Independence Day (1996)
Roland Emmerich's era-defining alien invasion epic unites an unlikely band of heroes against an unstoppable extraterrestrial force threatening humanity's survival.
Independence Day - Movie Information
- Original Title: Independence Day
- Release Year: 1996
- Directed by: Roland Emmerich
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 2h 25m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 25, 1996 (United States - PG-13), July 2, 1996 (Canada - PG), August 9, 1996 (United Kingdom - 12), September 18, 1996 (Germany - 12), October 2, 1996 (France - 12), August 29, 1996 (New Zealand - M), August 29, 1996 (Australia - PG), August 15, 1996 (Brazil - 12), July 18, 1996 (Mexico - B), September 27, 1996 (Italy - T), September 13, 1996 (Spain - 7), July 27, 1996 (South Korea - ALL)
- Alternative Titles: Independence Day (HK), 独立日 (CN), ID4：星際終結者 (TW), Independence Day: 1 (ES), インデペンデンス・デイ (JP), A függetlenség napja (HU), Independence Day 3D (US)
- Production Companies: 20th Century Fox, Centropolis Entertainment
- Production Countries: United States of America
Independence Day - Plot
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.
Independence Day - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the alien assault on Earth begin:
The question of whether or not we are alone in the universe has been answered.
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Independence Day - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Roland Emmerich
Main Cast
- Will Smith
- Bill Pullman
- Jeff Goldblum
- Mary McDonnell
- Judd Hirsch
- Robert Loggia
- Randy Quaid
- Margaret Colin
- James Rebhorn
- Harvey Fierstein
Writers
- Dean Devlin
- Roland Emmerich
Producers
- Dean Devlin
Independence Day - FAQs
Where can you stream Independence Day?
Independence Day is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. It can also be streamed via AMC+ Amazon Channel and Philo. For rent or purchase, it is available on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Spectrum On Demand.
Is Independence Day based on a true story?
No, Independence Day is a work of science fiction. The story was conceived entirely by screenwriters Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich. However, the film draws on real cultural touchstones such as Area 51 and Cold War-era UFO mythology to lend its premise a sense of grounded plausibility.
Who are the main actors in Independence Day?
The film stars Will Smith as Captain Steven Hiller, Bill Pullman as President Thomas J. Whitmore, and Jeff Goldblum as satellite technician David Levinson. Supporting roles are filled by Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Robert Loggia, Randy Quaid, Margaret Colin, James Rebhorn, and Harvey Fierstein.
What is the age rating for Independence Day?
Independence Day is rated PG-13 in the United States, meaning parental guidance is strongly cautioned for children under 13. The rating reflects intense sequences of sci-fi action and destruction, large-scale battle sequences, and some mild language throughout the film.
What is Independence Day about?
Independence Day follows humanity's desperate fight for survival after a technologically superior alien civilization launches a coordinated global assault over the Fourth of July weekend. A fighter pilot, a satellite engineer, and the U.S. President must unite to devise a last-ditch plan to repel the invaders.
How long is Independence Day?
Independence Day has a runtime of 2 hours and 25 minutes (145 minutes). The film's extended running time allows director Roland Emmerich to balance large-scale spectacle with character development across its ensemble cast before the climactic battle sequence.
Did Independence Day win any major awards?
Independence Day won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects at the 1997 Oscars, recognizing the groundbreaking practical and digital effects work that brought its alien destruction sequences to life. The film was also nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects.
What movies are similar to Independence Day?
Fans of Independence Day often enjoy Men in Black (1997), Aliens (1986), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Pearl Harbor (2001), and Independence Day: Resurgence (2016). These films share themes of large-scale conflict, alien encounters, or high-stakes action driven by ensemble casts.
More About Independence Day
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