Are you all as excited as I am about America’s Independence Day? I hope you are. Get ready for fireworks, barbecues, apple pie and baseball. You know, everything that is quintessentially American. Do you feel like something is missing amongst all this excitement? If so, you’re not the only one. Did you forget the beer? No, not that. Did you forget the hot dogs? No, not that either. I think I’ve figured it out. You’re missing Will Smith. Yeah, that Will Smith – the movie star.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
I started having this feeling myself and thinking about this after watching Independence Day on TV the other day. According to my research Will has been a staple of our summers at the box office and very specifically July 4th weekend. According to IMDB since 1995 he’s been in 9 summer blockbuster movies 5 of which (more than half) were July 4th weekend releases. To me that’s an astounding fact. So I thought we’d stroll down memory lane to look at Will Smith’s 4th of July (and summer) contributions to American cinema. He does have many other acting credits but I did not include those movies as they were not released between the months of April (yes I realize April is in the early spring) and August. Note that all facts are referenced from IMDb.com.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Bad Boys – 7 April 1995
Will Smith’s first foray into summer blockbuster movies. He and Martin Lawrence starred in this action packed, explosion laden Michael Bay buddy cop movie. It was pretty awesome and spawned a big radio hit. The movie made about $141 million worldwide with $65 million in the US alone. Not a huge opening weekend when you compare to some of his later movies but $15.5 million is nothing to cry home about.
$75,000,000 (Worldwide) (except USA)
$140,800,000 (Worldwide)
Opening Weekend - $15,523,358 (USA)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Independence Day – 3 July 1996
Now this is the movie we’re all talking about on a day like today. The one, you know, where they blow up the white house. It is also Will’s first 4th of July movie. I’m not sure anybody under the age of 20 that doesn’t know this movie and it’s wonderful. It was a little far fetched for some but I loved it quite a bit. Nothing like Bill Pullman’s speech at the end of the movie to rally all of us. Who doesn’t like Will Smith kicking alien butt. A special shout out to Brent Spiner (Data from Star Trek: TNG) who had a nice role as the creepy doctor. $817 million worldwide with $511 million in the US alone.
$817,400,891 (Worldwide)
$511,231,623 (Non-USA)
Opening Weekend – $50,228,264 (USA)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Men in Black – 2 July 1997
The second year in a row of July 4th Will Smith movies brought us the alien themed buddy cop movie Men in Black. Will and Tommy Lee Jones were special secret agents specializing in dealing with extra-terrestrial activities. They had technology beyond most on earth and if they didn’t want you remember something you wouldn’t. How long did you pretend to flash someones memory out after this movie came out? I’d say it’s another good one. Fun and had a pretty good plot. Not as big a performer in the box office as Independence Day but it would go on to spawn not one, but two sequels in the years to come.
$326,600,000 (Worldwide) (except USA)
$250,690,539 (USA)
Opening Weekend – $51,068,455 (USA)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Wild Wild West – 30 June 1999
Will now has his third 4th of July movie in 4 years. The studios must think he’s got the right stuff (baby). Instead of alien invasions or secret agents we take a journey with Will to the Wild Wild West. He’s got to defend the country from the confederate likes of Dr. Loveless and a creepy spider robot. He prevails and thanks to President Grant becomes one of the first secret service agents. I’m not sure American history actually went down like that though our 1999 airwaves got graced with yet another Will Smith rap song.
$222,105,681 (Worldwide)
$108,300,000 (Worldwide) (except USA)
Opening Weeekend – $49,705,055 (USA)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Men in Black II – 3 July 2002
July 4th weekend of 2002 brought us our first Will Smith sequel movie in the form of Men in Black II. His fourth 4th of July movie opening. Agents J and K were back on the big screen defending Earth from Alien threats. In my opinion not as good as the original (though which ones usually are) but still an entertaining movie.
$235,200,000 (Worldwide) (except USA)
$190,418,803 (USA)
Opening Weekend – $52,148,751 (USA)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Bad Boys II – 18 July 2003
Now this is a sequel I liked just as much as the original. The entire team of Martin Lawrence, Will and Michael Bay were back for more explosions, shootings and some great buddy cop movie. Not a 4th of July movie but pretty close and did pretty well worldwide.
$129,300,000 (Worldwide) (except USA)
$138,396,624 (USA)
Opening Weekend – $46,522,560 (USA)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
I, Robot – 16 July 2004
Another year, another Will Smith movie. This time he’s a cop (again) with a much deserved skepticism against robots which have now become ubiquitous amongst society. He he along with a pretty doctor saves the world from evil robots. Based on an Isaac Asimov book this movie didn’t hit the great level but I also liked it a lot. Who doesn’t love a world full of sentient robots? Wait, John Connor doesn’t.
$202,433,893 (Worldwide) (except USA)
$347,234,916 (Worldwide) ( December 2004)
Opening Weekend – $52,179,887 (USA)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Hancock – 2 July 2008
Definitely my least favorite Will Smith movie even though the studios thought it deserved a July 4th opening weekend. The plot sounded like it had potential. Will Smith is now a superhero fully equipped with powers. Unfortunately the movie lacked the right stuff. It made a lot of money and my guess is it was because of the potential storyline not the actual acting.
$624,386,746 (Worldwide)
$396,440,472 (Non-USA)
Opening Weekend – $62,603,879 (USA)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Men in Black 3 – 25 May 2012
Will’s most recent movie which I didn’t see this year. So no comments from me. To date it’s made a lot of money and I’ve heard good things. It’s the third movie in a 15 year series so they must have thought it had some potential.
$578,333,179 (Worldwide)
$414,000,000 (Non-USA)
Opening Weekend – $54,592,779 (USA)
Wow, 5 fourth of July movies. We’re gonna to have to add “and Will Smith Day” to our “Happy Independence Day” greetings. Just kidding. If he had 236 of them then maybe. It’s just an interesting fact and he’s helped make a lot of money for hollywood studios. By my counts he’s helped bring in a rake of $3.3 billion. Holy moly! ID4 is still the best and most pertinent for today. If you haven’t yet watched the rally speech you can do so below.
Happy July 4th and Independence Day!!!