July 1st, 2011
09:45 AM ET
Friday Top Five: The best July 4 moviesHolidays just aren’t complete until you veg out on the couch while watching a movie marathon. These cinematic siestas not only provide down time between festivities and the well-intentioned gorge fest, but they also give us the opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. For many, the Fourth of July has become known for hot dogs, transporting illegal fireworks over state lines, and sporty outfits in red, white, and blue. Nevertheless, fifth grade social studies taught us that the American Revolution was actually about rebellion against tyranny and victory over seemingly insurmountable odds. To help celebrate Independence Day, tell us what movies will make your holiday list and best embody the spirit of revolution. If you don't want to dwell on dissent, your favorite patriotic films will also suffice. Let the fireworks begin!
1. "Red Dawn" (1984): “Wolverines!" – Robert Morris 2. "Star Wars" (1977): “It's not impossible. I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back home.” – Luke Skywalker 3. "Braveheart" (1995): “They may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!” – William Wallace 4. "Patton" (1970): “Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser.” – General George S. Patton 5. "The Legend of Billie Jean" (1985): "Fair is fair!” – Billie Jean Davy Honorable Mention: "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955): “You’re tearing me apart!” – Jim Stark "The Madness of King George" (1994): “His Majesty was all powerful and all knowing. But he wasn't quite all there.” – tagline of film (And, fact-based dramatizations suggest that revolution was the right choice for American colonists.) "Born on the 4th of July" (1989): “People say that if you don't love America, then get the hell out. Well, I love America.” – Ron Kovic
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"1776" is The Fourth of July to watch. Thank goodness TCM shows it on that day every year, along with "Yankee Doodle Dandy".
Movies to watch for July 4th ? My choices are:
1. Saving Private Ryan
2. Yankee Doodle Dandy
3. Independence Day
4. Captain America (2011)
5. Superman (1978) – "I'm here to fight for truth, justice and the American way."
Sad! Not one mention of Sergeant York. Ninety percent of the trash mentioned in this blog pales beside Gary Cooper.
can't believe no one mentioned American Graffiti
Rocky
""""THE PATRIOT""""" the Mel Gibson one, not the other one.
Run Forrest Run!
Great feel good movie, a lot of recent American history, and Independence from those leg braces!
JAWS has been the No. 1 4th of July movie since 1975 – not having on the list either shows the writer is naive or just stupid.
How about movies that have something to do about Patriotic American Events? This list is horrible. Boooooo!
Howards of Virgnia...starring Cary Grant..1940
none of this films qualify for an independence day film.other suggestions are films with great moral values n films that show spirit
Yankee Doodle Dandy not on ur list, WTH!Also Independance Day with Will Smith has my vote as does The Patriot with Mel Gibson.
Have to say The Sandlot on this one. Classic all-American movie. Plus it's clean enough for the whole family to enjoy together.
Here are two more great movies for the 4th. The dirty dozen starring an all star cast. A movie called uncle Sam. And the sands of Iowa Jima. I hope I spelled right.
I always dig out my copy of 1776. The old musical about the Continental Congress! Watch it just about every 4th of July weekend.
You need to add "Patriot" & ID4
please i want u play the movie predator2 or the expendables
Not exactly the order I would have put them in if I had chosen your picks especially with the honorable mentions. But if you must have a Mel Gibson how about a movie about the war for independane, the Patriot, instead of a movie about 13th century Scotland? And Star Wars? Come on!
How about? WHITE CHRISTMAS! after all, it's all about our freedom. I should have the freedom to watch White Christmas, Right?
How about Independence Day
Ian, Saving Ryan's Privates. That was hysterical.
Definitely Yankee Doodle Dandy!
The movie that makes me think of July 4th is Avalon. Scene one: fireworks. "I came to America in 1914."
AVALON...that's a great one for the 4th, works well for Thanksgiving too!
I loved Glory. I know – wrong war.
Whaaa...?
Was the person who compiled this list born and/or live in America??
Braveheart? King George? STAR WARS?!
1. Schindler's List
2. Star Wars
3. Full Metal Jacket "Go easy, Leonard."
4. Gone With the Wind "As God is my witness, I will never be hungry again."
5. Platoon
War of the worlds; Jaws; E.T.
1776 sucks
1. Animal House: "Was is it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"
2. The Matrix...I guess Matrix Revolutions would be more appropriate for the subject matter, but it sucks
3. History of the World...Part 1: "The peasants and revolting" "You said it, they stink!"
4. Rocky: "Do you believe America is the 'land of opportunity?'"
5. Pee Wee's Big Adventure: "You don't wanna get mixed up with a guy like me. I'm a loner, Dottie, a Rebel."
Interesting choices, very original, and hit the the themes very well.
Peewee's Big Adventure????
Mainly because PeeWee is a rebel, but also because it is about the American dream: work hard enough and anything can be accomplished, and who doesnt love that opening breakfast scene?
Jaws. "This shark, swallow ya whole. Little shakin', little tenderizin', down you go"
What about the Alamo where Americans held of over ,10,000 mexicans
They weren't Americans, just Texans. Texas wasn't a part of America yet.
What about some good old war movies, like:
The Longest Day
Sands of Iwo Jima
The Green Berets
Desert Rats
Where Eagles Dare
Von Ryan's Express
Full Metal Jacket
Kelly's Heroes
Jumping Jacks
Hogan's Heroes (Series)
MASH (Series)
GI Joe (not old, but still a good, if fictional, war movie)
Nice list! Thanks for sharing!
Might I suggest a double-feature of "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and "Midway" to complement "The Longest Day"?
1776 – definately, yes a musical and itself has a number of historical inaccuracies.....but still one of the first times our founding fathers were portrayed as humans with all the warts. Plus the songs are great.
Gettysburg...another pivotal early July moment in our history.
I always cry when the courier sings Is Anybody There.
What about 1776? Isn't that what its all about?
Where is independence day with will smith? That was a great patriotic movie....hello??
Dukes of Hazard or Team America World police.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
The one and only, JAWS. Simply one of the best movies ever made. Ahh, the horror of closing the beaches on Fourth of July weekend!
1. patton
2.patriot
3. 1776
4. saving private ryan
5. rocky 4
Independence Day and The Patriot
I guess everybody forgot about Ron Maxwell's movie "Gettysburg". Over 53,000 casualties in three days of bloody fighting which July 1st, 2nd and July 3rd, 1863. In the end 630,000 Americans would DEAD more than ALL other American wars put together.
Independence Day. Period.
Gotta watch Michael Mann's Last of the Mohicans
Communism rules. America sux.
Where have you been Yuri? I've missed you.
The Patriot w/Mel AGibson
Bladerunner
Amerika
Independence Day? Too easy? Sorry, I love it
It may be a little obvious but "The Patriot" is a great 4th movie.
ID4 = Independence Day
How the hell is that not even on the list?!?
this list is crazy, unless you think jingoistic crap like "red dawn" represents america. oh, wait. it does. let's add all the "rambo" flix while we're at it.
Independence Day
and no-one mentioned the Patriot?
Good call on "The Patriot".
For us old folks there is "I Am A Yankee Doodle Dandy"–the George M cohan story.
Yankee Doodle Dandee was the most patriotic movie!
Independence day??? gotta be the greatest corniest funniest movie ever
How can this list NOT include "Independence Day"??? It's my #1 July 4th fav and I watch it every year!
You watch independence day because you are basically a dimbulb and a dullard.
independence day.
Superman – The Movie (1978). Superman quote: "I'm here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way."
And fall off horses.
What? No Independence Day? The biggest and baddest alien invasion movie ever made!
What about Independence Day?
Amen to that! Who can forget "Today we celebrate our Independence Day"! Come writers, this was classic flick and will probably be shown more times this weekend than any of the movies mentioned above.
"We're going to live on. We're going to survive. Today we celebrate our Indepedence Day!"– Bill Pullman as the President
Seriously? Independence Day doesn't make this list? Star Wars and Braveheart, two movies that have nothing to do with America, are on the list. But not Independence Day. A movie about the Fourth of the July (with aliens).
I can't believe CNN paid the guy who wrote this.
Love '1776'! As for the language, kids hear worse on 'South park'. And it stars William 'the voice of KITT on Knight Rider' Daniels and John Cullum, better known as Holling on 'Northern Exposure'.
How about 'Yankee Doodle Dandy'?
Yankee Doodle Dandy!
"The Right Stuff." Great musical score, too.
No Independence Day?!?!?! This list sucks
Umm... Jaws and Independence Day! Those are obvious. What a lousy list. Braveheart and Star Wars? Seriously? How stupid.
Independence Day with Will Smith is a must see in my home on or around the 4th of July!
Just as Jennifer Anniston plays Rachel in every movie. Will Smith plays Fresh Prince in every movie. Limited acting skills at best.
That's not a good movie.
Mexico Bob – It's '¡¡Viva México!!" – Pendejo. You're obviously not Mexican.
@ Paco, great acting skills aren't always necessary for a good action film. The same could be said for Arnold, but Teminator is not a lessor film for his lack of acting skills. Apart from that, brothers were not the heroes and protectors in films when I was growing up and going to the movies, so that alone is reason enough for me to watch this.
Independence Day is a good one for July 4. I'd also rank "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger up there.
The Human Centipede.
Win!
Come on!? Independence Day!!
Ditto!
Rocky IV. The most patriotic movie in history.
The Russian's cut ... he's not a machine!
Rocky IV was patriotic.
I think saving private ryan should be on there just saying..
No Saving Private Ryan? Well, I guess that's a better one for Memorial Day.
Saving Ryans Privates.
Christmas Vacation
Full Metal Jacket...I think that's what it's called...? Good movie, anyhow! How about Independence Day?
Agree with you. A more modern version than most of those listed but the fight for survival and freedom are the same. Plus it has a great cast.
Born on the 4th of July Oo
Apocalypse Now, preferably while done up in greasepaint listening to The End on loop, killing a six pack(combat knife optional)
Touché! my good man. Touche'!
"Red Dawn" was good!
Great blog! Here's my list:
1. Not Without My Daughter (1984)
2. Delta Force (1986)
3. 1776 (1972)
4. Dave (1993)
5. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)
Love it!
I've been informed that I got the date wrong for Not Without My Daughter. That fine film was in fact released in 1991.
Team America all the way. America F*** YEAH!
I promise, I will never die.
Now THAT'S acting!!
Matt Damon!
For those of you who believe in (as the Brits call it) Traitor's Day...The Queen.
To me, there is only ONE holiday-must see-movie. And it's broadcast every year one one or more stations (also avail on DVD). Saw this in 8th grade during the Bicentennial in Boston (hey, it got us out of the classroom for a few hours). You saw the Broadway show, you've seen the movie. (Hey Broadway...how about a revival?). The movie?
1776 (the language may be unsuitable, but hell that's war).
Totally agree – 1776 "For God's sake, John, sit down" – Jefferson/Franklin
Absolutely! "1776" is the ONLY one by a long shot.
1776 is my number one favorite movie – my kids and I watch it every year on the 4th. Fabulous!!
Totally corny, not completely faithful to the facts, but absolutely perfect for the 4th of July! Will it be "unalienable" or "inalienable?" Mr. Adams will speak to the printer about it. Our family watches it every year.
"FFV! First family of Virginia."
THE classic Independence Day movie of all time is "Yankee Doodle Dandy" starring James Cagney. It is a biographical of George M. Cohan, composer of "Yankee Doodle Dandy", "Over There", and "Give My Regards to Broadway".
1776
How could you leave this one out of the top five?
"1776" Is The Fourth Of July to watch. It shows how difficult becoming an independent nation really was. Great play, wonderful movie. Mostly historically accurate with a few minor changes to the facts, Thank you TCM for showing it every year along with "Yankee Doodle Dandy". Every American should see "1776" at least once.
How about PORKY'S??
The Madness of King George is a great movie. George become mentally ill, goes crazy, curses everyone and take numerous doookies in his pants. Fun for the whole family. RIGHT RIGHT!
Team America , World police???
Coming from somebody that cant spell, I am not too worried.
You must be proud of your country that is full of corruption at every corner... even cops have sold their souls to the drug lords... yeah, like the commenter above me said, I am not worried. You guys can't even take care of yourselves... who's to say you can take us on?
...drool...
You can change your name but you can't hide the douchness of you comments...Palinwit.
Up yours, UpYours. And you forgot the 't' in palintwit.
Lol at either of them running for the presidency, ones a witch, the others a b¡tch. Both are stoopid.
Bob I need my grass cut for my 4th party. Will a quarter cover it.