13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMichael Bay
Screenplay byChuck Hogan
Based on13 Hours
by Mitchell Zuckoff
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDion Beebe
Edited by
Music byLorne Balfe
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release dates
  • January 12, 2016 (2016-01-12) (AT&T Stadium)
  • January 15, 2016 (2016-01-15) (United States)
Running time
144 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$50 million
Box office$70.5 million

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is a 2016 American biographical action-thriller film, directed and produced by Michael Bay. Written by Chuck Hogan, it is based on Mitchell Zuckoff's 2014 book. The film follows six members of the Annex Security Team who fought to defend the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya after waves of attacks by militants on September 11, 2012. The film stars James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, Pablo Schreiber, Max Martini, David Denman and Dominic Fumusa, with supporting roles by Toby Stephens, Alexia Barlier and David Costabile. Filming on location began on April 27, 2015, in Libya.

Upon its release on January 15, 2016, by Paramount Pictures, 13 Hours grossed $69 million worldwide against a production budget of $50 million, becoming one of Bay's lowest-grossing films. It also received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its performances, action sequences, and dark tone, but criticized the script for historical liberties. Bay's direction also received a mixed response, with many criticizing his emphasis on over-the-top action, but some also noting it as one of his most mature and grounded films. 13 Hours received an Oscar nomination for Best Sound Mixing at the 89th Academy Awards.