Baby, you're a firework: Favorite fireworks in pop culture
The Fourth of July means many things: family, food, sun, shouts of “AMURRICA!” and maybe a mosquito bite or four. But more than anything, it’s fireworks that symbolize Fourth of July celebrations around the country — from the lakeside pier to sparklers in the backyard to the Statue of Liberty and under the Golden Gate Bridge. Movies, music videos, and TV shows have captured fireworks moments for generations, both to show emotion (sparks fly!) and of course to represent the holiday. We’ve put together a list of some of the most memorable firework moments in pop culture history below; make sure to let us know in the comments if we missed your favorite!
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001):
Merry and Pippin have a little too much fun with Gandalf’s fireworks during Bilbo Baggins’ birthday…
Katy Perry, “Firework” (2010)
Katy Perry sings the latest July 4 Insta-classic …
To Catch a Thief (1955)
Cary Grant’s John Robie and Grace Kelly’s Francie have quite the chemistry in the classic film…
Kelis, “4th of July (Fireworks)” (2010):
Kelis proves that a good song can light up the sky…
The Little Mermaid (1989):
Ariel is mesmerized by the sight of a ship and fantastic fireworks…
Feist, “I Feel It All” (2008):
Feist gets her drumming on, as if it were normal to drum on basins full of lit fireworks…
The Sandlot (1993):
Childhood: When you run next to lit fireworks on the pavement.
V for Vendetta (2005):
Moral of the story is: Don’t cross V, you just might see Parliament blow up into a sea of beautiful fireworks …
Mary Poppins — About 5:50 in:
How do you get a bunch of singing and dancing chimney sweeps off of your roof? Just aim lit fireworks towards them. Totally magical — and totally illegal …
David Hasselhoff, Thirsty for Love (2013):
And adding to the 4th fun, David Hasselhoff’s latest ad appearance is classic Hoff — with fireworks! You’re welcome…
While some of our favorites weren’t available online — 30 Rock “Fireworks” (2007), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Brokeback Mountain (2005), Iron Man 3 (2013), The Great Gatsby (2013), and The Wedding Planner (2001) — we are hoping they show up on cable re-runs this weekend.
