The July Fourth weekend is usually an important release date for studios as they make sure to unveil a big tentpole summer blockbuster. As a result, it is interesting that this year the studios decided to release three minor films: "Earth to Echo," "Tammy" and "Deliver From Us Evil."

Perhaps the studios did not want to compete with the mega blockbuster "Transformers: Age of Extinction." However, that does not seem logical as the studios have not had a problem overcrowding the summer with back-to-back franchises, such as "X-Men," "Godzilla" and "Spider-Man." As a result with no big franchises opening this weekend, the 2014 summer will continue to remain with no record-breaking openings.

For those who are not enthusiastic for any of these modest releases, the following is a look at the past Independence Day openers and the biggest record breakers.

Back in 2011 "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" bowed during July Fourth and scored the biggest opening weekend ever for an Independence Day film. The movie made $97 million in its first weekend. The film had received negative reception by critics and had some detractors especially since the franchise's original heroine Megan Fox was no longer in the series. Nevertheless the third installment was able to end its run with a fantastic $352 million.

The series also used the date to release the original 2007 film "Transformers." The movie, which was the best reviewed of the series was met with excitement and opened to a stunning $70 million. The film, which now ranks as the fourth highest opening of Independence Day weekend, ended its run making $319 million and went on to be nominated for three Academy Awards.

With the new film "Age of Extinction" having opened a week before, Paramount will have a hard capturing the robust numbers these two previous installments obtained by the end of their runs.

The holiday has also been used various times by Sony to launch "Spider-Man" movies. Back in 2004 the studio launched the critically acclaimed "Spider-Man 2" and made $88 million over the three day weekend. The movie received positive buzz especially after the fan favorite original 2002 film. In the end the movie made $373 million and even took home an Academy Award. In now ranks as the second highest opening for the holiday weekend.

The studio also launched its 2012 reboot "The Amazing Spider-Man." After a debacle with the 2007 "Spider-Man 3," Sony attempted to relive the magic from 2004 and received a mild response. The movie opened to an exceptional $62 million even though critics and fans were not as enthusiastic as they were for the original trilogy. The cast changes and the fact that Sony was retelling the same story as the 2002 film dissuaded audiences from going. Nonetheless the reboot ended its run with $262 million, a total this year's "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" could not obtain even with a $91 million opening.       

Two other franchises also used the date to great results various times. "Men in Black" and "Men in Black 2" were both launched during the same weekend five years apart. The first one opened to $51 million in 1997, while the 2002 sequel opened to a $52 million. Both films end up making over $190 million and continue to be the highest grossing films in the trilogy.

Meanwhile "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" and "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" also opened on the same date. The sequel, which launched in 1991, opened to $31 million and was quickly able to make $204 million. The third installment made $44 million and ended its run with $150 million. Both these installments generated better totals than the 2009 reboot "Terminator Salvation" because of the timely date. As a result Warner Bros has already reserved the weekend for the 2015 Terminator hoping to break records.

Other big blockbusters that have had successful and record breaking openings include "Despicable Me 2," "War of the Worlds," "Hancock," "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" and "Superman Returns."

A number of patriotic films have also used the date to their advantage. The most popular is without a doubt "Independence Day." The film's plot about the U.S. being under attack by aliens, and the simple title was able to bring audiences to the multiplexes. The movie not only opened to $50 million in 1996, but it also went on to make $306 million. It also became a cult classic, which to this date is played on demand and Television on July 4.

In 1996 Michael Bay tried to relive the magic of "Independence Day" by making yet another destruction movie, "Armagedon." This time the plot centered on heroic astronauts who were sent on a mission to destroy an asteroid threatening Earth. The film was met with mixed reviews, but it was still an arousing patriotic film that audiences felt the need to see. The movie ended up opening to $36 million and went on to make $201 million. It also received nominated for four Academy Award nomination, and like "Independence Day," it continues to play on the Holiday weekend and has obtained a huge following.

Other patriotic films that debuted successfully during the holiday include "Apollo 13." The 1995 Academy Award winner, starring Tom Hanks, tells the story of three astronauts who must devise a strategy to return to Earth safely after their spacecraft undergoes serious damage.

 The 2000 historical war picture "The Patriot" also had an impressive run after its debut. This perhaps is one of the timeliest releases as it deals with the Revolutionary War and Americas Independence. The film opened to a modest $22 million but still went on to make $113 million. The feature also became a classic history film and was also nominated for three Academy Awards.