Maps of Movies

Independence Day (1996)

Where Independence Day says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

The ruined Los Angeles was a steel mill in Fontana, and the Marine base was an airfield on the Utah-Nevada line

Scenes and places

David decodes the countdown (1996)

David, a cable technician, notices a signal hidden inside global satellite transmissions. He realizes it is a countdown to a coordinated attack and sets out to warn the government.

Set in New York City — Where technician David Levinson finds the alien countdown hidden in satellite signals. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The biggest city in the United States, and where principal photography began.

Filmed at New York City / Cliffside Park, New Jersey — Principal photography began here in July 1995; the main crew also filmed in nearby Cliffside Park, New Jersey. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Warning the President (1996)

With help from his ex-wife Constance, David and his father Julius get into the Oval Office. They warn President Whitmore that the countdown is real.

Set in Washington, D.C. and the White House — Where David and his father reach the Oval Office and warn President Whitmore. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Seat of the US president; the film's White House interiors were sets reused from earlier films.

Filmed at Washington, D.C. (establishing shots) — A second unit gathered establishing shots of Washington; the interiors were sets built for The American President. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Jasmine leaves Los Angeles (1996)

Steven's girlfriend Jasmine begs him not to go as the saucers appear, and decides to leave town with her son Dylan. Steven reports for duty, and the city is soon destroyed.

Set in Los Angeles — Where Jasmine decides to flee with her son as the saucers arrive. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Los Angeles, the film's first major city to be destroyed.

Filmed at Former Kaiser Steel mill, Fontana, California — The main crew filmed the post-attack Los Angeles sequences at the former Kaiser Steel mill. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Called back to El Toro (1996)

Captain Steven Hiller and his Black Knights squadron are called back from their Independence Day leave. Steven heads to base while the aliens hover above.

Set in MCAS El Toro — The Marine air station where Captain Hiller's squadron is called back from leave. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A Marine Corps air station in Orange County, California.

Filmed at Wendover Airport, Utah — Wendover Airport doubled for the El Toro exteriors. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The Grand Canyon chase (1996)

Steven drags an alien fighter into the Grand Canyon, then ejects. His parachute blinds the fighter.

Set in Grand Canyon — Where Steven lures an alien fighter into the canyon. Google Maps · Apple Maps

One of the most famous canyons in the United States.

The fighter crashes in the Mojave (1996)

The blinded fighter goes down in the desert. Steven subdues the surviving alien and flags down a refugee convoy that includes Russell.

Set in Mojave Desert — Where the blinded alien fighter crashes and Steven captures the pilot. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A large desert in southern California.

Area 51 (1996)

Steven brings the captured alien to Area 51, where the President's plane has landed. Scientists examine the alien, and it attacks their minds before it is killed.

Set in Area 51 — The secret base where the captured alien and the recovered ship are held. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A secret US Air Force base in Nevada.

Filmed at Wendover Airport, Utah — Wendover Airport doubled for the Area 51 exteriors; interiors were sets built at a former aircraft plant. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The Roswell secret (1996)

The Defense Secretary admits a government faction has hidden a crashed alien ship since 1947. Julius's anger at the President is proved right.

Set in Roswell, New Mexico — Where, per the film, an invader's fighter crashed in 1947. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A town in New Mexico long tied to UFO stories.

The Houston test (1996)

Whitmore reluctantly orders a nuclear strike on a saucer above a mostly evacuated Houston. The saucer's force field protects it from the blast.

Set in Houston — The city chosen for a trial nuclear strike on a saucer. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The largest city in Texas.

Filmed at Very Large Array, New Mexico — Radio telescope complex Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Flagstaff, Arizona — RV community Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah — Salt flat scenes Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at West Wendover, Nevada — The pre-battle speech Google Maps · Apple Maps

Characters

• Steven Hiller — A Marine fighter pilot called back from leave.
• David Levinson — A technician who decodes the aliens' countdown.
• President Whitmore — The US President.
• Jasmine Dubrow — Steven's girlfriend, who flees Los Angeles with her son.
• Russell Casse — A retired pilot and crop duster.