If you are a die-hard fan of the 1996 original: Temper your expectations. Watch Resurgence for the effects and Jeff Goldblum’s deadpan delivery, but prepare for disappointment.
If you are new to the franchise: Watch the 1996 Independence Day first. It’s a masterpiece of blockbuster filmmaking. Only watch Resurgence out of curiosity.
Rating: 4.5/10 – A visually loud but emotionally hollow sequel that proves some aliens—and some franchises—should never come back.
Introduction: The Sequel We Waited Two Decades For Independence Day - Resurgence -2016- www.9xMovi...
When Independence Day exploded onto screens in 1996, it redefined the summer blockbuster. Directed by Roland Emmerich, the film combined groundbreaking visual effects, patriotic fervor, and Will Smith’s charismatic swagger. It grossed over $817 million worldwide and became a cultural touchstone.
Fans waited 20 years for a follow-up. When Independence Day: Resurgence finally arrived in June 2016, expectations were sky-high. The film brought back original stars Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, and Brent Spiner, while introducing new blood like Liam Hemsworth and Jessie Usher (stepping in as the stepson of Will Smith’s character, Captain Steven Hiller).
But did the sequel deliver? Or did it crash and burn like the alien destroyers over Washington, D.C.? This article takes a deep dive into the plot, production, reception, and legacy of Independence Day: Resurgence. If you are a die-hard fan of the
If you want to watch or rewatch Independence Day: Resurgence, please use legal streaming platforms. Piracy sites like the one hinted in your keyword (“www.9xMovie”) harm the film industry and often expose users to malware.
Legal options include:
Independence Day: Resurgence was a box office disappointment. It earned $389 million worldwide on a $165 million budget. While not a complete flop, it fell far short of the original’s $817 million (unadjusted). In the U.S., it opened to just $41 million—less than half of the original’s $50 million opening weekend in 1996. Introduction: The Sequel We Waited Two Decades For
Critics panned it. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 29% approval rating, with the consensus: “Independence Day: Resurgence delivers the destruction audiences expect, but lacks the original’s human touch and sense of wonder.” Audiences were slightly kinder, giving it a B+ CinemaScore, but word-of-mouth was weak.
The elephant in the room is the absence of Will Smith. His character, Captain Steven Hiller, was killed off-screen during a test flight of an alien craft. Smith declined to return due to scheduling conflicts (he was filming Suicide Squad) and reportedly salary disputes.
Without Smith’s humor and magnetism, Resurgence lacks a central anchor. Jessie Usher as Dylan Hiller tries hard but isn’t given the same witty one-liners or heroic arc. Liam Hemsworth is serviceable but generic. The film desperately misses Smith’s “I gotta get me one of these!” energy.