Best Family Movies to Watch on the 4th of July

Looking for the best family movies to watch on the 4th of July? These movies celebrate either the birth or the spirit of our nation in action-packed ways!

The 4th of July is a great time to share a movie with your family. Whether you’re planning to stay in because of rain or just catching a flick together before the main event outdoors, there is no better way to celebrate Independence Day than hanging out with family and friends watching a great movie. Check out some of the best family movies to watch on the 4th of July.

Family Movies to Watch on the 4th of July

Independence Day– 1996- This is probably one of the best family movies to watch on the 4th of July. It is kind of an out-there movie since it tells the story of an alien invasion on Earth. The human race makes a last chance effort to save Earth by July 4th. The movie stars Bill Pullman, Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum and one of the best scenes in the movie is where the President of the United States flies a fighter jet in the war against the aliens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBx5Jrs9eGc

Born on the 4th of July– 1989- While this was a pretty controversial film when it first was released, the message of the movie reminds us that while we celebrate with parties and parades, we must also celebrate not only our freedom but the ideals of our country as well. The movie stars Tom Cruise, who plays the character of Ron Kovic, a Vietnam veteran who is in a wheelchair and is a pro-human rights political activist and anti-war activist.

Apollo 13 1995- This film, directed by Ron Howard, stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise and Bill Paxton. The movie is about the Apollo 13 NASA mission, while on a mission to land on the moon, the spacecraft began to be depleted on power and oxygen. The movie continues on as the astronauts on board make it a mission to land home safely.

Glory 1989- This movie depicts a group of brave soldiers from the Civil War, the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts. These African American men fought tooth and nail so their enslaved brothers would win liberty. This movie is based on the movies Lay This Laurel by Lincoln Kirstein and One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchand as well as the letters of Robert Gould Shaw.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NieVt4D75I

Saving Private Ryan– 1998- Saving Private Ryan is one of the most touching stories that every family should watch. A mother has lost three of her sons in the Allied Invasion of Normandy while her third son was killed while battling the Japanese. When an Army General Staff discovers that her fourth son is missing, he makes it a rescue mission to find this soldier and bring him home safely.

All of these would make great family movies to watch on the 4th of July. Pick one, or make it a movie marathon day until the fireworks show! Another fun idea: rent a projector and show one of these movies on a big screen outside during your nighttime party! There are so many ways to enjoy these family movies on the 4th and leading up to it.

For more fun patriotic entertainment ideas visit a few of my favorite bloggers.

What are your favorite patriotic movies? Share in the comments!

16 thoughts on “Best Family Movies to Watch on the 4th of July”

  1. These are all great movies! I just saw Glory about a month ago for the first time. I thought it was a wonderful portrayal of a time in history that I didn’t know much about.

  2. I like Saving Private Ryan, and movies like that always get me emotional. I especially cry at ‘We Are Soldiers’ – that movie is sooo sad. Independence Day is a fun movie to watch – seen it a million times.

  3. Born on the 4th of July is a great movie, but definitely not for kids. I walked out of it in the theater because the foul language was incessant and I had my baby with me. I’m sure it went over her head, but I couldn’t take that chance. My hubs and I watched it later at home on video.

  4. great list, agreed

    though Saving Private Ryan movie would probably need to come with a warning that its not suitable for younger viewers. from what i remember, the opening scene is pretty gory.
    Sensitivity to these kind of things has changed, but still…

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