25 Best Patriotic Movies That Will Make You Proud to Be American
Cue the stars, stripes, and screen time.
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Patriotism doesn't have to be saved for parades and cookouts. While the 4th of July and Memorial Day tend to steal the spotlight, you can tap into that American spirit any time you like. One of the easiest (and most entertaining) ways? Press play on one of the best patriotic movies! Whether you opt for a powerful true story or a classic crowd-pleaser, the most iconic patriotic movies celebrate the heart, grit, and history of the nation—no holiday required.
Anyone who enjoys American cinema will want to check out this collection of patriotic movies. It includes wartime epics like Saving Private Ryan and Platoon, 4th of July movies for kids like Miracle, and even romantic comedies like The American President. And if you're looking for something that will both move you and make you move, you can't go wrong with a musical full of patriotic songs like Hamilton or Yankee Doodle Dandy. Many of these are even based on true stories, like Hidden Figures and Apollo 13. And some, like National Treasure, are...well, just that! As you take in these thought-provoking films, you may find yourself reflecting on critical moments throughout our history and maybe even learning a thing or two about what it truly means to be an American in the process.
More ways to celebrate your American pride:
This groundbreaking musical brings the story of Alexander Hamilton and the birth of America to life with a modern twist. Featuring a diverse cast and a genre-blending soundtrack, it's based on the Tony Award–winning Broadway sensation that redefines how history is told.
A fast-paced blend of history and adventure, this modern patriotic favorite follows a daring historian (Nicolas Cage) as he races to uncover a hidden treasure linked to the Founding Fathers. With secret codes, Revolutionary War lore, and a plot to steal the Declaration of Independence (for a good cause), it's a thrilling tribute to America's past, with plenty of exciting twists along the way.
If you're after a film full of powerful, spine-tingling moments, Glory more than delivers. It tells the heroic true story of the first all-black regiment in the Civil War and their fight for justice, dignity, and freedom. With unforgettable performances—especially from Denzel Washington, who earned an Oscar for his role—this is a stirring tribute to courage against the odds.
This timeless classic follows an idealistic young senator who dares to challenge corruption at the highest levels of government. While it's undeniably entertaining, the film also offers a surprisingly insightful look into the inner workings of the Senate and what it takes to stand alone for what's right.
Few embodied patriotic spirit quite like George M. Cohan, brilliantly portrayed by James Cagney. With rousing hits like "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "You're a Grand Old Flag," Cohan's flair for showmanship and deep love for America helped define a generation.
The Battle of Iwo Jima pretty much changed the game during World War II, and there are six men to thank for that. This movie tells the historic and riveting story—through the lens of filmmakers Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg.
What's more patriotic than a movie about a couple of over-confident American fighter pilots? Especially one that is played by Tom Cruise, aka the king of cinema in the USA. As you may know, there's lots of action and romance in this one, which makes it a summer classic.
Anyone who knows the story about the 1980s USA Olympic hockey team knows just how emotional and inspiring it is. This movie tells the story of the players, and how they won the intense game against the Soviet team with the help of coach Herb Brook.
What's so fascinating about this retelling of the Battle of Gettysburg is that it was shot on the exact location where it happened. You'll learn a lot and you might even feel more connected to the story after watching this one.
This heartwarming story about an actual Sergeant in World War I is enough to draw anyone in. Sergeant York was known for being a pacifist, so he's put into a sticky situation when he enters the scene.
The story behind Apollo 13 is recounted with an all star cast (Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton, just to name a few). This isn't just an ordinary space movie—it's an emotional and motivational cinematic piece that exhibits one of America's favorite stories: the rescue of American astronauts.
Three Black women—Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—and their stories working at NASA during the iconic Space Race is brought to light. Watch as they help send astronaut John Glenn into space.
In this thinking person's romantic comedy, President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglass) must choose between his political career and his budding romance with environmental lobbyist Sydney Wade (Annette Bening).
Get off his plane! Harrison Ford defends his family and his country in this thriller about the hijacking of Air Force One by a terrorist group.
It may not be based on true events, but this exciting blockbuster culminates in an epic 4th of July battle that will have you cheering for the good ol' USA.
Learn all about America's first astronauts in this 1983 epic historical drama that picked up four Academy Awards.
A pampered widow transforms her life by going into the Army in this hilarious comedy starring Goldie Hawn.
This World War II hero never carried a gun, yet he saved 75 lives in battle. Andrew Garfield takes on the role of the courageous soldier in this inspiring film.
This moving biopic follows abolitionist Harriet Tubman as she leads hundreds of enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Actress Cynthia Erivo stars as Harriet and was nominated for two Academy Awards for the film, one for best actress and another for best song.
This Academy Award-winning film stars Tom Cruise as a veteran who becomes an anti-war activist after being paralyzed in the Vietnam War.
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
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