Independence Day

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1996

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Will Smith punches aliens, the White House explodes, and a 1996 Mac saves humanity—it's loud, dated, and kind of a slog now.

7/10

69%

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Independence Day

movie

PG-13, 1996

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Will Smith punches aliens, the White House explodes, and a 1996 Mac saves humanity—it's loud, dated, and kind of a slog now.

69%

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7/10

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Screenwise Verdict

Independence Day was a massive deal in 1996—the summer blockbuster that defined an era. But here's the truth: it's nearly 30 years old, and it shows. The CGI looks like a video game cutscene, the plot is thinner than paper, and the pacing drags. Kids today have seen this formula executed better in every Marvel movie and modern sci-fi flick.

The alien autopsy scene is genuinely gross and will freak out younger kids. The destruction is massive—cities vaporized, millions dead—and while it's not graphic, the scale is heavy. There's also mild profanity and some dated sexual humor (the stripper character feels like a relic).

It's not unwatchable, but it's a hard sell for modern kids unless they're really into retro action movies or you're feeling nostalgic. If you want alien invasion done better, try Arrival for thoughtful sci-fi or any recent Marvel movie for spectacle. This one's a museum piece.

Age Fit

Best for kids 11+ who can handle large-scale destruction and some body horror (that autopsy scene). Teens might find it boring and dated compared to modern blockbusters. Adults with 90s nostalgia will tolerate it; everyone else will struggle.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models courage, teamwork, and patriotic cooperation across diverse characters. President flies into battle alongside fighter pilots, showing leadership through action. However, the tone is militaristic and destruction-heavy—cities explode, millions die off-screen, and the solution is violence. Emotional beats are there (father-son reconciliation, sacrifice) but they're painted in broad strokes. The pacing is chaotic action-movie stuff, not exactly balanced or reflective.

Imaginative

For 1996, the alien invasion spectacle was groundbreaking—massive ships, iconic destruction sequences, the White House blowing up. But nearly 30 years later, the CGI looks dated and the premise is pure blockbuster formula: aliens bad, humans unite, blow stuff up, win. There's no real curiosity about the aliens, no exploration of ideas. It's spectacle over substance. Kids today have seen this done better in Marvel movies and modern sci-fi. It doesn't invite creative thinking or exploration—it's a popcorn ride.

Safe

PG-13 territory with significant caveats. Massive destruction (cities incinerated, millions implied dead), fighter pilots killed in explosions, a graphic alien autopsy scene, and one jump-scare alien attack. There's mild profanity and some sexual innuendo (stripper character, though handled relatively tamely). No nudity or gore, but the scale of death and the autopsy scene can be disturbing. For a Marvel-style action movie, this would be fine, but the autopsy and body horror elements push it lower. Younger kids will find parts genuinely scary.

Enriching

It's a summer blockbuster, not a meditation on humanity. Themes of unity and resilience are present but delivered with a sledgehammer—the president's speech is rousing but jingoistic. There's minimal character depth, the science is laughable (upload a virus to an alien mothership via Mac laptop?), and the plot is paint-by-numbers. It entertains in a loud, explosive way but offers little cognitive or emotional growth. Kids won't learn much or gain meaningful insight. It's cotton candy.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Iconic 90s blockbuster spectacle—the White House explosion was a cultural moment
Diverse cast working together (president, fighter pilots, scientist, stripper-turned-hero) models teamwork and courage
Big, loud action sequences that some kids still find thrilling if they can tolerate the dated effects
President's climactic speech is genuinely rousing, even if it's pure cheese

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic alien autopsy scene—slimy, grotesque, and genuinely disturbing for younger kids
Massive destruction and death (cities incinerated, millions dead)—it's not graphic but the scale is heavy
Dated CGI and pacing make this a tough sit for kids raised on Marvel and modern blockbusters
Mild profanity and sexual innuendo (stripper character, some crude jokes)

Conversation Starters

"If aliens actually showed up, do you think countries would work together like in the movie?"
"That scene where they upload a virus to the alien ship—does that make any sense to you?"
"The president flies a fighter jet into battle. Is that brave or just bad leadership?"
"What would you do if you saw a giant spaceship hovering over the city?"

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Independence Day – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise