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White House Down

White House Down

It will start like any other day.

2013131 minPG-13Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
Director
Roland Emmerich
Starring
Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke

Capitol Policeman John Cale has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service protecting President James Sawyer. Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation's government falling into chaos and time running out, it's up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.

Where to watch

Where can I watch White House Down?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists White House Down streaming on Netflix and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about White House Down?

White House Down earns 9 badges, led by Star-studded and Crowd Pleaser.

Show 1 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content
  • Cast

Reception

Is White House Down worth watching?

White House Down's Midcredits score is the 54th percentile of all films, from 435K ratings across 6 sources. 52% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

54th percentile

Better received than 54% of films

70th percentile among Action54th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)52nd
Approval (how many liked it)55th

62 /100

52nd percentile of all films

69th percentile among Action52nd percentile among 2010s

Critics 52 · Audience 63

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.5 — solid but not unanimous.

52% liked it

55th percentile of all films

68th percentile among Action55th percentile among 2010s
52% rated it 7–1048% rated it 1–6

Critics 52% · Audience 62%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 3 wins / 9 noms overall

98th percentile

434K ratings across platforms

96th percentile among Action98th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 34% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$150M
Opening weekend$25M
Domestic gross$73M
Worldwide gross$205M

Returned 1.4× its budget — 91st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree White House Down is a dumb, cliché-ridden Die Hard rip-off that works as mindless fun if you check your brain at the door.

Fans praised

  • Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx's entertaining buddy chemistry
  • Over-the-top action, explosions, and set pieces
  • Fun, self-aware popcorn entertainment not taking itself seriously

Detractors panned

  • Laughably implausible plot and logic holes
  • Cartoonish villains and weak character development
  • Heavy-handed left-wing political messaging

What stands out

ActingDivisive65

Tatum and Foxx's buddy chemistry praised; Foxx unconvincing as president

Effects and spectacleDivisive65

Large-scale explosions and destruction; notable weak CGI in helicopter sequences

HumorDivisive60

Crowd-pleasing one-liners; detracts from suspense for some

Pacing50

Slow first act, then relentlessly paced action; overlong runtime

DialogueDivisive50

Cheesy one-liners and forced humor; some witty repartee between leads

Characters35

Flat, clichéd character writing; daughter character divisive

Plot and story25

Predictable, full of holes and implausible twists

Originality20

Blatant Die Hard rip-off; unoriginal premise

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 15 points higher than men.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 14 points higher than over-30s.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 12 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 8 points apart

Watch experience

What is White House Down like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you fired up. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
ThrillingTenseHopeful
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsPlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its premise straight but with a knowing sense of fun, delivering explosive action and a heartfelt father-daughter story.
The rideSustained tension and action peaks in the middle while a hopeful family reunion and resolution close the film.
StructureThe story unfolds in chronological order with a clear setup, confrontation, and resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Fired up.

The answer rests on this: Rousing · 10% of filmsFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you pumped up and entertained, with a feel-good resolution.
How it ends · evidence
Happy endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

with Quest underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe story is driven by a paramilitary takeover of the White House and the hero's efforts to rescue the President and his daughter.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% (this title) · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsFamily bondsBetrayal · 5% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Dual lead
How it treats its themeA struggling father seeks to prove his worth to his daughter and himself while the nation's leader confronts a betrayal from within his own ranks.
StanceThe film celebrates a father's determination and the president's integrity as they together protect family and country.

The world

ContemporaryInstitutionalUrbanRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score
SettingThe White House and Washington D.C. during a coordinated terrorist siege.

Content guide

Is White House Down okay for kids?

PG-13

White House Down is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for prolonged sequences of action and violence including intense gunfire and explosions, some language and a brief sexual image” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (73/100), sexual content at mild (19/100), language at intense (63/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (27/100) and frightening material at intense (66/100). Overall it is heavier than 93% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 22 other countries
  • UK12A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • FranceU
  • Ireland12
  • New ZealandM
  • JapanR18+
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Denmark11
  • GreeceΚ-15
  • Hungary16
  • ItalyT
  • KZБ14
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway15
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • RO15
  • SK15
  • Spain16
  • Sweden15
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 62% of all filmsHeavier than 93% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 95%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 27%
Profanity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 93%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 31%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 86%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence, frightening material, and language. Everything else sits at or below what PG-13-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does White House Down have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in White House Down?

Cast

4 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Channing Tatum
as Cale
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jamie Foxx
as President Sawyer
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Maggie Gyllenhaal
as Finnerty
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Jason Clarke
as Stenz
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Richard Jenkins
as Raphelson
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Joey King
as Emily
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
James Woods
as Walker
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Nicolas Wright
as Donnie the Guide
Jimmi Simpson
as Tyler
Michael Murphy
as Vice President Hammond
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like White House Down?

Movies like White House Down include Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), End Game (2006) and Angel Has Fallen (2019). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films written by James Vanderbilt, and several are stories about US presidents.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Roland Emmerich directed 6 of these 12. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with White House Down?

148 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: mercenary. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.