Argo (2012)
Kernel Score: 82% · 8,816 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Thriller
Released: 2012-10-11
Runtime: 120 minutes
Is Argo worth watching?
Worth watching. Ben Affleck's 1979 Iran hostage-rescue thriller mixes real history with a Hollywood fake-film cover story. The final stretch is tense and the Hollywood scenes are funny, though it bends the facts to get there.
Watch it if you
- like true-story spy thrillers
- enjoy a ticking clock built from paperwork and nerves
- want a smart thriller with some dry humour
Skip it if you
- need every historical detail to be accurate
- want non-stop action
Best for: Solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Argo
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
As the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point, a CIA 'exfiltration' specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have found shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador.
Argo parents' guide: ages 13+
Parents need to know that this R-rated political thriller dramatizes the tense Iran hostage crisis and a daring CIA rescue.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Revolutionary upheaval, hostage peril, and sustained life-or-death tension, though the R comes more from intensity and language than graphic gore.
- Language: Strong — As an R-rated thriller, strong language is frequent, particularly in high-pressure moments.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Argo
If you liked Argo, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Three Days of the Condor (1975) — 82%: Classic 1970s CIA paranoia thriller about the people running the game.
- The Constant Gardener (2005) — 77%: Political thriller about a cover-up and one man's search for truth.
- Air (2023) — 84%: Another true story about a clever, risky pitch.
- The Town (2010) — 83%: Affleck's tense heist thriller, tough and well paced.
- Gone Baby Gone (2007) — 82%: Affleck's directorial debut: a tense investigation.
- 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016) — 83%: Real-life crisis with a dangerous place and a tight clock.
Director
Cast
- Ben Affleck as Tony Mendez
- Bryan Cranston as Jack O'Donnell
- Alan Arkin as Lester Siegel
- John Goodman as John Chambers
- Victor Garber as Ken Taylor
- Tate Donovan as Bob Anders
- Clea DuVall as Cora Lijek
- Scoot McNairy as Joe Stafford
- Rory Cochrane as Lee Schatz
- Christopher Denham as Mark Lijek
Argo FAQ
Is Argo worth watching?
Worth watching. Ben Affleck's 1979 Iran hostage-rescue thriller mixes real history with a Hollywood fake-film cover story. The final stretch is tense and the Hollywood scenes are funny, though it bends the facts to get there.
Where can I watch Argo?
In the US you can stream Argo on Fubo and Paramount+ and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Argo OK for kids?
Argo is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 13+. Parents need to know that this R-rated political thriller dramatizes the tense Iran hostage crisis and a daring CIA rescue.
What movies are like Argo?
If you liked Argo, try Three Days of the Condor, The Constant Gardener, Air and The Town.