Independence Day (1996)

Will Smith treats the end of the world like a mildly annoying traffic jam, and that attitude carries all 145 minutes of Independence Day. The aliens park saucers over every famous skyline on Earth and blow up the White House in one shot that still looks expensive, and that first act is pure disaster movie candy. Then the logic leaves the room. A dog outruns a fireball by ducking through a side door, a cable guy figures out alien tech faster than the entire military, and the plan to save the planet would make your IT department cry. Jeff Goldblum stammers his way into being the smartest man alive. Bill Pullman delivers a president speech so big it should come with its own flag. Randy Quaid plays a crop duster who has been waiting his whole life for this. It made $817.4 million worldwide on a reported $75 million budget. A 7.2 because it’s dumb in the most fun way possible. $113 says you give a fake inspiring speech before your next family barbecue and somebody actually claps.

What works: The saucer reveals, the White House shot, the Goldblum and Will Smith odd-couple energy, and a cast that plays the cheese completely straight.

What doesn’t: The science is nonsense, half the side characters exist only to cry on cue, and the third act runs on pure luck.

Who it’s for: Fourth of July cookout crowds and anyone who rates a movie by how many landmarks explode.