Independence Day

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2:26

Independence Day

PG-13

Released Jul 3, 1996

2h 25m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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Sheila Reid

Women in the Life

If you see no other movie this summer, go see this one.

May 31, 2022

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Emerson H.

Independence Day is a movie in which you can feel what the characters are feeling throughout the whole movie, and it is definitely one worth watching

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/29/25

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Stephen C

Success in both theatrical and extended versions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $306,200,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/25

Full Review

Torin F

INDEPENDENCE DAY blazed the way for the now-classic 90's blockbuster formula, somehow blending disaster, sci-fi, American exceptionalism, alien mythology, military might and cheesy movie cliche into an effective and enjoyable save-the-world action thriller that's hard not to like, and still totally holds up, memorable one-liners and all.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

Full Review

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

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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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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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