The 18 Best Patriotic American Movies of All Time

From flag-waving war epics to underdog sports miracles and sharp-witted political dramas, this lineup spans the whole spectrum of American big-screen pride. Cast your vote!

1

Saving Private Ryan

Steven Spielberg's harrowing 1998 WWII epic about a squad sent to bring one soldier home after D-Day.

1000pts

2

Glory

The Oscar-winning 1989 Civil War drama about the 54th Massachusetts, one of the first all-Black Union regiments.

951pts

3

Apollo 13

Ron Howard's 1995 true story of NASA's imperiled moon mission and the ingenuity that brought the crew home.

807pts

4

Lincoln

Steven Spielberg's 2012 drama with Daniel Day-Lewis as the president fighting to pass the 13th Amendment.

790pts

5

Top Gun

The 1986 blockbuster with Tom Cruise as a hotshot Navy fighter pilot at an elite flight school.

692pts

6

Miracle

The 2004 sports drama retelling the U.S. hockey team's 'Miracle on Ice' upset of the Soviets at the 1980 Olympics.

692pts

7

1776

The 1972 musical dramatizing the Continental Congress and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

692pts

8

Born on the Fourth of July

Oliver Stone's 1989 drama with Tom Cruise as a paralyzed Vietnam veteran turned anti-war activist.

692pts

9

Independence Day

The 1996 alien-invasion blockbuster climaxing in a July 4th fightback led by a rousing presidential speech.

629pts

10

Rocky IV

The 1985 boxing sequel pitting Rocky Balboa against a Soviet giant in a Cold War showdown.

629pts

11

The Patriot

A 2000 Revolutionary War drama with Mel Gibson as a reluctant farmer turned militia leader against the British.

629pts

12

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Frank Capra's 1939 classic about an idealistic senator filibustering against corruption in Congress.

629pts

13

Captain America: The First Avenger

The 2011 Marvel origin story of a scrawny patriot transformed into a WWII super-soldier.

629pts

14

Sergeant York

The 1941 biopic of Alvin York, a pacifist who became one of WWI's most decorated American heroes.

553pts

15

American Sniper

Clint Eastwood's 2014 biopic of Navy SEAL sharpshooter Chris Kyle and his tours in Iraq.

553pts

16

Patton

The 1970 Best Picture biopic of the larger-than-life WWII general, opening with its iconic flag speech.

461pts

17

Air Force One

The 1997 thriller with Harrison Ford as a U.S. president who fights back when terrorists hijack his plane.

461pts

18

Forrest Gump

The 1994 Best Picture winner following an earnest everyman through decades of American history.

461pts