Independence Day

Play trailer

2:26

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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Zion

Jul 3, 2026

Good ol’ classic film

See more

Paul S

@PManRager 2 days ago

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

Danny R

@Dabrowndanny Aug 1, 2026

Remains one of the best Summer Movies of all time. It's a fun movie to watch over and over. Blockbuster movie for a reason.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

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

Independence Day: Resurgence

29%

30%

Independence Day: Resurgence

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Independence Day: Resurgence

Stargate

53%

73%

Stargate

Watchlist

Deep Impact

45%

43%

Deep Impact

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Deep Impact

Planet of the Apes

42%

27%

Planet of the Apes

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Planet of the Apes

Battlefield Earth

3%

13%

Battlefield Earth

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Battlefield Earth

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

30 Years Later, Independence Day Is Finally Certified Fresh

The 20 Most Groundbreaking Sci-Fi Movies From 20th Century Fox

Independence Day: Resurgence Is More of the Same

Independence Day: Trailer 1

2:26

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

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)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings