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Independence Day
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Roland Emmerich. With Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum.
6.9/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
Strange phenomena surface around the globe. The skies ignite. Terror races through the world's major cities. As these extraordinary events unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that a force of incredible magnitude has arrived. Its mission: total annihilation over the Fourth of July weekend. The last hope to stop the destruction is an unlikely group of people united by fate and unimaginable circumstances.
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6.9/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTStrange phenomena surface around the globe. The skies ignite. Terror races through the world's major cities. As these extraordinary events unfold, it becomes increasin…
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RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for Independence Day.
MoviHero lists July 2, 1996 as the release date for Independence Day. Roland Emmerich is the listed director. The listed cast includes Will Smith as Capt. Steven Hiller, Bill Pullman as President Thomas J. Whitmore, Jeff Goldblum as David Levinson, Mary McDonnell as Marilyn Whitmore. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateJuly 2, 1996
GenresAdventure · Science Fiction · Action
Runtime2h 25m
DirectorRoland Emmerich
CastWill Smith as Capt. Steven Hiller, Bill Pullman as President Thomas J. Whitmore, Jeff Goldblum as David Levinson, Mary McDonnell as Marilyn Whitmore
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is Independence Day right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
Independence Day runs 2h 25m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 9/10: a faster-moving watch.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 7/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 4/10, suggesting a lighter emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with Independence Day. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
But shorterVenom: Let There Be Carnage2021 · 1h 37m
48 minutes shorter (1h 37m). Shared genre: adventure, science fiction, action.
But less demandingTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows2016 · 1h 52mEstimated attention required: 5/10 versus 7/10. Shared genre: adventure, science fiction, action.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 6.9/10 from 10,887 votes. Updated Nov 8, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
What did you think?
Your movie rating. Your audience score.
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing9/10
Emotional Impact4/10
Mind-Bending5/10
Scary1/10
Violence6/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required7/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about Independence Day
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“Disaster or alien movie (possibly even action movie) - it just doesn't get better than Independence Day!”
Viewer reaction
“Really good watch, would watch again, and can recommend.”
Viewer reaction
“Very good movie. Funny as well with plenty of action. As they try to save the world from an alien invasion.”
More reactions (1)
Viewer reaction
“If you like your sci-fi full of gung-ho machismo then this one ought to cut the mustard.”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
A CLOSER LOOK
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CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
otherCapt. Steven HillerCapt. Steven Hiller in Independence Day (1996), played by Will Smith.Open character guide otherPresident Thomas J. WhitmorePresident Thomas J. Whitmore in Independence Day (1996), played by Bill Pullman.Open character guide otherDavid LevinsonDavid Levinson in Independence Day (1996), played by Jeff Goldblum.Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
6.9/10
MOVIHERO RATINGDivergent
2014·Adventure · Science Fiction · Action
6.7/10
MOVIHERO RATINGVenom: Let There Be Carnage
2021·Adventure · Science Fiction · Action
6.2/10
MOVIHERO RATINGJourney 2: The Mysterious Island
2012·Adventure · Science Fiction · Action