Top 10 Movies to Celebrate The Fourth of July

Often when we celebrate July Fourth 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 principals the United States of America was founded upon, as well as the people 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…

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Quality:

****

Content:

-1 Discretion advised for older children.

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.

Full Review ⇾

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Quality:

***

Content:

-1 Discretion advised for older children.

INDEPENDENCE DAY is a fun, roller coaster ride of a movie. This big-budget B-grade science fiction movie pays tribute to the sci-fi films of 1950's where the aliens from space were not nice guys, but creatures who wanted to take over the world. Marred only by too many profanities and obscenities but blessed by positive references to prayer, marriage and family, it is pure "popcorn" entertainment.

Full Review ⇾

THE LONG ROAD HOME

Quality:

****

Content:

-1 Discretion advised for older children.

THE LONG ROAD HOME is a dramatic TV miniseries from the National Geographic Channel that follows American forces in Sadr, Iraq in 2004 who are ambushed by Islamic militants and face extreme odds to survive. THE LONG ROAD HOME is an intense war series, but the first two episodes have a very strong Christian, moral, patriotic worldview. Caution is advised for some strong war violence and foul language.

Full Review ⇾

THE PATRIOT

Quality:

****

Content:

-2 Discretion advised for 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.

Full Review ⇾

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON

Quality:

****

Content:

+3 Some minor questionable elements.

Full Review ⇾

NATIONAL TREASURE

Quality:

****

Content:

+1 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.

Full Review ⇾

DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK

Quality:

****

Content:

+3 Some minor questionable elements.

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.

Full Review ⇾

SERGEANT YORK

Quality:

****

Content:

+4 Biblical 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.

Full Review ⇾

MAO’S LAST DANCER

Quality:

****

Content:

+1 Discernment required for young children.

MAO’S LAST DANCER is a marvelous new movie about a Chinese ballet dancer who finds freedom, success and love in the United States after coming to Houston Texas as part of a cultural exchange program. Based on the dancer’s autobiography, MAO’S LAST DANCER is a powerful, dramatic, inspiring, beautiful story for older viewers.

Full Review ⇾

JOHNNY TREMAIN

Quality:

****

Content:

+3 Some minor questionable elements.

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.

Full Review ⇾

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