5 Quintessential 4th Of July Movies You Need To Watch This Week

It’s almost time for the 4th of July and for many people, that means celebrations on celebrations.

It means eating a dog dog in a bathing suit on the beach or on a lake. For some, it means haphazardly lighting a roman candle and trying not to injure yourself in the process. For me, it means watching movies because I will take any holiday as an excuse to watch a themed movie. The Midwest has been experiencing crazy heat waves, so the best thing I can do is sit inside in some cool air and enjoy the cinema. If you’re like me and wanting to beat the heat, the crowds, and the inevitable ER visit, check out this list of quintessential 4th of July movies to watch.

Jaws (1975)

It’s not 4th of July without Jaws. Jaws has it all; suspense, horror, action, adventure, and some comedic relief. It’s the best man versus beast movie to exist, and Amity Island is unprepared for the monster that awaits them on the shoreline. In Jaws, a great white shark begins picking off unsuspecting beach goers one by one. Amity Island’s Mayor is unwilling to close the beach despite the attacks because it’s the 4th of July weekend and will make the town a lot of money. Closing isn’t an option, so a group of men head out into the waters to save the town from the shark-shaped horrors.

Independence Day (1996)

A 4th of July list wouldn’t be complete without Independence Day. Independence Day is an epic action film about aliens invading earth and planning its total annihilation on 4th of July weekend. Unbeknownst to the aliens, the human will to survive is strong and that’s exactly what happens as a group of apocalyptic survivors band together to fight back against their extraterrestrial forces.

The Sandlot (1993)

Widely considered America’s pastime, baseball is the center of The Sandlot and if you’re in your thirties or forties, this movie is chock-full of nostalgia. Lonely boy Scotty moves into a new neighborhood and struggles to make friends until he meets the neighborhood kids that all live and breathe baseball. The entirety of The Sandlot isn’t centered around the 4th of July, but their only night game of the year takes place on the holiday and features a scene where the kids stop what they’re doing, forget they’re playing a game, and marvel at the fireworks. This is exactly what I do every time I see fireworks, so I get it.

Hidden Figures (2016)

The 4th of July is the perfect time to celebrate unsung heroes and great acts of American Patriotism, and Hidden Figures fulfills both of those requirements. Hidden Figures follows the true story of three Black women who utilized their math and engineering skills, before computers existed, to contribute to NASA during the Space Race. Their stories are about triumph and success, but also chronicle the struggles of being Black and women in a white, male-dominated field. These three faced endless struggles and obstacles, but came out on top and made a difference by sending John Glenn into orbit.

Harriet (2019)

Harriet is another movie that isn’t explicitly about the 4th of July, but it tells a real story of change, struggle, and freedom that we should be celebrating on this holiday. Harriet follows the true story of Harriet Tubman and how she escaped from slavery just to make a courageous plan to free others using the Underground Railroad. Harriet overcoming her oppressions and building community and fighting for others to regain their freedom is incredibly impactful and should be celebrated on holidays like the 4th.