It was a huge blockbuster and it’s on TV tonight
08:00, 27 Dec 2025
The film was a huge blockbuster(Image: Independence Day still)
It was a film which set the standards for huge blockbusters and now it will be airing on E4 tonight.
Independence Day, released in 1996, was a sci-fi action adventure starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum. When earth is invaded by aliens intent on wiping out the human race a small group of people are all that stand between victory and annihilation. Culminating in a terrifying showdown that just so happens to coincide with the Fourth of July weekend, the movie is none stop action.
It was a huge box office smash and cemented Will Smith as one of the biggest leading men of the 1990s and early 2000s. Grossing a massive $817.4 million worldwide it became the highest grossing film of 1996 and the second highest grossing of all time behind only Jurassic Park. Directed by Roland Emmerich, who is said to have come up with the idea while promoting another of his movies, Stargate. He was said to have been asked if he believed in aliens and the idea for Independence day was born.
Will Smith starred in the film with Jeff Goldblum(Image: Channel 5)
And the film wasn’t only loved by fans. It went on to win two Academy Awards, one for Best Visual Effects and one for Best Sound. Almost 30 years after its release it still holds a special place in the hearts of fans, who have awarded it a 75 percent approval rating on the movie review aggregator site, Rotten Tomatoes.
One fan wrote: “A defining experience for the ’90s and set the formula for summer blockbusters, blending together bombastical action, heart, and humor.” Another said: “”Independence Day,” then and now, remains the epitome of a stand-up-and-cheer movie.” While a third added: “A sci-fi story constellation of the brightest star elements. With German director Emmerich at the helm, Independence Day soars as filmic uber-craft.”
Independence Day is on TV tonight(Image: 20th Century Fox)
Another fan said: “It may be film-making by numbers, but the numbers are the right ones, and they fall into place with a satisfying clunk. This is everything a blockbuster should be.” However, critics weren’t as kind to the huge blockbuster, and it only has a 69 percent approval rating on the site.
One wrote: “The term “mind-numbing” has never been more appropriate, since sitting through Emmerich’s proceedings, gaps in logic and all, wears down on the viewer until their brain all but shuts down.” Another said: “It’s an utter slog, and there’s nothing worse to say about a movie whose entire, solitary purpose in life is to provide mindless, violent escapism.”
A third added: “A loathsome, soulless husk of a garbage movie – a bad movie then, and it’s a bad movie now.” While another wrote: “One quarter of a very decent albeit cliche alien invasion film, and three quarters an unwatchable adventure film.”
But we’ll leave it up to you to make up your mind. Independence Day is airing on E4 at 6.15pm on December 27.
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