In the event that your 4th of July celebrations are rained out, have a backup plan! These five films are great to watch during the holiday to stir up a patriotic spirit. If the weather is nice out, opt to build an outdoor home movie theater using a projector and the side of a white building, or hang up a white sheet.
The Sandlot
Length: 1:41:00
Rating: PG, Comedy, Drama, Family
“In the summer of 1962, a new kid in town is taken under the wing of a young baseball prodigy and his rowdy team, resulting in many adventures.”
Can it get anymore American? Baseball, check. Barbeque, check. Backyard pool parties, triple check! This classic is perfect to watch throughout the entire summer, but the annual Fourth of July baseball game this team participates in is about as All-American as it gets. If you breeze through the first one, make it a movie marathon and dive into the remaining two movies from the trilogy.
A League of Their Own
Length: 2:08:00
Rating: PG, Comedy, Drama, Family
“Two sisters join the first female professional baseball league and struggle to help it succeed amidst their own growing rivalry.”
Empower your daughters with this early 90s classic. Another story about an All-American game during a time where women didn’t play the sport and stepped in when Americans needed the entertainment most.
National Treasure
Length: 2:11:00
Rating: PG, Action, Adventure, Mystery
“A historian races to find the legendary Templar Treasure before a team of mercenaries.”
Untwist the mystery and follow the journey of Nicolas Cage as a historian who must steal the Declaration of Independence! If you have younger kids, this is a great time to introduce a little history lesson on what this document is and why it is important to the holiday you are celebrating. After you’ve finished the first one, continue the mystery with the second National Treasure film.
Captain America: The First Avenger
Length: 2:04:00
Rating: PG-13, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
“Steve Rogers, a rejected military soldier, transforms into Captain America after taking a dose of a “Super-Soldier serum.” But being Captain America comes at a price as he attempts to take down a warmonger and a terrorist organization.”
Any of the Marvel films would be great to watch. This story gives kids an idol to look up to and inspires people to be like him: brave, honest, dependable, and dedicated!
Hidden Figures
Length: 2:07:00
Rating: PG, Biography, Drama, History
“The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.”
Based on true events, this movie has a lot of heart and tells the tale of three (formerly) unsung heroes.
Compiled by Sarah Richards