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Independence Day

Play trailer 2:26 Poster for Independence Day PG-13 Released Jul 3, 1996 2h 25m Sci-Fi Adventure Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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68% Tomatometer 81 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

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

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Critics Reviews

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Duane Byrge The Hollywood Reporter A sci-fi story constellation of the brightest star elements. With German director Emmerich at the helm, Independence Day soars as filmic uber-craft. Jul 3, 2018 Full Review Dave Kehr New York Daily News 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. Jan 18, 2018 Full Review Jami Bernard New York Daily News "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. Jan 18, 2018 Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh A defining experience for the '90s and set the formula for summer blockbusters, blending together bombastical action, heart, and humor. Rated: 5/5 Sep 24, 2023 Full Review Alison Gillmor Winnipeg Free Press Disaster master Roland Emmerich prefers his aliens hostile, hideous and prone to blowing up recognizable national landmarks. Feb 27, 2023 Full Review Sheila Reid Women in the Life If you see no other movie this summer, go see this one. May 31, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Riley S. A bombastic, patriotic, and proudly cheesy sci-fi spectacle that delivers exactly what it promises: aliens, explosions, and Bill Pullman’s legendary “we will not go quietly into the night” speech. Roland Emmerich goes full disaster-movie-mode here, leveling landmarks with glee and rallying humanity with crowd-pleasing energy. Will Smith steals the show with his charm and one-liners, Jeff Goldblum brings nerdy gravitas, and somehow Randy Quaid saves the day in a moment that’s either ridiculous or iconic maybe both. It’s silly, it’s loud, it’s very ‘90s, but on the Fourth of July, it’s hard not to salute. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/21/25 Full Review Edward F This movie is great. I'd put it at 4 stars if it weren't for nostalgia. Because of nostalgia, I give it 4.5. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/16/25 Full Review Byron H 4/4 You can't deny when a movie is just flat out entertaining. Much more hilarious than it has any business being, it has a it could happen aura to it. It just works. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/12/25 Full Review Gus P. Pass me a stogie. I’m joining Bill Pullman’s Air Force Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/12/25 Full Review Pedro G To like this film you need to be both a boomer and american. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 07/11/25 Full Review Eric S. 30 plus years later still holds up ! One of my favorite end of the world action movies Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/09/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Independence Day

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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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