Get in the Patriotic Spirit by Watching Movies About the 4th of July

Hajnen Payson, March 1, 2022

Are you feeling extra patriotic and looking for the perfect way to have fun on a weekend night? Looking for something to play in the background at your 4^th of July celebration? Luckily, there are a lot of movies about the 4^th of July and Independence Day-themed movies from which to choose, including Jaws, National Treasure and Forrest Gump. Below we’ll take a look at these and some of our other favorites.

Independence Day

It’s right there in the name! Released on July 3, 1996, Independence Day stars Will Smith as a U.S. Marine Captain named Steven Hiller. The film centers around Captain Hiller and his efforts to stop an extraterrestrial race from taking over Earth. It’s called Independence Day because, in the film, the United States launches its attack on the extraterrestrials on July 4^th.

Independence Day is a great film with a lot of heart. Even if you’re not into science fiction, you’re sure to love this film. Independence Day received great popular acclaim and was the highest-grossing film of 1996. Its sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence, was released in 2016.

National Treasure

Starring Nicolas Cage as a historian named Benjamin Franklin Gates, National Treasure was released in 2004 and is a perfect patriotic film for people of all ages. The film follows Gates as he searches for treasure hidden during the American Revolutionary War. However, the only way to find this treasure is by following a map located on the back of the Declaration of Independence itself.

Featuring a lot of interesting tidbits about American history, National Treasure is the perfect film to watch on the 4^th of July. The film received a lot of praise from critics and audiences alike. A sequel, entitled National Treasure: Book of Secrets, came out in 2007.

Forrest Gump

If you ask people about their favorite Tom Hanks movie, chances are a lot of them will mention Forrest Gump. Based on a novel of the same name, 1994’s Forrest Gump stars Hanks as the titular character, who is an Alabama native with a large heart. Centered around Forrest’s life, the film offers the character’s commentary on many major American events, including the Vietnam War.

Forrest Gump is one of those films everyone should see at least once. The film is especially great to watch on July 4^th, as it shows the sacrifice soldiers make to defend our country. It also provides a bit of a history lesson, albeit with Forrest inserted into major American events.

Captain America: The First Avenger

It’s hard to escape Marvel movies these days. If you want to satisfy that Marvel fan in your life while enjoying a patriotic film, watch 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. The film stars Chris Evans as a young soldier named Steve Rodgers who would eventually become Captain America after being injected with a “super-soldier serum.” The story takes place during World War II and shows Captain America going against the villainous Red Skull. Other popular Marvel characters introduced in Captain America: The First Avenger include James "Bucky" Barnes/Winter Soldier and Peggy Carter.

This is another film that’s great for people of all ages. If you’re looking for a patriotic film packed with action and heart, it’s hard to beat Captain America: The First Avenger.

Jaws

If you’re a horror fan looking for a movie set on July 4^th, go with Steven Spielberg’s classic Jaws. Released in 1975, Jaws tells the story of a rogue shark terrorizing the waters of a New England beach. At one point in the film, the hungry shark attacks beachgoers trying to enjoy their July 4^th weekend.

Jaws is not only a great film to watch on July 4^th, it’s also a great summer movie in general. The film is a lot of fun and features some of the most memorable movie characters of all time. Just be sure to avoid watching Jaws before any upcoming beach trips!

Looking to show your patriotism?

While they might not be movies about the 4^th of July specifically, all these films have this major holiday in common—and they all center around celebrating our American spirit.

Speaking of American spirit, if you’re looking for the perfect thing to wear to your next patriotic event, check out our huge selection of 4th of July shirts at The Flag Shirt. Whether you’re looking for something comfortable to wear around the house or to a party, we’ve got you covered. Our collection includes shirts, jackets, bottoms, hats and much more.