The Fog of War (2003)
Kernel Score: 85% · 295 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Documentary, TV Movie, History, War
Released: 2003-10-26
Runtime: 107 minutes
Where to watch The Fog of War
- Free with ads: The Roku Channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Using archival footage, cabinet conversation recordings, and an interview of the 85-year-old Robert McNamara, The Fog of War depicts his life, from working as a WWII whiz-kid military officer, to being the Ford Motor Company's president, to managing the Vietnam War as defense secretary for presidents Kennedy and Johnson.
The Fog of War parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Fog of War is a PG-13 documentary examining the Vietnam War and Cold War-era decision-making through archival footage and interviews.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Discusses war, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and self-immolation through historical footage and interview, without graphic depiction.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Fog of War
If you liked The Fog of War, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- For Sama (2019) — 90%
- Zero Days (2016) — 83%
- Crumb (1995) — 82%
- The Man Who Knew Infinity (2016) — 79%
- Thirteen Days (2000) — 78%
Director
Cast
- Robert McNamara as Self
- Errol Morris as Self (uncredited)
- Fidel Castro as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Barry Goldwater as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- John F. Kennedy as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Nikita Khrushchev as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Curtis LeMay as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Richard Nixon as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Harry Reasoner as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Franklin D. Roosevelt as Self (voice) (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Fog of War FAQ
Is The Fog of War good?
The Fog of War has an 85% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 295 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Fog of War?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on The Roku Channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Fog of War OK for kids?
The Fog of War is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Fog of War is a PG-13 documentary examining the Vietnam War and Cold War-era decision-making through archival footage and interviews.
What movies are like The Fog of War?
If you liked The Fog of War, try For Sama, Zero Days, Crumb and The Man Who Knew Infinity.