Independence Day (1996) | Details

Plot Summary

On July 2nd, communications systems worldwide are sent into chaos by a strange atmospheric interference. It is soon learned by the military that a number of enormous objects are on a collision course with Earth. At first thought to be meteors, they are later revealed to be gigantic spacecraft, piloted by a mysterious alien species. After attempts to communicate with the aliens go nowhere, David Levinson, an ex-scientist turned cable technician, discovers that the aliens are going to attack major points around the globe in less than a day. On July 3rd, the aliens all but obliterate New York, Los Angeles and Washington, as well as Paris, London, Houston and Moscow. The survivors set out in convoys towards Area 51, a strange government testing ground where it is rumored the military has a captured alien spacecraft of their own. The survivors devise a plan to fight back against the enslaving aliens, and July 4th becomes the day humanity will fight for its freedom. July 4th is their Independence Day...

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Release Date

Also Known As (A.K.A.)

Certification

Sensitive content guide

Awards

BAFTA Awards (1997)

BAFTA Film Award 1997

Nominated

Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects

Tricia Henry Ashford Volker Engel Clay Pinney Douglas Smith Joe Viskocil

BAFTA Film Award 1997

Nominated

Best Sound

Bob Beemer Bill W. Benton Chris Carpenter Sandy Gendler Val Kuklowsky Jeff Wexler

Academy Awards, USA (1997)

Oscar 1997

Nominated

Best Sound

Chris Carpenter Bill W. Benton Bob Beemer Jeff Wexler

Oscar 1997

Winner

Best Effects, Visual Effects

Volker Engel Douglas Smith Clay Pinney Joe Viskocil