Black Hawk Down (2001)
Kernel Score: 84% · 6,231 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Action, War, History
Released: 2001-12-28
Runtime: 145 minutes
Is Black Hawk Down worth watching?
Worth watching. A US raid in Mogadishu goes wrong and soldiers are trapped in a city street fight. It's loud, immersive and relentless, with little time for character. Watch it for the battle, not for the story behind it.
Watch it if you
- want intense, realistic combat
- like Ridley Scott's big-scale filmmaking
- enjoy war films built on one long battle
Skip it if you
- dislike graphic war violence
- want deep character development or political nuance
Best for: Big-screen action night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Black Hawk Down
- Stream: Apple TV
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, Fandango at Home
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
When U.S. Rangers and an elite Delta Force team attempt to kidnap two underlings of a Somali warlord, their Black Hawk helicopters are shot down, and the Americans suffer heavy casualties, facing intense fighting from the militia on the ground.
Black Hawk Down parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Black Hawk Down is an R-rated war film depicting the intense, real 1993 Battle of Mogadishu with graphic combat violence.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Graphic, sustained combat violence depicting a real military firefight, consistent with its R rating.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Black Hawk Down
If you liked Black Hawk Down, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Lone Survivor (2013) — 85%: True-story combat film about soldiers pinned down
- 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016) — 83%: Another true-story siege with an outnumbered team
- American Sniper (2014) — 84%: Modern combat drama from a soldier's viewpoint
- We Were Soldiers (2002) — 81%: True-story Vietnam battle film with heavy action
- Guy Ritchie's The Covenant (2023) — 87%: Modern war story of loyalty under fire
- Schindler's List (1993) — 97%: A powerful war drama of far greater depth
Director
Cast
- Josh Hartnett as SSG Matthew Eversmann
- Eric Bana as SFC Norm 'Hoot' Gibson
- Ewan McGregor as SPC John Grimes
- Tom Sizemore as LTC Danny McKnight
- William Fichtner as SFC Jeff Sanderson
- Sam Shepard as MG William F. Garrison
- Jason Isaacs as CPT Mike Steele
- Ewen Bremner as SPC Shawn Nelson
- Orlando Bloom as PFC Todd Blackburn
- Tom Hardy as SPC Lance Twombly
Black Hawk Down FAQ
Is Black Hawk Down worth watching?
Worth watching. A US raid in Mogadishu goes wrong and soldiers are trapped in a city street fight. It's loud, immersive and relentless, with little time for character. Watch it for the battle, not for the story behind it.
Where can I watch Black Hawk Down?
In the US you can stream Black Hawk Down on Apple TV, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome and Fandango at Home and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Black Hawk Down OK for kids?
Black Hawk Down is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Black Hawk Down is an R-rated war film depicting the intense, real 1993 Battle of Mogadishu with graphic combat violence.
What movies are like Black Hawk Down?
If you liked Black Hawk Down, try Lone Survivor, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, American Sniper and We Were Soldiers.