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Skyscraper (2018 film)

Skyscraper is a 2018 American action thriller film written, produced and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Skyscraper is a 2018 American action thriller film written, produced and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber. It stars Dwayne Johnson as a former FBI hostage rescue leader and war veteran who must save his family from a burning Hong Kong skyscraper after being framed for the attack. The film premiered in Beijing on July 2, 2018, and was released in U.S. cinemas on July 13, 2018.

Plot

The film follows Will Sawyer as he assesses the security of the world’s tallest building in Hong Kong. When the tower is set on fire and his family is trapped inside, he must clear his name and reach them before the situation worsens.

Cast and characters

Dwayne Johnson plays Will Sawyer. The supporting cast includes Neve Campbell, Chin Han, Roland Møller, Noah Taylor, Byron Mann, Pablo Schreiber, and Hannah Quinlivan.

Production and release

Skyscraper was written, produced, and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber. It premiered in Beijing on July 2, 2018, and opened in the United States on July 13, 2018.

Reception and box office

The film earned approximately $304 million worldwide on a reported budget of $125 million. Its theatrical release and home-release details place it among Dwayne Johnson’s major action films of 2018.

Key facts

  • The film centres on Will Sawyer, a former FBI hostage rescue leader who works as a security consultant for skyscrapers.
  • The story is set around a newly built Hong Kong tower that catches fire during an attack.
  • Will is framed for the incident and must rescue his family trapped inside the building.
  • Rawson Marshall Thurber wrote, produced, and directed the film.
  • It grossed about $304 million worldwide against a reported budget of $125 million.
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Canadian context

The film features Canadian actress Neve Campbell in a major supporting role, which may be of interest to Canadian readers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Skyscraper about?
It follows a former FBI hostage rescue leader who must save his family from a burning Hong Kong skyscraper after being framed for the attack.
Who directed Skyscraper?
Rawson Marshall Thurber wrote, produced, and directed the film.
Who stars in Skyscraper?
The film stars Dwayne Johnson, with Neve Campbell, Chin Han, Roland Møller, Noah Taylor, Byron Mann, Pablo Schreiber, and Hannah Quinlivan in supporting roles.
When was Skyscraper released?
It premiered in Beijing on July 2, 2018, and was released in the United States on July 13, 2018.
How long is Skyscraper?
Its runtime is 1 hour and 42 minutes.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyscraper_(2018_film)
    Supports: Plot, director, cast, premiere date, U.S. release date, and box office.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5758778/
    Supports: Runtime, genre, rating, and U.S. release date.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/skyscraper_2018
    Supports: Synopsis, director, rating, genre, and U.S. release date.
  4. Universal Pictures / YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9QePUT-Yt8
    Supports: Film premise, principal cast, and production credits.