Fourth of July Movies: The Five Most Patriotic Films (VIDEO)

There is nothing more perfect than spending the Fourth of July with friends and family at a backyard barbecue; soaking in the sun, sipping some adult beverages, eating encased meat and setting off a month's salary worth of pyrotechnics smuggled in from two states over. Unfortunately Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate and the celebration has to be moved indoors. Instead of letting a little rain ruin everything why not gather the family around and watch one of these movies, the five most patriotic movies for the Fourth of July.

5. The Patriot

This movie was dangerously close to getting left off the list for its complete disregard of historical accuracy, British soldiers never burned a church full of Americans and the person Mel Gibson's character was based on was far from a moral family man, but after second thought it just couldn't be omitted. Among other things the movie does a fine job of showing the underdog spirit that this country holds so dearly. There are also multiple scenes in which Gibson's Benjamin Martin gets a little teary eyed because of the American flag; and one glorious scene where Martin uses that American flag to impale a horse with his arch rival on top. Sure, it might be closer to propaganda than documentary but it's still enjoyable.

4. The Sandlot

It's hard to believe that it's been 20 years since "The Sandlot" came out. The entire movie is a gushing ode to Americana. Through America's pastime the kids in the movie learn all of life's most important lessons; the importance of friendship, how to work together, how to take that leap of faith to get the girl and most importantly to avoid chewing tobacco on carnival rides. The most patriotic scene of the movie is when they play the only night game of the year, a game illuminated by Fourth of July fireworks, while the best patriotic song of all plays in the background, Ray Charles' "America the Beautiful." If that's not patriotic enough one of the main characters is named "Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez," case closed.

3. Rocky IV

"During this fight, I've seen a lot of changing, in the way you feel about me, and in the way I feel about you. In here, there were two guys killing each other, but I guess that's better than twenty million. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that if I can change, and you can change, everybody can change!"

Words of wisdom from a boxer who never blocked a single punch. Rocky IV represents all of the ridiculousness that was the 1980's while somehow managing to actually make a point about how ludicrous the Cold War was. From the second Rocky puts on Apollo's star-spangled shorts this film becomes an American classic. Rocky's speech at the end is almost powerful enough to make you forget that he left a robot to babysit his children back in America.

2. Saving Private Ryan

There was no way that a Tom Hanks movie wasn't going to be on this list. It actually might be possible to make a top 5 most patriotic Hanks movies list ("Forrest Gump," "Apollo 13") but this is the only one to make the cut. "Saving Private Ryan" shows all of the best things about the United States; determination, dedication, honor and a sense of duty toward fellow man. The group assembled to go find Ryan is a perfect representation of the melting pot that is America; the street rough from Brooklyn, the religious sniper from the sticks, the Jewish soldier with a bit more on the line than everyone else and of course the schoolteacher who leads them all. The scene portraying the storming of Normandy, one of the most iconic moments in the entire history of the country, may be the most gut-wrenching scenes ever put on film. There's a reason this movie is always on TV on Memorial Day.

1. Independence Day

Is Roland Emmerich's explosion filled tale of the alien apocalypse a bit cheesy? Sure. That doesn't mean that it isn't still a perfect move to watch on the Fourth of July, it is named after the holiday after all. The only way the humans are able to survive is by showing innovation and grit, two distinctly American traits. Despite unfathomable odds the vastly undermanned and significantly under-gunned Americans are able to prevail and live to see another day. Does that sound familiar to anyone? Sure, it's aliens instead of the British Empire but the connection is clear. There is no greater moment than when George Washington, I mean Bill Pullman, grabs the mike and inspires everyone before the final battle.