Snowden (2016)
Kernel Score: 79% · 4,584 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, History, Crime, Thriller
Released: 2016-09-15
Runtime: 135 minutes
Is Snowden worth watching?
Worth watching. A thoughtful, sympathetic drama about Edward Snowden's path to leaking NSA secrets. It's clear and well acted, though somewhat one-sided. The documentary Citizenfour tells it more sharply.
Watch it if you
- are curious about surveillance and whistleblowers
- like true-story political dramas
- want a clear walk through the events
Skip it if you
- want a balanced or critical look
- dislike dense, talky thrillers
Best for: Thoughtful solo night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Snowden
- Stream: Netflix, Starz
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
CIA employee Edward Snowden leaks thousands of classified documents to the press.
Snowden parents' guide: ages 13+
Parents need to know that Snowden is a serious political thriller about government surveillance, rated R with some strong language expected.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Mostly a tense political drama with little physical violence.
- Language: Moderate — R rating for a serious thriller suggests some strong language throughout.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Snowden
If you liked Snowden, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Citizenfour (2014) — 86%: The documentary of the actual events
- Official Secrets (2019) — 83%: Another whistleblower's story
- All the President's Men (1976) — 85%: Classic investigative-journalism drama
- The Conversation (1974) — 87%: Paranoid drama about spying
- Enemy of the State (1998) — 79%: Surveillance thriller
- JFK (1991) — 85%: Same director's conspiracy drama
Director
Cast
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Edward Snowden
- Shailene Woodley as Lindsay Mills
- Melissa Leo as Laura Poitras
- Zachary Quinto as Glenn Greenwald
- Tom Wilkinson as Ewen MacAskill
- Scott Eastwood as Trevor James
- Timothy Olyphant as CIA Agent Geneva
- Ben Schnetzer as Gabriel Sol
- LaKeith Stanfield as Patrick Haynes
- Rhys Ifans as Corbin O'Brian
Snowden FAQ
Is Snowden worth watching?
Worth watching. A thoughtful, sympathetic drama about Edward Snowden's path to leaking NSA secrets. It's clear and well acted, though somewhat one-sided. The documentary Citizenfour tells it more sharply.
Where can I watch Snowden?
In the US you can stream Snowden on Netflix and Starz, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Snowden OK for kids?
Snowden is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 13+. Parents need to know that Snowden is a serious political thriller about government surveillance, rated R with some strong language expected.
What movies are like Snowden?
If you liked Snowden, try Citizenfour, Official Secrets, All the President's Men and The Conversation.