Executive Decision

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Executive Decision

R

1996

2h 12m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When terrorists hijack a plane traveling from Greece to Washington, D.C., U.S. Army specialist David Grant (Kurt Russell) and Lt. Colonel Austin Travis (Steven Seagal) join forces to bring the plane to safety. While terrorists on board the plane claim they hijacked the plane to force the U.S. government to release their leader, who was captured by military forces, David and Austin discover that the plane is carrying a bomb full of nerve gas to be released on Washington, D.C.

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Critics Consensus

Executive Decision adheres entertainingly to classic action thriller formula, proving a genre outing doesn't need to win points for originality to be solidly effective.

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Desson Thomson

Washington Post

May 20, 2003

Satisfying junk food.

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Richard Harrington

Washington Post

Jan 1, 2000

Deliciously turbulent.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

Jan 1, 2000

1/4

Stuart Baird's direction is so sluggish and Jim and John Thomas' script so padded that Executive Decision has no build.

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Mar 17, 2026

3.5/5

There are well-established systems for action-thrillers like this to enjoy a smooth coast down the runway. But they mean absolutely nothing without a well-rated professional like Kurt Russell in complete control of every last instrument on the panel.

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Alistair Lawrence

Common Sense Media

May 22, 2024

Tipped as a starry hot property upon its release in 1996, this aviation thriller unfortunately proves to be weighed down by some serious excess baggage.

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

Mar 10, 2022

2.5/4

For moviegoers, the nerve gas might be no more irritating than the film's preposterous plotting.

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Johnathon W

@Hoppynsc Aug 20, 2026

Solid thriller that once you get past the crazy premise, keeps you on the edge of your seat till the end. The cast is excellent, with Kurt Russell excellent in the lead role, play an intelligent consultant not trained for such a mission. He gets great support from the rest of the cast, especially Halle Berry has a flight attendant who provides some critical help. Behind the camera, director Stuart Bird crafts a tense thriller that quickly moves past the crazy situation. Once it does, he tightly winds the plot as the US soldiers creep through the plane, trying to get their plan into the place, resulting in a thrilling final act when it all pays off. Underrated thriller by all accounts.

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Landon J

@Minxsykitty Jul 30, 2026

Segal perishing!!! Epic. Points for moments of genuine tension, no points for being able to take this seriously overall. Among probably the most implausible action hits. Overall pretty forgettable. Kinda like the cross between a chicken wing and "Air Force One"

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Emilie D

@RT16275978 Sep 8, 2025

This man couldn't make a bad movie. I loved Executive Decision, like most movies, unless they are "True stories", are written scripts to excite the movie goer. So, forgo the intellectual remarks about the stories. Since Kirt was a child he has always brought great skill to the screen, in keeping the audiences happy. Wish there were more like him out there!

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Mar 22, 2025

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, a história é ruim, o filme se passa o tempo todo no avião, que as cenas são mais ou menos, e o elenco é bom, mas ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, e o filme poderia ter cenas melhores.

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Shane O

@Shanes_DVD_Shack Sep 2, 2024

Classic 90s popcorn film , action packed good story memorable moments . One that can be watched over and over

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Munkhchimeg T

@RT64187897 Jul 25, 2024

Cinematografie is great. The dark colour matched with the main idea. Cool 😎

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Stuart Baird

Director

Kurt Russell

Dr. Phil. David Grant

Halle Berry

Jean

John Leguizamo

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Lt. Col. Austin Travis

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Synopsis

When terrorists hijack a plane traveling from Greece to Washington, D.C., U.S. Army specialist David Grant (Kurt Russell) and Lt. Colonel Austin Travis (Steven Seagal) join forces to bring the plane to safety. While terrorists on board the plane claim they hijacked the plane to force the U.S. government to release their leader, who was captured by military forces, David and Austin discover that the plane is carrying a bomb full of nerve gas to be released on Washington, D.C.

Director: Stuart Baird
Producer: Joel Silver, Jim Thomas, John Thomas, Karyn Fields
Screenwriter: Jim Thomas, John Thomas
Production Co: Warner Bros., Silver Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $55.7M
Runtime: 2h 12m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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