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White House Down

Play trailer Poster for White House Down PG-13 2013 2h 11m Action Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
52% Tomatometer 199 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Capitol police officer John Cale has just been denied his dream job of protecting President James Sawyer as a member of the Secret Service. Not wanting to disappoint his young daughter with the bad news, Cale takes her on a tour of the White House. While he and his daughter are there, a heavily armed paramilitary group attacks and seizes control. As the nation's government dissolves in chaos, only Cale can save his daughter, the president and the country.
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White House Down

White House Down

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Critics Consensus

White House Down benefits from the leads' chemistry, but director Roland Emmerich smothers the film with narrative clichés and choppily edited action.

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Critics Reviews

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Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express Mar 19, 2019
2.5/5
There is a certain comfort you can derive from these predictable mega-budget monsters. Trouble is, it goes on too long. It has several climactic moments, but every time you ready for the exit, the film bounces back again for the next round. Go to Full Review Mark Kermode Observer (UK) Sep 15, 2013
3/5
At least has the good grace to laugh at itself as it rolls out the dingbat-daft action-movie cliches. Go to Full Review Donald Clarke Irish Times Sep 15, 2013
2/5
It is appallingly funny in a way that few parodies ever manage. But it is undeniably exciting. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Sep 2, 2022
2/4
Never does White House Down surprise us or go in a direction we didn’t see coming. It’s all been manufactured to proven specifications and refuses to deviate from customary action movie schematics. Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Aug 21, 2022
1.5/5
Emmerich’s action is repetitive, hackneyed, and not the least bit exciting. Go to Full Review Joshua Rivera Polygon May 3, 2021
t's a '90s throwback from the king of '90s disaster schlock himself, Roland Emmerich - and at the same time, weirdly prescient. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Pam D @pamjets12 Aug 28, 2026 Definitely a fun movie to watch if you like action movies. Its not perfect, like most action movies, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. See more Jeremiah C @jwormizzle2005 Jul 4, 2026 This is probably the only movie I can genuinely say was perfect to me; every standard was met for me! Amazing movie, 10/10, and enough said! See more Jaden R @MovieManiac2003 Jun 29, 2026 It’s ok, but kinda fun. See more Adetayo A @RT80138779 Jun 25, 2026 White House Down is one of the most entertaining action movies I have watched. From the moment the action begins, the movie barely slows down and keeps delivering thrilling scenes, intense shootouts, and exciting moments all the way to the end. What I enjoyed most was the combination of action, suspense, and humor. Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx worked very well together, and their performances made the movie even more enjoyable. The action sequences were big, fast-paced, and exactly what I look for in an action film. Despite its serious premise, the movie never forgets to be fun. There is always something happening, whether it's a daring rescue, a chase, or an explosive confrontation. The pacing kept me engaged throughout, and I never felt bored. If you're a fan of action movies packed with excitement and entertainment, White House Down is definitely worth watching. For me, it was a fantastic experience and an easy 10/10. See more Shirley D @Sunny1000 Jun 20, 2026 I love this movie, and I've watched it about 20 times. It's packed with action! I felt like I was right there! The actors are fantastic, and I loved Joey King as Emily! Channing Tatum was great as John Cale. There just aren't enough good things I can say about this movie. You won't want to pause it! I give it 10 stars!!!! See more Airick P. @RT57719537 Jun 18, 2026 Great action and some memorable moments while Mr. Fox does his best Obama. See more Read all reviews
White House Down

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Cast & Crew

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Roland Emmerich

Director

Channing Tatum

Cale

Jamie Foxx

President Sawyer

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Finnerty

Jason Clarke

Stenz

Richard Jenkins

Raphelson

Movie Clips

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White House Down

White House Down: Official Clip - Consider This My Resignation White House Down: Official Clip - Consider This My Resignation 3:04 Now Playing White House Down: Official Clip - Ground Force One White House Down: Official Clip - Ground Force One 2:17 Now Playing White House Down: Official Clip - Air Force One Destroyed White House Down: Official Clip - Air Force One Destroyed 1:39 Now Playing White House Down: Official Clip - Presidential Rocket Launcher White House Down: Official Clip - Presidential Rocket Launcher 0:56 Now Playing White House Down: Official Clip - No Jail for You White House Down: Official Clip - No Jail for You 2:27 Now Playing White House Down: Official Clip - Mr. President Pulls the Trigger White House Down: Official Clip - Mr. President Pulls the Trigger 2:12 Now Playing White House Down: Official Clip - You're Not Going to Shoot the President White House Down: Official Clip - You're Not Going to Shoot the President 1:07 Now Playing White House Down: Official Clip - Hand-to-Hand Combat White House Down: Official Clip - Hand-to-Hand Combat 1:37 Now Playing White House Down: Official Clip - Helicopter Hunting White House Down: Official Clip - Helicopter Hunting 3:25 Now Playing White House Down: Official Clip - Millions of People Are Gonna Die White House Down: Official Clip - Millions of People Are Gonna Die 2:46 Now Playing View more videos

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White House Down

(L-R) Nicolas Wright as Donnie Donaldson, Joey King as Emily Cale and Channing Tatum as John Cale in "White House Down." (L-R) Channing Tatum as John Cale and Jamie Foxx as President James Sawyer in "White House Down." James Woods as Secret Service Agent Walker in "White House Down." (L-R) Jamie Foxx as President James Sawyer and Channing Tatum as John Cale in "White House Down." Channing Tatum as John Cale in "White House Down." Channing Tatum as John Cale in "White House Down." (L-R) Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx in "White House Down." Jamie Foxx in "White House Down." Channing Tatum in "White House Down." Maggie Gyllenhaal in "White House Down." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Capitol police officer John Cale has just been denied his dream job of protecting President James Sawyer as a member of the Secret Service. Not wanting to disappoint his young daughter with the bad news, Cale takes her on a tour of the White House. While he and his daughter are there, a heavily armed paramilitary group attacks and seizes control. As the nation's government dissolves in chaos, only Cale can save his daughter, the president and the country.
Director
Roland Emmerich
Producer
Bradley J. Fischer, Harald Kloser, James Vanderbilt, Larry J. Franco, Laeta Kalogridis
Screenwriter
James Vanderbilt
Distributor
Sony Pictures
Production Co
Centropolis Entertainment, Mythology Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Intense Gunfire and Explosions|A Brief Sexual Image|Seq of Intense Action Violence|Some Language)
Genre
Action, Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 28, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 22, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$73.1M
Runtime
2h 11m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, Datasat
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