Heads of State

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2:35

Heads of State

PG-13

2025

1h 53m

Action

Comedy

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

113 Reviews

70%

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1,000+ Ratings

In the action-comedy Heads of State, UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba) and U.S. President Will Derringer (John Cena) have a public rivalry that jeopardizes their countries' "special relationship." But when they become targets of a ruthless foreign adversary, they must set aside their differences and begrudgingly rely on each other. After being shot down in Air Force One, Clarke and Derringer are forced to go on a dangerous, multinational run pursued by enemies intent on killing them. With the help of MI6 agent Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), they must work together to thwart a global conspiracy that threatens the free world.

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Critics Consensus

Heads of State's lighthearted handling of geopolitics may be too cute by half, but the comedic alliance between Idris Elba and John Cena remains strong in this slick action flick.

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Audience Says

An action comedy that's presidentially suited for a comfy couch, Elba and Cena keep Heads of State light on its feet with effortless charisma.

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Craig Mathieson

The Age (Australia)

[Jon Cena and Idris Elba] bicker and blow away bad guys in a formulaic take from Nobody director Ilya Naishuller that has only a hint of the gonzo energy it requires to transcend its limitations.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 18, 2025

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Danny Leigh

Financial Times

Like a gym-toned Laurel and Hardy, the mess they get themselves into is — broadly speaking — fine.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 14, 2025

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Robert Levin

Newsday

There's a decent action scene or two, as far as it goes for low-rent action scenes in streaming slop. That's a pretty low bar.

Rated: 1/4

Jul 14, 2025

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Samantha Schuster

Cinéfilo Serial

It turns out to be an entertaining action comedy thanks to the charisma of its protagonists, who have good timing for both humor and fights. One of those fun movies to watch on Prime Video. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 27, 2025

Full Review

Ellen E Jones

Observer (UK)

Big, dumb action movies -- of which this is an adequate example -- certainly have their place, but the move to rebrand geopolitics as pulp entertainment is, I think we can all agree, not a particularly helpful development at this point in time.

Oct 7, 2025

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Troy Ribeiro

Free Press Journal (India)

Heads Of State is the cinematic equivalent of a flaming tomato hurled at a diplomatic summit: messy, unnecessary, but weirdly satisfying. Just don’t expect nuance. Or coherence. Or physics. It’s not a film you watch with your thinking cap on...

Rated: 3/5

Aug 30, 2025

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Angelo P.

A fun action packed comedy duo between Idris Elba and John Cena that does have its flaws but overall is a decent watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/10/25

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Adam D.

Big loud action-comedy with some geopolitics wedged in for fun. On screen chemistry of Idris Elba, John Cena and Priyanka Chopra kept the film moving. Good chewing gum film - no nutritional content but something good for the moment.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/28/25

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M W.

Cute enough for “free”. Plus, IDRIS.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/27/25

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Counselingover C

A Breath of Fresh Air: Why Heads of State Works. Heads of State is a fun-filled movie that gets right what so many political films get wrong: it knows when to stop taking itself seriously. Many top critic's reviews dismiss comedies about the presidency, demanding gravity and relevance. It's BS. Let's be real: in today's political climate, the last thing we need is a deeply serious movie about terrible politicians. We have real life for that, and the result is often just depressing. Heads of State offers a necessary, lighthearted counterpoint. The core of the film's success is its entertainment value. It has great chemistry between the leads and delivers solid laughs throughout. Crucially, John Cena shines as the U.S. President, embodying a pitch-perfect, cocky American persona who simply craves approval. His portrayal is genuinely enjoyable and surprisingly effective. This isn't high art, but it is high-grade fun. If you're looking for a working, hilarious escape from real-world political gloom, put this movie at the top of your list.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/26/25

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Carlos T

Filme: Chefes de Estado Assistido: 19-10-25 Elenco: @johncena @priyankachopra @idriselba @jack_quaid @paddy_considine @carlagugino @katrinadurden @clarefossie Modelo: #comédia #ação Duração: 1h 53m Ano: 2025 Minha opinião: Tirando os filmes do Pacificador e Velozes, os outros filmes não acertaram. E aqui é um deles. Mesmo fazendo parceria com Idris. Eles fazem o papel do presidente dos EUA e o 1º ministro do Reino Unido, mas que não se bicam. Com o surgimento de um grande vilão que deseja destruir o Mundo, mas precisa se livrar dos 2. Para isso explodem o Air Force One. E os 2 devem enfrentar suas desavenças para sobreviver. No meio de várias trapalhadas dos 2. Até descobrir que há uma traidora que deseja que sejam eliminados. Em um embate final vencem os inimigos e prendem a traidora. Vale apena assistir?: Um filme que você não sabe se da risada ou chora. Não acertaram na estória e enredo, muito fraco. Nota: 5

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/23/25

Full Review

patrick m

Again some " critics " poo poo a movie without understanding the context. Not a movie for the Oscars but if your looking for light hearted fun, it's a great watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/17/25

Full Review

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Ilya Naishuller

Director

Idris Elba

Sam Clarke

John Cena

Will Derringer

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Noel Bisset

Carla Gugino

VP Elizabeth Kirk

Jack Quaid

Marty Comer

Heads of State: Movie Clip - America's Nutter

1:01

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Heads of State: Final Trailer

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Heads of State: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the action-comedy Heads of State, UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba) and U.S. President Will Derringer (John Cena) have a public rivalry that jeopardizes their countries' "special relationship." But when they become targets of a ruthless foreign adversary, they must set aside their differences and begrudgingly rely on each other. After being shot down in Air Force One, Clarke and Derringer are forced to go on a dangerous, multinational run pursued by enemies intent on killing them. With the help of MI6 agent Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), they must work together to thwart a global conspiracy that threatens the free world.

Director: Ilya Naishuller
Producer: Peter Safran, John Rickard
Screenwriter: Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec, Harrison Query
Distributor: Prime Video
Production Co: Big Indie Pictures, Amazon MGM Studios, The Safran Company
Rating: PG-13 (Sequences of Strong Violence|Language|Action|Some Smoking)
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 2, 2025
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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