Sudden Death

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Sudden Death

R

1995

1h 50m

Action

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Popcornmeter

53%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Ex-fireman Darren McCord (Jean-Claude Van Damme) has a new job working security at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Hoping to impress his kids, he's scored tickets to the Stanley Cup Finals, unaware that the place has been taken over by a group of terrorists. Ex-CIA agent Joshua Foss (Powers Boothe) is holding the vice president hostage in a press box and plans to blow up the building if he doesn't pay the ransom. But, when Darren learns of his scheme, he jumps into action to save the day.

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Critics Consensus

Sudden Death may not be a classic, but exciting set pieces and strong work from Jean-Claude Van Damme help this action thriller pay off part of its Die Hard debt.

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William Thomas

Empire Magazine

11/13/2017

3/5

Tripe, but hard not to enjoy.

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

02/09/2006

Reuniting Hyams and Van Damme, director and star of Timecop, this spectacular nail-biter exploits their combined, if limited, abilities to the full.

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Stephen Holden

New York Times

05/20/2003

Offers above-average pyrotechnics, a body count that steadily mounts, and plenty of hand-to-hand combat.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Sep 25

7/10

Features a hilariously surprising payoff in its ludicrously over-the-top finale – so excessive, in fact, that it singlehandedly ups the ante on the overall entertainment value.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

09/14/2024

3/4

After the success of Die Hard, it wasn’t much of a surprise to see “Die Hard on a bus” (Speed), “Die Hard on a ship" (Under Siege), etc. But did anyone have “Die Hard at a hockey game” on their bingo card?

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

09/21/2020

C

Instead of scoring with a surefire premise, "Sudden Death" follows the title's direction, keeling over before game even begins.

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Caz M

@CazMartino Feb 15

An overlooked 90s action movie that feels like Die Hard but is a little less believable.

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David S.

@baxter667 Jan 7

One of the better films of JCVD, and more of a thriller, this unique and fun Die Hard in a hockey ring isn't going to win any awards and it certainly isn't the best action film, but it's pretty good. A convincing villain, a likeable JCVD, and a decent plot, you can't go wrong with this one and for a dead weekend, not a bad film and I liked this one!!!

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Dan L.

@dlee2 Jul 5

It's a great movie to pair up with Timecop!

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Johnathon W

@Hoppynsc Jun 18

Solid 'Die Hard' rip-off that while not perfect, makes for one of JCVD's better movies. Van Damme is solid as the leading, playing a loving father just trying to save his kids along with a stadium full of people. He gets a nice villain with Powers Boothe, he nicely hams it up as someone just out for money. Behind the camera, director Peter Hyams delivers a solid action film with some great set pieces that use every aspect of the hockey stadium, from the kitchen to the workout room to even the game itself. The plot does get a bit ridiculous at times (how does Darren know martial arts when he supposed to be a fireman, and the part where he's actually in the game is a bit contrived). Overall, still a fun watch at a tight two hours, though not perfect.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone 04/05/2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme nem o Jean claude van damme, e os personagens são fracos.

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Alex F

@RT88575093 10/10/2024

Sudden Death has many action set pieces. And lots of explosions for a fun watch.

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Peter Hyams

Director

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Darren McCord

Powers Boothe

Joshua Foss

Raymond J. Barry

Vice President

Whittni Wright

Emily McCord

Ross Malinger

Tyler McCord

Sudden Death: Official Clip - Bye Bye, Terrorist

2:58

Sudden Death: Official Clip - Bad Guy On Ice

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Sudden Death: Official Clip - Last Minute Save

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Sudden Death: Official Clip - The Penguin Mascot Fight

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Sudden Death: Official Clip - Hero From Above

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Sudden Death: Official Clip - A Toy Flamethrower

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Sudden Death: Official Clip - Death by Chicken Bone

1:59

Sudden Death: Official Clip - A Good Goalie

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Sudden Death: Official Clip - I'll Find the Bombs Myself

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Sudden Death: Official Clip - The Best Kind of Lunatic

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Synopsis

Ex-fireman Darren McCord (Jean-Claude Van Damme) has a new job working security at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Hoping to impress his kids, he's scored tickets to the Stanley Cup Finals, unaware that the place has been taken over by a group of terrorists. Ex-CIA agent Joshua Foss (Powers Boothe) is holding the vice president hostage in a press box and plans to blow up the building if he doesn't pay the ransom. But, when Darren learns of his scheme, he jumps into action to save the day.

Director: Peter Hyams
Producer: Moshe Diamant, Howard Baldwin
Screenwriter: Karen Elise Baldwin, Gene Quintano
Production Co: Signature Films, Imperial Entertainment, Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.2M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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