According to IMDB, there are over twenty horror titles that take place on or around the 4th of July. Some you will have definitely heard of and some you may be tempted to watch once you read the synopsis. Interestingly, 3 titles involve shark attacks, so if you enjoyed Jaws then you're in luck.
Other fourth of July movies include your classic movie monster villains such as Zombies, an alien invasion, and no you probably didn't guess it, a ghost shark. Here are 10 fourth of July movies you can check out before you scroll endlessly through Netflix.
Jaws
Starting off with the classic tale Jaws which follows the pursuit of a killer shark from legendary director Steven Spielberg. Once the shark attacks Amity Island, a police chief, a captain, and a marine biologist must team up in a man vs. beast style battle.
If you're looking for larger than life visual effects this 1970's movie isn't the one for you. If you want to watch (or potentially re-watch) a classic Spielberg movie that everyone will still be talking about for years to come, press play, and enjoy the ride.
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Four friends driving along a road run down a fisherman and dump his body thinking that no one has seen what has happened. Until one of them gets a letter saying that they have been spotted. One by one the four are hunted down, leading to a bloody fight by the unknown sender.
It's no surprise that the sequels I Still Know What You Did Last Summer and I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer also take place around the same time. Another classic that will be mentioned in horror movie conversations for years to come.
Independence Day
Another classic that takes place over July 4th is the blockbuster Independence Day which tells the story of how seemingly innocent satellite interference turns into a full-scale alien invasion. With a star-studded cast including Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum, this is one movie you won't want to miss.
The sequel Independence Day: Resurgence and the closely related Independence Day-saster and Independent's day also all take place during the same holiday. That's roughly eight hours of movie magic for any alien invasion movie fan.
Ghost Shark
Yes, it's exactly as the title suggests. Made as a TV movie, but a movie nonetheless, Ghost Shark tells the story of the spirit of a great white shark that comes back to haunt and attack a small town after being killed by rednecks. Director Griff Furst has multiple shark-related movies on his resume so knows what he's doing when it comes to movies surrounding the aquatic predator.
The movie contains a 'boy who cried wolf' arc as three teenagers try to warn authorities of the phantom shark but no one believes them. Pay no attention to the 3.3 rating on IMDB, all films are subjective.
The Return Of The Living Dead
One other fourth of July horror that's rating is not lacking on IMDB is The Return Of The Living Dead. Made in 1985 and directed by Dan O'Bannon is your classic supernatural antagonist. The movie is a zombie tale in which the dead rise again after a medical gas is accidentally released.
O'Bannon has had involvement in writing multiple aspects of the Alien and Alien Vs. Predator franchise as well as many other horror franchises.
The Evil In Us
This 2016 movie by Jason William Lee depicts the tale of a mystery organization that turns six friends into cannibals. While not strictly being zombies, the cannibals do have a zombie-like energy to them so this film will likely satisfy any zombie movie fan.
Lee has won multiple awards for his writing and screenplay as well as being nominated for best director twice in the last four years at the Vancouver film festival. Check out The Evil In Us for a bloody zombie-like horror during the fourth of July.
You Are Not Alone
If you're a fan of slasher horror, You Are Not Alone might be another one you want to add to the list. This 2014 film by Derek Mongor tells the story of Natalie, played by Krista Dzialoszynski, who returns to her home town during the fourth of July only to be stalked by a vicious killer.
The film received a 4.3 rating on IMDb but don't let that stop you, check out You Are Not Alone, and leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Aquanoids
If you're planning on watching all of these movies, maybe get this one out the way first as the term "horror movie" may be a bit of a stretch. Nonetheless, the writer and director had great intentions with Aquanoids which centers around underwater mutants preying on civilians enjoying their fourth of July weekend.
If you want stellar acting talent, a gripping plot, and a good script, there's a fairly high chance you will be disappointed but if you want a horror story that might give you a good few laughs along the way check out Aquanoids.
Uncle Sam
After some drunken teens burn an American Flag over his grave, a veteran who was killed in action rises from the grave to terrorize the unpatriotic citizens of his home town. The more patriotic you are, the more you may even start rooting for the undead 'Uncle Sam' instead of his victims.
The film was released in 1996 so don't expect the highest quality VFX or even practical effects, but Uncle Sam delivers on what it sets out to, with the addition of some randomly funny one-liners before finishing off his victims.
The Bay
Released in 2012, The Bay is a 'found-footage' movie set in Maryland where an ecological disaster occurs and the town is put into lockdown while the officials try to cover up the true cause of the deaths. The film is more of a 'realistic horror' than your typical slasher as the premise is grounded in reality so if you want a slightly more intelligent horror, The Bay might be a film for you.
With many disgusting scenes, and a plot that scares you on a deeper level, as it makes you realize that this kind of conspiracy could happen in the real world, check out The Bay by Barry Levinson.