’13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi’ Is Michael Bay’s Best and the Greatest War Movie Streaming for Free

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Movies that weren’t popular in theaters can often find an audience on streaming services. A 2016 action war film is a great example – it’s now the most popular movie on Tubi, nearly ten years after it first came out.

John Krasinski is now known for much more than just his comedic roles, like Jim Halpert on The Office. He’s become a strong action star in shows such as Jack Ryan and has demonstrated his talent as a director with films like A Quiet Place. But before those successes, he transitioned away from TV comedy with lesser-known movies like 13 Hours.

Director Michael Bay’s film is based on the true story of the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya. It follows six former military contractors who fought to defend the CIA outpost after the nearby American diplomatic compound was overrun by militants. John Krasinski stars as Jack Silva, a new member of the security team, alongside James Badge Dale, Max Martini, Pablo Schreiber, David Denman, Dominic Fumusa, and Toby Stephens. Here’s a more detailed look at the plot:

On September 11, 2012, Islamic militants attacked the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, resulting in the deaths of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and Foreign Service officer Sean Smith. A team of six former soldiers, known as the Annex Security Team (including James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, and Max Martini), was stationed nearby and tasked with protecting personnel in the city. When the attack began, they engaged in a heavy firefight to try and save the remaining Americans.

The film features the expected intense, violent action typical of R-rated movies, alongside strong emotional performances from Krasinski and the rest of the cast. While this earned it generally positive reviews, it also drew the same criticisms often leveled at Michael Bay’s films.

Is ’13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi‘ Worth Watching?


Paramount Pictures

Released in January 2016, 13 Hours earned $69.4 million worldwide in theaters – a bit lower than typical for a Michael Bay film, but not a failure. It didn’t reach a huge audience at the time, which makes its recent addition to Tubi’s streaming library interesting. Viewers who have seen it say it’s definitely worth watching.

When the movie first came out, critics had very different opinions, reflected in its 51% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The main complaint was that, like many Michael Bay films, it prioritized action and visual effects over a compelling story and genuine emotional connection. If you’re not simply looking for explosions and spectacle, the plot may feel weak, as one critic put it:

The movie 13 Hours demonstrates that Michael Bay is capable of directing a serious and impactful film when he chooses to.

As a huge movie fan, I’ve noticed a pattern: put a really heartfelt, emotional film up against a non-stop action blockbuster, and the one with the explosions usually wins. That’s definitely reflected in the audience reaction to this movie – people seem to love it, giving it an 83% score. Critics are also surprisingly positive! One reviewer even went so far as to call it Michael Bay’s best film, which is a bold statement. Some might joke that’s not saying much, but you’ll find plenty of people who’ll passionately defend Bay’s work as some of the greatest action blockbusters ever made.

Viewers have been sharing enthusiastic reactions to the film. One person was surprised it was directed by Michael Bay, noting the lack of his typical explosive effects and glamorous imagery, but still called it a fantastic movie. Others described it as incredibly anxiety-inducing and a powerful, gripping film that everyone should see.

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2025-11-11 16:20