Will Smith’s Independence Day arrives on Netflix Feb 1, 2026

Collider reports that Will Smith's 1996 sci-fi disaster blockbuster Independence Day will be available to stream on Netflix on February 1, 2026.

The film stars Smith as Captain Steven Hiller, who is tasked with saving the world after an alien mothership enters Earth's orbit and the decisive action takes place on July 4. The cast also includes Bill Pullman as President Thomas J. Whitmore, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch and Robert Loggia. Directed by Roland Emmerich and released July 3, 1996, Independence Day grossed over $817 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1996.

Independence Day holds a 69% critics score and a 75% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and received a nomination for "Best Sound" and won "Best Visual Effects" on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as Saturn Awards for "Best Science Fiction Film," "Best Special Effects," and "Best Director." A sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence, was released 20 years later but did not replicate the original's box-office success and was poorly received; the original will stream on Netflix beginning February 1, 2026.

Key Topics

Culture, Will Smith, Independence Day, Netflix, Roland Emmerich, Bill Pullman