Independence Day is probably one of those movies you have down as a guilty pleasure. Many people look at it as one of the “So bad it’s good” kinda flicks. However, there is actually a fair amount on offer here for science fiction fans. There’s a reason Independence Day was a blockbuster hit – it’s perfect popcorn fare, and it’s got Jeff Goldblum in it! Check out some of the best movies like Independence Day.
Movies Like Independence Day
The theme of movies like these is usually natural disasters or alien invasions. Basically, anything where the future of the world hangs in the balance, and there is some ridiculous resolution involved – wonderful stuff. Here are some of the big money contenders to rival Independence Day.
Deep Impact (1998)
Deep Impact was released a couple years after Independence Day, but it takes on very much the same kind of theme. The classic disaster movie was the summer blockbuster of 1998 and featured a storyline with a comet bound for a catastrophic collision with Earth. The survival of mankind is the basic premise here, and it’s a fun movie similar to Independence Day in plenty of ways.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Roland Emmerich directed this disaster blockbuster in 2004, and the movie focused on the plight of global warming, and how it affects the planet. This is a movie that has never been more relevant than it is today, so perhaps it’s time for a re-watch. It’s also the perfect action-disaster movie for all those who enjoy that sort of thing. The film is perfect for anyone who loves blockbuster action – if you love Independence Day, you’ll dig The Day After Tomorrow.
Armageddon (1998)
The other huge blockbuster released in 1998 that was vying for a slice of the box office with Deep Impact was Armageddon. While the former was about people on Earth being affected by the impending doom, the latter is focused on the astronauts trying to prevent disaster. Armageddon stars Ben Affleck, Bruce Willis, and Liv Tyler, and has an excellent song by Aerosmith. If you want to watch really enjoyable movies like Independence Day, you’ll need to check out Armageddon.
2012 (2009)
Another Roland Emmerich offering, and one along the same lines as the other disaster movies. This one focuses on the Mayan prophecy about the world ending in 2012. The movie is a bonkers affair, but, if you suspend logic for a while, it can be a hugely enjoyable movie. Plus, it stars a young Jake Gyllenhaal on the cusp of superstardom. This is definitely a movie I would recommend if you liked Independence Day.
Godzilla (1998)
Not the recent remake, mind you, but the 1998 vehicle with Matthew Broderick. A classic Marmite movie (you’ll either love it or hate it) for a lot of people, but also has very definite echoes of Independence Day. Except, in this case, the aliens were replaced with a giant reptile attacking New York City. The film is frenetically paced and features some good camaraderie between the leads, just a couple of the ways it is a similar movie to Independence Day. If you’ve not seen it you should definitely check the movie out – it’s not the experience you’d imagine!
There are plenty of movies like Independence Day out there. Yes, plenty of them are formulaic, but that doesn’t have to mean they are bad! If you’re a fan of ID, you are a fan of a certain kind of film, and they all tick particular boxes. My hope is that if you dig Independence Day, you’ll definitely love the movies I’ve included above.
