Top 10 Patriotic Movies – Independence Day, Apollo 13, The Patriot and More

Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum battle aliens in Independence Day | 20th Century Fox

Happy Independence Day! Hope you’re outside barbecuing something tasty, lighting a few sparklers, and thinking about what makes our country awesome.

When you come inside later, plop down on the couch (another great American tradition) and watch a great patriotic movie or two. I’m sure some of these will be playing somewhere on your TV.

1. [amazon_link id=”B00005V9IK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Independence Day[/amazon_link]

What could be better than watching Will Smith fight aliens and save the world? It gets top billing here because of Bill Pullman’s over-the-top patriotic speech as President Whitmore (“Today … we celebrate … our independence day!”), but it’s also a really fun movie with great special effects. Roland Emmerich directs, with an all-star cast that includes Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, and Randy Quaid. Rated PG-13 for sci-fi destruction and violence. 

2. [amazon_link id=”B000W1SZAO” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]National Treasure[/amazon_link]

This movie starring Nicolas Cage (can’t help it – I love his cheesiness) as a guy intent on stealing the Declaration of Independence gets panned a lot. But you know what? It’s a fun adventure flick, and you might learn something about our heritage in the process. Directed by Jon Turteltaub, it also stars Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Harvey Keitel and Jon Voight. Rated PG for action violence and some scary images.

3. [amazon_link id=”B00371QQ2U” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Apollo 13[/amazon_link]

I LOVE this movie! Every time I come across it on TV, I can’t help but watch. Especially love the scene towards the end where communication is cut off between Houston and the astronauts. Tense! Plus, it’s just a great drama based on the real-life story of the Apollo 13 space mission (“Houston, we have a problem”), and it’s all about being brave and honorable when all seems lost. Directed by Ron Howard and based on the book Lost Moon by Jim Lovell, it stars Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Kevin Bacon and Ed Harris. Rated PG for language and emotional intensity. 

4. [amazon_link id=”B000PAAJVA” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Patriot[/amazon_link]

Before he went a little crazy, Mel Gibson starred in this movie as a peace-loving ex-soldier who gets pulled into the American Revolution after his son is killed by a Redcoat. Warning: you might weep a little seeing Heath Ledger on screen. Roland Emmerich directs, with Chris Cooper, Jason Isaacs and Tom Wilkinson in starring roles. Rated R for strong war violence. 

5. [amazon_link id=”B000EHSVS2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Patton[/amazon_link]

This straightforward World War II biopic stars George C. Scott as General George Patton. The role won him an Oscar, but he refused, claiming that competition between actors was unfair and a “meat parade”! The 1970 film was written by Francis Ford Coppola, directed by Franklin Schaffner, and produced by Frank McCarthy, a retired brigadier general who served on the staff of Gen. George C. Marshall during World War II. It took him 20 years to get this film made. The movie also opens with one of the most patriotic scenes in American cinema: General Patton standing in front of a giant American flag giving a spirited pep talk to his soldiers. Rated PG.

6. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIGNC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Red Tails[/amazon_link]

The African American pilots in the Tuskegee training program fought two wars during World War II — the enemy AND the racism in their own country. Directed by Anthony Hemingway and produced by George Lucas, this movie features great special effects, a worthy cast that includes Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding, Jr., and a piece of our history everyone should know about. Rated PG-13 for some sequences of war violence. 

7. [amazon_link id=”B001AII4SQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Hunt for Red October[/amazon_link]

Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, James Earl Jones and Sam Neill starred in this well-crafted political thriller about a reputed Soviet submarine captain who plays a cat-and-mouse game with the Americans during the Cold War. Piloting a submarine with a revolutionary new propulsion system, Marko Ramius (Connery) plays an ingenious game of strategy with the CIA. Directed by John McTiernan and adapted from the book by Tom Clancy, this 1990 flick is must-see material. Rated PG. 

8. [amazon_link id=”B003LL3N1I” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Saving Private Ryan[/amazon_link]

I can’t watch this movie because it’s just too darn sad. But my husband loves it. Steven Spielberg directs this touching story about an U.S. Army Chief of Staff who sends a group of American soldiers to the most dangerous war-torn territories to save Private Ryan, the last remaining son of a grieving mother (told you it was sad). It really is one of the best World War II films out there, if you can get past the sadness. Stars include Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Vin Diesel, and Edward Burns. Rated R for intense prolonged realistically graphic sequences of war violence, and for language.

9. [amazon_link id=”B0006H32G6″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]An American Tail[/amazon_link]

This Don Bluth-directed animated classic is fun for the whole family. It’s all about a Russian mouse family — the Mousekewitz clan — who dream of immigrating to America, a land they believe is without cats. While we all know that’s not the case, it still offers them the chance for a new life of freedom. Nice to revisit a movie where U.S. Immigration isn’t a bad word! Steven Spielberg is the executive producer. Rated G.

10. [amazon_link id=”B001YV504U” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Field of Dreams[/amazon_link]

Can’t have a list of patriotic movies without including something about baseball. Kevin Costner stars in this sweet drama about an Iowa farmer who receives a message to build a baseball diamond in his corn field. He’s told: “If you build it, he will come.” Sure, it’s about baseball, but also the unwavering American ingenuity that builds cities, technology and other useful things.

As Terence Mann says in the movie, “This field, this game … it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good.” Directed by Phil Alden Robinson and adapted from the book about Shoeless Joe Jackson  by W.P. Kinsella, it also stars Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, and Gaby Hoffman. Rated PG.

Comments

13 responses to “Top 10 Patriotic Movies – Independence Day, Apollo 13, The Patriot and More”

  1. pen4hire Avatar
    pen4hire

    Oooo, don’t forget the classic Yankee Doodle Dandy with James Cagney. (Hits self on forehead) I think I’ve got my July Classic Movie column idea!

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

       @pen4hire Oh yeah, that’s a great one. Also makes me think of other musicals like Oklahoma and The Music Man. Great column idea! 

      1. pen4hire Avatar
        pen4hire

         @Jane Boursaw Actually, I was thinking of James Cagney, whom I love, but another one on musicals would be good, too, although let’s look for lesser known musicals than the blockbusters–back to the Busby Berkeley era, before people burst into song in the middle of a love scene or walking down the street.

        1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

           @pen4hire “… before people burst into song in the middle of a love scene or walking down the street.” Ha! 
           
          I always thought James Cagney and Doris Day were an odd pairing in The West Point Story. Plus it takes the “hey, kids, let’s put on a show” in a totally new direction with the West Point cadets as the kids. 

  2. […] See Jane’s list of Patriotic Movies for July […]

  3. MyKidsEatSquid Avatar

    Independence Day would top my list too! Do you know where to get it though? I looked at the library and to stream it online but I couldn’t find it either place.

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      I know it’s available through Amazon streaming for $2.99 (see if this gets you there: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012HF5NC). Or for $7 or $8 you can get the dvd or blu-ray, which isn’t a bad price. 

  4. Living Large Avatar

    All great movies! Two more that come to mind is “Air Force One” with Harrison Ford and “Dave” with Kevin Kline.

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      Excellent additions to the list!

  5. merr Avatar
    merr

    This is a terrific list. I’m FBing it!

  6. tehparadox Avatar
    tehparadox

    Practically watch ID4 every year at the same time. Can’t get enough of those aliens. lol

  7. Shrey Avatar

    Hi,

    Nice article you wrote on Independence Day and you compare with it the Movies.

    I would like to choose the movie from these Top 10 list hen definitelymy choice will be

    1. Independence Day
    2. National Treasure
    3. The Hunt for Red October.

  8. Harsh Avatar

    Nice Collection of best patriotic movies thanks for sharing this 😀

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