Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley‘s biographical spy thriller is coming to Netflix. Oliver Stone directed the film and it originally premiered at San Diego Comic-Con in 2016.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley Streaming on Netflix
Snowden is now available to stream on Netflix from today, July 15, 2026. Originally released in 2016, the movie runs two hours and 14 minutes and dramatizes one of the most explosive intelligence leaks in US history.
The story follows Edward Snowden, a former US Army recruit who eventually becomes an intelligence contractor for the CIA and NSA. As he uncovers the extent of the government’s global surveillance programs, Snowden faces an impossible choice of remaining silent or risking everything to expose the truth.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt takes the lead role in the movie as Edward Sweden, producing one of his most focused performances. Alongside Snowden is his longtime partner, Shailene Woodley, as Lindsay Mills. The film also features an ensemble cast including Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, Tom Wilkinson, Scott Eastwood, Rhys Ifans, Timothy Olyphant, Nicolas Cage, and others.
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone has directed this film, which he also co-wrote with Kieran Fitzgerald. The story is adapted from the books: The Snowden Files and Time of the Octopus.
Snowden received mixed reviews from critics, but Gordon-Levitt’s performance has received great praise. As of writing, the film holds a 61% Tomatometer score and a 70% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the star power, the film grossed only $37.3 million against a $40 million budget during its theatrical run, distributed by Open Road Films and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Fans who like political thrillers will likely enjoy Snowden. Instead of a large action, the film builds suspense through espionage, government secrecy, and the moral consequences of leaking classified information. It’s a real-world story, and strong performances from actors make it a worthy watch even years after its original release.
