Short storyline
On July 2nd, communications systems worldwide are sent into chaos by a strange atmospheric interference. It is soon learned by the military that a number of enormous objects are on a collision course with Earth. At first thought to be meteors, they are later revealed to be gigantic spacecraft, piloted by a mysterious alien species. After attempts to communicate with the aliens go nowhere, David Levinson, an ex-scientist turned cable technician, discovers that the aliens are going to attack major points around the globe in less than a day. On July 3rd, the aliens all but obliterate New York, Los Angeles, and Washington. The survivors set out in convoys towards Area 51, a strange government testing ground where it is rumored the military has a captured alien spacecraft of their own. The survivors devise a plan to fight back against the enslaving aliens, and July 4th becomes the day humanity will fight for its freedom. July 4th is their Independence Day...
More info:
Runtime: 145 min | USA: 153 min (special edition)
Release Date: 3 July 1996 (USA)
Country: USA
Box office: Budget: $75,000,000 (estimated). Opening Weekend: $50,228,264 (USA) (7 July 1996) (2 Screens). Gross: $306,169,255 (USA) (12 January 1997)
Soundtrack: Boom Boom Booty