Directed by Roland Emmerich, known for his spectacular blockbusters, White House Down (2013) depicts a large-scale attack on the White House, set against a tense countdown. The film features Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx, alongside Maggie Gyllenhaal, in an action-packed story conceived as an intense siege. It will be available on HBO Max starting January 30, 2026.
John Cale, Capitol police officer, just missed out on the job he desperately wanted: joining the team responsible for protecting the U.S. president. On the same day, he takes his daughter on a tour of the White House, trying to keep the family outing afloat despite his disappointment. That’s when a heavily armed paramilitary group launches an assault on the building, seizing key strategic areas and plunging the country into chaos.
Written by James Vanderbilt (Zodiac), the film adopts the classic “siege movie” formula once popularized by stories like Die Hard, placing it within a instantly recognizable institutional setting. The chemistry between Tatum and Foxx centers on a back-and-forth between intense action and lighter exchanges, while the story introduces a family element—specifically the father-daughter relationship—to heighten the emotional stakes and sense of urgency.
On the production side, White House Down stood out with an impressive recreation of the White House: production designer Kirk M. Petruccelli and his team crafted an extensive replica of the presidential residence, even doubling certain sets—such as the Oval Office—to accommodate the explosive action scenes and destruction sequences. Filming took place in Montreal, where a carefully coordinated blend of practical stunts and visual effects was employed, staying true to the signature style of director Roland Emmerich.
The film is primarily aimed at fans of spectacular action movies and big-screen entertainment, featuring gunfire, explosions, and intense scenes set in hostile environments. It may also appeal to those who enjoy stories centered on internal threats and security crises, presented here in a deliberately larger-than-life style rather than a realistic one.
White House Down
Film | 2013
Released in theaters: September 4, 2013
Available on HBO Max starting January 30, 2026
Action | Duration: 2h 12min
Directed by Roland Emmerich | Screenplay by James Vanderbilt
Starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal
Original title: White House Down
Country: United States
Set against an iconic backdrop turned battleground and starring a duo of leading actors at its core, White House Down delivers a fast-paced siege blockbuster designed for adrenaline and spectacle. It will be available on HBO Max starting January 30, 2026.
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