Fail Safe (1964) movie poster
Seen it?

Fail Safe

Movie·1964·Thriller, Drama, War·1h 52m·7.8 (470)·Directed by Sidney Lumet

Not streaming in your region — see every region's options

Because of a technical defect an American bomber team mistakenly orders the destruction of Moscow. The President of the United States has but little time to prevent an atomic catastrophe from occurring.

Castfull cast & details

Henry FondaHenry FondaThe PresidentWalter MatthauWalter MatthauProf. GroetescheleFritz WeaverFritz WeaverCol. CascioLarry HagmanLarry HagmanBuckFrank OvertonFrank OvertonGen. BoganEdward BinnsEdward BinnsCol. Jack GradyDan O'HerlihyDan O'HerlihyBrig. Gen. Warren A. BlackWilliam HansenWilliam HansenDefense Secretary Swenson

Movies like Fail Safe all similar movies

The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and rating.

  1. 01Drama·Thriller·WarInglourious Basterds2009Streaming on Peacock PremiumIn Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis.8.2
  2. 02Drama·Thriller·War·HistoryThe Imitation Game2014Streaming on Peacock PremiumBased on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain's top-secret Government Code and…8.0
  3. 03Drama·Thriller·WarBrothers2009When his helicopter goes down during his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan, Marine Sam Cahill is presumed dead.7.3
  4. 04War·Drama·Thriller·Action13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi2016Streaming on Paramount Plus PremiumAn American Ambassador is killed during an attack at a U.S.7.3
  5. 05Drama·Thriller·WarThe Hurt Locker2008During the Iraq War, a Sergeant recently assigned to an army bomb squad is put at odds with his squad mates due to his maverick way of handling his work.7.3
  6. 06Thriller·Drama·War·ActionCrimson Tide1995Streaming on Amazon Prime VideoAfter the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat.7.2

Head-to-head all matchups

Fail Safe against its closest rivals — ratings, votes, runtime and where to stream, side by side.

Fail Safe vs Inglourious BasterdsSide by sideFail Safe vs The Imitation GameSide by sideFail Safe vs BrothersSide by side

Keep exploring top movies

MatchupCompare with another movie

Two films' ratings, runtimes and streaming, side by side.

GenreBest thriller films & shows

The top of the thriller pile, across both mediums.

GenreBest drama films & shows

The top of the drama pile, across both mediums.

Fandom hubThe classic film hub

The whole fandom on one bookmarkable page — rankings, premieres, what's new.