Top 10 Movies To Celebrate The 4th Of July

Top 10 Movies To Celebrate The 4th Of July

Often when we celebrate July 4th we can easily let the fireworks, BBQ, and fun times with family and friends distract us from taking a minute to remember and appreciate those who sacrificed so much to create this great nation. In a sense, appreciating the fruits of freedom and the pursuit of happiness does exactly that. However, there’s a time to sit and reflect on principles the United States of America was founded upon, as well as the people who founded it.

In honor of Independence Day, the Editorial Staff at Movieguide® has compiled 10 movies that celebrate our country and the values upon which it was founded. Many of these you can watch with your whole family this holiday, but some require extreme caution even for older teenagers and adults because of some rough content…

JOHNNY TREMAIN

Quality:

****

Content:

+3 Some minor questionable elements. (Media-wisdom is suggested to discuss.)

JOHNNY TREMAIN is a classic Walt Disney historical drama movie about how the title character changes from an overconfident, selfish silversmith’s apprentice into a principled American patriot ready to lay down his life in the Revolutionary War. JOHNNY TREMAIN is a quintessential historical Walt Disney movie from the 1950s featuring patriotism, positive Christian themes, Bible quotes, prayer, a musical number, and battle scenes with no blood.

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MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON

Quality:

****

Content:

+3 Some minor questionable elements. (Media-wisdom is suggested to discuss.)

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THE PATRIOT

Quality:

****

Content:

-2 Extreme caution for older teenagers and adults.

THE PATRIOT stars Mel Gibson as a family man who wrestles with his desire for revenge and the just cause of the American War for Independence in the late 1700s. The violent battle scenes may concern older moviegoers, while younger moviegoers might chafe at the soul-searching, but at the heart of this movie is faith.

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SERGEANT YORK

Quality:

****

Content:

+4 Biblical, usually Christian, worldview, with no questionable elements whatsoever.

SERGEANT YORK stars Gary Cooper in a movie based on the true story of a conscientious objector who became the greatest American hero in World War I. SERGEANT YORK is a profoundly Christian movie, with a brilliant performance by Gary Cooper. It powerfully explores the role Christians should play in times of war.

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DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK

Quality:

****

Content:

+3 Some minor questionable elements. (Media-wisdom is suggested to discuss.)

The classic 1939 movie DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK is a tremendous movie about the American Revolution as experienced on the frontier. It has a profoundly Christian worldview, but there’s plenty of war violence and some comical scenes of drunkenness.

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NATIONAL TREASURE

Quality:

****

Content:

+1 Moderately questionable elements. (Discernment required for young children.)

NATIONAL TREASURE is a rollicking, witty adventure mystery starring Nicolas Cage as a contemporary Indiana Jones hero hunting clues to a treasure hidden for hundreds of years. Although it shows a couple Masonic symbols that help locate the treasure, the movie is not occult or anti-Christian, but is a family-friendly entertainment that honors early American history, the Founding Fathers, the Declaration of Independence, and ideals such as liberty, traditional family values, bravery, honor, patriotism, loyalty, and justice.

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CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Quality:

****

Content:

-1 Caution advised for older children, including teenagers, and sensitive adults.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER tells the origin of Marvel’s first super-hero and the beginnings of his battles against Red Skull, the ruthless head of a rogue Nazi outfit trying to take over the world. Despite some foul language, CAPTAIN AMERICA delivers an inspiring, exciting patriotic punch with a lot of heart.

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YANKEE DOODLE DANDY

Quality:

****

Content:

+3 Some minor questionable elements. (Media-wisdom is suggested to discuss.)

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY stars James Cagney in one of his signature roles as George M. Cohan, the patriotic musical playwright of the first half of the 20th Century, who loved his country and loved his family, a beloved group of performers known as the Four Cohans. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY is a stirring, endearing celebration of American patriotism and family in tandem with musical whimsy that will warm the viewers spirit.

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THE SANDLOT

Quality:

****

Content:

+1 Moderately questionable elements. (Discernment required for young children.)

In THE SANDLOT, a young boy becomes friends with eight boys who are devoted to playing sandlot baseball and has some exciting adventures with them as they try to recover a cherished baseball from a mysterious, dangerous building that adjoins their lot. Although THE SANDLOT lags in a few places, overall, it builds suspense and intrigue, and humorously depicts the trials of growing up. The film contains some mild obscenities and, regrettably, some exclamatory profanities. In all, THE SANDLOT is wholesome family entertainment which will cause its viewers to laugh and to rejoice.

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HARRIET

Quality:

****

Content:

-1 Caution advised for older children, including teenagers, and sensitive adults.

HARRIET is the incredible story about how Harriet Tubman became Harriet Tubman, the woman who saved thousands of slaves and brought them to freedom before the Civil War. HARRIET is an exceptionally well-made movie with a strong Christian worldview, but it does have intense scenes and some foul language.

Full Review ⇾