Sudden Death

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Sudden Death

R

1995

1h 50m

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

53%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Ex-fireman Darren McCord (Jean-Claude Van Damme) has a new job working security at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Hoping to impress his kids, he's scored tickets to the Stanley Cup Finals, unaware that the place has been taken over by a group of terrorists. Ex-CIA agent Joshua Foss (Powers Boothe) is holding the vice president hostage in a press box and plans to blow up the building if he doesn't pay the ransom. But, when Darren learns of his scheme, he jumps into action to save the day.

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Critics Consensus

Sudden Death may not be a classic, but exciting set pieces and strong work from Jean-Claude Van Damme help this action thriller pay off part of its Die Hard debt.

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William Thomas

Empire Magazine

Tripe, but hard not to enjoy.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 13, 2017

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Reuniting Hyams and Van Damme, director and star of Timecop, this spectacular nail-biter exploits their combined, if limited, abilities to the full.

Feb 9, 2006

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Stephen Holden

New York Times

Offers above-average pyrotechnics, a body count that steadily mounts, and plenty of hand-to-hand combat.

May 20, 2003

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Features a hilariously surprising payoff in its ludicrously over-the-top finale – so excessive, in fact, that it singlehandedly ups the ante on the overall entertainment value.

Rated: 7/10

Sep 25, 2025

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

After the success of Die Hard, it wasn’t much of a surprise to see “Die Hard on a bus” (Speed), “Die Hard on a ship" (Under Siege), etc. But did anyone have “Die Hard at a hockey game” on their bingo card?

Rated: 3/4

Sep 14, 2024

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

Instead of scoring with a surefire premise, "Sudden Death" follows the title's direction, keeling over before game even begins.

Rated: C

Sep 21, 2020

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Dan L.

It's a great movie to pair up with Timecop!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

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Johnathon W

Solid 'Die Hard' rip-off that while not perfect, makes for one of JCVD's better movies. Van Damme is solid as the leading, playing a loving father just trying to save his kids along with a stadium full of people. He gets a nice villain with Powers Boothe, he nicely hams it up as someone just out for money. Behind the camera, director Peter Hyams delivers a solid action film with some great set pieces that use every aspect of the hockey stadium, from the kitchen to the workout room to even the game itself. The plot does get a bit ridiculous at times (how does Darren know martial arts when he supposed to be a fireman, and the part where he's actually in the game is a bit contrived). Overall, still a fun watch at a tight two hours, though not perfect.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/18/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme nem o Jean claude van damme, e os personagens são fracos.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

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Alex F

Sudden Death has many action set pieces. And lots of explosions for a fun watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/10/24

Full Review

Jonathan O

Before there was M. Night's Trap, there's Sudden Death a mid 90's of Die Hard rip-off but it's really entertaining action thriller and Van Damme is an action star actor way better than Steven Seagal. In Sudden Death packs with exhilarating thrills and amazing stunts and choreograph fight scene that will make your jaw drop.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

Full Review

Fung S

Very entertaining with good storyline, good action & good fight, good production & good 🔉🔊sound effect, 9️⃣7️⃣% or A+👏🏼💪🏼👍🏼

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/31/24

Full Review

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Peter Hyams

Director

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Darren McCord

Powers Boothe

Joshua Foss

Raymond J. Barry

Vice President

Whittni Wright

Emily McCord

Ross Malinger

Tyler McCord

Sudden Death: Official Clip - Bye Bye, Terrorist

2:58

Sudden Death: Official Clip - Bad Guy On Ice

2:38

Sudden Death: Official Clip - Last Minute Save

3:06

Sudden Death: Official Clip - The Penguin Mascot Fight

2:57

Sudden Death: Official Clip - Hero From Above

3:44

Sudden Death: Official Clip - A Toy Flamethrower

2:01

Sudden Death: Official Clip - Death by Chicken Bone

1:59

Sudden Death: Official Clip - A Good Goalie

3:19

Sudden Death: Official Clip - I'll Find the Bombs Myself

2:29

Sudden Death: Official Clip - The Best Kind of Lunatic

1:45

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Synopsis

Ex-fireman Darren McCord (Jean-Claude Van Damme) has a new job working security at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Hoping to impress his kids, he's scored tickets to the Stanley Cup Finals, unaware that the place has been taken over by a group of terrorists. Ex-CIA agent Joshua Foss (Powers Boothe) is holding the vice president hostage in a press box and plans to blow up the building if he doesn't pay the ransom. But, when Darren learns of his scheme, he jumps into action to save the day.

Director: Peter Hyams
Producer: Moshe Diamant, Howard Baldwin
Screenwriter: Karen Elise Baldwin, Gene Quintano
Production Co: Signature Films, Imperial Entertainment, Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.2M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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