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This 4th of July

Family Time is Movie Time

We've got you covered with this patriotic movie guide.

The Fourth of July is a time to remember all those who came before us and how they made an impact on the nation we live in today. It is a time to be with family and enjoy the freedom that we now exercise.

Since family time is often movie time we have curated a guide of the best movies for July 4th to enjoy as a family.

Love of country is a virtue after all and these films are ones that we have often enjoyed as a family that celebrate the brave men who made our nation everything that it is. 

How Movies Are Rated

Starting at a 10 for an excellent movie that the general population loves, we reduced points based on violations against morality, storytelling holes and believability of acting, and finally for poor visual effects or sound.

If a movie is of a lower caliber to start with but has very good morals or storytelling, we start at a 9 and reduce from there. 

An example of this would be The Patriot. The Patriot is an excellent movie that the general public loved. We automatically deducted 10 points for implied impurity and a marriage possibility that would violate Church law. Further deductions included 5 points for violence and 3 points for historical inaccuracy and 2 points for mild profanity.

Young Washington and The Last Rodeo started at 9 for being lesser known and lower production quality and were reduced from there for minor issues.

01 Most Inspirational: Young Washington

Young Washington far exceeded our expectations and ranked in at a 7.8/10.

Rather than turning America's first president into a flawless hero, the 125 minute film presents him as an ambitious young man whose failures, pride, and hard-earned humility prepared him for greatness.

You can watch this film in theaters Fourth of July weekend and thereafter on the Angel App. There is some war violence and bloody content so it is best suited for ages 13 to adult but there is nothing in it that is improper for children.

Being the story of one of our nation's heroes and taking place during the time before our independence it is one of the best movies for July 4th.

02 Best Documentary: Something To Stand For

Through excellent storytelling, Something to Stand For captures Mike Rowe’s personality—witty, grounded, and patriotic. Based on stories from his podcast and book The Way I Heard It, this film brings history to life in a truly memorable way.

Each story is performed by actors while Rowe narrates, but what makes this film stand out is its clever mystery element. The names of the historical figures aren’t revealed until the end of each segment, allowing viewers to guess who the story is about as clues unfold.

Sometimes being told out of historical context, these twists make the movie enjoyable for the whole family but is enjoyed best by those 7 and older.

The 96 minute film isn’t entirely dramatized reenactments. There are moments when Rowe steps away from the stories to visit the National Mall and interview modern-day heroes—veterans and others who serve our country today.

These interludes tie the past to the present and underscore the film’s central message: while no hero is perfect, their contributions are still worth remembering and honoring.

It was indeed a daring storytelling venture to tell the stories in the wrong time periods and using lip-syncing, but it worked very well.

Instead of telling stories that are well known, Rowe chose stories that are obscure like the one about the time that a giant of a man is challenged to a duel over something he wrote in a newspaper by a man much less physically impressive than himself.

Mike Rowe makes it clear—these were not saintly men, but they were courageous, and their actions helped shape the nation we love. Although the film is humble, heartfelt, and undeniably American, families should know that there is mild profanity, crude humor and minor war violence.

We give this film an 8.5/10 rating and recommend it as a perfect choice for the Fourth of July.

03 Best Adventure: National Treasure

From Walt Disney Studios comes a 131-minute action packed patriotic film with Nicholas Cage. 

Ben Gates has spent his entire life chasing a legend—the lost treasure of the Knights Templar, rumored to have been hidden somewhere on American soil. What unfolds is a high-stakes adventure filled with clever clues, narrow escapes, and deep dives into American history.

This film stands out for its unique blend of action, mystery, and patriotism. While the plot is packed with suspense, it also leans into fun, family-friendly humor and plenty of moments about our nation’s founding. The characters are likable, the pace never lags, and the historical references make it feel like an educational thrill ride.

With its focus on the Declaration of Independence, the founding fathers, and the birth of the United States, it’s the perfect mix of entertainment and American heritage.

Due to intense scenes, this film is best fitted to ages 13 and older although younger children will not be disturbed if they also watch. Considering that it has mild profanity, some immodest dress, implied impurity, revisionist history, and glorification of the Masonic founding of our nation, the film gets a 7.7/10 rating and families should be aware of these issues before viewing.

As a Disney film, this one really stands out for its superior storytelling and visuals and tells a tale that weaves patriotic themes with action and adventure, earning it an invite to your 4th of July celebration.

04 Best Historical Drama: The Patriot

Made by Columbia Pictures, The Patriot with Mel Gibson tells the inspiring story of a father's love, a nation's birth, and the high cost of freedom.

As Ben Martin, played by Mel Gibson, joins the fight for independence, he struggles not just against the British, but his own demons as well.

The guerrilla tactics that served him in the French and Indian War now are put into question his fellow soldiers—especially his own son Gabriel, played by Heath Ledger, an idealistic and noble-hearted young man.

Ben must walk the line between revenge and righteousness, all while leading a ragtag militia against a powerful enemy.

This film is definitely made for mature audiences as it is quite violent, including images of somebody being hacked to pieces. Though not a friendly film for young families, it definitely is worth watching with a group of teenagers or adults.

From a morality point of view, Ben, being widowed, is in love with his wife's sister, a relationship forbidden by the Catholic Church.

Although nothing comes of it, there is also a scene where a young man is visiting the girl he likes and her mother sews him into a burlap bag so that they can be alone together. 

This 165 minute film gets a 8/10 rating. 

With its themes of sacrifice, heroism, and America’s founding, The Patriot more than earns its place among the best movies for July 4th. 

05 Our #1 Pick for Families with Young Kids: Ben and Me

One of the most charming animated shorts from Disney is Ben and Me, a delightful tale that blends history with heart. This sweet little film introduces us to Benjamin Franklin and his unlikely companion—a clever and curious mouse named Amos.

As the story goes, Amos is more than just a tagalong. He becomes Franklin’s assistant, confidant, and even the inspiration behind some of his most famous inventions and experiments. From discovering electricity to printing pamphlets, the two make an unforgettable team.

Their friendship brings a warm and lighthearted touch to the grand sweep of history.

But the film isn’t just about scientific discovery. As the American colonies grow restless under British rule, Franklin and Amos find themselves in the midst of the rising call for independence. Amos, ever loyal and brave, gets drawn into the cause in his own small but meaningful way. In fact, when Thomas Jefferson struggles to begin drafting the Declaration of Independence, it’s Amos who ends up lending a paw to help get things started.

Running just under 30 minutes, Ben and Me is short, simple, and deeply memorable with a 8.8/10 rating.

It’s a lovely introduction to the Founding Fathers for young viewers and a nostalgic watch for adults who grew up watching it. The animation is classic Disney, and the storytelling manages to be both humorous and historically informative.

With its patriotic themes, historical setting, and gentle storytelling, Ben and Me earns a special spot on any list of the best movies for July 4th. Whether you’re watching it with children or simply revisiting a childhood favorite, this short offers a whimsical tribute to America’s founding and the legendary Benjamin Franklin.

06 Beyond The Mask

Set against the backdrop of colonial intrigue and American independence, Beyond the Mask is a gripping historical adventure from Burns and Co. that offers a powerful blend of action and faith—making it one of the best movies for July 4th family viewing.

Starring Andrew Cheney as William Reynolds and John Rhys-Davies as the antagonist Charles Kemp this film is 103 minutes of explosive action sequences, thoughtful character development, and a clear moral theme exploring whether a man haunted by his past can ever truly change.

As William strives to become a man worthy of love and trust, viewers are drawn into a story of forgiveness and courage.

As it is a lower budget film, the clean romance and what may confuse young Catholic viewers with a "clergyman's" romance, this film comes in at 9.1/10.

The historical interest and action sequences make this film particularly suited to viewers 10 and up, but there is nothing that will disturb younger viewers.

Whether you’re celebrating with fireworks or a quiet evening at home, this film is a worthy addition to your July 4th traditions.

07 The Last Rodeo

Angel's 116 minute film The Last Rodeo with Neil McDonough explores themes of family responsibility, overcoming pride, and giving it your all.

Neal McDonough stars as Joe Wainwright, a man with a pained past who is faced with a tough decision when his grandson is diagnosed with a brain tumor.

As the family brainstorms ways to pay for the surgery, Joe returns to the only thing he knows as a fast-cash maker: bull riding. The 50 year old star returns to the arena but this time for someone other than himself.

Ranking in at a 7.8/10, this faith-based film is recommended for ages 7 and older. Parents may want to consider that there is mild profanity and some modern relationship problems.

In thousands of towns across the Western United States, this rodeo film is fitting to add to your watch list of films for 4th of July to get you in the small town feeling of pride!

08 Gettysburg

With a run time of 254 minutes, Turner Pictures' Gettysburg is a war epic that tells the story of the battle that took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 1863.

The excellent talents of Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen, and Tom Berenger bring Ted Turner's passion project to life as they portray both sides of the Civil War. The film masterfully shows relationships of friendship and brotherhood with performances that make the feelings natural.

We rated it as a 9.7/10 for its beastly length as well as well as for mild profanity and some redundancy in the music score. It is well suited for children 10 and older mainly for its long runtime.

Focusing on such a sad time in our nation's history but doing so in a way that is patriotic and a true tribute to the Union as well as the Confederate soldiers makes this a great watch for Independence Day.

There you have it, our top picks for the 4th of July. Some runners up include:

• We Were Soldiers (You'll need Vidangel for this one!)
• Schoolhouse Rock: Election Collection
• Gods and Generals

If you want to take your celebration to the next level...