Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- irreverent
- patriotic
- action movie night
- blockbuster marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the leads' chemistry and self-aware humor entertaining but judged the film clichéd, overlong, and undermined by choppy action editing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Cale must navigate the seized White House while protecting President Sawyer and his daughter Emily.
The film combines presidential peril, quippy exchanges, and cheerfully absurd blockbuster set pieces.
The hostage takeover involves conspiracy and betrayal amid the collapse of government security.
Cale takes Emily on the White House tour and must save her during the attack, while trying not to disappoint her.
Films like White House Down, and why
Die Hard
Shared lone-hero action, hostage crisis, workplace confinement, and irreverent survival tone.
Olympus Has Fallen
Shared presidential hostage scenario, terrorist conspiracy, and high-concept military action spectacle.
Air Force One
Shared government-in-crisis premise, conspiratorial thriller plotting, and large-scale destruction.
Independence Day
Shared Roland Emmerich spectacle, patriotic crisis narrative, and exaggerated blockbuster action.
Movie Details
- Director
- Roland Emmerich
- Release Date
- 2013-06-27
- Runtime
- 131 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (5239)
Cast
- Channing Tatum
- Jamie Foxx
- Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Jason Clarke
- Richard Jenkins
- Joey King
- James Woods
- Nicolas Wright
- Jimmi Simpson
- Michael Murphy
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, YouTube TV, AMC, Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is White House Down about?
- A denied Secret Service hopeful battles a paramilitary takeover of the White House while protecting the president and his daughter.
- What is White House Down like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of White House Down as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is White House Down violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in White House Down as moderate.
- What did critics think of White House Down?
- Critics broadly found the leads' chemistry and self-aware humor entertaining but judged the film clichéd, overlong, and undermined by choppy action editing.
- Which films are like White House Down?
- Films with a similar feel include Die Hard, Olympus Has Fallen, Air Force One, and Independence Day.
- How long is White House Down?
- White House Down runs 131 minutes.
- Where can I watch White House Down?
- In United States, White House Down streams on Philo, YouTube TV, AMC, Starz Apple TV channel.
