13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)

Kernel Score: 83% · 3,873 TMDB ratings · Rated R

Genres: War, Action, History, Drama, Thriller

Released: 2016-01-14

Runtime: 144 minutes

Is 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi worth watching?

Worth watching. Michael Bay turns the 2012 Benghazi attack into a long, loud firefight film that's more about the security team than the politics. It's well-made action, but over-long, and its tone is solemn and blunt.

Watch it if you

  • like realistic, tense combat films
  • want a story of a small team under siege
  • enjoy Michael Bay's scale

Skip it if you

  • want political nuance about the events
  • dislike long, loud, violent films

Best for: Hard-hitting action night

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

US availability, updated 2026-11-12.

Overview

An American Ambassador is killed during an attack at a U.S. compound in Libya as a security team struggles to make sense out of the chaos.

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that 13 Hours is an intense R-rated war drama depicting a real terrorist attack with graphic combat violence.

  • Violence & scariness: Intense — Graphic depiction of an armed assault and prolonged battle, including death and explosions, based on a true attack.
  • Language: Moderate — Military-style profanity is present throughout, consistent with the R rating.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

If you liked 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Black Hawk Down (2001) — 84%: A lengthy, intense urban firefight with a similar siege feel.
  • Lone Survivor (2013) — 85%: True-story combat with small-team survival at its centre.
  • United 93 (2006) — 81%: A tense, real-time true-event thriller.
  • Hotel Mumbai (2019) — 87%: A true-story attack thriller that keeps the pressure up.
  • Argo (2012) — 82%: A tense Middle East true-story thriller with a rescue plot.
  • The Siege of Jadotville (2016) — 80%: A true story of soldiers outnumbered and under siege.

Director

Michael Bay

Cast

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi FAQ

Is 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi worth watching?

Worth watching. Michael Bay turns the 2012 Benghazi attack into a long, loud firefight film that's more about the security team than the politics. It's well-made action, but over-long, and its tone is solemn and blunt.

Where can I watch 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi?

In the US you can stream 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi on Paramount+ and Peacock, watch it free with ads on YouTube Free and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi OK for kids?

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that 13 Hours is an intense R-rated war drama depicting a real terrorist attack with graphic combat violence.

What movies are like 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi?

If you liked 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, try Black Hawk Down, Lone Survivor, United 93 and Hotel Mumbai.