Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Independence Day

  • 19961996
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 25m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
566K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
348
101
Independence Day (1996)
Home video trailer for this sci fi thriller
Play trailer2:27
8 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Sci-Fi
The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive.The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive.The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
566K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
348
101
  • Director
    • Roland Emmerich
  • Writers
    • Dean Devlin
    • Roland Emmerich
  • Stars
    • Will Smith
    • Bill Pullman
    • Jeff Goldblum
Top credits
  • Director
    • Roland Emmerich
  • Writers
    • Dean Devlin
    • Roland Emmerich
  • Stars
    • Will Smith
    • Bill Pullman
    • Jeff Goldblum
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1KUser reviews
    • 198Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 35 wins & 35 nominations total

    Videos8

    Independence Day
    Trailer 2:27
    Independence Day
    Independence Day
    Trailer 2:31
    Independence Day
    Jaws, Shreks, & Lion Kings: A Summer Blockbuster History
    Clip 7:23
    Jaws, Shreks, & Lion Kings: A Summer Blockbuster History
    Which Roles Did Will Smith Turn Down?
    Clip 2:27
    Which Roles Did Will Smith Turn Down?
    Independence Day
    Clip 1:35
    Independence Day
    Independence Day
    Clip 1:11
    Independence Day
    Bill Pullman on "The Sinner" and 'Independence Day' Secrets
    Video 3:08
    Bill Pullman on "The Sinner" and 'Independence Day' Secrets
    "Dates in Movie & TV History": July 4
    Video 2:42
    "Dates in Movie & TV History": July 4

    Photos361

    Independence Day (1996)
    Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith in Independence Day (1996)
    Bill Pullman in Independence Day (1996)
    Independence Day (1996)
    Behind the scenes photo from the bonus materials on the
    Behind the scenes photo from the bonus materials on the
    Behind the scenes photo from the bonus materials on the
    Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook at an event for Independence Day (1996)
    Harry Connick Jr. and Jill Goodacre at an event for Independence Day (1996)
    Billy Crystal and Janice Crystal at an event for Independence Day (1996)
    Faye Dunaway at an event for Independence Day (1996)
    Arsenio Hall at an event for Independence Day (1996)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Will Smith
    Will Smith
    • Capt. Steven Hilleras Capt. Steven Hiller
    Bill Pullman
    Bill Pullman
    • President Thomas J. Whitmoreas President Thomas J. Whitmore
    Jeff Goldblum
    Jeff Goldblum
    • David Levinsonas David Levinson
    Mary McDonnell
    Mary McDonnell
    • Marilyn Whitmoreas Marilyn Whitmore
    Judd Hirsch
    Judd Hirsch
    • Julius Levinsonas Julius Levinson
    Robert Loggia
    Robert Loggia
    • General William Greyas General William Grey
    Randy Quaid
    Randy Quaid
    • Russell Casseas Russell Casse
    Margaret Colin
    Margaret Colin
    • Constance Spanoas Constance Spano
    James Rebhorn
    James Rebhorn
    • Albert Nimzikias Albert Nimziki
    Harvey Fierstein
    Harvey Fierstein
    • Marty Gilbertas Marty Gilbert
    Adam Baldwin
    Adam Baldwin
    • Major Mitchellas Major Mitchell
    Brent Spiner
    Brent Spiner
    • Dr. Brakish Okunas Dr. Brakish Okun
    James Duval
    James Duval
    • Miguelas Miguel
    Vivica A. Fox
    Vivica A. Fox
    • Jasmine Dubrowas Jasmine Dubrow
    Lisa Jakub
    Lisa Jakub
    • Aliciaas Alicia
    Ross Bagley
    Ross Bagley
    • Dylanas Dylan
    Mae Whitman
    Mae Whitman
    • Patricia Whitmoreas Patricia Whitmore
    Bill Smitrovich
    Bill Smitrovich
    • Captain Watsonas Captain Watson
    • Director
      • Roland Emmerich
    • Writers
      • Dean Devlin
      • Roland Emmerich
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Armageddon
    6.7
    Armageddon
    The Day After Tomorrow
    6.4
    The Day After Tomorrow
    Men in Black
    7.3
    Men in Black
    Independence Day: Resurgence
    5.2
    Independence Day: Resurgence
    I, Robot
    7.1
    I, Robot
    I Am Legend
    7.2
    I Am Legend
    Men in Black II
    6.1
    Men in Black II
    War of the Worlds
    6.5
    War of the Worlds
    Bad Boys
    6.8
    Bad Boys
    2012
    5.8
    2012
    Men in Black 3
    6.8
    Men in Black 3
    Hancock
    6.4
    Hancock

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to producer/co-writer Dean Devlin, the U.S. military had agreed to support the film by allowing the crew to film at military bases, consulting the actors who have military roles, etc. However, after learning of the Area 51 references in the script, they withdrew their support.
    • Goofs
      (at around 2 mins) The opening scene in which the mothership passes the moon heading toward earth, the earth is shown with the southern hemisphere facing the sun - an indication of mid-winter in North America, not July.
    • Quotes

      [the President briefs the pilots before the final attack]

      President Thomas Whitmore: Good morning.

      [PA doesn't work. Turns it on]

      President Thomas Whitmore: Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. "Mankind." That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom... Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution... but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!

      [crowd cheers]

    • Crazy credits
      Frank Bollinger, originally from the art department is credited as "Alien Supervisor" because he wasn't member of the union, so he wouldn't be allowed to work in that department.
    • Alternate versions
      An extended version of the film contains ca. 8 minutes of extended/additional footage bringing it to 153 minutes total. The scenes include:
      • The first dialogue between President Whitmore and Constance Spano was extended.
      • A few sentences were added in the scene as Whitmore proposes to go to DefCon 3.
      • The first added scene is a dialogue between David Levinson and a colleague at the TV station. He explains that an unknown signal is responsible for the bad TV broadcasting and that he may be able to block this signal.
      • In the next extended scene Russell Casse meets his son after he was released from prison.
      • Up next the dialogue between Jasmine and Tiffany in the strip club was extended.
      • Then there is an extended dialogue between David and his father on the way to the White house. Right after this is an added scene in which David is searching for the number of Constance's handy.
      • Another added scene features David and his father in the oval Office. The father is talking about the persons who visited this office. Actors, football players and now himself...
      • Right after Jasmine found the truck, there is an added scene in which the illness of Russell's youngest son is described.
      • The next added scene features Jasmine as she drives the truck and some survivors through the destroyed city.
      • Later in Area 51 there is an added scene in which David Levinson and Dr. Brakkish Okun go into the alien spacecraft. Here the Doctor explains some of the alien technology.
      • As Captain Steven Hiller arrives with the alien visitor, a scene was added in which Russell asks for a doctor for his ill son.
      • The last extended scene shows Russell's daughter establishing a new friendship while the fight rages above Area 51.
    • Connections
      Edited into Armageddon in Effect (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
      Written by Bill Berry (as William Berry), Peter Buck, Mike Mills (as Michael Mills) & Michael Stipe
      Performed by R.E.M.
      Courtesy of I.R.S. Records

    User reviews1K

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    B movie at its finest
    This is a very entertaining movie for sure. I think this is a good line to begin with, because from a movie perspective I see it as a big old B film, hehe... But I enjoyed the movie from start to end, even with all the clichés, the americanish touch, the sometimes laughable dialog. This is a movie where you just turn your brain off, and just enjoy the fun ride it is, and root for the humans, and especially the Americans (:p) to win over evil!...

    The movie I must say has a lot of memorable moments... A lot of them comes from the great special effects. I remember when watching this as a kid, I was woved by the effects, and they still look pretty good to this day! So to end it all, if you are a movie viewer who watches movies for character development, clever dialog, etc. This movie is not for you. If you just want a good time, and a good feeling after watching a movie, I recommend this very much! Thanks for reading, and have a great day!
    helpful•15
    9
    • schmidteren
    • Apr 22, 2011

    FAQ15

    • How does the president of the United Sates of America NOT know about Area 51?
    • How is it the alien ships still look exactly like the one Area 51 has had since the 1950's?
    • in the final attack Pres. Whitman yells, "Fox 3!" when he fires missiles. what's the meaning and derivation of this?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 3, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • 20th Century Studios (United States)
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • ID4
    • Filming locations
      • Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA
    • Production companies
      • Twentieth Century Fox
      • Centropolis Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $75,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $306,169,268
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $50,228,264
      • Jul 7, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $817,400,891
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies Coming This Summer
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in June
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.