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Independence Day

Play trailer 2:26 Poster for Independence Day PG-13 1996 2h 25m Sci-Fi Adventure Action Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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Independence Day

Independence Day

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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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Critics Reviews

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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… Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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 Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Zion Jul 3, 2026 Good ol’ classic film See more Goku 2 @RT69178108 5 days ago One of the best films of 1996!!! See more 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! See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 5, 2026 This was a great movie = to *4* stars See more 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. See more Leah M @RT72527580 Aug 1, 2026 Great movie - one of my favorites! See more Read all reviews
Independence Day

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Cast & Crew

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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

Independence Day: Trailer 1 Independence Day: Trailer 1 2:26 Now Playing View more videos
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Independence Day

Independence Day (1996) Independence Day (1996) Independence Day (1996) Independence Day (1996) Scene from the film INDEPENDENCE DAY. Scene from the film INDEPENDENCE DAY. Scene from the film INDEPENDENCE DAY. Scene from the film INDEPENDENCE DAY. View more photos

Movie Info

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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