Independence Day

PG-13

Now Playing

2 hr. 25 min.

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

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List

68%

81 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Cameron B

The absolute pinnacle of alien invasion films. Classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/22/24

Full Review

Paul A

The movie is so 90s, but I love it childhood

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/16/24

Full Review

Carson P

This is the Star Wars of the 90s emmerich is like the German George Lucas he has a great eye for impressive visuals realistic, fun and very convincing action set pieces and creating memorable and compelling charachters Independence Day is a meaningful piece of entertainment everyone should see and has a very original story and premise that I haven't seen in other movies before it anyone who doesn't like this has no taste in what good quality cinema is this film is one of the reasons cinema was invented and is just as imaginative as the sci fi that Spielberg does and this is one of the best sci fi action disaster films ever made and the best movie of 1996 A+

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/03/24

Full Review

Alysha S

"Welcome to Earth!" When probably "I am your father" is the only movie line that comes to mind more, you know "Independence Day" is a winner. Seriously, though, it's exciting and action-packed with a good enough story. And this sort of film should be why we usually go to the movies.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/01/24

Full Review

D.R. M

I love this movie, I'm stunned at its ratings.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/24

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Conrad C

The star power in this movie helps to keep it coasting when the plot starts stalling. The movie was believable as long as the aliens were winning, but the turnaround was far from convincing. They built up Jeff Goldblum's character to come up with some smart answer to the alien invasion, and then had him come up with a plan so bad it feels like they hadn't finished the script before filming the movie and had to improvise. The character development started strong, but kicked into second gear too quickly and gave us a little whiplash as certain characters reached big turning points with not nearly enough build-up. Still, it was some quality science fiction, with large stakes and big name actors. What more can you ask for?

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/16/24

Full Review

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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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29%

30%

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Independence Day: Trailer 1

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Duane Byrge

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

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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
Executive Producer: Roland Emmerich, Ute Emmerich, William Fay
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
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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