rafe and Danny, and their love lives as they go off to join the war.

Rocky (1976)
Directed by: John G. Avildsen

A small time boxer gets a once in a lifetime chance to fight the heavyweight champ in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Following the Normandy Landings, a group of US soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.

Stripes (1981)
Directed by: Ivan Reitman

Two friends who are dissatisfied with their jobs decide to join the army for a bit of fun.

United 93 (2006)
Directed by: Paul Greengrass

This film is a real time account of the events on United Flight 93, one of the planes hijacked on 9/11 that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania when passengers foiled the terrorist plot.

We Were Soldiers (2002)
Directed by: Randall Wallace

This is the story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War and the soldiers on both sides that fought it.

World Trade Center (2006)
Directed by: Oliver Stone

Two Port Authority police officers become trapped under the rubble of the World Trade Center.

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