Top Patriotic Movie Picks
Entertainment Weekly Unveils Top Patriotic Movies to Celebrate America's Birthday
As America marks its 250th birthday, Entertainment Weekly has put together a list of the best patriotic movies to watch this Fourth of July. Topping the list is "Saving Private Ryan," Steven Spielberg's 1998 World War II epic, which has been called the best-received film on the list.
The full list spans wars, space races, and Broadway stages — giving viewers plenty of ways to celebrate the American spirit this summer, according to WOKV and other outlets covering the story.
Saving Private Ryan Leads the Patriotic Pack
"Saving Private Ryan" sits at the top of Entertainment Weekly's picks. The 1998 film follows a group of U.S. soldiers searching for a missing paratrooper after the D-Day invasion of Normandy. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Director for Spielberg. Its brutal opening beach scene is widely considered one of the most powerful war sequences ever put to film.
The film stars Tom Hanks as Captain John Miller. It remains a go-to watch every Fourth of July for millions of Americans. Its raw look at sacrifice and duty makes it a natural fit for the holiday, according to WHIO.
Apollo 13 and Hamilton Round Out the Top Three
Coming in just behind "Saving Private Ryan" are "Apollo 13" and "Hamilton." "Apollo 13," the 1995 Ron Howard film, tells the true story of NASA's failed 1970 moon mission. Three astronauts survived against the odds after an oxygen tank exploded 200,000 miles from Earth. The film is a tribute to American ingenuity and courage, according to Boston 25 News.
"Hamilton" rounds out the top three. It is a filmed version of Lin-Manuel Miranda's celebrated Broadway musical. The show tells the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton through hip-hop and R&B music. Disney+ released the film version in 2020 and it drew record viewers, making it one of the most-watched streaming events of that year, WPXI reported.
A List That Reflects the Full American Story
Entertainment Weekly's full list goes beyond war films. It mixes genres — from historical dramas to musicals to space adventures. The goal, according to outlets like WSOC-TV and Action News Jax, is to pick films that represent what America is and what it aspires to be. Each movie captures a different slice of the American experience.
The list arrives as the country celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. That milestone, known as the semiquincentennial, has sparked a wave of patriotic events, media specials, and retrospectives across the country this summer.
How to Watch These Films This Fourth of July
Most of the films on the list are easy to find on major streaming platforms. "Hamilton" is on Disney+. "Apollo 13" is available on several services, including Peacock. "Saving Private Ryan" can be streamed on Paramount+. Viewers looking for a full holiday movie marathon have plenty of options without leaving the couch, according to B98.5.
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