Draft Day

On draft day, Sonny Weaver Jr., the newly appointed general manager of the Cleveland Browns, confronts a make or break moment to reshape his roster. He shoots for the top draft pick hoping a single bold move will flip a franchise under the glare of fans, owners, and a 24/7 media cycle. The clock ticks as scouts, coaches, and executives forecast outcomes while Sonny weighs not only football outcomes but the cost to players who dream of making it. His partner Ali Parker gives him support even as the personal side of his life collides with the high stakes of the job. Veteran owner Anthony Molina and a shrewd rival executive, Vince Penn, push him to decide what he will sacrifice to seize a potentially transformative upgrade. The day becomes a pressure cooker where every choice echoes beyond the war room.

Directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Scott Rothman and Rajiv Joseph, Draft Day renders the NFL draft universe with a brisk, dialogue driven focus. The film stays close to the human pressures of leadership and the delicate balance between risk and responsibility while painting a clear picture of how trades are negotiated in real time.

The film earned $28,831,145 worldwide against a $25 million budget, signaling solid commercial performance without becoming a blockbuster.

Critics highlighted its tight pacing and the way it foregrounds the ethics and loyalties behind front office decisions. The story treats ambition with nuance, showing how professional goals collide with family ties and personal integrity on a single day that can redefine a season.

Behind the scenes the movie captures the rituals of the draft room from early prep to televised moments that determine careers. Costner and Garner anchor the ensemble, giving the sports world a grounded, human gloss that resonates with fans watching the process unfold.