Are you prepared to ignite your spirit for this USA Independence Day? If you are about to have a joyful BBQ party, have a family dinner, or simply want to spend the evening immersed in the feeling of Being American, we have a list of films just for you.
Just think about how great it could be to focus on the successes & the challenges of the American spirit, through the media of movies.
These films are selected from the heart-warming stories of the underdog to incredible historical films & much in between for the ultimate list of the 12 best patriotic films for any movie lover. Well, get your popcorn ready, sit back & let’s dig into these phenomenal gems on American USA Independence Day.
USA Independence Day Specials: Explore These Timeless Movies That Honor American Spirit and History
Here are the all time best patriotic movies that you’ll definitely love watching on the USA Independence day coming this week:
1. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Image credit – Wikipedia
This beautiful film, directed by Frank Capra, revolves around Jefferson Smith, who is a naïve man & newly appointed to the Senate. When Smith, played by James Stewart, joins work at his post, he alienates himself with the political system led by Senator Taylor that is engulfed in corruption. Because of this, his moral values of truth & justice make him move to fight political evils, which this show portrays.
2. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
Image credit – Wikipedia
This movie questions the importance of entertainment in people’s lives by recounting the story of an American showman George M. Cohan, played by James Cagney, & his patriotic shows during World War I, the film is spirited & full of enough song & dance numbers, much like the tradition of Cohan. Patriotic tunes such as ‘Over There’ & ‘You’re a Grand Old Flag’ are revolutionary songs.
3. Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
Image credit – Wikipedia
This powerful movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, is based on the true events of six US soldiers who planted the American flag on Iwo Jima during the Second World War. The tale begins with the background to the picture & then moves to the soldiers’ survival stories & returning to their civilian lives, bringing out the issues of heroism & price of war.
4. Top Gun (1986) & Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Image credit – IMDB
The original “Top Gun,” directed by Tony Scott, is a high-octane action film that follows Navy pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise. Known for its thrilling dogfights & intense training scenes, the film celebrates American aerial prowess & competitive spirit. The 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick,” directed by Joseph Kosinski, revisits Maverick as he mentors a new generation of aviators.
5. Apollo 13 (1995)
Image credit – IMDB
Another movie that focuses on a true-life experience is Apollo 13 directed by Ron Howard, & starring Tom Hanks This docudrama explains a space mission that was threatened by an explosion of an oxygen tank which severely damaged the craft. Specifically, the movie demonstrates how the engineers & technicians at NASA would plot & devise ways of safely getting the crew back to Earth.
6. Hidden Figures (2016)
Image credit – IMDB
Theodore Melfi’s standout movie is about the bold story of three brilliant African-American women – mathematicians who made great strides for the representation of women & people of color at NASA. Despite the women & colored men being discriminated against at that time in America, their mathematical geniuses put America in space.
7. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Image credit – IMDB
This epic war movie also by Steven Spielberg focuses on the WWII era & starts with the dreadful scene of the D-Day confrontation. The action in the movie focuses on Captain Miller, portrayed by Tom Hanks, & his men in their attempt to find Private Ryan, whose siblings were killed during a war. Despite featuring explicit scenes of violence & choosing the notion of brotherhood as the main theme, the movie is an effective war tribute to the soldiers’ sacrifices.
8. The Sandlot (1993)
Image credit – IMDB
Written by David Mickey Evans, “The Sandlot” is a tale about the summer of 1962, & a boy & his group of friends. They are young boys who come together due to their love for baseball & the film documents their life journey. In my opinion, it reflects topics like friendship, determination, & the appreciation of an uncomplicated childhood. What Cody allows is a stereotypically American story of childhood loss, the joys of a summer & the values one learns at the ball field.
9. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Image credit – IMDB
This movie was directed by Mel Gibson & is a war movie showing the real life of Desmond Doss, a World War II medic who was a conscientious objector. Andrew Garfield portrays Doss inspiring him to fight to save 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa. This movie titled “Hacksaw Ridge” is all about standing for what is right regardless of the circumstances & is all about humanity.
10. Hamilton (2020)
Image credit – IMDB
Featuring music & lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this exciting musical shines a spotlight on the life of one of the framers of the American Constitution, Alexander Hamilton. The cast includes people of color & the music is a mix of hip-hop, randB, & standard musical production numbers. Thus, ‘Hamilton’ brings new energy to the American Revolution story. The filmed version of the musical show brings the color & the spirit of the Broadway hit that turns history into an interesting & exciting theme.
11. Glory (1989)
Image credit – Rotten Tomatoes
This one set in the Civil War is a war drama by Edward Zwick focusing on the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, a black regiment in the Union Army. This black regiment led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, played by Matthew Broderick shows the courage & giving up of these fighters in confrontation with Confederates & bigotry.
12. Independence Day (1996)
Image credit – IMDB
Residing in the sci-fi action sub-genre, this movie was produced by Rolan Emmerich; the story unfolds on the 4th of July & revolves around an alien invasion. Will Smith embarks in the role of Captain Steven Hiller, a man who will become the leader of a bunch of men & women without whom the world will not be able to be saved.
Conclusion
With the lights back & all the rejoicing coming to a halt, there can be no better way to savor the true essence of USA Independence Day than by going through these movies. Every picture on the list provides the potential audience with an understanding of what America stands for & what it has gone through courage & determination, innovation & unity.
At the end, as you bring your festivities to an end let these movies remind you of the great American spirit & the progress that is still ongoing in this great nation. Enjoy your show & Happy Independence Day, by the way.
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Amit Gupta is a 2016 graduate of Delhi University, India. After working over a decade as an additional writer at TheScoopVilla, he decided to start his own news publication. He mainly focuses on Bollywood News, Hindi and South Indian Movies, Web series articles and editorials. He likes to cooking and play cricket in his free time. Follow On Facebook.