Independence Day (1983): cast, story & where to watch
1983 · Film · ★ 5.7
Released in 1983, Independence Day is a drama and romance film directed by Robert Mandel, running about 110 minutes. “A small town is a hard place to have a big dream.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Mary Ann Taylor loves the comforts of her hometown in Mercury, Texas. She has a steady job as a waitress in her father's diner, yet she can't help but feel unfulfilled by a life of pouring coffee and grilling hamburgers. Mary Ann's real passion is photography, but pursuing her dream of becoming a photographer means leaving Mercury behind.
Who’s in it. Independence Day stars Kathleen Quinlan as Mary Ann Taylor, David Keith as Jack Parker, Dianne Wiest as Nancy Morgan and Cliff DeYoung as Les Morgan, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.7/10, Independence Day has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on TCM. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Independence Day page.
If you liked it. Fans of Independence Day tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Independence Day (1983)?
- In US, Independence Day is available to stream on TCM. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Independence Day worth watching?
- Independence Day holds an audience score of 5.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Independence Day?
- Independence Day stars Kathleen Quinlan, David Keith, Dianne Wiest, Cliff DeYoung and Frances Sternhagen.
- When was Independence Day released?
- Independence Day was released in 1983, with a runtime of about 110 minutes.