Common Sense Media Review
Patriotic sci-fi film is an explosive adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Independence Day
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 28 parent reviews
Parents say this movie is a classic blend of action, humor, and drama that may be too intense for younger viewers due to its scary alien sequences and some strong language. While it offers entertaining performances, particularly by Will Smith, and impressive special effects, parents should be mindful of the content as it includes violence and suggestive material.
- action-packed
- parental guidance
- strong language
- impressive effects
- family friendly
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 68 kid reviews
Kids say this is a fun and entertaining sci-fi film that combines humor with intense action and alien invasion themes, making it a popular watch during July 4th celebrations. While there are some mature elements like violence, mild language, and suggestive content, many reviewers believe that it is appropriate for older children and teens, highlighting its thrilling special effects and the appeal of the lead performances.
- fun action movie
- mature themes
- appropriate for teens
- popular viewing
- thrilling special effects
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When aliens suddenly lay waste to major cities around the globe, an international crew bands together on America's INDEPENDENCE DAY, July 4, to launch a counterattack. Among its heroes are a military pilot (Will Smith), the United States President (Bill Pullman), a satellite technician (Jeff Goldblum), and many others. Humanity thinks it's discovered a fatal weakness among the aliens, but only a knockdown fight with the extraterrestrials will prove whether or not the human race can be saved.
Is It Any Good?
Clever and intensely thrilling, this sci-fi movie even injects a healthy dose of humor if you can recognize its stock characters and movie plots. Independence Day harks back to the classic alien-invasion movies of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the disaster movies of the 1970s. These sources provide campy material for the film to quote from, with everything from references to The War of the Worlds (1953) and The Day the Earth Stood Still to imagery from Earthquake and The Towering Inferno offering chuckles to knowing audiences. At the same time, the film boasts special effects and epic air battles that quickly became the gold standard following its release in 1996. This is the film that sky-rocketed Smith to blockbuster action-hero status. Overblown performances by Smith, Brent Spiner (as an addled scientist from Area 54), Judd Hirsch, and Harvey Fierstein will no doubt elicit a few guffaws too.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stereotypes associated with action-disaster movies like Independence Day. How are race, class, and gender represented? Does the writing seem accurate, or biased—or a mix of both?
How does the violence in this movie compare to what you've seen in other sci-fi/action movies? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
How do the characters demonstrate teamwork? Why is that an important character strength?
Which characters are role models? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 2, 1996
- On DVD or streaming : May 11, 2004
- Cast : Bill Pullman , Jeff Goldblum , Will Smith
- Director : Roland Emmerich
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Run time : 153 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sci-fi destruction and violence
- Awards : Academy Award - Other Category Winner , Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate