The 13 Best Movies To Watch This Fourth Of July

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Maybe you have to work Wednesday and you don’t want to risk the inevitable hangover that comes with your standard backyard BBQ. Maybe you don’t like large social gatherings that involve eating outside off paper plates. Maybe you have an irrational fear of fireworks. Whatever your reasons for wanting to stay home this 4th of July, I’m not here to judge you…mainly because one of my goals in life is to stay home as often as possible. In fact, instead of judging you, I’m going to give you a list of patriotic movies to binge while you lay on your couch eating the most American of foods – chips and that dip you make with onion soup mix and sour cream. In honor of the thirteen stripes on the American flag, here are 13 movies you should watch this holiday weekend.

Big Trouble in Little China

I know you’re thinking, “that doesn’t sound very American.” But as you can see in the toast they make before drinking the magic potion, it’s all about the USA.

Glory

I don’t know about you, but I didn’t learn about the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first all-black regiments in the Union Army, when I was in school… and I’m from Massachusetts. But frankly, watching a Denzel Washington movie is probably more educational than a history book anyway.

The American President

“In this country, it is not only permissible to question our leaders, it’s our responsibility.” Right on, Michael J. Fox.

D2: The Mighty Ducks

Iceland isn’t exactly one of America’s sworn enemies, but just go with it. “Ducks fly together!” no matter where in the great U.S. of A. they are from.

Independence Day

One piece of advice: never, ever watch the sequel. Instead, just watch President Bill Pullman’s speech over and over again.

Saving Private Ryan

They call them the greatest generation for a very good reason.

Forrest Gump
It can’t be a list about patriotic movies if America’s dad isn’t featured at least twice. This movie, that is essentially a history lesson about the second half of the 20th century, seems to fit the theme.

Armageddon

Honestly, I just really think Ben Affleck is hot and what’s more American than being completely superficial?

Top Gun

Hmmm, a movie about a conflict with the Russians? 21 years later and still relevant.

A Few Good Men

Yes, a Tom Cruise double feature. You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want to watch this movie, you need to watch this movie, because at the end of the day, as Americans, we were supposed to fight for people, who couldn’t fight for themselves.

Team America: World Police

Because how could I not include this?

Miracle

He wasn’t looking for the best players, he was looking for the right ones…which turned into one of the best Team USA stories ever.

Rocky IV

This is not my favorite Rocky movie, but I suspect I’d face death threats if I didn’t include it, so here you go..

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Jenna Crowley

Jenna used to be known as 2NOTBrokeGirls, but then one of the girls actually went broke, so she's struck out on her own. Jenna spends her free time saving the world, one sorority girl at a time (usually while wearing yoga pants), questioning why she decided to get a doctorate, documenting her love of all things cheese related, and hosting the new PGP podcast Don't Take It From Us. You can ask her anything you want about football, using your boobs to get what you want, and pizza at @JennaLCrowley on Twitter or via email at JennaLCrowley@gmail.com.

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