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    Home » Holidays » 4th of July

    Best 4th of July Movies

    Published Apr 5, 2023 (updated Apr 13, 2023) by Chandice Probst · Leave a Comment

    Best 4th of July Movies pin

    If you are looking for the best 4th of July movies, you are in the right place. What better way is there to celebrate America's birthday than to watch patriotic movies?

    Best 4th of July Movies collage

    It is no secret that I love all holidays. Let's be real...I go all out. Yes, there's the food, decorations, and music, but what about the movies?

    Movies are a great way to really get into the mood for a holiday. You have movies celebrating American history and funny movies with that summery vibe. Watching these movies will get you excited for the holiday weekend.

    Watching great movies is a fun way to spend time together as a family. Choosing family-friendly movies about this national holiday will help teach your kids about the holiday while also having fun.

    For a great time, make some 4th of July desserts to snack on while watching the best movies about historical figures and July 4th. Have your kids help you make the treats too. They will love making desserts with you.

    We have all different kinds of 4th of July foods for you but check out these 4th of July appetizers also. Plus, our 4th of July fruit pizza is a winner!

    We also have some 4th of July outfits and 4th of July makeup ideas for your St George 4th of July Activities or other celebration!

    Why should you watch 4th of July movies?

    • You can learn new things (like watching historical films about George Washington, John Adams, etc.)
    • It is an awesome way to spend time with your family
    • These movies will get you excited for the 4th of July holiday
    • It is something to do if the weather is bad on July 4th
    • We watch Christmas movies, so why not 4th of July movies as well?

    What makes a good 4th of July movie?

    • It takes place during the summer: It usually helps when the movie takes place around the 4th of July. It creates the summery vibe and really gets you into the setting of the 4th of July.
    • It celebrates the United States of America: Because the holiday celebrates America's independence, it only makes sense for the movie to talk about the United States and the fun traditions that come along with the United States.
    • It talks about American history: These movies may be harder for younger kids to get into, but you can learn a lot about American history through movies. I think learning about how America came to be is a great way to celebrate the 4th of July.
    Fireworks in the night sky with the moon peaking out behind a cloud

    Now that you have your family with you, plus 4th of July appetizers and treats like our 4th of July fruit pizza ready to go, here are some of our favorite fourth of July movies.

    Give them all a watch before the upcoming fourth of July holiday. But be sure to save your favorite for the big day. They really are the best 4th of July movies out there!

    1. The Sandlot

    The Sandlot is about young boys who play baseball. It's a coming-of-age story and a story of friendship. The movie stars Tom Guiry, David Mickey Evans, James Earl Jones, and many others.

    2. A League of Their Own

    A League of Their Own is another fun baseball movie about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Tom Hanks and Madonna are just a few of the wonderful actors and actresses in the film.

    3. Captain America: The First Avenger

    Captain America is about Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans), who wants to join the military for America to help fight in World War II. He is turned down because of his small size, so he joins an experimental program to make him a strong solider.

    4. Lincoln

    Lincoln tells the story of the American president Abraham Lincoln and his journey of navigating the Civil War and trying to abolish slavery through the thirteenth amendment. Daniel Day-Lewis plays Lincoln in this Steven Spielberg war drama.

    5. Hidden Figures

    Hidden Figures follows the true story of three African-American women at NASA who work on the project of launching astronaut John Glenn into space. Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, and Taraji P. Henson play these incredible women.

    6. Independence Day

    Independence Day stars Will Smith, Bill Pullman, and Jeff Goldblum, which is a movie about weird events that are happening around the world. A force aims to annihilate the world over the Fourth of July weekend.

    7. Wonder Woman

    Wonder Woman follows Diana (Gal Gadot), an Amazonian princess trained to become a warrior. When an American pilot (Chris Pine) tells her about the conflict in the outside world, she leaves her home to help fight.

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    8. Captain Marvel

    Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) is a warrior caught in a battle with her people and another alien race while also having flashbacks of a past life as a US Air Force pilot. She tries to fight this battle while also managing these memories.

    9. Harriet

    Harriet tells the story of the brave abolitionist Harriet Tubman and how she helped many slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Cynthia Erivo stars in the film as Harriet Tubman.

    10. Forrest Gump

    Forrest Gump is about Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks, who has a low IQ but will not let that stop him from being himself. He does a lot, like fighting in the Vietnam War, but at the end of the day wants to be with his true love Jenny.

    11. National Treasure

    Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) is a national treasure hunter racing against his partner to find treasure based on a map on the back of the Declaration of Independence. National Treasure is a funny, thrilling movie about trying to find hidden treasure.

    12. National Treasure: Book of Secrets

    Ben Gates and his father fight to clear their ancestor's name after being accused of helping with Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Gates and his crew go around the world looking for clues to prove his ancestor's innocence.

    13. Top Gun

    Top Gun is about Maverick (Tom Cruise), who is sent to the Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School to train to become a fighter pilot. His attitude and reckless actions prove to get in the way of him becoming the top fighter pilot.

    14. Top Gun Maverick

    Thirty years after Top Gun, Maverick becomes one of the best Navy aviators, he is asked to return to Top Gun and help with a special assignment. It is one of the most dangerous assignments and he has to decide who will go.

    15. Hamilton

    Hamilton, a musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, tells the story of Alexander Hamilton who is one of the founding fathers. It covers the American Revolution and the creation of the United States of America.

    16. Jaws

    In New England, a young woman is killed by a shark in a tourist town. Instead of closing the beach, as the police advise, the mayor keeps the beach open to tourists. Two men agree to help hunt the shark, leading to a dangerous battle.

    17. 1776

    The story of founding America is told through song in this Broadway musical. 1776 follows the founding fathers and the journey of writing the Declaration of Independence.

    18. Cheaper by the Dozen 2

    Cheaper by the Dozen 2 follows the Baker family on their summer trip to the lake, hoping for a relaxing trip. When Tom Baker's (Steve Martin) old nemesis shows up, the peaceful trip is threatened with becoming a disaster.

    19. Apollo 13

    Apollo 13 tells the story based on the events of the Apollo 13 mission of a moon landing. Things go bad when an oxygen tank explodes, and the astronauts struggle to return to Earth.

    20. An American Tail

    A mouse and his family flee from Russia to the United States in An American Tail. When he gets lost at sea, he makes friends who help him search for his family. The movie tells the story of immigrants in a way that kids will understand.

    These movies are just a few of the many incredible 4th of July movies you need to check out. We know that you are going to love them. Have a happy 4th of July!

    Need more inspiration for this patriotic holiday? Our 4th of July makeup and 4th of July outfits posts will help you get ready for the big day. 4th of July food will help you know what to make.

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