Thirteen Days

Play trailer

Thirteen Days

PG-13

2000

2h 25m

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

122 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

For thirteen extraordinary days in October of 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

An outstanding movie for families with older kids.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 29, 2010

Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

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.

Rated: A-

May 8, 2002

Full Review

Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

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

Rated: 4/4

Jan 12, 2001

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

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

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 25, 2020

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

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]

Rated: 7/10

Jul 21, 2020

Full Review

PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

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

Rated: 3/5

Jul 24, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Stephen C

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

Full Review

Jelisije J

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

Full Review

Michael W

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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/06/25

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

Full Review

Chris F

Takes a bit to pick up but good ending

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/25

Full Review

Arthur B

Having lived through the time I found it especially interesting and quite gripping too -- great film

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/03/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Roger Donaldson

Director

Kevin Costner

Kenny O'Donnell

Bruce Greenwood

John F. Kennedy

Steven Culp

Robert F. Kennedy

Dylan Baker

Robert McNamara

Michael Fairman

Adlai Stevenson

In Love and War

11%

50%

In Love and War

Watchlist

Snow Falling on Cedars

39%

67%

Snow Falling on Cedars

Watchlist

The Madness of King George

93%

80%

The Madness of King George

Watchlist

Anna and the King

52%

64%

Anna and the King

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Anna and the King

Les Miserables

77%

83%

Les Miserables

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Les Miserables

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

For thirteen extraordinary days in October of 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)

Most Popular at Home Now