It seems lately we expect that most blockbuster movies will get released around the holidays. But actually many great movies have gotten released around July 4. Here are 10 popular favorites.

  1. Back to the Future (1985): The movie that really gave Michael J. Fox's career its lift off, and helped Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson, too. And let's not forget Robert Zemeckis, who had not really had a super hit movie that he directed up to this point.
  2. Men In Black: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones made a great combo. Add in Rip Torn and Vincent D'Onofrio (from Law and Order Criminal Intent) plus a bunch of aliens, can't go wrong.
  3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day: He came back ... and I thought it was better than the first movie. It will be interesting to see how the next installment does.
  4. Independence Day: Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, and who would have thought Bill Pullman, who played such a dud in Spaceballs, would shine as the president of the United States. And Vivaca A. Fox was a great looking girl. Don't know how the sequel to this will do, especially if Will Smith is not involved.
  5. Apollo 13: Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise and directed by Ron Howard. It was destined for greatness.

Others: The Patriot, Spiderman 2, Coming to America, League of Their Own and Transformers.

Releases on July 1: Terminator: Genisys and Magic Mike XXL.

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