The 4th of July is a boon for television, which always offers up a plethora of fun, interesting and nostalgic programming as America celebrates its Big Day.
Without further ado, here’s a look at some of the more interesting small-screen offerings on tap for Saturday.
“World War II: The Battle of Midway”
8 p.m. on HBO
Patrick Wilson, Luke Evans, Aaron Eckhart, Darren Criss and Mandy Moore star in this 2019 movie about the epic June 1942 World War II battle between the US and Japan in the Pacific theater.
“SEAL Team”
8 p.m. on CBS
In the episode “What Appears to Be,” Bravo Teamworks with the Congolese Army on a covert mission to capture the head of a rebel militia group — while Jason (series star David Boreanaz) argues with Emma about college and Sonny and Davis make a big decision about their future.
“Independence Day”
1, 4, 7 and 10 p.m. on AMC
Will Smith stars in the 1996 movie classic, an epic science fiction drama about a disparate group of people who find themselves in the Nevada desert following a worldwide attack by an extraterrestrial race — and launch a counter-attack on July 4.
“Bye Bye Birdie”
10:45 p.m. on TCM
Dick Van Dyke makes his feature film debut in this 1963 musical comedy classic about teen idol Conrad Birdie (Jesse Pearson in a takeoff on Conway Twitty) who, drafted into the service, gives his farewell concert in the small town of Sweet Apple, Ohio. The cast includes Janet Leigh, Ann-Margret, Paul Lynde and Maureen Stapleton.
“The 44th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular”
8-10 p.m. on NBC
“Today” anchors Dylan Dreyer and Craig Melvin host the yearly awe-inspiring event, with guests this year include Black Eyed Peas, The Killer, Lady A, John Legend, Tim McGraw and Brad Paisley. National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman kicks off the event with a special performance.
“The Good Doctor”
10 p.m., ABC
Autistic surgeon Dr. Sean Murphy (Freddie Highmore) and his colleagues Dr. Lim (Christina Chang) and Dr. Reznick (Fiona Gubelmann) treat a 25-year-old runner suffering from severe swelling — and when things take a turn for the worse, Murphy enlists the help of his girlfriend, Dr. Carly Lever (Jasika Nicole).
“Jumanji: The Next Level”
4:50 p.m. on Starz
In this 2019 fantasy comedy, a team of friends — led by Dr. Xander “Smolder” Bravestone (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) — returns to Jumanji to rescue one of their own and must brave parts unknown in order to escape the world’s most dangerous game.