Is G.I. Joe: Retaliation Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, G.I. Joe: Retaliation is likely a skip if you enjoy Action movies.
It features a runtime of 110 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation Review
Last updated: January 11, 2026
The Premise
Released in 2013, G.I. Joe: Retaliation enters the Action genre with a narrative focused on Framed for crimes against the country, the G. Under the direction of Jon M. Chu, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from Dwayne Johnson. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
Technical Mastery & Style
From a technical standpoint, G.I. Joe: Retaliation offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. The sharp editing keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, maximizing the impact of the key sequences.
Social Impact & Cultural Context
Beyond the narrative, G.I. Joe: Retaliation resonates with current cultural themes in the Action space. It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.
Where to Watch & Streaming Info
As of early 2026, G.I. Joe: Retaliation is available for streaming on Netflix. For audiences in the US, UK, and India, digital rentals are typically available on platforms like Apple TV roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release.
Narrative Arc & Plot Breakdown
The plot of G.I. Joe: Retaliation centers on a unique premise within the Action landscape. Framed for crimes against the country, the G.I. Joe team is terminated by Presidential order. This forces the G.I. Joes into not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence. The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 2013 cinema will find fairly predictable.
Ending Explained & Sequel Potential
The ending of G.I. Joe: Retaliation has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a G.I. Joe: Retaliation sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
Final Editorial Verdict
Final verdict for G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013): with an audience rating of 5.7/10, the reception has been divisive. It is a recommended for fans of Action, Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller cinema who appreciate attention to detail.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $130,000,000 |
| Worldwide Gross | $371,900,000 |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
G.I. Joe: Retaliation Budget
The estimated production budget for G.I. Joe: Retaliation is $130,000,000. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Where to Watch G.I. Joe: Retaliation Online?
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Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeParents Guide & Age Rating
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.7/10, and global collection metrics, G.I. Joe: Retaliation stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2013 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is G.I. Joe: Retaliation movie hit or flop?
G.I. Joe: Retaliation has received mixed reviews with a 5.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is G.I. Joe: Retaliation worth watching?
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Science Fiction, Adventure movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch G.I. Joe: Retaliation online?
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is currently available for streaming on Netflix. You can also check for it on platforms like Netflix depending on your region.
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People Also Ask (FAQs)
Is G.I. Joe: Retaliation movie hit or flop?
G.I. Joe: Retaliation has received mixed reviews with a 5.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is G.I. Joe: Retaliation worth watching?
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Science Fiction, Adventure movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch G.I. Joe: Retaliation online?
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is currently available for streaming on Netflix. You can also check for it on platforms like Netflix depending on your region.
What is the story of G.I. Joe: Retaliation?
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is a Action, Science Fiction, Adventure movie that follows: Framed for crimes against the country, the G.I. Joe team is terminated by Presidential order. This forces the G.I. Joes into not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with...
Is G.I. Joe: Retaliation family friendly?
G.I. Joe: Retaliation falls under Action, Science Fiction, Adventure, which often contain intense scenes. Parental discretion is advised.
What language is G.I. Joe: Retaliation available in?
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is primarily available in its original language, with subtitles and dubbed versions available on various streaming services and digital stores.
Part of the G.I. Joe (Live-Action) Collection
Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.
View Full FranchiseSynopsis
Framed for crimes against the country, the G.I. Joe team is terminated by Presidential order. This forces the G.I. Joes into not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence.
Critic Reviews
This is actually the third time seeing this, not because I liked it nor am that big of a fan of the toy line it spawned from, but saw this in the theaters, then again on Blu-ray and now on 4K Ultra HD, the latter two times for review. I had doubt this third viewing would make much of a difference and while I found it entertaining and perhaps a slight upgrade in rating (2.75 vs 3.0) and that it was better assembled compared with The Rise of Cobra, including visual effects that was a massive improvement over the video game-y crap in that film), it's still not all that great. I liked the cast including Dwayne Johnson and cutie Adrianne Palicki; while Bruce Willis was alright, albeit phoning it in (I assume he needed to pay off his mortgage to appear in this as the 'Joe' of GI Joe). Doubt there will be a fourth time outside of the "Extended Action Cut" (not included in the 4K Ultra HD set unfortunately), but it's a non-descript and somewhat forgettable popcorn sci-fi action-thriller. **3.0/5**
Well, it wasn't great, but it was leagues above the first outing. Dwayne Johnson wasn't exactly the articulate chef with the heavy machine gun that we all knew and loved, but the story behind and the characters seemed a lot more like the GI Joe of the comic books, the GI Joe of the cartoons. It seemed more like early GI Joe, and early Larry Hama, it seemed more like the era where he was writing a military comic book for a military toy geared towards little boys, rather than the over-the-top gadgets that came in the early 90s. But the main draw is that the characters seemed more keyed to the comic books, more keyed into the file cards, they seemed to have more of a personality than the last installment, and that is what made Joe fun.
With some of my favorite actors like Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson I was really expecting this to be a great movie! It certainly had action and those actors had great lines and roles. But the movie seemed to be split into a bad version of Small Soldiers and a Jackie Chan movie two separate styles each separate and then only tied together by a thin thread towards the end of the movie. Again, feels like more effort could have been put into checking the story before making the movie.