If you're planning to celebrate America's 248th Birthday with your loved ones from the comfort of you home, why not consider watching these movie darlings that inspire the red, white and blue in all of us?
From classic films to recent blockbusters and from musicals to biopics, these timeless movies, in no particular order, evoke the patriotism and the indomitable American spirit that July 4th is all about.
Happy July 4!
“Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011)
Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Hayley Atwell; directed by Joe Johnston
Marvel’s 2011 superhero film brims with star-spangled patriotism. Watch Chris Evans as he tirelessly transforms into a super-soldier to fight for his country during World War II. The movie serves as an embodiment of the true grit and resilience of the American spirit.
Henry Koster’s 1952 classic turns the spotlight on the life of the symphonist who composed "The Stars and Stripes Forever," the world-renowned national march of the United States. John Phillip Sousa, hailed as the “March King,” wrote the famed music in 1896. Chances are you haven’t heard of the musical instrument called sousaphone. Well, this biopic also sheds light on its origins.
“Stars and Stripes Forever” (1952)
Clifton Webb, Robert Wagner, Debra Paget; directed by Henry Koster
Henry Koster’s 1952 classic turns the spotlight on the life of the symphonist who composed "The Stars and Stripes Forever," the world-renowned national march of the United States. John Phillip Sousa, hailed as the “March King,” wrote the famed music in 1896. Chances are you haven’t heard of the musical instrument called sousaphone. Well, this biopic also sheds light on its origins.
“Saving Private Ryan” (1998)
Tom Hanks, Matt Damon; directed by Steven Spielberg
The war film relates the story of one platoon’s determination, courage and honor to go behind enemy lines to retrieve Private James Ryan, whose only three brothers have been killed in combat. An extraordinary achievement in filmmaking, “Saving Private Ryan” is compelling yet excruciatingly painful to watch.
“Top Gun: Maverick” (2022)
Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller; directed by Joseph Kosinsky
Thirty-six years in the making, the much-awaited "Maverick" finally took off in the summer of 2022, wowing audiences with emotional dazzle, incredible midair sequences, death-defying dogfights. In the sequel, the megastar reprises his role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a top aviator still fearless and defiant after pushing the bounds of gravity — and the chain of command — for more than three decades. However, this time around, he encounters unexpected turbulence as he crosses paths with Rooster (Miles Teller), a young flyboy with a score to settle.
“The Thin Red Line” (1998)
James Caviezel, Sean Penn; directed by Terrence Malick
James Jones’ autobiographical 1962 novel comes to life in Terrence Malick’s 1998 screen adaptation of the author’s personal experiences during World War II. Riveting and thought-provoking as it is, the film depicts the first major land offensive launched by the American forces against the Empire of Japan around the island of Guadalcanal.
“Hamilton” (2020)
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs; directed by Thomas Kail
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s world-famous hip-hop musical about American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton dazzles with originality. Filmed entirely at New York’s Richard Rodgers Theater in 2016, the original live-stage production features original Broadway cast members and Miranda in the title role.
“American Sniper” (2014)
Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, directed by Clint Eastwood
Bradley Cooper stars as U.S. Navy S.E.A.L. Chris Kyle, one of the most lethal snipers in American history. Having served four tours of duty in Iraq, he finally returns home, but he now bears the emotional scars of war. Intensely powerful as it is, “American Sniper” is harrowing and extremely affecting as it delves deeply into the perils of war.
"A League of Their Own" (1992)
Tom Hanks, Gina Davis, Lori Petty; directed by Penny Marshall
A classic sports movie to watch on July 4? You cannot go wrong with Penny Marshall's "A League of Their Own," a depiction of a real women's baseball league that was created during World War II, a turbulent time when most men were away at war. The star-studded cast ensemble is delightful to watch.
“Glory” (1989)
Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington; directed by Edward Zwick
Edward Zwick's period war drama beautifully captures the chaos, discipline and valor in engagements throughout the sprawling depiction of the Battle of Antietam. Matthew Broderick stars as Col. Robert Shaw, who navigates viewers through the lionhearted story of his infantry unit, the 54th Massachusetts Regiment— one of the first Black fighting units enlisted in the Union during the Civil War. Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman star as members of the military unit.
“Patton” (1970)
George C. Scott, Karl Malden; directed by Franklin J. Shaffner
The 1970 Oscar-winning biopic “Patton” is a character study of Gen. George S. Patton, who was hailed as America’s greatest World War II combat general. With Oscar-winning script, direction and George C. Scott’s performance in the titular role, the film celebrates Patton’s courage and genius in the battlefield. The actor’s six-minute monologue alone in the beginning of the film is worth your time to watch this movie gem.
“Hidden Figures” (2016)
Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe; directed by Theodore Melfi
“Hidden Figures,” based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s 2016 nonfiction book, brings to life the true story of three pioneering Black female NASA mathematicians — Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson ), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) — who made crucial contributions during the space race. Catch all the thrills and excitement of this cinematic gem as our heroines become instrumental in launching astronaut John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit.
“The Sandlot” (1993)
Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar; directed by David Mickey Evans
The coming-of-age cult classic has baseball, barbecues, fireworks, pool parties — serving up a great recipe for an all-American tradition. Watch a group of childhood friends — Scott (Tom Guiry), Benjamin (Mike Vitar), Squints (Chauncey Leopardi) and Ham (Patrick Renna) — celebrate the 4th of July with a game of baseball in a local sandlot. It’s a star-spangled delight!
“1776” (1972)
William Daniels, Howard Da Silva; directed by Peter H. Hunt
Hoping for a musical other than “Hamilton”? “1776” also enthralls through song and dance. Based on Sherman Edwards’ 1969 Broadway musical, Peter H. Hunt’s 1972 musical drama depicts the American Revolution’s political struggle in the Continental Congress to declare independence from Great Britain in 1776, immersing audiences in the events that led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“The Patriot” (2000)
Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger; directed by Roland
Against the backdrop of the Revolutionary War, the action drama centers on an American colonist (Mel Gibson), who suddenly gets propelled into the war when a British military officer murders one of his sons . Undeterred in a fit of rage, the peaceful father vows to avenge his son’s death at all costs, including leading a colonial militia to fight the British army.
“Apollo 13” (1995)
Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton; directed by Ron Howard
Based on the events of the Apollo 13 lunar mission, the historical epic drama tells the story of NASA's delicate and risky plan to return the spacecraft and its crew to Earth safely after its oxygen tank explodes. The language may be too scientific and mathematical, but the tone is exact and realistically alarming, echoed by Tom Hanks' famous line, "Houston, we have a problem."
“Lincoln” (2012)
Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field; directed by Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg’s 2012 biopic chronicles the turbulent final months of Abraham Lincoln’s life, focusing on the American Civil War and Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. A box office smash, “Lincoln” paints a moving and dignified portrait, garnering 12 Oscar nominations and a Best Actor Oscar win for Day-Lewis for his powerful performance as the 16th U.S. president.
“Born on the Fourth of July” (1989)
Tom Cruise, Kyra Sedgwick; directed by Oliver Stone
A film adaptation of Ron Kovic’s autobiography, Oliver Stone’s 1989 classic delves into the intricacies of patriotism and war. Tom Cruise stars as Kovic, the war hero who returns home from the Vietnam War paralyzed from the chest down. His emotional scars take a toll on his spirits, fueling bouts of alcoholism and despair. But Kovic eventually prevails with renewed hope and a mission in life as an anti-war activist.
“Top Gun” (1986)
Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis; directed by Tony Scott
Catch all the vertigo-inducing aerial sequences as Navy aviators Lt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) and Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer) compete for the coveted award of “Top Gun” while training at a flying school in California. The movie has also been hailed as a game-changer in the sport of beach volleyball.
“National Treasure” (2004)
Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha; directed by Jon Turteltaub
What if you were a die-hard historian, and suddenly you discovered clues to the location of the world’s most coveted treasure on the back of the Declaration of Independence? That’s the premise of this heart-pounding family action adventure. Nicholas Cage stars as Benjamin Franklin Gates, a third-generation treasure hunter searching for the long-lost “national treasure” believed to have been hidden by our Founding Fathers. Benjamin’s tenacity pays off in the end, but danger looms ahead.
“The Hunt for Red October” (1990)
Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin; directed by John McTiernan
A film adaptation of Tom Clancy's bestselling novel of the same name, "The Hunt for Red October" follows Soviet submarine commander Ramius (Sean Connery) as he steers his sub Red October toward American waters, hoping to defect. In the process, leaders of the CIA think his goal is to start World War III. On the contrary, CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) dismisses their theory of doom-and-gloom. Chilling and tense as it is, this Cold War suspense-thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat.
“Hacksaw Ridge” (2016)
Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington; directed by Mel Gibson
"Hacksaw Ridge" is a biopic about the war experiences of Army medic Desmont T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), the first American in history to be awarded the Medal of Honor after refusing to carry any weapons in combat. In spite of a great deal of graphic violence, "Hacksaw Ridge" is piercingly thought-provoking. Mel Gibson's brilliant directorial vision and exposition are reminiscent of his movie "Apocalypto."
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