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Independence Day

  • 1996
  • PG-13
  • 2h 25m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
627K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
335
62
Independence Day (1996)
Home video trailer for this sci fi thriller
Play trailer2:27
13 Videos
99+ Photos
Action EpicAlien InvasionDisasterSci-Fi EpicSpace Sci-FiActionAdventureSci-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.

  • Director
    • Roland Emmerich
  • Writers
    • Dean Devlin
    • Roland Emmerich
  • Stars
    • Will Smith
    • Bill Pullman
    • Jeff Goldblum
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    627K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    335
    62
    • Director
      • Roland Emmerich
    • Writers
      • Dean Devlin
      • Roland Emmerich
    • Stars
      • Will Smith
      • Bill Pullman
      • Jeff Goldblum
    • 1.1KUser reviews
    • 138Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 35 wins & 35 nominations total

    Videos13

    Independence Day
    Trailer 2:27
    Independence Day
    Independence Day
    Trailer 2:31
    Independence Day
    Independence Day
    Trailer 2:31
    Independence Day
    5 UFO Movies to Stream Now
    Clip 1:05
    5 UFO Movies to Stream Now
    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

    Photos370

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    + 364
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    Top cast99+

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

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    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 from R.E.M.: It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine) (1987)
    • 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 reviews1.1K

    Featured review
    8/10

    Fun summer blockbuster that some just took to seriously.

    I enjoyed this movie, sure it isn't the most original movie ever made or the best, but it was what it set out to be...which is a combo alien attack movie of the 50's plus an all-star disaster movie of the 70's. A lot of critics don't like this one and a lot of people who think of themselves as critics don't care much for it either, but it still brought in over 300 million at the box office in the summer of 96. I thought it was an entertaining film with lots of action and a good dose of comedy as well. One complaint I have is that it runs a bit long and you feel the time pass not like other movies like "The Two Towers" where it doesn't feel like all that much time has passed. Another problem with this movie is that it is best seen in the theater. This movie has a score of only six at imdb, so a lot of people who saw it probably saw it on TV. Or if they did see it at the theaters, realized it just wasn't as good on the small screen when they saw it on TV. The movie also benefited from a great ad campaign that started with a super bowl spot that showed the White House being destroyed. The movie is basically an alien invasion movie and it is like a 50's science fiction movie. It also has a lot of stars, not the biggest names, just like a 70's disaster flick. If you don't care for either of these genres you probably won't like this movie, but if you like one or the other or both it is worth checking out. Just don't take it too seriously and have fun watching it.
    • Aaron1375
    • May 6, 2003
    • Permalink

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    FAQ28

    • How long is Independence Day?Powered by Alexa
    • How does the president of the United States 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
      • Día de la independencia
    • Filming locations
      • Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA(Alien Crash, RV Caravan)
    • 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

    Tech specs

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

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