10 Patriotic Movie Recommendations

With today being the 4th of July, I thought it would be fun to share some movie recommendations to get you into a patriotic mood. These are all movies that center around American pride, have some sort of American hero, or were made at a time when patriotism was a huge component of media. These are all movies that I thoroughly enjoy. These won't have ratings or a ranking as these are purely recommendations of movies to watch for the 4th of July. These are not super deep cuts, just 10 movies that I felt embodied the patriotic spirit we all feel today. With that being said and in no particular order, here are 10 movies to watch around the 4th of July.

1. Independence Day

Independence Day is about as patriotic as you can get in a movie. Though watching, American icons get destroyed and millions of people die may not be super patriotic, IT is still wildly entertaining. These end-of-the-world destruction movies are what I call junk food movies. They are not high-level cinema but are still a lot of fun. This movie also has both Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum making the movie a lot of fun with their unique styles of charm. What makes this movie patriotic is the coming together of everyone to fight this alien threat. The entire world looks to the USA to lead the charge to fight this threat because apparently, the US is the only country that can lead an alien attack. The movie also has a great speech from the president, "Today, we celebrate our Independence Day" which just makes you get so pumped up and swelling with American pride. Finally, the movie has the final charge from the American Air Force to take out these alien ships in a battle that is so cool. Overall, this movie is a blast and really gives you that strong feeling of American pride.

2. Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America: The First Avenger is one of the two recommendations about a superhero that embodies the spirit of American pride. Before becoming a superhero, Steve just wanted to fight for the USA in World War II. Once he becomes Captain America, he shows everyone what is like to be a true American soldier. There are a lot of fun action sequences with Captain America fighting the Nazis as well as some great music that sounds very patriotic. This movie is just so much fun showing a superhero fighting the Nazis in WWII. The movie also has a very emotional ending with Captain America seemingly giving his life to save the US. Overall, this is a great film with a fun superhero that gives you a bit of patriotic buzz in the MCU.

3. Armageddon

Armageddon is yet another example of a disaster movie where, for some reason, the whole world needs the US to save the day. The movie is all about a group of oil drillers working with the US Army to blow up an asteroid heading for Earth. This movie is dumb but really fun and is another example of a Junk Food movie. The plot itself doesn't make a whole lot of sense but the movie is still very entertaining. The cast of characters is a lot of fun with each person adding some sort of flare to the team. What makes this movie patriotic is the fact that the US is expected to save the world yet again. The oil drillers have to step up to save their country and planet. There are several shots with the American flag, some good moments with the US army, and a feeling of American pride when the asteroid finally gets destroyed. In the end, this movie is a whole lot of fun that delivers on the American spirit.

4. Saving Private Ryan

Saving Private Ryan is the war film entry on this list and is arguably one of the best war films out there. This movie centers around a group of US soldiers venturing into war-torn Europe to bring home Private Ryan after the rest of his brothers are killed in the war. This is one of Steven Spielberg's best movies and is an incredibly thrilling war film. We get to see a lot of WWII action as well as some glimpses into how the war has impacted various people. What makes this so patriotic is that these soldiers are putting the life of Private Ryan above their own to make sure that he gets home. This movie also shows a lot of loyalty between the soldiers when they refuse to leave their fellow soldiers when an enemy approaches. Overall, this is a fantastic war film and a great example of American loyalty.

5. National Treasure

National Treasure is a fun old-fashioned American treasure-hunting film starring Nicolas Cage. The film follows Ben Gates as he searches for a lost treasure protected by the Free Masons. The hunt takes them through various areas of American history as they solve clues related to the founding fathers. National Treasure is one of Disney's most patriotic films. It is full of references to American history and American trivia as well as ties in several historical items to the finding of the treasure. The movie is so full of American pride that it decides to put a treasure map on the back of the Declaration of Independence as well as have characters put their lives on the line to save. The movie also travels to many important American sites such as the National Archives, the FBI building, and Independence Hall. In the end, this is a great patriotic movie with solid moments and a lot of American fun facts.

6. Lincoln

Lincoln is the second historical film from Steven Spielberg to make this list. As the name implies, this film is about Abraham Lincoln as he pushes Congress to pass a bill to outlaw slavery. There are some fantastic performances in this movie. Daniel Day-Lewis gives an Oscar-winning performance as President Lincoln. Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field are also fantastic in their roles. The most patriotic thing about this movie is that it shows the battle in Congress to abolish slavery. It also showcases Lincoln as one of the greatest presidents of all time. The movie also does a great job of making you feel suspenseful and emotional even when history tells us what happened. Even though you know the bill is going to pass, it is still suspenseful to see what way the senators are going to vote. Or with Lincoln's death, you know when he leaves for the theater that he is going to die but you still are hoping that he will stay. Overall, this is a patriotic movie that showcases an important historical event and one of our best presidents.

7. Miracle

Miracle is one of the two patriotic sports movies on this list. Miracle follows the 1980 US Olympic hockey team as they face off against the undefeated Soviet Union team. Not only is this a patriotic movie, but it is also an underdog story as the Soviet Union is the clear favorite and the US team has to learn to work together and defeat them. The movie also takes place during the Cold War which adds another level to the patriotism of the time. The build-up is very well done and the payoff where the US team wins is just so exciting that you can't help but feel American Pride. This movie also has a great performance from Kurt Russel as he plays the coach that molds the team into champions. In the end, this is a great sports movie and underdog story and gives the audience a great deal of American pride.

8. Rocky IV

Rocky IV is the other patriotic sports movie. Unlike Miracle, this film did not actually happen but we still get to see Rocky single-handedly take on communism and punch it in the face. This movie is very much a product of its time as it was made in the 80s when patriotism was at its peak. It also presents the Soviet Union as the enemy as the movie was both set and made during the height of the cold war. This movie is the goofiest of the Rocky franchise but is probably one of the most rewatchable. This movie has some solid patriotic moments with the whole fight between Rocky and Drago. Rocky also gives this big speech about understanding each other's differences to help put a stop to the cold war. I also had a lot of fun with all of the excessive training montages throughout the film. Overall, this is a fun Rocky movie that was extremely patriotic in its team and allowed us to watch Rocky punch communism in the face.

9. Top Gun

Top Gun is another 80s patriotic movie that was very much a product of its time. The movie is about two Navy pilots being recruited into the Top Gun flight academy. In the flight academy, we get soldier shenanigans and a lot of fun flight scenes. This movie is patriotic by showing the pride of the US Navy flight school and how great it is to be an American. Tom Cruise is great in this movie as Maverick and has such fun energy. We also get a lot of iconic scenes such as the beach volleyball scene as well as lines such as "I feel the need, the need for speed!". This movie also delivers some good emotional moments between Maverick and his partner. Finally, the soundtrack is so much fun and just gives you that patriotic buzz. In the end, this is an iconic film and a film that many Americans get much pride from.

10. Superman

Superman is the second movie about a superhero embodying American pride. As Superman says " I fight for truth, justice, and the American way". You can't get much more American than that. This movie is just so heroic and patriotic as it shows Superman saving many American cities, visiting the white house, and posing in front of American flags. He is just designed to be America's superhero. The music in this film is also really great. John William's Superman theme is one of the most iconic themes in all movies. With a hero like Superman, you can't help but feel American pride when watching this movie. Overall, this is the OG superhero film with an iconic hero that just projects patriotism.

Which of these movies is your favorite?

• 0%Independence Day
• 0%Captain America: The First Avenger
• 0%Armageddon
• 0%Saving Private Ryan

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