Independence Day

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2:26

Independence Day

PG-13

1996

2h 25m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In the epic adventure film "Independence Day," strange phenomena surface around the globe. The skies ignite. Terror races through the world's major cities. As these extraordinary events unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that a force of incredible magnitude has arrived; its mission: total annihilation over the Fourth of July weekend. The last hope to stop the destruction is an unlikely group of people united by fate and unimaginable circumstances.

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Critics Consensus

The plot is thin and so is character development, but as a thrilling, spectacle-filled summer movie, Independence Day delivers.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

07/03/2018

A sci-fi story constellation of the brightest star elements. With German director Emmerich at the helm, Independence Day soars as filmic uber-craft.

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Dave Kehr

New York Daily News

01/18/2018

Sonnenfeld has directed with gusto and precision from a vaguely plotted but often hilarious screenplay, and his view of Manhattan as a holding pen for intergalactic refugees has the touch of authentic experience fundamental to all great comedy.

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Jami Bernard

New York Daily News

01/18/2018

2/4

"ID4" presses all the current hot buttons with great efficiency which will make it hard to keep in mind that just because a movie kicks major butt doesn't mean it's good.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

May 3

3/4

Borrowing from seemingly every sci-fi film this side of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, the picture somehow manages to recycle these reference points and come up with something that works on its own terms.

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

09/24/2023

5/5

A defining experience for the '90s and set the formula for summer blockbusters, blending together bombastical action, heart, and humor.

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Alison Gillmor

Winnipeg Free Press

02/27/2023

Disaster master Roland Emmerich prefers his aliens hostile, hideous and prone to blowing up recognizable national landmarks.

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Priya C.

@Sci-FiTrekkie 2h

Not a stellar sci-fi film but I had some fun with it. I loved the aliens and their design.

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sjohnston267 T

@RT24327236 15h

A great classic to watch every year to celebrate the holiday.

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Konrad D

@dobbie May 31

All time favorite classic. I keep coming back to this one once a year at least.

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Joseph P.

@Bigjoe331 May 29

This one is definitely a favorite I watch it atleast 1 a year

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Debi M.

@RT70254073 May 25

A preview, of what's coming.

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Fusion Pulse N

@FusionPulseNetwork May 25

Independence Day gets a strong 4/5 stars from me. This movie is exactly what a big sci-fi blockbuster should be: fun, exciting, emotional, and packed with memorable moments. Will Smith absolutely steals the show with charisma, humor, and action throughout the entire movie. His performance is one of the biggest reasons the film still holds up today. What makes Independence Day so great is the scale of everything. Watching Earth come together to fight off a massive alien invasion gives the movie an epic feeling that never really slows down. The 4th of July setting also adds a perfect patriotic atmosphere without taking away from the global stakes of the story. The alien attacks, destruction scenes, and large-scale battles were incredible for their time and still feel iconic. While some moments can be cheesy and over-the-top, that’s honestly part of the charm. It fully embraces being a huge summer sci-fi action movie and succeeds at it.

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Roland Emmerich

Director

Will Smith

Captain Steven 'Eagle' Hiller

Bill Pullman

President Thomas J. Whitmore

Jeff Goldblum

David Levinson

Mary McDonnell

First Lady Marilyn Whitmore

Judd Hirsch

Julius Levinson

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Synopsis

In the epic adventure film "Independence Day," strange phenomena surface around the globe. The skies ignite. Terror races through the world's major cities. As these extraordinary events unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that a force of incredible magnitude has arrived; its mission: total annihilation over the Fourth of July weekend. The last hope to stop the destruction is an unlikely group of people united by fate and unimaginable circumstances.

Director: Roland Emmerich
Producer: Dean Devlin
Screenwriter: Dean Devlin, Roland Emmerich
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox, Centropolis Film Productions, Centropolis Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Sci-Fi Destruction)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 3, 1996, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $306.2M
Runtime: 2h 25m
Sound Mix: Dolby A, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby Stereo, Dolby SR, SDDS, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)