Independence Day weekend is going to be pretty different this year (“unprecedented,” as they say). Although there will no doubt be plenty of amateur fireworks shows, large gatherings of people are a very bad idea, what with the spikes in COVID-19 around the country. Stay home and avoid the plague, and the sunburn, by firing up a July 4 movie marathon.
This one’s a little different: It’s not just “America” movies like “The Patriot,” “Patriot’s Day” and “Team America: World Police.” Instead, conjure up Independence Day weekends of years past with a rundown of the best biggest box office earners that opened on the holiday weekend. Pop some corn, pour yourself a soda and settle in for this delightfully varied selection of flicks.
In 1985, Robert Zemeckis’ “Back to the Future” opened on July 3 and became the biggest movie of the weekend, thanks to Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and a time-traveling DeLorean. The perennial favorite is on Netflix and Showtime, or can be rented digitally for $3.99.
Fast-forward to 1991 when “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” dominated the box office, opening July 3 as well. James Cameron’s robot warfare sequel used cutting-edge CGI technology to create the liquid metal T-1000 robot (Robert Patrick) and made a star out of young discovery Edward Furlong. Plus, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton got to flex their muscles as the sinewy hero and heroine of the behemoth sequel. Watch it on Showtime or rent for $2.99.
