Independence Day

Unidentified phenomena start appearing around the world, then the skies themselves erupt in a way no one can explain. Cities suffer sudden, overwhelming attacks that leave governments scrambling and civilians terrified. As the scale of the threat becomes clear, a scattering of people from very different walks of life end up working together, including a hotshot fighter pilot, a computer expert who spots the pattern, and national leaders trying to keep order. Their plans are improvised, dangerous, and urgent, because the invaders intend to wipe out humanity over the Fourth of July weekend. The film follows the run-up to a final confrontation, showing how small acts of courage and quick thinking can change a global catastrophe.

Roland Emmerich directed and co-wrote the movie with Dean Devlin, releasing it in 1996. The cast features Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, and Judd Hirsch, all fronting a high-concept, effects-driven summer blockbuster.

The movie was a huge commercial success, becoming one of the defining box office hits of its year and a staple of 1990s tentpole cinema. Its financial performance helped cement a template for big, event-style sci-fi action films.

Several sequences and images from the movie lodged in pop culture, from the large-scale city devastation to the memorable presidential address that rallied people. Its set pieces were widely imitated and parodied, and the film helped make summer-release disaster spectacles a predictable annual offering in Hollywood.

Critics and audiences tended to praise the film for sheer scale and entertainment value, while some reviewers pointed to thin character arcs and melodramatic moments. The movie often gets discussed in terms of spectacle versus substance, but it does emphasize cooperation across nations, quick technical thinking under pressure, and the contrast between military action and civilian resilience. Its audience score around 6.9 out of 10 reflects that mix of affection and critique.