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

77%

Tomatometer

158 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

Harkening back to the spirit of classic sci-fi and souping it up with modern pyrotechnic bravura, Independence Day is a proudly goofy invasion epic whose lack of pretension earns it an enthusiastic salute.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Jul 10, 2026

3/5

...the conservative fantasy of the American Dream where everyone, no matter their race, class, gender, or religion, fulfills their maximum potential…

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

Jun 29, 2026

5/5

Skipping Independence Day may not be the end of the world, but missing it is a little bit like missing the end of the world.

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Michael H. Price

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

Jun 29, 2026

5/5

It is a boldly enacted, every-dollar-on-the-screen production that allows moviegoers to either check their brains at the door and wallow in excitement or to relish the spectacle of how people we all know might face up to an invasion from a hostile planet.

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Mike Pearson

Denver Rocky Mountain News

Jul 6, 2026

"Independence Day" isn't fine art. It's that other thing we're always angling for: pure fun.

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Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Jul 6, 2026

4/5

A perfect time capsule of summer escapism that gave the '90s disaster movie a much-needed kick in the pants.

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Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

Jul 5, 2026

4/5

Sure, it's American patriotism masquerading as an alien invasion film, but it's also made by a gay German director and an it's expertly crafted popcorn blockbuster. Can't be mad at it

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Zion

Jul 3, 2026

Good ol’ classic film

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Gregory H

@Romoga Sep 28, 2026

A decent popcorn thriller . The lighthearted jokes are cringe worthy corny at times. Spielberg can pull off the sentimental bits much better. But for a fun SciFi action thriller, it’s passable. I could find worse ways to spend my time.

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Goku 2

@RT69178108 Sep 21, 2026

One of the best films of 1996!!!

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Paul S

@PManRager Sep 18, 2026

This is one of the most fun and intriguing alien invasion movies I have ever watched! The story was amazing, and the visuals were stunning for its time. I definitely recommend this for action, thriller, sci-fi, and combat fans!

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 5, 2026

This was a great movie = to *4* stars

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K G

@KatyG-S Aug 2, 2026

Despite tasting like milk, the Movie is better than I assumpted. Also, who would have thought that it was phenomenal of its time? It was 1996, there were dated FX but they were done so well, it won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. I do not like it when people criticise a movie for being too depressing. This movie tried not to by being funny at certain points. This movie is rather hopeful - a few American men with families working together to save us from disaster. When America would have been nice to live in. Whatever ages like milk is the twin towers & I think Patrcicia should have her own bed instead of sleeping with Thomas J Whitmore the President, unless.

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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

Margaret Colin

Constance Spano

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Independence Day: Trailer 1

2:26

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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)

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