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Independence Day

1996 · Movie · PG-13 · 145 min · ★ 6.9 · 64% critics

ActionAdventureScience Fiction

Strange phenomena erupt worldwide as massive alien spaceships ignite the skies and unleash terror in major cities. With global destruction looming over the Fourth of July weekend, an unlikely group must unite and act fast to stop an overwhelming force from wiping out humanity.

Also known as ID4 · Independence Day 3D

Where to watch

Watch free on Fandango at Home Free — also streaming on AMC+, Netflix, Hulu +1 more.

2 hours to watch.

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Details
Years
1996
Release date
1996-06-25
Language
English
Rated
PG-13
Runtime
145 min
Max quality
HD
Critic score
64/100
TMDB rating
6.9/10 (10,440 votes)
Box office
$817,400,891
Budget
$75,000,000
About

You’ll likely enjoy this big, loud alien-invasion popcorn ride if you want nonstop excitement and heart; Not for you if you need deep storytelling, subtle dialogue, or strict credibility like Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith or War of the Worlds.

Pros: huge alien action; memorable cast; fun blockbuster energy | Cons: can feel cheesy; plot credibility issues; over-the-top humor

Themes

  • spacecraft
  • showdown
  • independence
  • patriotism
  • countdown
  • invasion
  • alien
  • ufo
  • extraterrestrial
  • disaster
  • creature
  • battle
  • +10 more

Awards & recognition

  • Academy AwardBest Visual Effects · 1997
  • Amanda AwardBest Foreign Feature Film · 1997
  • Kids' Choice AwardFavorite Movie · 1997
  • MTV Movie AwardBest Kiss · 1997
  • Satellite AwardBest Editing · 1997
Show all 22 awards →
  • Satellite AwardBest Visual Effects · 1997
  • Saturn AwardBest Director · 1997
  • Saturn AwardBest Science Fiction Film · 1997
  • Academy AwardBest Visual Effects · 1997 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Sound · 1997 · nominated
  • BAFTA AwardBest Sound · 1997 · nominated
  • BAFTA AwardBest Special Visual Effects · 1997 · nominated
  • Hugo AwardBest Dramatic Presentation · 1997 · nominated
  • Japan Academy PrizeOutstanding Foreign Language Film · 1997 · nominated
  • Kids' Choice AwardFavorite Movie · 1997 · nominated
  • MTV Movie AwardBest Breakthrough Performance · 1997 · nominated
  • MTV Movie AwardBest Male Performance · 1997 · nominated
  • MTV Movie AwardBest Kiss · 1997 · nominated
  • MTV Movie AwardBest Action Sequence · 1997 · nominated
  • MTV Movie AwardBest Movie · 1997 · nominated
  • Satellite AwardBest Visual Effects · 1997 · nominated
  • Satellite AwardBest Editing · 1997 · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by Roland Emmerich