Tomorrow is the 4th of July, which means fireworks, food, and hopefully friends and family celebrating together with kindness and a lack of pyromania. I have to admit, this year it feels a little hard to celebrate this country as it currently stands, for reasons that are should be obvious by now. But after much thought, I’m choosing to celebrate what this country can be, and I continue to hope that it will be, and I’m encouraged every day in the small moments where everyday people show that they still have courage, and kindness, and a believe in true freedom no matter the odds.

With that seriousness out of the way, what do you do between the barbecuing, the fireworks, and the inevitable sunburns? Watch a movie, of course! When I started this list, I was having trouble coming up with “4th of July themed” movies, so I looked online to see what other people were suggesting… and boy, there are some BAD “patriotic 4th of July” movie lists out there! No, I do not want to sit through ‘Lincoln’ on the 4th of July. Or the entire series of ‘John Adams’. For that matter, ‘Forrest Gump’ is way too long as well, but at least it’s a little more pleasurable? And someone suggested ‘Apocalypse Now’?? If you think that movie was patriotic… I’m pretty sure you missed the point. And also - TOO LONG. This is a day of celebration, people!

So keeping to a more fun and festive 4th of July theme, here are my 10 films to watch on America’s birthday.

‘1776’

We’ll start with the day itself, and the year itself, and the first birthday celebration of America. (The date is largely a bunch of hooey, but tradition is tradition by this point.) So yes, enjoy the all-white version of Hamilton! …okay, not quite, but it is a musical, and it’s really a wonderful one at that. It’s a bit cheesy at times, but it’s a fun imagining of our founding fathers as they break into song during the Continental Congress responsible for drafting the Declaration of Independence. Also, Mr. Feeny is John Adams, so Boy Meets World fans, this is a must-watch.

‘National Treasure’

Not so much into drafting the Declaration of Independence? How about stealing it? Because of course the deleted scene of ‘1776’ would have shown the founding fathers hiding a secret treasure map on the back of the document, something so confounding that only Nicholas Cage could solve the puzzle with a series of random, almost historically accurate clues. You do get to enjoy several national icons during the course of the movie, and I’m not just talking about Nick here. It’s a good family fun movie that you can throw on while trying to keep the kids from sneaking off with those little poppers that you throw on the ground. What on earth are those actually called?

‘Top Gun’

“I feel the need… the need for speed.” This is probably the most star-spangled, red white and blue movie on this list. Travel back to when Tom Cruise was not in every crappy action film of the year, and when randomly serenading someone with “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” seemed like a solid pick-up ruse. Really, while you don’t need an excuse to watch ‘Top Gun’, it’s such a good summer movie, and then you add in the bromance and the super fly piloting… it totally works as a 4th of July film. Just try to watch it before you’re four beers in and incapable of consoling yourself when Goose dies.

‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’

I lied, this is the most star-spangled movie on the list. Yes, you could go with ‘The First Avenger’ installment - very patriotic, World War II backdrop, Steve just wants to serve his country and punch Hitler in the face. But ‘Winter Soldier’ has a bit more nuance, which I find a bit more applicable to the times. You also get to enjoy several nice vistas of D.C. monuments, and a lot of red white and blue shield action from the Cap. This is a good mid-day movie to savor with the first round of burgers and a red white and blue sangria. (They exist, and they are delicious.)

‘Live Free or Die Hard’

Maybe you like your heroes a bit less pretty boy and more rugged? Well, John McClane is back! And this time, it’s the 4th of July weekend! Full honesty, I think this is my second favorite Die Hard - I love it a lot. (Of course the first one is the best, why would you even ask that.) Guys, he kills a helicopter with a car. Also, his daughter has turned into a bit of a badass herself, which I totally appreciate. And the odd couple comedy vibe of his partnership with Justin Long is played really well. And what better way to celebrate America’s birthday than watching Bruce Willis save the entire country from a cyber attack by KILLING HELICOPTERS WITH CARS?

‘Red Dawn’

So this 80’s gem is perfect for Independence Day, because kids becoming guerrilla soldiers to fight off a Soviet invasion of America is, well, self-explanatory. Enjoy Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey before ‘Dirty Dancing’, as well as Charlie Sheen, Lea Thompson, and a bonus appearance from Harry Dean Stanton. This is a solid World War III film with all the trappings of communist baddies versus American pluck. One of my favorite details is that the kids call themselves the “Wolverines” after their high school mascot - you know, the banner they united behind to cheer at pep rallys, they now unite behind to kill Russians. This is probably not the film to put on for the family friendly part of the day…

‘Independence Day’

Maybe you’d prefer an invasion that comes from a little further away? Come on, you KNEW this was going to be on the list. It’s set on the 4th of July weekend, and it has a big presidential speech delivered by the fabulous Bill Pullman that concludes “today… we celebrate… OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY!!”, so it has to be on this list. Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum are at their finest, and even with the whole “alien invasion” thing hanging over their heads, there’s also some lovely quieter bits with genuine human kindness that round everything out. Enjoy your barbecue while Will Smith takes out all the aliens for you.

Have you seen this too many Independence Days in a row, but you still want a slightly ridiculous space movie that stirs something patriotic inside you? Might I suggest ‘Armageddon’? No, it’s not set on the 4th of July, but come on, a giant asteroid is headed towards earth and the only people who can stop it are Bruce Willis and other salt-of-the-earth drillers? ‘Murrica.

‘A League of Their Own’

Alright, guerrilla soldiers and helicopter-killing cars and super fast jets are all well and good, but maybe you’re looking for something less ostentatious. How about our national pastime? And how about some kickass women, while we’re at it? Set against the backdrop of a World War, there’s plenty of national pride in this film, and great performances from the entire ensemble. Throw in the sound of a bat hitting a ball, and a few bars of the national anthem, and you’ve got one of the best baseball movies of all time perfectly suited to enjoy on the 4th of July. Just remember, there’s no crying in baseball, so keep it together at the end. You know what scenes I’m talking about.

‘The Sandlot’

Because once again baseball, and because of this scene right here:

“You’re killing me, Smalls!”

‘Jaws’

Forget being family friendly, forget the national sport, forget everything except the drive to conquer nature and save your town from terror on the 4th of July weekend. They might need a bigger boat, but you’re probably fine - just keep your feet on dry ground while watching this. Unless you really want to throw up a screen in the backyard and put everyone on inner tubes in the pool while this is playing just before the fireworks start. If you do that, please take a video for me.

Have a happy Fourth, everyone!