Thirteen Days

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Thirteen Days

PG-13

2000

2h 25m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

122 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

For thirteen extraordinary days in October 1962, the world stood on the brink of an unthinkable catastrophe. Across the globe, people anxiously awaited the outcome of a harrowing political, diplomatic and military confrontation that threatened to end in an apocalyptic nuclear exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union. Thirteen days captures the urgency, suspense and paralyzing chaos of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

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Critics Consensus

Thirteen Days offers a compelling look at the Cuban Missile Crisis, and its talented cast deftly portrays the real-life people who were involved.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/29/2010

5/5

An outstanding movie for families with older kids.

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

05/08/2002

A-

A fitting dramatic tribute to the deadly brinksmanship that pulled us back from the edge during the most volatile two weeks of the Cold War.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

01/12/2001

4/4

Thirteen Days is a good movie about a profound moment in world history.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

12/25/2020

3.5/5

Kennedy fans might appreciate Thirteen Days for what it is but the film could do better in putting the right faces up front.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

07/21/2020

7/10

I find vertiginous and very palpitating what happens in this political thriller, directed by Roger Donaldson, about one of the most tense moments of the Kennedy administration: the Cuban missile crisis. [Full review in Spanish]

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PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

07/24/2019

3/5

It really is the Cuban Missile Crisis played out on a grand scale, and, in some respects, this grandiosity is permissible.

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Rob W

@RT93511224 Jan 5

Thirteen Days' is a gripping reminder of how little the world understood just how close we came to World War III.I cannot believe this masterclass in film-making has slipped under my radar, but with how things are panning out in the US I thought it was well worth a watch, and boy is it. The film turns the Cuban Missile Crisis into a nerve‑shredding cat‑and‑mouse thriller, charting each escalation with an almost unbearable sense of inevitability. Its long runtime becomes an asset, allowing tension to accumulate in slow, deliberate waves as political manoeuvring tightens the noose. Outstanding performances across the board ground the drama in human stakes, Costner of course is superb, the constant bickering between Politicians and the armed forces is edgy and cold. It’s a masterclass in sustained suspense, revealing that if things had gone as many feared, I wouldn't be on this Earth now!!!! check out my movie blog folks theabsolutehorror.blogspot.com/

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miro z

@RT84199290 Nov 8

This along with many other films of that era just blatant cigarette advertising. Every scene some one is lighting up or blowing smoke as if to show this is cool. Just an overkill of 1960’s

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 2

Success in 2 hours and 25 minutes. Rated PG-13 for Brief Strong Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Jelisije J

@jjosifovic 04/16/2025

A very well done film of the Cuban Missile Crisis of how the USA handled the situation and the aftermath. A must watch for anyone wanting to see how the world almost ended.

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Michael W

@mawilps 04/06/2025

This political movie was really good. Kevin Costner, Bruce Greenwood, Steven Gulp, Dylan Baker, and the rest of the cast did an excellent job in this movie. This true story about the Cuban Missile Crisis was dramatic, suspenseful, and thrilling. It's about making the right decision to prevent a war from ever happening. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a definite must see.

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03/30/2025

Everyone but Kevin Costner nailed it. His Massachusetts accent stinks.

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Roger Donaldson

Director

Kevin Costner

Kenny O'Donnell

Bruce Greenwood

John F. Kennedy

Steven Culp

Robert F. Kennedy

Dylan Baker

Robert McNamara

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Synopsis

For thirteen extraordinary days in October 1962, the world stood on the brink of an unthinkable catastrophe. Across the globe, people anxiously awaited the outcome of a harrowing political, diplomatic and military confrontation that threatened to end in an apocalyptic nuclear exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union. Thirteen days captures the urgency, suspense and paralyzing chaos of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Director: Roger Donaldson
Producer: Marc Abraham, Peter O. Almond, Armyan Bernstein, Kevin Costner
Screenwriter: Ernest R. May, Philip D. Zelikow, David Self
Distributor: New Line Home Video [us], New Line Cinema
Production Co: Beacon Communications, New Line Cinema, Tig Productions, Beacon Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 2000, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 24, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.6M
Runtime: 2h 25m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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