20 4th of July Movies for Kids to Watch Before the Fireworks

This old-school musical follows George M. Cohan, the performer behind some of the most famous patriotic songs ever written. Kids may not know every tune going in, but there’s a good chance they’ll recognize at least one by the end.

Samantha wants what a lot of kids want: a little freedom to figure out who she is without everyone watching. Being the president’s daughter makes that slightly trickier, as you might imagine!

This animated musical tells the story of a young Russian mouse named Fievel who emigrates to America with his family in 1885 in search of freedom and the American Dream. After he is separated from his parents, Fievel embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to find them.

They're all for one, they're one for all, they're All-American! This funny, heartwarming movie tells the (fictionalized) story of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was formed amid World War II. Watch this flick for its female empowerment theme and feel-good, patriotic vibes.

Captain America may be the most obvious patriotic pick here, but the real lesson is in Steve Rogers himself. Before the shield, the suit, or any of the superhero business, he’s just a determined kid who wants to do the right thing, even when he’s the smallest person in the room.

This movie follows Forrest through some of the biggest moments in American history, but kids will probably remember him most for his kindness. He doesn’t always understand why the world is complicated, which somehow makes the story even more meaningful.

This one is better for older kids, but it’s a fun look at what happens when the president has to balance responsibility with a very human personal life. It also gives families a chance to talk about leadership beyond speeches and podiums.

“Houston, we have a problem” is the line everyone remembers, but the movie is really about staying calm when everything goes wrong. It’s a good reminder that some wins don’t look like wins at first!

This classic looks at Abraham Lincoln before he became president, back when he was a young lawyer trying to make sense of a difficult case. It’s less about grand history and more about fairness, patience, and thinking before you speak.

A group of neighborhood kids, a baseball field, one very intimidating dog, and a 4th of July scene with fireworks and “America the Beautiful”—what else do you need? The movie understands how huge childhood friendships feel when you’re right in the middle of them.

Your kids will appreciate the fun spirit of this action-adventure movie about a historian (Nicolas Cage) in search of a hidden treasure involving our Founding Fathers and the Declaration of Independence.

It's no coincidence that there are three baseball movies on this list. It is America's pastime, after all! In this baseball biopic, the late, great Chadwick Boseman plays the late, great Jackie Robinson, the first Black athlete to play Major League Baseball in the modern era.

Ever wonder what Paul Revere's side of the story was? This educational (but wonderfully made) film does a good job at showing just that. Your kids will feel more connected than ever to America's turning point in history after watching this.

There may not be an exact 4th of July scene, but there are fireworks (literally and figuratively 😂) and a ton of summer camp goodness in this epic Disney kids' movie.

Okay, okay: We'll give baseball a break and suggest a hockey movie instead! Miracle is the true story of Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell), the coach of the 1980 U.S. men's Olympic hockey team.

This historical comedy is fun for the whole family! It's about a night watchman (Ben Stiller) who discovers that the exhibits at New York City's American Museum of Natural History come to life at night. This is a great way for your kids to learn about important historical figures like Theodore Roosevelt, Sacagawea, and Lewis and Clark.

See America (well, mostly Will Smith) save the world in this exciting blockbuster that culminates in an epic battle on the 4th of July.

Since Jaws takes place over 4th of July weekend, it technically counts. 😉 It’s also a pretty strong argument for listening to the person who says, “Maybe we shouldn’t go in the water today.”