13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)
Kernel Score: 83% · 3,873 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
- Free with ads: YouTube Free
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
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
Cast
- John Krasinski as Jack Silva
- James Badge Dale as Tyrone 'Rone' Woods
- Dominic Fumusa as John 'Tig' Tiegen
- Max Martini as Mark 'Oz' Geist
- Pablo Schreiber as Kris 'Tanto' Paronto
- Matt Letscher as Chris Stevens
- Alexia Barlier as Sona Jillani
- David Costabile as Bob
- David Denman as Dave 'Boon' Benton
- Payman Maadi as Amahl
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 watch it free with ads on YouTube Free 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.