The Negotiator (1998)
Kernel Score: 79% · 2,320 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 1998-07-29
Runtime: 140 minutes
Is The Negotiator worth watching?
Worth watching. Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey face off in a tense hostage standoff in a Chicago office. It's a solid, well-acted thriller that's a bit too long and leans on familiar twists.
Watch it if you
- like talk-heavy hostage thrillers
- enjoy great actor duels
- want a classic late-90s thriller
Skip it if you
- want non-stop action
- dislike far-fetched conspiracy plots
Best for: Thriller night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Negotiator
- 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
The police try to arrest expert hostage negotiator Danny Roman, who insists he's being framed for his partner's murder in what he believes is an elaborate conspiracy. Thinking there's evidence in the Internal Affairs offices that might clear him, he takes everyone in the office hostage and demands that another well-known negotiator be brought in to handle the situation and secretly investigate the conspiracy.
The Negotiator parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that this R-rated thriller centers on a hostage standoff and police corruption conspiracy.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Includes a hostage-taking, a bullet wound, and tense armed standoffs.
- Language: Moderate — R-rated crime thriller likely contains strong profanity.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Negotiator
If you liked The Negotiator, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Inside Man (2006) — 82%: Clever hostage thriller with strong leads.
- The Fugitive (1993) — 84%: Man on the run proving he was framed.
- The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) — 85%: Classic hostage thriller on a ticking clock.
- Law Abiding Citizen (2009) — 84%: Cat-and-mouse thriller with a clever criminal.
- John Q (2002) — 79%: Hostage drama driven by desperation.
- Gone Baby Gone (2007) — 82%: Moody crime thriller with moral dilemmas.
Director
Cast
- Samuel L. Jackson as Lt. Danny Roman
- Kevin Spacey as Lt. Chris Sabian
- David Morse as Cdr. Adam Beck
- Ron Rifkin as Cdr. Grant Frost
- John Spencer as Chief Al Travis
- J. T. Walsh as Insp. Terence Niebaum
- Siobhan Fallon Hogan as Maggie
- Paul Giamatti as Rudy
- Regina Taylor as Karen Roman
- Bruce Beatty as Markus
The Negotiator FAQ
Is The Negotiator worth watching?
Worth watching. Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey face off in a tense hostage standoff in a Chicago office. It's a solid, well-acted thriller that's a bit too long and leans on familiar twists.
Where can I watch The Negotiator?
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 The Negotiator OK for kids?
The Negotiator is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that this R-rated thriller centers on a hostage standoff and police corruption conspiracy.
What movies are like The Negotiator?
If you liked The Negotiator, try Inside Man, The Fugitive, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three and Law Abiding Citizen.