Independence Day

Release date: July 2, 1996

The Pitch:

Aliens blow up a bunch of landmarks and Jeff Goldblum fights back with his laptop.

Why You Need It:

This was the film that ushered in the era of the modern summer blockbuster. Lines stretched around the block in 1996 to catch this on the big screen, and the audacious effects and awesome action scenes didn't disappoint. ID4 is one of those movies that was made to be seen on the big screen, and now with the affordability of huge flatscreen TVs and surround sound systems, you can finally replicate the feeling of watching the White House get blown up in the privacy of your own home. Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum make a great team, and Bill Pullman's go-get-'em speech is now the stuff of movie legend.

Talent:

Roland Emmerich (director), Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Robert Loggia, Judd Hirsch, Margaret Colin, Vivica A. Fox, Brent Spiner, Randy Quaid, Harvey Fierstein, James Rebhorn, Adam Baldwin, James Duval, Harry Connick, Jr.