Who doesn’t love the 4th of July?
Whether you’re a big fan of patriotism or you just like having the day off from work, this summer holiday is the perfect excuse to celebrate with a great movie.
These five films — all available on Amazon Prime Video — hit the Independence Day theme from different angles.
Read on to learn what the Watch With Us team believes makes a 4th of July movie — and which ones you should watch this weekend.
‘My Old Ass’ (2024)
This teen movie starring Aubrey Plaza is all about one girl’s last summer before college, and that carefree summer vibe makes it a 4th of July flick to us. Maisy Stella plays Elliott, a teenager who hopes to spend the summer hanging out with her friends and hooking up with her longtime crush, Chelsea. But her plans change when she takes magic mushrooms and winds up face to face with an older version of herself (Plaza).
Taking advice from her “Old Ass,” she tries to make the most of her last remaining days with her family. She also fights her growing attraction to Chad (Percy Hynes White), a seemingly lovely guy whom her older self warns her to avoid at all costs. This beautiful coming-of-age story will make you cherish the remaining days of summer, no matter how old you are.
‘American Fiction’ (2023)
Not only does this movie have “American” in the title, it’s a great supplemental entertainment if you like spending the 4th on the beach with a great book. (American Fiction is based on Percival Everett’s novel Erasure.) Jeffrey Wright plays Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a Black writer and professor who grows frustrated with stereotypical “Black” books — many of which he feels pander to stereotypes — flooding the market. As a joke, he writes the most cliched, stereotypical book he can think of, only to have it become a bestseller.
At the same time, Monk reckons with the problems in his estranged family by cleaning out his mother’s old beach house. It’s a darkly comedic movie about race and class in American culture that won a well-deserved Oscar for best adapted screenplay. The excellent supporting cast includes Sterling K. Brown and Issa Rae, who add both depth and humor to the film.
‘Challengers’ (2024)
If summer sports are your jam and you plan to spend the 4th watching Wimbledon, we suggest Challengers as your weekend movie. This sizzling dramedy from Call Me by Your Name director Luca Guadagnino stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a promising and dedicated tennis player who forms a long-standing love triangle with two best friends.
The movie examines Art (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O’Connor) and their complicated relationships with tennis, Tashi and each other. It’s a sexy and funny movie that will have your head reeling — or perhaps turning from side to side like you’re watching a ball travel up and down the court. The tension is as attention-grabbing as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at last year’s U.S. Open.
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ (2023)
If you’d like to take the drama out of politics and imagine a cheerier version of international relations on Independence Day, Red, White & Royal Blue is just the ticket. This Amazon original rom-com follows Alex, First Son of the United States (Taylor Zakhar Perez), and Prince Henry, third in line to the British throne (Nicholas Galitzine). Their mutual dislike leads to a scandal, which in turn leads to a classic PR solution — Alex and Henry will pretend to be best buds.
What no one counted on was the two young men falling in love. As they face the expectations of their respective countries and families, Alex and Henry must reckon with their identities — both national and personal. It’s a warm and sweet rom-com that feels like a modern fairy tale.
‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)
If you’re looking for a more serious and emotional watch this 4th of July, Saving Private Ryan delivers. This powerful war epic from Steven Spielberg stars Tom Hanks as a captain leading a team of soldiers behind enemy lines during WWII to rescue one man — Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon).
With gritty realism, heartbreaking performances and themes of duty, sacrifice and patriotism, it’s a moving reminder of the real lives behind American freedom. It’s not light viewing, but it’s absolutely essential.
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