Are you planning your next Fourth of July celebration? Or are you just feeling a little patriotic? If so, show that your blood runs red, white, and blue with a list of movies to make your heart swell with national pride.
Captain America
This is an easy one. After all, America is right in the name of this 2011 Marvel movie. We could talk about how patriotic all the Captain America movies are. Chris Evans plays the First Avenger, Captain America, aka Steve Rogers. It’s the origin story of Rogers wanting to enlist in the army, but he’s denied because of his small (and weak) stature. He volunteers for an experiment and is transformed into an exceptionally strong specimen and ultimately becomes the Captain. This movie also stars Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, and Sebastian Stan.
Gettysburg
This 1993 movie shows how the South and North fighters clash at Gettysburg. In 1863, this was a defining fight of the Civil War. It stars Martin Sheen, Sam Elliot, Tom Berenger, and Jeff Daniels. This film has an air of authenticity since the National Park Service allowed the filmmakers to shoot things at the Gettysburg Battlefield. This was the first time they allowed the movie industry to do that. What’s great is Civil War re-enactors played additional soldiers in the movie.
Independence Day
In 1996, this science fiction/action/adventure movie exploded onto big screens. Independence Day is about a group of Americans who fight to save Earth after it was attacked by aliens (in their giant spaceship). A funny fact is that director Roland Emmerich wasn’t American. He was German and still managed to create an American patriotic-driven movie. It stars Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, and Will Smith (plus many more). Do you get shivers when the American President (played by Pullman) ends his iconic speech with, “Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!”
Lincoln
This 2012 film was produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role. It showcases the Civil War in all its brutality. The movie highlights the struggles of President Lincoln as he worked to end the war as well as ending slavery (with the thirteenth amendment). Despite the adverse reactions to his actions, Lincoln perseveres aiming to make the country a better place to live. Thus, carving out an incredible legacy.
The Longest Day
This 1962 World War II movie is based on the 1959 novel The Longest Day. It’s about the notorious D-Day or Normandy landings which occurred on June 6, 1944. You can’t help but feel patriotic while viewing this film. It doesn’t hurt that it features an amazing A-list cast like John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, and Eddie Albert.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
It’s not always about weapons and war to be considered a patriotic movie. This is where this 1939 film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington brings you a different kind of patriotism. There is a war going on in this movie but not on a battleground. The fight is between an American senator and the dishonest government that he serves. It’s American ideals versus real political practice. Watch Jimmy Stewart act masterfully in this Frank Capra-directed picture.
The Patriot
How could you leave a movie off the list that’s called The Patriot? You can’t. This 2000 movie stars Mel Gibson, Jason Isaacs, and Heath Ledger. It depicts how a son and father get involved in the American Revolutionary War. The character that Gibson plays is based on real-life patriots (combined into one). Believe it or not, Roland Emmerich (born and raised in Germany) directed this one as well (Independence Day).
Patton
This 1970 film is based on real-life General George S. Patton, who was a controversial and difficult individual. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring George C. Scott as the complex General. The movie focuses on his brave conduct and his leadership skills in both World Wars. It’s a perfect example of patriotism, but it’s also a seven-time Academy Award winner and is being preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry.
Saving Private Ryan
You shouldn’t be surprised to see Saving Private Ryan on this list since it’s cited as being (one of) the best war movies. It’s more than just that though. Yes, the brutality flashing onscreen is startling, especially in the first thirty minutes of the movie, but there’s a real heart to this movie as well. It’s also about what a brotherhood will do to save one of their own. This 1998, Steven Spielberg directed film stars Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, and a plethora of other talented actors. It had great success at the theatre and garnered critical acclaim. It was an eleven-time Academy Award nominee, winning five gold statues in total.
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Once again, this is an example of a patriotic movie that’s not based on warfare. This 1942 musical (that’s also biographical) looks at composer, playwright, and all-around performer, George M. Cohan. His nickname was “The Man Who Owned Broadway.” He wrote over 36 Broadway musicals including The Yankee Doodle Boy, Over There, and You’re a Grand Old Flag. Directed by Michael Curtiz and starring James Cagney as Cohan. His portrayal won him an Academy Award.
Zero Dark Thirty
This 2012 film directed by Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) highlights the ten years or so that it took to hunt down terrorist Osama Bin Laden. Although most of us know how it ends, there are still feelings of anticipation and excitement in the final scenes of the movie. It stars a stellar cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Chris Pratt, James Gandolfini, and Joel Edgerton.
Honorable Mentions
- Air Force One
- American Sniper
- Apollo 13
- Black Hawk Down
- Forrest Gump
- Glory
- Hidden Figures
- Letters From Iwo Jima
- Miracle
- Pearl Harbor
- The Right Stuff
- Rocky IV
- Sergeant York
- Top Gun
- World Trade Center
Show your pride and love of your country (any day) with USA Stick Flags. They are great for celebrations, promotions, parades, and more. Buy American Stick Flags online at Flagdom: https://flagdom.com/american-flags/american-stick-flags.
You can be proud to be American on any day you choose. Let these movies help get you into the patriotic spirit. Do you think anything was left off the list? Could you have done better?
