There’s never a bad time to throw on a good ol’ fashioned American movie. That said, it’s hard to argue that summer isn’t the peak time to lean into that patriotic spirit. The hot dogs have been pulled off the grill, the kids are drying off from the pool, and that spot on the couch in front of the television has never looked more appealing. Is there a better feeling than watching the opening credits while the air conditioner battles that heat you just brought indoors?
But choosing a good patriotic movie isn’t so simple, because patriotism can mean different things to different people. Perhaps you want an all-American adventure to the moon, like Armstrong and Aldrin once did. Maybe that American spirit comes in the form of a film that honors those who’ve served the country in combat. Patriotism can also mean cheering from your couch while American athletes showcase their talents in front of the world.
No matter what gets your flag flying this Fourth of July (or any other time of year), there’s a film waiting for you — and this list has seven of them to choose from. Get to streaming, soldier.
Richard Linklater shoots for the stars in this stylistic coming-of-age drama set around a landmark American moment. Set in 1969 Houston, Linklater’s story follows Stan, a young boy who imagines himself as part of the events leading up to the historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Oh, and it’s animated — the voice cast includes Glen Powell, Jack Black, Zachary Levi, and Josh Wiggins — once again proving that thoughtful storytelling, animation, and a bit of daydreaming isn’t restricted to any one age group.
Tom Cruise stars in this 1989 Oscar-winning biopic of Vietnam veteran turned anti-war activist Ron Kovic. Born on Independence Day, Ron’s been a patriot his whole life, enlisting in the Marine Corps and shipping off to war straight out of high school. But when an injury leaves him paralyzed, Ron returns home aimless and angry. He sets out on a journey of reflection that forever changes his sense of self, and of what it means to fight for his country.
Da 5 Bloods is included on this list because of its depiction of the Vietnam War, but that’s far from the only reason. This 2020 Spike Lee joint follows four friends who return to Vietnam decades after the war ends, telling the group’s origin story and the reason they’ve come back now: to find the remains of their squadron leader and to uncover the treasure they buried there years ago. Starring Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and the late, great Chadwick Boseman.
In Dee Rees’ sweeping 2017 drama Mudbound, the setting is a character all its own, bringing to life the rich landscape of post–World War II Mississippi. The film follows two returning servicemen, one white and one Black, as they reenter civilian life. But the story is hardly the same for either man, as they both realize that the PTSD from war is more complicated than they could have imagined. The film stars Garrett Hedlund, Carey Mulligan, Jason Mitchell, and Mary J. Blige, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance.
Patriotic films don’t always have a flag waving in the foreground. They don’t always take place on a battlefield. The American spirit defies any one type of genre. Take NYAD, for example. The 2023 film follows the incredible story of long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad, who at the age of 60 becomes determined to finish an epic swim that’s always eluded her: the 110-mile journey from Cuba to Florida. Starring Annette Bening as Diana and Jodie Foster as her friend and coach Bonnie Stoll (both received Oscar nominations for their portrayals), NYAD highlights what’s beautiful about the human psyche — perseverance, strength, and the belief that, against all odds, any challenge can be overcome.
Some days you’re looking for the boom and bang of a war film, and then sometimes you just want to marvel at the beauty of what our world has to offer. Cut to Our Great National Parks, narrated by the notoriously comforting voice of former President Barack Obama. The five-part series takes viewers around the world, including Episode 4’s focus on the US, which showcases the California coastline. The Emmy-winning show boasts incredible views and sights to marvel at, all from the ease of your living room.
Take the intrinsic patriotism of a young serviceman’s story, marry it with the Americana of young love, and you’ll get Purple Hearts. The film, based on a novel by the same name, stars Sofia Carson and Nicholas Galitzine as Cassie and Luke, respectively. Cassie, a singer-songwriter, marries Luke, a Marine, so they can lock in military benefits and pay off their debts. But as you’d expect, the ruse gets complicated when real feelings start to blur the couple’s original intent. Keep a box of tissues around for this one.
There’s something about cheering on your home country on the international stage, and this sports documentary is a comeback story of Olympic proportions. The film follows the 2008 US men’s basketball team as they head to the Summer Games in Beijing, four years after being ousted in a shocking upset. With basketball greats Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony coming together under the leadership of team captain and sports legend Kobe Bryant, The Redeem Team takes you along on their quest for greatness — and gold. With the 2024 Olympic Games kicking off in Paris this month, there’s no better time to watch.
From writer and director Tyler Perry, this powerful true story celebrates the only all-Black, all-female battalion in the US Army Corps during WWII. Despite intense training and proven competence, the women of the Six Triple Eight are refused the chance to see battle. Instead, Major Charity Adams (Kerry Washington) and her cohorts are assigned the seemingly impossible task of sorting through a mail backlog years and millions of letters in the making. In the face of racism and life-threatening conditions, the women prove they are the soldiers to get it done.
No list of Fourth-related films would be complete without a family-friendly flick about America’s favorite pastime, right? In Fort Worth, Texas, Bobby Ratliff (Luke Wilson) and his best friend Jon Kelly (Greg Kinnear) co-coach their sons’ baseball team. When Bobby receives a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis, he’s forced to step away from his coaching duties— just as his team is invited to play in the 2002 Little League World Series. Jon takes over to rally their roster of underdogs to chase baseball glory, with Bobby cheering them on with every pitch.
