July 4th isn’t just about fireworks, family gatherings, and hot dogs—it’s about celebrating the independent spirit itself. Sure, we broke away from a monarchy, but that same rebellious energy fuels the hearts of indie filmmakers everywhere. Whether they’re staging a musical in powdered wigs or reimagining the American Revolution with low budgets and big ideas, these movies remind us that independence—political or artistic—is worth fighting for. So this year, after the sparklers fizzle out, settle in for our staff picks of the top Independence Day movies that light up the screen with heart, humor, and a whole lot of freedom.
The Continental Congress debates liberty in the musical adaptation of 1776.
1. 1776
You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy 1776, the rousing Broadway-to-screen adaptation about the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Founding Fathers like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin sing, squabble, and sass their way toward freedom from the British Crown. What could’ve been a dry history lesson instead becomes a sharp, witty, and tuneful reminder that America was built on compromise, debate, and the occasional musical number. Plus, it’s packed with lines that make you wonder how they didn’t write them just for today’s headlines.
Adult sci-fi comedy meets colonial cosplay in Spirit of ’76.
2. Spirit of Seventy-Sex starring John Holmes
Let’s not pretend this one’s for everyone—but for the adventurous (and over-18) cinephile, Spirit of Seventy-Sex is a fascinating, cheeky time capsule. What starts as a sci-fi sex farce turns into a hilarious send-up of America’s Bicentennial fever, complete with bell-bottoms, disco, and John Holmes trying to navigate 1776 without losing his pants (spoiler: he does). There’s something oddly charming about how this film mixes raunchy humor with a loving, if irreverent, nod to America’s founding ideals. If you like your history lessons with a side of satire and sideburns, give it a go.
King George III’s unraveling mind is on full display in this emotional scene from The Madness of King George.
3. The Madness of George the Third
Before the American colonies could declare independence, they had to face a monarch in crisis. The Madness of George the Third is a sharp-witted, historical drama that delves into the unraveling mind of King George III, whose personal struggles and political failures contributed to the Revolution’s emergence. What’s great about this film is how it humanizes the so-called “enemy,” showing that behind every tyrant is a human being grappling with power, pride, and vulnerability. Plus, it’s got biting dialogue and royal intrigue that plays like Shakespeare for the Fourth of July.
Frontier families face danger and hardship during the Revolutionary War in Drums Along the Mohawk.
4. Drums Along The Mohawk
A classic John Ford frontier epic that might not top the usual July 4th playlists—but it should. Drums Along the Mohawk is a stirring story of a young couple (played by Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert) carving out a life in the untamed wilderness as war erupts around them. What makes this film great isn’t just the battle scenes; it’s the raw depiction of everyday people struggling to survive, build community, and protect their homes. If you want to feel what the fight for independence meant to the average colonist, Drums Along the Mohawk is your ticket.
Mel Gibson rallies colonial fighters in the crowd-pleasing epic The Patriot.
5. The Patriot
Roland Emmerich’s The Patriot, starring Mel Gibson, is unapologetically over-the-top, and we love it for that. Loosely (very loosely) based on real Revolutionary War events, Gibson plays a widowed farmer who transforms into a guerrilla war hero after his family is threatened. Yes, it’s got epic battles, villainous redcoats (shout-out to Jason Isaacs for making us boo the screen), and a finale that’s pure Hollywood spectacle. Sometimes you just want to watch a man fight for freedom, holding an American flag in one hand and a tomahawk in the other. And that’s what Independence Day is all about.
