Looking for the correct Independence Day movies in order? Good news — this one’s simple. Release order and chronological order are exactly the same here, since the story runs in a straight line with a 20-year gap built right into the plot. Directed by Roland Emmerich, the original 1996 film redefined the summer blockbuster, grossed over $817 million worldwide, and won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. Below is your quick-answer table, followed by a full breakdown of both films and where the franchise might head next.
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Quick Answer: Independence Day Movies in Order
| # | Film | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Independence Day | 1996 | Roland Emmerich |
| 2 | Independence Day: Resurgence | 2016 | Roland Emmerich |
Callout: Unlike franchises with prequels or timeline jumps, Independence Day is a straightforward two-film series — watch them in release order and you’re automatically watching them in story order too.
Independence Day Movies in Order: The Complete Watch Guide
1. Independence Day (1996)
On July 2nd, a massive alien mothership arrives in Earth’s orbit, and within 48 hours, iconic cities around the globe are reduced to rubble. You follow a scrappy cable technician, a hotshot fighter pilot, and the U.S. president as they scramble to mount a counterattack before humanity runs out of time. Fun fact: the White House explosion scene became one of the most famous images in blockbuster history and was used heavily in the film’s marketing. It set the template — and the stakes — for everything that follows in Resurgence, released two decades later.
2. Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)
Set two decades after the first invasion, this sequel imagines a world that’s used recovered alien technology to build a global defense network — right before an even bigger threat arrives. Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman return, while Will Smith’s character is written out and referenced rather than recast. Behind the scenes, Emmerich pushed for a bigger scale than the original, with a mothership large enough to span entire continents. The film closes out the story so far, though it also planted seeds for a third chapter that never made it to production.
Do You Need to Watch Independence Day Before Resurgence?
Yes. Resurgence directly builds on the first film’s events, characters, and world-building, and several plot points won’t land without that context.
Minimum viable watch order:
- Independence Day (1996) — required for setup and character history
- Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) — the direct continuation
How Many Independence Day Movies Are There?
There are currently two Independence Day movies — the 1996 original and its 2016 sequel, Resurgence. No spinoffs, prequels, or shorts have been officially released as of 2026.
All Independence Day Movies in Order by Release Date
1. Independence Day — July 3, 1996
2. Independence Day: Resurgence — June 24, 2016
What’s Next for the Franchise?
A third film was actively discussed after Resurgence, with Emmerich and writers reportedly outlining a two-part conclusion to close out the story. However, Resurgence underperformed relative to the original’s cultural footprint, and those plans stalled without a confirmed greenlight. As of 2026, there’s no official Independence Day 3 on the release calendar, and no studio announcement has set a date. If you’re tracking Independence Day movies in order, this remains a two-film series for now — but Emmerich has continued to express interest in revisiting the world, so a revival isn’t off the table.
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FAQ
Is Independence Day: Resurgence connected to the first movie? Yes, it’s a direct sequel set 20 years later, using the same characters, timeline, and alien threat established in the original.
Why wasn’t Will Smith in Independence Day: Resurgence? Smith opted not to return, so the film explains his character’s absence through in-story references rather than recasting the role.
Is there an Independence Day 3 in the works? Not officially. Plans for a third film were discussed after Resurgence but never moved past the concept stage, and no release date exists as of 2026.
What order should I watch the Independence Day movies in? Simply watch them in release order — Independence Day (1996) followed by Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) — since that’s also the correct story order.
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