The Kingdom had mixed reviews upon its release around the world. While some critics thought the action and intensity kept the film's pace strong, many writers thought the plot incomprehensible and the style formulaic. Several Middle Eastern critics in particular accused the The Kingdom of being xenophobic and simplifying the crises in that part of the world.
Film.com's Jonathan Richards enjoyed the film most during his action sequences and the Baltimore Sun's Michael Sragow calls The Kingdom taut, tense and "finely acted." William Arnold from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer praises Jamie Foxx's performance and a subplot about a friendship he develops in Saudi Arabia.
Premiere Magazine's Glenn Kenny writes one of The Kingdom's more scathing reviews, accusing the film of appealing to people's bloodlust. Entertainment Weekly's Lisa Schwarzbaum calls the film "shameless" for not accurately presenting the political issues raised.