Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Act of Valor

Play trailer Poster for Act of Valor R 2012 1h 50m Action Mystery & Thriller Adventure War Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
28% Tomatometer 141 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
When its latest mission leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the U.S., an elite team of Navy SEALs sets out on a global manhunt. As the men of Bandito Platoon race to stop an attack that could kill or maim thousands of American civilians, they must balance their commitment to their duty and family back home. Each new piece of intelligence they gather reveals a shocking twist to the plot as they track the terrorist ring to the U.S.- Mexico border.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

Act of Valor

Act of Valor

What to Know

Critics Consensus

It's undeniably reverent of the real-life heroes in its cast, but Act of Valor lets them down with a clichéd script, stilted acting, and a jingoistic attitude that ignores the complexities of war.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Tara Brady Irish Times Apr 1, 2012
1/5
I guess they had to be realistic in order to make up for the dialogue, the acting, the special effects, the mawkishness, the closeted homoeroticism, the jingoism... Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Mar 22, 2012
1/5
In the 1980s, Top Gun reportedly sent young men rushing to join the military; this hilariously bad film is going to get them clamouring to join the Jon Stewart Appreciation Society. Go to Full Review Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) Mar 22, 2012
2/5
The film is almost unashamedly a recruitment video for future Seals, but let's hope possession of a PlayStation 3 doesn't become the sole condition for enrolling. Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Aug 19, 2022
2.5/5
“Act of Valor” does enough of what it’s aiming for. Go to Full Review Howard Gorman NME (New Musical Express) Jun 10, 2021
Shadowing real-life SEALs as they re-enact some of the most stunning combat sequences ever put to film, this is the closest a film has ever got to emulating a Call of Duty game. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 1, 2020
2.5/4.0
Act of Valor isn't an awful film. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Noel L @RT15930389 Sep 29, 2026 The camera work and acting seemed mediocre. But it's always great to hear a film support the fine men and women serving our country See more Armond W @RT02088003 Sep 12, 2026 Great depiction of military heroism. And the combat sequences seem really realistic, and are quite well done. See more Will M @Mass9126 Aug 1, 2026 The idea of putting actual veterans in a movie to better depict action in a combat zone is super awesome. I forgive them for the subpar acting because the stunts and choreography are great. I saw this movie in theaters when it came out and just saw it again in 2026 for the first time since. Still enjoyed it. When critics hate it, but viewers love it, you know it’s going to be good See more Imaginarily B @ImaginIt Jul 21, 2026 Recruitment video for the US military. Tragic. See more Frans B @FransB Mar 15, 2026 The huge discrepancy between the "critics" and "audience" here must mean something? Great effort in directing by McCoy and Waugh, capable cast a bit underutilized, writing could be better but overall not half bad. Clear and concise dialogue, as it should be, not to be mistaken for "bad acting". Great cinematography and visually appealing. Enough action, drama, suspense, emotion, twists and intrigue. Does have a "real world" feel to it, which is very nice. The fact that real SEALS were used in movie gets an extra point from me. Entertaining See more Matthew T @RT22733965 Sep 20, 2025 Great movie. Absolute must watch! Im surprised nobody is mentioning in the reviews that the Seals in this movie are played by real Navy Seals. Some retired and some active duty. See more Read all reviews
Act of Valor

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Mike McCoy

Director

Scott Waugh

Director

Roselyn Sanchez

Agent Morales

Jason Cottle

Abu Shabal

Alex Veadov

Christo

Nestor Serrano

Walter Ross

Movie Clips

View All

Act of Valor

View more videos

More Like This

View All
Safe House 52% 63% Safe House Watchlist Haywire 80% 41% Haywire Watchlist Safe 59% 59% Safe Watchlist Olympus Has Fallen 49% 66% Olympus Has Fallen Watchlist Killer Elite 26% 42% Killer Elite Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Act of Valor

View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When its latest mission leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the U.S., an elite team of Navy SEALs sets out on a global manhunt. As the men of Bandito Platoon race to stop an attack that could kill or maim thousands of American civilians, they must balance their commitment to their duty and family back home. Each new piece of intelligence they gather reveals a shocking twist to the plot as they track the terrorist ring to the U.S.- Mexico border.
Director
Mike McCoy, Scott Waugh
Screenwriter
Kurt Johnstad
Distributor
Relativity Media
Production Co
Bandido Brothers
Rating
R (Some Torture|Language|Strong Violence)
Genre
Action, Mystery & Thriller, Adventure, War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 24, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 4, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$70.0M
Runtime
1h 50m
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings