Argo

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2:25

Argo

R

Released Oct 12, 2012

2h 0m

History

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Biography

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Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

360 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

On Nov. 4, 1979, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran, taking 66 American hostages. Amid the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge with the Canadian ambassador. Knowing that it's just a matter of time before the refugees are found and likely executed, the U.S. government calls on extractor Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) to rescue them. Mendez's plan is to pose as a Hollywood producer scouting locations in Iran and train the refugees to act as his "film" crew.

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Critics Consensus

Tense, exciting, and often darkly comic, Argo recreates a historical event with vivid attention to detail and finely wrought characters.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Affleck continues to impress audiences with his keen eye for direction, knowing just when to fall back and allow this top-notch cast the freedom to interpret the events in a way that will most compel viewers.

Rated: A

Sep 7, 2017

Full Review

Jonathan Robbins

Film Comment Magazine

Affleck is still building up his chops as a director, but the intelligence and ambition he brings to filmmaking are particularly apparent in Argo.

Jan 13, 2015

Full Review

Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

The old saw "truth is stranger than fiction" has had its teeth properly sharpened in the superb thriller Argo, a blend of political history and Hollywood hijinks that goes right for the jugular.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 13, 2015

Full Review

Anushka Halve

Film Companion

Mendez orchestrates the audacious plan to hoodwink Iranian authorities by posing as a film crew, ingeniously paving the way for the American diplomats to secure safe passage out of the country.

Dec 12, 2023

Full Review

Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

Lines of historic moments are blurred in Ben Affleck’s dramatization of the rescue of diplomats during the Tehran hostage crisis of 1979. But who’s complaining? (Argo) is an extremely rewatchable movie.

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Affleck has not only reminded us that his best performances come when he’s in control, but that he’s also a considerable force behind the camera.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 23, 2022

Full Review

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Rob A

True story about the rescue of six of the American diplomats trapped in Iran in 1979. I absolutely loved it, although in true Hollywood fashion the film's climax just might give you a heart attack! Canada used to be a close friend; it's good to have a few of those believe me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

Full Review

Kristin M.

Wow I am stressed. The entire movie was tension. Incredible story and acting!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

Pongo K

This is a MUST see movie! Suspence, drama, historical. REALLY good!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

Full Review

Stephen C

2 hours based on a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Some Violent Images and Language!!!!!!!!! Happy 13th anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $136,000,000.000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/12/25

Full Review

Faiz D

Argo is great. Great acting, cinematography, and best of all, a great story takes Argo into the realm of one of the best films to come along in some time. Affleck proves once again of his talent as a director. I'd definitely recommend seeing this, you won't be disappointed.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

BO S

Anyone who suggests Canada should become our 51st state is a moron. If that had been the case during the hostage crisis, the 6 Americans portrayed in Argo would have been executed as spies, along with Tony Mendez, the Canadian ambassador and his wife. Every American shouoldl see this movie to appreciate how fortunate we are to have Canada as a neighbor. Argo captures the true horror faced by these brave people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/07/25

Full Review

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Argo: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

On Nov. 4, 1979, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran, taking 66 American hostages. Amid the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge with the Canadian ambassador. Knowing that it's just a matter of time before the refugees are found and likely executed, the U.S. government calls on extractor Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) to rescue them. Mendez's plan is to pose as a Hollywood producer scouting locations in Iran and train the refugees to act as his "film" crew.

Director: Ben Affleck
Producer: Grant Heslov, Ben Affleck, George Clooney
Screenwriter: Chris Terrio
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Smokehouse Pictures, Warner Bros., GK Films, Smoke House
Rating: R (Some Violent Images|Language)
Genre: History, Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 12, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 3, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $136.0M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Datasat

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