Independence Day

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2:26

Independence Day

PG-13

1996

2h 25m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

80 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.

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Critics Consensus

The plot is thin and so is character development, but as a thrilling, spectacle-filled summer movie, Independence Day delivers.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

07/03/2018

A sci-fi story constellation of the brightest star elements. With German director Emmerich at the helm, Independence Day soars as filmic uber-craft.

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Dave Kehr

New York Daily News

01/18/2018

Sonnenfeld has directed with gusto and precision from a vaguely plotted but often hilarious screenplay, and his view of Manhattan as a holding pen for intergalactic refugees has the touch of authentic experience fundamental to all great comedy.

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Jami Bernard

New York Daily News

01/18/2018

"ID4" presses all the current hot buttons with great efficiency which will make it hard to keep in mind that just because a movie kicks major butt doesn't mean it's good.

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

09/24/2023

5/5

A defining experience for the '90s and set the formula for summer blockbusters, blending together bombastical action, heart, and humor.

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Alison Gillmor

Winnipeg Free Press

02/27/2023

Disaster master Roland Emmerich prefers his aliens hostile, hideous and prone to blowing up recognizable national landmarks.

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Sheila Reid

Women in the Life

05/31/2022

If you see no other movie this summer, go see this one.

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Nas L

@NasLaf 6d

The movie still holds up today in almost every way. The writing has some dated stuff but its not so bad that you cant still enjoy it. The specual effects were peak 90s and the cast is amazing. Its a fun filled ride that keeps giving. It definately has its corny moments, but they are done in a good way.

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Dan W.

@dgwalsh Jan 13

less than one star. dog 💩

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Patrick C

Dec 24

Despite the occasional wow moment from some impressive special effects, this is something of a turkey (appropriate seeing as I'm writing this on Christmas Eve). The plot is so thin as to be practically non-existent, the script so weak it makes 'The Terminator' seem like 'King Lear' and performances veering between oafish overacting and the intensely annoying. Will Smith is pretty insufferable and does little else but shout rubbish dialogue with all the subtlety of a bulldozer. Then you have the unwatchable Harvey Fierstein, whose role in the film is a total mystery to me. Was he supposed to be funny? My facial expression veered between stone-set and a grimace whenever he was onscreen. In fact so unsympathetic were many of the characters that I found myself wanting to give the aliens directions as to how to take them out. A huge box office hit that misses on nearly all fronts.

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Traci F

@Trace922 Dec 15

The movie throughout was awesome but what really made it for me was the speech by the president at the end. Today we celebrate our Independence Day. Gave me goosebumps all over!

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Tommy D

@Thomas005 Sep 30

This is my favourite alien movie. The CGI is amazing and the cast is great

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Ryan W

Sep 27

If you like non-sensical, absolutely ludicrous comic book scripts, terrible acting, with lots of explosions, this idiot savant of a movie will be perfect for you. One step above this movie is the Three Stooges Go To The Moon.

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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

Judd Hirsch

Julius Levinson

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Independence Day: Trailer 1

2:26

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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)

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