Directed by Roland Emmerich, “Independence Day” (1996) is a thrilling science fiction blockbuster that combines epic action, suspenseful storytelling, and memorable characters in a battle for the survival of humanity. Set against the backdrop of a global alien invasion, the film captures the resilience of mankind and the spirit of unity as nations come together to defend Earth against an overwhelming extraterrestrial threat.
The story unfolds on July 2nd, when colossal alien spacecraft arrive and position themselves over major cities across the globe, including New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. As panic spreads and world leaders grapple with the unprecedented crisis, disparate groups of individuals – including President Thomas J. Whitmore, portrayed by Bill Pullman, fighter pilot Captain Steven Hiller, played by Will Smith, and scientist David Levinson, played by Jeff Goldblum – must band together to devise a desperate plan to defeat the technologically superior invaders.