'

Zero Dark Thirty

Play trailer

1:07

Zero Dark Thirty

R

Released Jan 11, 2013

2h 37m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

War

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

305 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Osama bin Laden becomes one of the most-wanted men on the planet. The worldwide manhunt for the terrorist leader occupies the resources and attention of two U.S. presidential administrations. Ultimately, it is the work of a dedicated female operative (Jessica Chastain) that proves instrumental in finally locating bin Laden. In May 2011, Navy SEALs launch a nighttime strike, killing bin Laden in his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Gripping, suspenseful, and brilliantly crafted, Zero Dark Thirty dramatizes the hunt for Osama bin Laden with intelligence and an eye for detail.

Read Critics Reviews

Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

[Zero Dark Thirty] is one of the great cinematic procedurals ever made.

Rated: 4/4

Apr 26, 2020

Full Review

Scott Marks

San Diego Reader

When it comes to establishing and maintaining tension, there wasn't a better American genre picture released this year. Refrain from viewing it as historical record and you won't leave disappointed.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 28, 2019

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

... it is Chastain's performance, as restrained as it is powerful, that may just be the cherry atop this massive and meticulous film.

Rated: A-

Sep 7, 2017

Full Review

Wael Khairy

The Cinephile Fix

...at the film’s most climatic scene, you’ll forget you’re even watching a movie.

Dec 9, 2024

Full Review

Joseph Tomastik

Loud and Clear Reviews

Zero Dark Thirty suffers from a story that’s a bit too long, scattered, and cold … but that also works in its favor, because it makes you feel how maddeningly long, scattered, and cold the near-decade-long search for bin Laden must have been.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 8, 2024

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal may have meant well but make no mistake that Zero Dark Thirty cannot be viewed in the same light after the torture report's release in 2014.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 19, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Jonathan O

Thrilling and suspenseful 2 and half hours of adrenaline rush.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

Full Review

Beth G

Very disorganized, trying to pack 10 years into 160 minutes. Above all, they left out the biggest star of the whole operation, President Obama. Almost fairly tale depiction of events. Would not recommend watching this

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/18/25

Full Review

Jason S

🌀COLLECTION RATING 97%

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/25

Full Review

Nicholas C

No idea how this didn’t win the Best Picture Oscar. The best advert I can give it is that it stands the test of time. I’ve seen it about 10 times over the years and each time I see it, I appreciate it more. Jessica Chastain is obviously outstanding, but actually my favourite performance comes from James Gandolfini. Don’t judge it; watch it and enjoy it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/25

Full Review

Alexander S

Zero Dark Thirty masterfully weaves Katheryn Bigelow’s tense and gripping narrative that recounts the suspenseful mission to capture Bin Laden. The film delves into the meticulous planning that nearly led to the mission’s failure, underscoring the pivotal role of intelligence in successfully completing the hunt. Jessica Chastain delivers a standout performance, earning her an Oscar nomination for her leading role. Grading: A+

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/25

Full Review

Audience Member

It’s awesome. Better than I thought it would be. The last 50 minutes or so is an edge of the seat thrill ride.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/03/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Kathryn Bigelow

Director

Jessica Chastain

Maya

Jason Clarke

Dan

Joel Edgerton

Patrick

Jennifer Ehle

Jessica

Mark Strong

George

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

51%

83%

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Watchlist

TRAILER

for 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Boys of Abu Ghraib

30%

60%

Boys of Abu Ghraib

Watchlist

Brothers

63%

62%

Brothers

Watchlist

Eye in the Sky

95%

82%

Eye in the Sky

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Eye in the Sky

Passion Play

3%

17%

Passion Play

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Netflix in July 2022

87 Fearless Women Movie Heroes Who Inspire Us

Digital Multiplex: Zero Dark Thirty and Les Misérables

Zero Dark Thirty: Teaser Trailer

1:07

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Osama bin Laden becomes one of the most-wanted men on the planet. The worldwide manhunt for the terrorist leader occupies the resources and attention of two U.S. presidential administrations. Ultimately, it is the work of a dedicated female operative (Jessica Chastain) that proves instrumental in finally locating bin Laden. In May 2011, Navy SEALs launch a nighttime strike, killing bin Laden in his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Producer: Mark Boal, Kathryn Bigelow, Megan Ellison
Screenwriter: Mark Boal
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: First Light Production, Mark Boal, Annapurna Pictures
Rating: R (Language|Brutal Disturbing Images|Strong Violence)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 11, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 7, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $95.7M
Runtime: 2h 37m
Sound Mix: Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital

Most Popular at Home Now