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Executive Decision

Play trailer Poster for Executive Decision R 1996 2h 12m Action Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
63% Tomatometer 43 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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Executive Decision

Executive Decision

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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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Critics Reviews

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Desson Thomson Washington Post May 20, 2003
Satisfying junk food. Go to Full Review Mike Clark USA Today Jan 1, 2000
2/4
There's nothing like a protracted action drama in which anti-terrorist commandos slink around the bowels of an airborne 747 and talk about what they hope to accomplish upstairs in the final shootout. Go to Full Review Richard Harrington Washington Post Jan 1, 2000
Deliciously turbulent. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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. See more 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" See more 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! See more 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. See more 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 See more Munkhchimeg T @RT64187897 Jul 25, 2024 Cinematografie is great. The dark colour matched with the main idea. Cool 😎 See more Read all reviews
Executive Decision

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Cast & Crew

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Stuart Baird

Director

Kurt Russell

Dr. Phil. David Grant

Halle Berry

Jean

John Leguizamo

Captain Rat

Steven Seagal

Lt. Col. Austin Travis

Oliver Platt

Dennis Cahill

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Executive Decision

Executive Decision (1996) Executive Decision (1996) Executive Decision (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

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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