20 Fourth of July movies to stream this summer

Independence Day is a busy time for many families.

Whether you're staking out your spot for fireworks, attending a Fourth of July parade or festival, or cooking up a storm for your backyard barbecue, you might need to take a breather from holiday preparations.

Gather the kids and grab a bowl of popcorn: it's time for a Fourth of July movie marathon.

You might be surprised to find out how many movies take place during the Fourth of July, from historical dramas to sci-fi flicks.

Friends and family of all ages will enjoy watching sports classics like “The Sandlot” and “A League of Their Own.” (They might even inspire some of the youngsters to give baseball a try.)

For a dose of American history, biographical films like “Lincoln” and "Harriet" will bring the past to life. You can add some musical fun to your history lesson with “1776,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” and “Hamilton.”

Horror buffs will tell you that spooky season isn't limited to October. Classic summer slashers like “Jaws” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer” will give you hair-raising thrills even in the middle of July.

Whichever films you choose, a festive Fourth of July movie night is a great way to bring the whole family together.

Pick one (or a few) of these movies for your at-home holiday celebration.

“Hamilton” (2020)

Inspired by Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton, “Hamilton” puts a modern spin on the history of the Founding Fathers. The original Broadway performance of the iconic musical is available to watch on Disney+.

“Independence Day” (1996)

“Independence Day” may not be about the Revolutionary War, but it's still a tribute to freedom — in this case, freedom from alien invasion.

“National Treasure” (2004)

If you’re a Revolutionary War buff, you'll enjoy following Nicholas Cage as he chases down a centuries-old treasure linked to the Founding Fathers.

“Jaws” (1975)

“Jaws” has been a summer classic since its debut in 1975. In fact, the events of the film take place during the Fourth of July weekend.

“Forrest Gump” (1994)

It's always a good time to rewatch “Forrest Gump,” but its inspirational story particularly resonates during the Fourth of July.

“Live Free or Die Hard” (2007)

Set during the Fourth of July weekend, the fourth film in the “Die Hard” series will add some action to your summer movie lineup.

“The Sandlot” (1993)

“The Sandlot” will bring a big dose of nostalgia to your summer movie nights. You might not be able to hold back the tears when Ray Charles' cover of “America the Beautiful” starts to play.

“Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011)

Captain America's heroic exploits (and red, white and blue uniform) make this movie the perfect superhero film for the Fourth of July.

“Top Gun” (1986)

You'll have “Take My Breath Away” stuck in your head for the rest of July.

“1776” (1972)

Before “Hamilton,” there was “1776,” a musical comedy about the Founding Fathers.

“Rocky” (1976)

The ultimate underdog story, “Rocky” will have viewers of all ages cheering on the legendary boxer.

“Lincoln” (2012)

To make movie night a little more educational, add a few historical films like “Lincoln” to your Fourth of July movie lineup.

“Revolution” (1985)

It may not have been a box office success, but this Revolutionary War film is full of patriotic action.

“Johnny Tremain” (1957)

Based on the 1944 children's novel, “Johnny Tremain” was one of Disney's early live-action films.

“Saving Private Ryan” (1998)

“Saving Private Ryan” may not be the most appropriate selection for family movie night, but a slightly older crowd will appreciate the depth of this film, which was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

“I Know What You Did Last Summer” (1997)

Horror fans will love this spooky summer slasher, which takes place during a Fourth of July weekend in a small coastal town.

“A League of Their Own” (1992)

Who doesn't love a classic underdog story? This feel-good movie about a ragtag team of women's league baseball players will warm your heart over the holidays.

“Harriet” (2019)

Learn more about the incredible life of Harriet Tubman with this biographical film. Cynthia Erivo, who played Tubman, was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance.

“Flight of the Navigator” (1986)

This cult-classic science fiction flick is a great Fourth of July pick for the whole family.

“Yankee Doodle Dandy” (1942)

This 1942 musical is a must-see for fans of Broadway and biographical films.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com