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White House Down

Play trailer Poster for White House Down PG-13 Released Jun 28, 2013 2h 11m Action Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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52% Tomatometer 200 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Capitol police officer John Cale has just been denied his dream job of protecting President James Sawyer as a member of the Secret Service. Not wanting to disappoint his young daughter with the bad news, Cale takes her on a tour of the White House. While he and his daughter are there, a heavily armed paramilitary group attacks and seizes control. As the nation's government dissolves in chaos, only Cale can save his daughter, the president and the country.
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White House Down

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Critics Consensus

White House Down benefits from the leads' chemistry, but director Roland Emmerich smothers the film with narrative clichés and choppily edited action.

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Critics Reviews

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Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express There is a certain comfort you can derive from these predictable mega-budget monsters. Trouble is, it goes on too long. It has several climactic moments, but every time you ready for the exit, the film bounces back again for the next round. Rated: 2.5/5 Mar 19, 2019 Full Review Mark Kermode Observer (UK) At least has the good grace to laugh at itself as it rolls out the dingbat-daft action-movie cliches. Rated: 3/5 Sep 15, 2013 Full Review Donald Clarke Irish Times It is appallingly funny in a way that few parodies ever manage. But it is undeniably exciting. Rated: 2/5 Sep 15, 2013 Full Review Emiliano Basile EscribiendoCine As an action film, White House Down does its job: it entertains and offers some very well-filmed scenes. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 6/10 Sep 11, 2024 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Never does White House Down surprise us or go in a direction we didn’t see coming. It’s all been manufactured to proven specifications and refuses to deviate from customary action movie schematics. Rated: 2/4 Sep 2, 2022 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Emmerich’s action is repetitive, hackneyed, and not the least bit exciting. Rated: 1.5/5 Aug 21, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Classroom G I am not usually one to watch films where the number one draw is things blowing up. I chose this movie because of the humor in the preview I watched. Thought it would be a nice diversion/background noise while I went on with my work in my home office. Boy, was I wrong! I got absolutely ZERO work done while this was playing because I couldn't take my eyes off of it. Half the time, my heart was pounding so hard I could literally feel it in my throat! At one point, I even said aloud "C'mon! You know they're going to make it out! Why are you holding your breath?!" But I couldn't help it! The action in this film was gripping. The situation and the acting was believable, right down to the actions of the wife of the lead hostage taker. I can't believe that it took me twelve years to get to this film and I can't believe that people aren't talking about it like they do "Die Hard" or "Terminator". It is DEFINITELY a must watch and I am now purchasing it for future rewatches. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/24/25 Full Review Ezra R. Some solid action scenes but by the end it becomes pretty exhausting, it’s kinda like if the alternate endings of the clue movie we’re trying to be serious Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/01/25 Full Review Ti H. I enjoyed this only because Channing Tatum was in it. He gets the 5 stars. Also great to see him as a dad! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/27/25 Full Review Stephen C A failed action movie in 2 hours and 11 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 05/29/25 Full Review Juju S J'ai beaucoup aimé ce film d'action ! Le dénouement amène un petit twist inatendu. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/17/25 Full Review Stryker W I love this movie. Feels very long, but had tons of action and i never got bored during it Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/08/25 Full Review Read all reviews
White House Down

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Cast & Crew

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Roland Emmerich

Director

Channing Tatum

Cale

Jamie Foxx

President Sawyer

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Finnerty

Jason Clarke

Stenz

Richard Jenkins

Raphelson

Movie Clips

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White House Down

White House Down: Official Clip - Consider This My Resignation White House Down: Official Clip - Consider This My Resignation 3:04 White House Down: Official Clip - Ground Force One White House Down: Official Clip - Ground Force One 2:17 White House Down: Official Clip - Air Force One Destroyed White House Down: Official Clip - Air Force One Destroyed 1:39 White House Down: Official Clip - Presidential Rocket Launcher White House Down: Official Clip - Presidential Rocket Launcher 0:56 White House Down: Official Clip - No Jail for You White House Down: Official Clip - No Jail for You 2:27 White House Down: Official Clip - Mr. President Pulls the Trigger White House Down: Official Clip - Mr. President Pulls the Trigger 2:12 White House Down: Official Clip - You're Not Going to Shoot the President White House Down: Official Clip - You're Not Going to Shoot the President 1:07 White House Down: Official Clip - Hand-to-Hand Combat White House Down: Official Clip - Hand-to-Hand Combat 1:37 White House Down: Official Clip - Helicopter Hunting White House Down: Official Clip - Helicopter Hunting 3:25 White House Down: Official Clip - Millions of People Are Gonna Die White House Down: Official Clip - Millions of People Are Gonna Die 2:46 View more videos

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White House Down

(L-R) Nicolas Wright as Donnie Donaldson, Joey King as Emily Cale and Channing Tatum as John Cale in "White House Down." (L-R) Channing Tatum as John Cale and Jamie Foxx as President James Sawyer in "White House Down." James Woods as Secret Service Agent Walker in "White House Down." (L-R) Jamie Foxx as President James Sawyer and Channing Tatum as John Cale in "White House Down." Channing Tatum as John Cale in "White House Down." Channing Tatum as John Cale in "White House Down." (L-R) Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx in "White House Down." Jamie Foxx in "White House Down." Channing Tatum in "White House Down." Maggie Gyllenhaal in "White House Down." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Capitol police officer John Cale has just been denied his dream job of protecting President James Sawyer as a member of the Secret Service. Not wanting to disappoint his young daughter with the bad news, Cale takes her on a tour of the White House. While he and his daughter are there, a heavily armed paramilitary group attacks and seizes control. As the nation's government dissolves in chaos, only Cale can save his daughter, the president and the country.
Director
Roland Emmerich
Producer
Bradley J. Fischer, Harald Kloser, James Vanderbilt, Larry J. Franco, Laeta Kalogridis
Screenwriter
James Vanderbilt
Distributor
Sony Pictures
Production Co
Centropolis Entertainment, Mythology Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Intense Gunfire and Explosions|A Brief Sexual Image|Seq of Intense Action Violence|Some Language)
Genre
Action, Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 28, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 22, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$73.1M
Runtime
2h 11m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, Datasat
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