Once again, it is the fourth of July. As an entire nation gets ready to celebrate America’s birthday, I think it is worth looking back and remembering the time when we decided that kings were generally a bad idea, and we probably shouldn’t have one. Unfortunately, when looking for movies and TV shows about the Revolutionary War, there aren’t a whole lot of options but I have made a list of the very best ones to watch on the 4th of July.

The Patriot

The Patriot is easily the most over-the-top addition to this list. With big action set pieces and needlessly sadistic villains, this popcorn blockbuster brought all the action movie cheese a movie from the year 2000 could muster. Mel Gibson stars alongside Jason Isaacs and a young Heath Ledger. The plot feels like a mix of Braveheart and Rambo: First Blood Part 2, but in the best way possible.

John Adams

If you’re interested in a beautiful, grounded, and detailed look at the American Revolutionary War and afterward, I really can not recommend John Addams enough. HBO had knocked it out of the park with Band of Brothers, and John Addams took that energy and sprinted with it. There is not a lot of front-line action in this wartime series, but there is plenty of fascinating politics to experience.

Turn: Washington’s spies

Turn is certainly one of the more inaccurate historical narratives on this list, but it is so well-written and compelling that I had to include it. The show follows a farmer on Long Island during the British occupation. He slowly gets pulled deeper and deeper into the world of espionage, as becomes a vital informant for the revolutionary forces. With top-notch acting and a suspenseful atmosphere, Turn will keep you yearning for the next twist in this period spy story.

The Crossing

There is no moment of the American Revolution that has been romanticized and mythologized more than the night George Washington crossed the Delaware River. The Crossing tells that legendary American tale from Washington’s perspective. Jeff Daniels plays the iconic general general, and he is backed up by an excellent supporting cast.

Hamilton

One of the biggest Broadway hits in recent memory, Hamilton grabbed American pop culture by the ponytail and wouldn’t let go. Lin Manuel Miranda wrote and produced a fascinating look at the American Revolution and the people who built the foundations of a nation, specifically, one feisty immigrant named Alexander Hamilton. It’s clever, catchy, and innovative. Thanks to Miranda’s fascination with the protagonist, it has some surprisingly accurate details.

*Note: While Hamilton is primarily a stage production, it makes it on this list because an official recording was produced for Disney+

Johnny Tremaine 

If you’re looking for a lighter take on the war for independence, the film Johnny Tremaine is family-friendly revolutionary fun. The movie is a Disney classic about a young man drawn into the Sons of Liberty movement. It’s full of 1950s Disney charm and that soft, comfortable cinematography that just feels like a warm blanket on a chilly night.

The Revolution

There is certainly no shortage of documentaries about the American Revolution, but there seems to be something of a sliding scale of information versus watchability. The Revolution is a 13-part documentary series produced by the History Channel and sits right in the middle of that scale. It has enough entertainment value to keep you interested while also making you feel like you actually learned something.

The Revolutionary War is one that’s not very well represented in pop culture, and that’s a shame. It’s a fascinating period filled with drama and dark secrets. Let me know if I missed your favorite, or if you have an idea for a revolutionary war story that you’d like to see on screen.