Two-Minute Warning
Performance & Direction: Two-Minute Warning Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Two-Minute Warning (1976) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and Two-Minute Warning features a noteworthy lineup led by Charlton Heston . Supported by the likes of John Cassavetes and Martin Balsam , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Two-Minute Warning
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1976, Two-Minute Warning is a Action, Thriller film directed by Larry Peerce. The narrative delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Charlton Heston.
Ending Explained: Two-Minute Warning
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Larry Peerce, Two-Minute Warning concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Charlton Heston, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Two-Minute Warning reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Two-Minute Warning?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Charlton Heston or the director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Box Office Collection: Two-Minute Warning
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $6.7M |
| Worldwide Gross | $6.7M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Two-Minute Warning Budget
The estimated production budget for Two-Minute Warning is $6.7M. 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.
Top Cast: Two-Minute Warning
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Where to Watch Two-Minute Warning Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoTwo-Minute Warning Parents Guide & Age Rating
1976 AdvisoryWondering about Two-Minute Warning age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Two-Minute Warning is 115 minutes (1h 55m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.2/10, and global performance metrics, Two-Minute Warning is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1976 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Two-Minute Warning worth watching?
Two-Minute Warning is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 6.2/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Two-Minute Warning parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Two-Minute Warning identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Two-Minute Warning?
The total duration of Two-Minute Warning is 115 minutes, which is approximately 1h 55m long.
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Critic Reviews for Two-Minute Warning
Undervalued thriller. A lone gunman has his sights set on a sell-out crowd at a championship football game. Captain Peter Holly leads the desperate fight to try and stop the maniac from picking people off at will. Perched high on top of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the gunman has his pick of the targets, the Mayor -the President - or merely the innocent? Either way he has to be stopped before all hell breaks loose. Much like "Rollercoaster" a year later, Two-Minute Warning is wrongly lumped in with the disaster movie genre that flooded the 1970s, and just like Rollercoaster, Two-Minute Warning is an excellently taut thriller. The build up is paced to precision, all characters are introduced to us to give us something to associate with should things go very wrong. As this is happening we get little POV snippets of our killer, accompanied by Charles Fox's harshly impacting music, the killer is never seen but we feel the dread, the impending sense of murder is a constant presence. Once we are at the game and the authorities are aware that a sniper is on the roof, the film shifts up a gear and lays on the suspense thick and heavy. Captain Holly (Charlton Heston in authoritative scene commanding form) is joined by the SWAT team, led by the cool and serious Sgt. Chris Button (John Cassavetes), whilst stadium security manager Sam McKeever (Martin Balsam) prays that disaster can be averted. Then the final third of the picture is a ripper of heart pounding stuff, a final third that rewards the viewers patience for having invested in the film and the key characters. Filling out the cast is Gena Rowlands, Jack Klugman (brilliant interplay with Mitch Ryan's priest), Beau Bridges, Walter Pidgeon and David Jansen. Two-Minute Warning is a quality thriller that is sadly undervalued on the big IMDb site, go on, give it a go and you might just be pleasantly surprised. 7.5/10 Footnote: I should point out that my thoughts are on the original unedited cut of this film, I have never seen the watered down TV cut and have no plans to ever do so.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
