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Timeline

Olympus Has Fallen (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 120 min · English
JustWatch #10,493 428
Directed by
Antoine Fuqua
Starring
Gerard Butler, Angela Bassett, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Robert Forster, Ashley Judd
Budget
$70M

When terrorists attack the White House, President Benjamin Asher and his staff are taken hostage. Former Secret Service agent Mike Banning, now disgraced, finds himself in a desperate race against time. He must locate the President's son, who is missing, before the terrorists do, and then devise a plan to rescue both him and the President from the escalating crisis.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Olympus Has Fallen
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Olympus Has Fallen (2013)

Where can you watch Olympus Has Fallen? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, AMC and AMC+: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Olympus Has Fallen Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Olympus Has Fallen (2013) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Mike Banning's Role

    Former U.S. Army Ranger Mike Banning becomes an esteemed Secret Service agent, tasked with leading the Presidential Detail. His career reflects dedication to protecting the President and maintaining his bond with the Asher family.

  2. The Christmas Incident

    On a fateful Christmas evening, a tree unexpectedly falls onto President Asher's convoy while traveling from Camp David. The tree causes the vehicles to skid on black ice, resulting in a tragic plunge into an icy river, leading to significant loss.

    When
    Christmas evening
    Where
    Icy river en route to campaign fundraiser
  3. Aftermath of the Crash

    The aftermath of the Christmas incident is devastating, as First Lady Margaret Asher, along with two agents, loses her life in the accident. Mike Banning grapples with the haunting memories of that night as he navigates his reassignment.

    When
    Eighteen months later
  4. Meeting with South Korean Prime Minister

    Eighteen months post-accident, President Asher meets with South Korean Prime Minister Lee Tae-Woo. During this crucial meeting, the event is violently interrupted by Korean-led guerrilla forces, leading to a full-scale assault on the White House.

    Where
    White House
  5. White House Assault

    As the guerrilla forces launch their attack, chaos reigns in the White House with numerous casualties reported. President Asher and other officials are forced to retreat to a bunker as the situation escalates beyond control.

    Where
    White House
  6. Kang Yeonsak's Revenge

    The orchestrator of the White House attack, Kang Yeonsak, seeks revenge for his parents' deaths, taking advantage of the tumult. His objective is to use President Asher as leverage to obtain nuclear codes and manipulate U.S. military operations.

  7. Banning's Return

    In the midst of the White House chaos, Mike Banning returns to action, determined to thwart the terrorist threat. His first mission is to disable internal surveillance systems and connect with Allan Trumbull, the acting President.

    Where
    White House
  8. Rescuing Connor

    Banning learns that Kang Yeonsak plans to use President Asher's son, Connor, as part of his leverage. Demonstrating his elite skills, Banning bravely locates Connor and escorts him to safety amidst the unfolding crisis.

  9. Confrontation with Forbes

    Mike faces off against Dave Forbes, who is a traitor within the ranks. He cleverly misleads Forbes into believing he is defeated, while he secretly continues with his rescue mission, strategizing for a counterattack.

  10. Aerial Assault Ordered

    Acting President Trumbull issues an aerial assault on the White House, oblivious to the complex realities of the ground situation. Banning warns against this strategy, highlighting the advanced anti-aircraft threats that have been strategically positioned.

    Where
    White House
  11. The Vice President's Loss

    Tragedy strikes as Kang’s forces retaliate against the aerial assault, resulting in the death of Vice President Charlie Rodriguez. This loss amplifies the urgency of Banning's mission to reclaim the White House.

    Where
    White House
  12. Banning's Tactical Victory

    Facing dwindling numbers, Banning orchestrates strategic attacks on Kang’s command. A fierce battle ignites as he works diligently to outsmart the enemy while the stakes for hostages in the bunker heighten.

    Where
    White House Bunker
  13. Climactic Showdown

    The tension peaks in a brutal knife fight between Banning and Kang. In a gripping climax, Banning overcomes Kang, disarming him and neutralizing the threats posed by the Cerberus device, a crucial enemy tool.

    Where
    White House
  14. Escape from the White House

    Having defeated the terrorist threats, Banning facilitates the escape of President Asher from the fallen White House. The stronghold of democracy becomes a symbol of conflict yet again, but they manage to survive.

    Where
    White House
  15. The Nation's Healing

    In the aftermath of the brutal assault, Washington, D.C. begins the long process of healing. Banning resumes his role as head of the Presidential Detail, a silent protector as President Asher addresses the nation regarding their shared ordeal.

    Where
    Washington, D.C.

Last updated: October 27, 2024 at 17:14

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Timeline questions answered

Olympus Has Fallen Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Olympus Has Fallen (2013): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Mike Banning reassigned from the Secret Service?

Banning was reassigned to the Treasury Department eighteen months after the Christmas accident. Although he survived, he carried guilt over failing to protect First Lady Margaret Asher, who died in the river crash. President Asher could no longer maintain a connection with Banning due to the painful memories of that night.

Foreshadowing: The warm bond between Banning and the Asher family in the opening scenes makes his later rejection feel devastating.

  • mike banning
  • secret service
  • reassigned
  • president asher
  • first lady death
Q2

Why did Kang Yeonsak attack the White House?

Kang Yeonsak attacked the White House to exact revenge for his parents' deaths and to manipulate U.S. military presence in Korea. He used President Asher as leverage to secure nuclear codes, planning to use them to force American military withdrawal from Korea and create chaos within the United States.

  • kang yeonsak
  • white house attack
  • revenge
  • nuclear codes
  • terrorist
Q3

Why did the aerial assault on the White House fail?

The aerial assault failed because Kang's forces had strategically positioned advanced anti-aircraft systems around the White House. When acting President Trumbull ordered the attack, the helicopters were met with heavy fire, resulting in catastrophic losses and the death of Vice President Charlie Rodriguez.

  • aerial assault
  • vice president
  • anti-aircraft
  • trumbull
  • military failure
Q4

Why did President Asher agree to reveal the nuclear codes?

President Asher agreed to reveal the nuclear codes to save the officials and agents being held hostage in the bunker. He instructed them to give up the codes, prioritizing the lives of his people over his own safety and the security risk the codes posed.

  • president asher
  • nuclear codes
  • hostage
  • bunker
  • code reveal
Q5

What was the Cerberus device in the White House?

The Cerberus was a device created by Kang Yeonsak that could activate U.S. nuclear missiles. It was his tool to launch nuclear strikes once he obtained the codes from President Asher. Banning ultimately disarmed the device during their climactic fight in the bunker.

  • cerberus device
  • nuclear missiles
  • kang yeonsak
  • weapon
  • activation
Q6

Who was Dave Forbes in the White House attack?

Dave Forbes was a traitor within South Korean Prime Minister Lee Tae-Woo's protection detail. He collaborated with Kang Yeonsak's guerrilla forces, helping them launch the assault from inside the security perimeter. Banning later confronted and dealt with Forbes during the chaos.

  • dave forbes
  • traitor
  • prime minister
  • security detail
  • betrayal
Q7

How did Mike Banning rescue Connor Asher?

After re-entering the White House, Banning disabled internal surveillance and contacted acting President Trumbull. Learning that Kang planned to use Connor as leverage, Banning used his elite Ranger training to locate the boy in the hostage area and escorted him to safety before continuing the mission.

  • connor asher
  • rescue
  • hostage
  • banning
  • white house siege
Q8

What caused the Christmas accident that killed the First Lady?

A tree fell onto President Asher's convoy during the drive from Camp David to a campaign fundraiser. The tree caused the vehicles to skid on black ice, sending them plunging into an icy river. First Lady Margaret Asher was left unconscious and drowned along with two other agents.

  • christmas accident
  • first lady
  • icy river
  • convoy
  • black ice
Q9

How did Mike Banning defeat Kang Yeonsak?

Banning outmaneuvered Kang's remaining forces through tactical attacks on their command. In the final confrontation, Banning fought Kang in a brutal knife battle inside the White House bunker. He overcame Kang and disarmed the Cerberus device, neutralizing the nuclear threat.

  • kang yeonsak
  • knife fight
  • bunker
  • cerberus
  • defeat
Q10

Why did Vice President Rodriguez die?

Vice President Charlie Rodriguez was killed when Kang's forces retaliated against the failed aerial assault. After Trumbull ordered the attack, Kang's anti-aircraft systems destroyed the incoming helicopters, and Kang's men executed Rodriguez as part of their response.

  • vice president
  • rodriguez
  • death
  • aerial assault
  • retaliation

Movie threads

More Movies Like Olympus Has Fallen, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Olympus Has Fallen tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Single location siege action movies like Olympus Has Fallen

High-stakes thrillers centered around defending a fortified location against an overwhelming threat. If you liked the relentless, claustrophobic tension of Olympus Has Fallen, you'll enjoy these other movies about defending a single location under siege. This collection features high-stakes action thrillers where heroes are trapped and must fight against overwhelming odds to survive and protect their fortress.

  • tense
  • claustrophobic
  • urgent
  • action-packed
  • desperate
  • anxious
  • Tone: tense, desperate
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a surprise attack on a secure location, immediately trapping the protagonists. The story unfolds as a desperate battle of wits and attrition, focusing on survival, holding the line, and often devising a last-ditch plan to turn the tables on the attackers against a ticking clock.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared high-intensity, fast-paced structure that creates a constant state of anxiety and urgency. They share a focus on tactical problem-solving under extreme pressure, the theme of resilience against an overwhelming force, and a tense, action-packed mood that rarely lets up.

Disgraced hero redemption mission movies like Olympus Has Fallen

Stories where a fallen protagonist gets one chance to prove their worth and save the day. Fans of Mike Banning's redemption arc in Olympus Has Fallen will appreciate these other movies about disgraced heroes getting a chance to save the day. This list includes action-packed thrillers and dramas where a flawed protagonist must overcome past failures in a high-stakes mission to prove their true worth.

  • redemption
  • tense
  • urgent
  • determined
  • action-packed
  • personal struggle
  • Tone: tense, determined
  • Pacing: fast, driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a skilled individual haunted by a past mistake or disgrace. A new, dire emergency arises where their unique expertise is needed, placing them on a dangerous path. The journey is as much about overcoming internal doubts and external skepticism as it is about the physical mission, culminating in a triumphant restoration of their reputation.

Why they belong together: These movies share a compelling character arc centered on redemption, paired with high-stakes action. The combination of personal struggle against a backdrop of a larger crisis creates a powerful emotional throughline. The tone is often tense and urgent, driven by the protagonist's need to succeed where they previously failed.

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Every angle

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