Celebrate America’s 250 Anniversary with these 1976 Films
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
The Best Movies from 1976 to Celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial
While we would have loved to make a list of the best movies from the year of our nation's birth, moving film strips simply didn't exist at the time. Instead, we'll be fast-forwarding 200 years to watch some of our favorite 1976 films for Independence Day. Grab your favorite 4th of July treats, kick back with these films, and celebrate America's 250 anniversary with nostalgia.
1) Carrie - Brian De Palma
As horror fans, we had to include Carrie. Released just two years after Stephen King's novel was published, De Palma's adaptation was widely considered one of the best films of 1976. The story follows high schooler Carrie White, who is mercilessly bullied by peers and family alike. When she develops the gift of telekinesis, the tables quickly turn. Even if you haven't seen the movie, you likely know the iconic, gruesome screen still of Sissy Spacek as the titular character, drenched in blood. This scene alone made a huge impact on popular culture, as well as the general storyline of a shy girl getting revenge on her bullies. In fact, in 2022, the Library of Congress selected Carrie for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Rightfully so, the film received two nominations at the 49th Academy Awards, for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. Whether or not you've read King's novel, De Palma's Carrie stands out on its own, perfect for any horror or revenge story fan.
2) All the President’s Men - Alan J. Pakula
Nothing says Independence Day quite like taking down a corrupt government and exposing its misdeeds to its citizens. All the President's Men (which, like Carrie, was adapted from a book published two years prior) follows journalists Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward as they investigate the unraveling Watergate scandal. While the evidence seems sparse and inconsequential at first, the journalists break the story wide open when an anonymous tipster (the original "Deep Throat") points them in the right direction. All the President's Men was an immediate success, receiving critical acclaim upon its release. Not only did the film receive a slew of nominations, Jason Robards, who played the journalists' executive editor Ben Bradlee, won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Further, it was also selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," ranking 77 on the American Film Institute's list of top 100 films. Even if you're not a history buff, All the President's Men is compelling, masterful, and beyond worth the watch.
3) Freaky Friday - Gary Nelson
In addition to being a great year for horror and political thrillers, 1976 brought a wide array of lighthearted films that couldn't be left off our list. In Gary Nelson's Freaky Friday, a feuding mother and teenage daughter accidentally swap bodies. When they are literally forced to spend a day in the other's shoes, they are able to develop mutual understanding, respect, and appreciation. While this film has fewer accolades than those mentioned above, it is genuinely fun, endearing, and features excellent performances. In fact, both Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris were nominated for Golden Globes for their leading roles. The first of several remakes, Nelson's Freaky Friday demonstrates that family comedies thrive on simple, timeless concepts.
Bonus: If you're looking for another 1976 film starring Foster that is radically different from Freaky Friday, try Martin Scorcese's Taxi Driver. While certainly not for the faint of heart, it's a highly-regarded cult classic for a reason.
Honorable Mention for America's 250th: Rocky - John G. Avildsen
We couldn't NOT mention the original Rocky for this list. To read more about the film, click here to check out our blog post about the best movies filmed in Philadelphia.
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