Mankind must defend Earth from attack by alien invaders. Ultimate Collector's Edition Year 1996 Video Release 2000-06-13 Studio Fox Genre Science Fiction MPAA Rating PG-13 CARA sci-fi destruction and violence Color Color Runtime 145 Animated Live-Action Full Synopsis One of the biggest box office hits of all time, Independence Day delivers the ultimate encounter when mysterious and powerful aliens launch an all out invasion against the human race. The spectacle begins when massive spaceships appear in Earth's skies. But wonder turns to terror as the ships blast destructive beams of fire down on cities all over the planet. Now the world's only hope lies with a determined band of survivors, uniting for one last strike against the invaders before it's the end of mankind. Director Roland Emmerich Cast Roland Emmerich; Will Smith; Bill Pullman; Jeff Goldblum; Mary McDonnell; Randy Quaid; Vivica A. Fox; Robert Loggia; Harvey Fierstein; Adam Baldwin; Brent Spiner