Look, let’s be real. Nobody calls it by the full title. It’s Independence Day 2, though the marketing team really wanted us to call it Independence Day: Resurgence. If you’re hunting for where to watch this 2016 sci-fi sequel, you’ve likely got a craving for massive scale destruction, Jeff Goldblum being quirky, and Liam Hemsworth trying to fill a Will Smith-sized hole in the cockpit.
Finding it isn't hard, but where it lives changes constantly. Streaming rights for 20th Century Studios films are basically a game of musical chairs between Disney+, Hulu, and sometimes Max. As of right now, if you want to know Independence Day 2 where to watch, your best bet is usually a subscription to Hulu or Disney+ in most regions. Because Disney bought Fox, they own the rights. They like to keep their toys in their own backyard.
But wait.
If you don't have those, you aren't out of luck. You can rent it for a few bucks on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play. It usually goes for about $3.99 for a standard rental. Just don't expect it to be on Netflix. Netflix and Disney are like oil and water these days.
The Streaming Maze for Resurgence
Streaming services are fickle. One day a movie is there; the next, it’s "currently unavailable in your region." It’s annoying. For Independence Day 2, the availability heavily depends on where you’re sitting. In the United States, Hulu has been the consistent home for the sequel for a while now.
Why Hulu and not just Disney+? Well, Disney tends to put the "family-friendly" animated stuff on Disney+ and the Fox library—especially the more explosive or PG-13/R-rated fare—on Hulu. However, in the UK, Canada, and Australia, you’ll almost certainly find it under the "Star" banner on Disney+. It’s the same app, just a different shelf.
Sometimes, cable-adjacent streamers like Sling TV or Fubo pick it up if it’s currently rotating on a channel like FX or TNT. If you have a live TV subscription, check your "On Demand" section first. You might already be paying for it without realizing it.
Why Will Smith Wasn't in the Sequel
A lot of people fire up the movie and immediately ask, "Wait, where’s Steven Hiller?"
It’s the elephant in the room. Will Smith was the face of the 1996 original. For the sequel, he chose to do Suicide Squad instead. Director Roland Emmerich has been pretty vocal about this in interviews with CinemaBlend and The Wrap. He basically had two scripts ready: one with Will Smith and one without. When Smith passed, they had to pivot fast. They ended up killing his character off-screen in a "test flight accident" involving alien tech.
It felt a bit cheap to fans. Honestly, it was. But it’s why the movie focuses on the next generation—specifically Jessie Usher playing Smith's son and Liam Hemsworth as the hotshot pilot Jake Morrison.
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Is Independence Day 2 Actually Worth Your Two Hours?
Critically? It didn’t do great. It sits at a 29% on Rotten Tomatoes.
But critics and fans often want different things. If you want a deep, soul-searching exploration of the human condition, you’re in the wrong place. If you want to see a spaceship that is literally the size of the Atlantic Ocean—yes, it has its own gravity—then you’re in the right place.
The scale is ridiculous. In the first movie, the ships destroyed cities. In this one, they destroy continents. It’s "popcorn cinema" in its purest, most chaotic form. Bill Pullman returns as former President Whitmore, and he gets another big speech, though it doesn't quite hit the heights of the 1996 "Today we celebrate our Independence Day!" moment. Still, seeing Brent Spiner return as Dr. Okun is a genuine highlight. He brings a level of weird energy that the movie desperately needs.
Technical Specs for the Best Experience
If you’re deciding where to watch Independence Day 2, try to find a platform that offers it in 4K UHD.
The CGI in this movie is dense. There are thousands of moving parts in the final battle scene near Area 51. If you watch a low-res stream, it just looks like gray mush. On Apple TV (iTunes) or Vudu, the 4K HDR10 or Dolby Vision versions make the alien technology pop. The "Queen" alien at the end is a massive practical-meets-digital effect that deserves the highest bitrate you can give it.
The sound design is also a beast. If you have a surround sound setup or even a decent soundbar, the Atmos track on the physical 4K disc or the high-end digital rentals is genuinely impressive. The floor will shake. Your neighbors might complain. That's usually the sign of a good disaster movie.
Common Misconceptions About the Franchise
People often get confused about where the story goes after the second film. There was supposed to be an Independence Day 3. Emmerich had a plan for a "third act" that would take the fight to the aliens in space.
But since the sequel underperformed at the box office—making about $390 million against a massive $165 million budget plus marketing—Disney (who now owns the property) has put it on ice. There is no third movie in production right now. Any "Independence Day 3" trailer you see on YouTube is almost certainly fan-made "concept" footage. Don't get your hopes up.
How to Get the Best Deal on a Digital Copy
Buying vs. Renting.
If you’re a fan of the genre, buying it for $7.99 to $9.99 when it goes on sale is smarter than renting it for $4 multiple times. Check CheapCharts or Price-Spider. These sites track when movies drop in price on iTunes and Amazon. Independence Day 2 goes on sale frequently, especially around the 4th of July or when a new sci-fi blockbuster hits theaters.
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- Amazon Prime: Good for ease of use if you already have an account.
- Vudu/Fandango at Home: Great for those who want to keep their digital library organized in one spot.
- Physical Media: Don't sleep on the Blu-ray. You can find it in bargain bins for $5. The picture quality of a physical disc still beats a compressed stream every single time.
International Availability
- UK: Check Disney+. It’s usually there permanently.
- Australia: Disney+ (Star) or Foxtel.
- Canada: Disney+ is the primary home.
If you’re traveling and can’t find it, a VPN can help you access your home streaming library, but keep in mind that some services like Netflix and Disney+ are getting really good at blocking those. It's usually easier just to check the local rental options.
Practical Steps for Your Movie Night
If you're ready to watch, here is the most efficient way to get it on your screen right now.
- Search "JustWatch": This is a free site that tracks exactly which service has the movie in your specific country at this exact second. It’s more accurate than any static list.
- Check Your Subscriptions: Open Hulu or Disney+ first. Type "Independence" into the search bar.
- Opt for 4K: If you are renting, spend the extra dollar for the UHD version. The visual effects are the only reason to watch this movie, so you might as well see them clearly.
- Double Feature: If you haven't seen the original 1996 film in a while, watch it first. The sequel relies heavily on nostalgia and returning characters. Seeing the old-school practical effects of the first film right before the CGI-heavy sequel makes for an interesting comparison of how Hollywood has changed in twenty years.
The movie is a spectacle. It’s loud. It’s slightly nonsensical. But as a piece of "turn your brain off" entertainment, it hits the spot. Grab some popcorn, find the biggest screen in your house, and enjoy the madness.