The 10 Most Patriotic Movies

Happy July 4th

LINCOLN:

"Lincoln" is a profound tribute to American values of justice, equality, and democratic leadership. The film, directed by Steven Spielberg, focuses on President Abraham Lincoln's final months in office as he works tirelessly to pass the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery. Through Lincoln's unwavering commitment to human dignity and his masterful political acumen, the film celebrates the moral fortitude and dedication to justice that are foundational to the American identity. Lincoln's vision for a united nation, his ability to inspire change through dialogue and compromise, and his relentless pursuit of a more perfect union encapsulate the enduring greatness of America and its core values.

1776:

This adaptation of a Broadway musical features the founding fathers singing their way through the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I first saw this movie in eighth grade. It was shown to me by my history teacher, Dr. Van Wie, at the Wheatley School (Go Wildcats!). I remember enjoying the fact that John Adams was played by William Daniels, who I knew up until that point as the voice of Knight Rider. It was also the first time I ever saw the drama at the Continental Congress anywhere other than a textbook or a piece of art. There was no John Adams miniseries. There were no Netflix documentaries about the founding of America, so seeing our founding fathers portrayed in color by flesh-and-blood actors belting out full-throated songs about the struggle for American independence was a rousing experience.

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN:

The 1998 movie opens with shots of the American flag, only to reveal that we are looking at them atop headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. The movie then quickly gets to what is arguably the greatest opening sequence ever — certainly the greatest war sequence ever put to film. And that’s according to veterans who were there. Reports circulated over opening weekend that some moviegoers were so affected by the opening twenty-minute sequence, they had to leave the theater. It’s a perfect movie, and everyone on screen and involved in making it were at the height of their creative powers, Spielberg most of all.

AIR FORCE ONE:

This movie was made right after the fall of the Soviet Union, making it the last to capitalize on the Cold War trope of Russian Communist villains. Harrison Ford plays the President, a quintessentially American role in 1997. Glenn Close stars as the VP, while Gary Oldman delivers a stellar performance as a sinister, ideologically driven villain. Oldman’s character, a former soldier or KGB agent, believes American democracy has ruined his country. To restore the Soviet Union to its former Communist glory, he and his team of commandos hijack Air Force One, aiming to coerce the Americans into releasing a Russian general.

However, they didn’t anticipate that Indiana Jones would be the President. It’s tempting to call this movie “Die Hard on Air Force One,” and there’s some truth to that. Yet, the film’s close-quarters combat demands brains as well as brawn, leading to clever and tense sequences. One standout scene features Ford on a speakerphone with his administration while a terrorist holds him at gunpoint, showcasing the quick thinking that gives him the edge.

Additionally, the President's wife and daughter are taken hostage, humanizing Ford’s character by portraying him as a father and husband rather than just the most powerful man in the world—a role perfectly suited for Harrison Ford. The movie is also notable for its timing. Made six years after the Soviet Union's collapse, it reflects a period when the United States was the world's unrivaled superpower. The country believed in its values and leadership, which is embodied in the film's can-do attitude. This makes it a compelling watch.

PATTON:

Patton is an unapologetic love letter to George S. Patton, war, and American dominance. It opens with one of the greatest opening speeches to any movie ever. “That’s why Americans have never lost, and will never lose a war… because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans.”

ROCKY IV:

From the opening title sequence that shows a boxing glove with the American flag on it, and another with the USSR hammer and sickle each turning towards one another before colliding and creating an explosion (for those watching carefully, you can see the Soviet glove falling away after the collision), Rocky IV was an unbridled celebration of American perseverance, toughness, and fighting spirit, as embodied by one of cinema’s most iconic characters, Rocky Balboa. I will never forget the (WARNING: FORTY-YEAR-OLD SPOILER ALERT) death of Apollo Creed. When Drago, like some kind of indestructible cyborg, utters the line, “If he dies, he dies,” it was as if the Soviet Union had killed Apollo. Fortunately, Rocky comes out of retirement, and against all advice, seeking both absolution and vengeance, heads to Moscow for a showdown with the big Russian boxer. And for the first few rounds, it looks like the steroid-taking Drago might beat Rocky as badly as he did Apollo, but as always, Rocky’s strength is in his spirit. When he finally gets off a right cross that staggers Drago, and the announcer shouts, “He’s cut! The Russian is cut!”, like Rocky’s son and his friends in the movie, watching the fight on tv, it’s time to leap to your feet and cheer! The movie also contains what is probably my favorite training montage of all time. [Watch the trailer]

RED DAWN:

John Milius’s movie about a group of high school students defending their homeland against a foreign invasion. Featuring a young cast of future stars such as Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, Jennifer Grey, and Lea Thompson, the movie showcases the nation's readiness to fight for its sovereignty and the courage of its people. I still get jazzed up watching this movie. “Wolverines!”

INDEPENDENCE DAY:

Aliens attack. Okay. Been there, done that in countless B-movies. But in 1996, the concept got the big-budget Hollywood treatment courtesy of Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin. I can still remember the trailer showing the White House being blown up and people in the theater cheering and going wild. It is the movie that launched Will Smith’s career as a blockbuster movie star and solidified Jeff Goldblum as the mainstay of every major summer blockbuster movie for the rest of his days. I’m still not quite sure how giving the aliens a cold let him shoot that coke bottle off their spaceship, but who cares… the movie rocks! And who can forget Bill Pullman as the American President delivering one of cinema’s most inspiring speeches: “From this day forward the Fourth of July will no longer be remembered as an American holiday.”

FORREST GUMP:

"Forrest Gump" is an evocative exploration of the American experience, capturing the essence of the nation's values through the life of its titular character. The film chronicles the journey of Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks, who won his second Oscar for the role), a man with a kind heart and a simple mind, who inadvertently finds himself at the center of some of the most pivotal events in American history from the 1950s-1980s. From the desegregation of schools to the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, Forrest's unwavering optimism and decency shine through, reflecting the core American values of perseverance, kindness, and integrity. His journey illustrates the belief that greatness can come from the most unexpected places and that the American dream is accessible to all, regardless of their background. The film also underscores the importance of love, loyalty, and friendship, as Forrest's relationships with his mother, Jenny (Robin Wright), and Lieutenant Dan (Gary Sinise, who won an Oscar for his performance), provide a poignant counterpoint to his extraordinary adventures. Through Forrest's eyes, "Forrest Gump" celebrates the resilience and spirit of ordinary Americans, highlighting the impact of individual acts of kindness and the enduring hope for a better future.

TOP GUN: MAVERICK:

According to Steven Spielberg, this is the movie that saved Hollywood in the wake of audiences’ flight from movie theaters during the COVID pandemic. What made the movie so successful was that it embodied the bravado and braggadocio of the original movie. Only now, Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is an old fighter pilot at a time when warfare is being fought by technology and pilots are being replaced by unmanned drones. Maverick is on his last leg, and having disobeyed an order for the last time, he gets one last chance at redemption by returning to Fighter Town, USA, and the Top Gun school as an instructor. Complicating things is the fact that “Rooster,” the son of “Goose” (Anthony Edwards in the original), his dead best friend and Radar Intercept Officer (RIO), is now one of his students. Maverick is a surrogate father to Rooster; however, the two are not on speaking terms because Rooster blames Maverick for nearly derailing his career. This is where the muscles of the movie — the incredible aerial fighter jet footage — meet its heart — a father and son reconciliation story. Arguably, it is a sequel that is better than the original. As a piece of red-blooded American cinema, Maverick reminds all of us that America is never out of the fight.

Honorable Mention:

THE RIGHT STUFF:

Chronicling the early years of the U.S.' foray into the Space Race, this thrilling story of innovation and the American spirit takes us straight to the stars. "The Right Stuff" celebrates the pioneering spirit, bravery, and ingenuity that define American space exploration.

DAVE:

Okay, okay, it may not be the most patriotic of American movies, but it’s up there, and given the debate performance of our current octogenarian president, I thought it belonged on the list. After all, at its heart, it is about the difference one ordinary man can make, which is a pretty American ideal.