And Today Is Our Independence Day: Big Movies
Here in the United States, it is the fourth of July holiday. The day we gather together to celebrate our nation’s birthday. In recent years though, it has become the day of the big action movie. Many have been released over the years using the holiday to get people indoors and into movie theater seats with their popcorn and sodas ready. This year, we have Will Smith, sometimes called the King of the 4th of July, out with his latest, Hancock.That movie was released on Wednesday, and early sales at Tuesday night screens are already showing Hancock is doing well. Box office predictors think this release will earn over $100 million before Sunday. That is if the movie is good. Word of mouth will play a big factor on whether or not this movie does well. There has been some negative comments already made, and I’m sort of iffy on it myself. I might go see it this weekend, but I might save my next movie trip for when The Dark Knight comes out.
I’ve always been a fan of the big 4th of July action movie. Over the years several have come out. Last year’s big hit, Transformers, made about $150 million on this weekend. Past movies such as Independence Day, Armageddon, Apollo 13 and Terminator 2: Judgement Day have also done well. Today, I found one article that even said Terminator 2 should be credited with starting the big 4th of July action holiday back in 1991.
I remember going to see this one myself the day it opened. Hard to believe it was seventeen years ago. Time sure does fly. What are your favorite big summer action movies? I think I go with Independence Day myself, but Terminator and its related films come in a close second. Back To The Future even had a 4th of July release back in 1985. Now that is a blast from the past. Have a great 4th of July holiday! While you’re take a second to jump into our poll, or tell everyone what your favorite 4th of July blockbuster is your favorite in comments!
July 4th, 2008 at 11:51 am e
Hah! Good point. I meant as in the holiday though.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:11 pm e
I watched Independence Day today. I have always enjoyed that movie.
July 4th, 2008 at 1:05 pm e
“Here in the United States, it is the fourth of July. ”
Actually, it’s the fourth of July in the rest of the world as well.
July 4th, 2008 at 4:31 pm e
Best damn movie ever!
July 4th, 2008 at 8:49 pm e
Independence Day is the only one that I actually remember seeing on July 4th weekend and it reminds me of the holiday. So even though its not my favorite of the movies I would consider it my favorite July 4th blockbuster.
July 4th, 2008 at 9:40 pm e
The 4th of July weekend is becoming known around Hollywood as “Will Smith Weekend”. It seems that everything he releases around this time does well.
July 5th, 2008 at 5:23 am e
I’m kind oa fan of the summer blockbusters, and I like all the ones you mentioned. I’m torn between Armageddon and T2 for fave though. I’m not too hopeful about Hancock, but I’ll be first in line for Batman. I don’t get out to the movies much these days, so we have to be very discriminating as to what we actually get babysitting for.
Did I Am Legend also release on a July 4th weekend?
July 5th, 2008 at 7:12 am e
I think I Am Legend was released sometime in the fall actually.
July 5th, 2008 at 7:40 am e
That’s one movie I’ve yet to get tired of (Independence Day) and of course Back to the Future.
July 5th, 2008 at 12:17 pm e
I can’t believe that it was 17 years ago either that T2 came out! Holy cow. I remember going with one of my best friends to it just after he got back home from a trip to Turkey. Too funny.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:28 am e
I say independence day in New Zealand and I must admit the audience laughed a lot, it was a bit vainglorious.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:28 am e
Sorry, i meant “saw” not “say”
July 17th, 2008 at 11:44 am e
Hmm. I must say i only like an action movie if it is quite tightly plotted. I thin ID and hancock were both a little weak, plot-wise.
July 17th, 2008 at 5:08 pm e
Will smith sells and he’s damn good in everything he does even if the movie is sub-par…can you say Wild Wild West. The guy just has it and the studios know how to market him.
July 18th, 2008 at 4:26 am e
I remember seeing a preview for T2 when I rented Total Recall. That must have been in 1990-91. Anyway, I think Independence Day was my favorite 7/4 movie.
July 18th, 2008 at 6:03 am e
I loved that movie. Good choice for the 4th of July, but a must see anytime.
July 18th, 2008 at 6:08 am e
I don’t often watch the same movie more than once, but Independence Day is one that I have watched several times, and I enjoy it just as much, as what I did the 1st time I seen it.
July 18th, 2008 at 6:38 am e
I have watched Independence day twice and must confess it is still one of my favourite movies being a science fiction fan. Another sci fi movie that is soon to be released is Wall E and I am looking forward to that one too!. Perhaps you will review it here?
July 18th, 2008 at 6:39 am e
17 years ago? Wow time has flown. This is still one of the all time great movies!
July 18th, 2008 at 6:42 am e
Independence day is one of my all time favourite films and I really admire Will Smith as an actor. I can’t wait to see Wall E , which is another sci fi film getting good reviews soon to be released.
July 18th, 2008 at 6:54 am e
I usually don’t go to the movies on the 4th. It is my favorite holiday and would rather spend time watching fireworks. I do go around the 4th though usually. I didn’t this year. I was one of the people watching Transformers last year.
July 18th, 2008 at 7:04 am e
Will Smith is a great actor, and I enjoyed seeing Independence Day. I won’t be seeing Hancock though, it doesn’t really appeal to me.
July 18th, 2008 at 7:55 am e
I’m not in love with Independence Day. I look at it now, and it just doesn’t impact me. It’s corny. I feel like movies are just going for explosions…and lack real resounding story lines, sub plots, and interesting twists.
That being said, I do have tickets to see the Dark Knight tonight….so we’ll see!
July 18th, 2008 at 8:33 am e
I can’t believe so many people pay any attention to any of these things.
A good movie’s a good movie, but that’s it for me.
I know, fuddy-duddy.
July 18th, 2008 at 10:57 am e
Wow. I feel old. It has been so long since I’ve seen any movie on its opening weekend that I can’t even remember what the last one was. We usually only get to the theaters once or twice a year, so I’ve become more of a DVD chick I think.
July 18th, 2008 at 5:02 pm e
Try this again. I like Will Smith and I liked Hancock. I thought Independence day was a great movie. I like the site.
Beamer
July 18th, 2008 at 6:07 pm e
I would have to agree w/ Jennifer. I always seem to dust off the Independence Day DVD around 4th of July. Not my favorite movie of all time but very entertaining!