Top 16 presidential movies

Hollywood can't stay away from films about the White House and the fight to get there. Here’s a look at Post editor David Beard’s picks of cinema's post-1960 presentations of the presidency. In the comments, tell us your favorites.

5 Seconds

00:00

“All the President’s Men” (1976)

What else would you expect us to put first? We had to lead with this mesmerizing look at two young journalists whose work helped down a presidency. Brad Pitt said he sought to replicate the pacing of the Alan Pakula-directed drama in his latest film, "Moneyball."

AFI Stills Collection /

“The American President” (1995)

Aaron Sorkin warmed up for his "West Wing" TV work with this Rob Reiner-directed look at fictional President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) and the tough decisions he’s faced with as an occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Universal Pictures

“Thirteen Days” (2000)

More tough decisions. Cuba. Missiles. Commies. Khrushchev. And Kevin Costner. This serious film, from the point of view of Kennedy aide Kenneth O'Donnell (Costner), steers clear of the Marilyn Monroe-Mimi Alford stuff.

2000 New Line Cinema

"Bob Roberts" (1992)

Enough about Democrats for a moment. Tim Robbins plays a proud member of the 1 percent who can sway clean-cut hippie offspring with his guitar and conservative spin on the Dylan canon, from a sendup of "Subterranean Homesick Blues" to "The Times They Are a Changin'." Let's just say he had a super PAC before super PACs were cool.

--Miramax Films

“Game Change” (2012)

Okay, this one isn't out yet, but we know how the story goes. Ed Harris and Julianne Moore (as John McCain and Sarah Palin) are in the cast of this cinematic version of the 2008 presidential campaign, from the bestseller by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann.

HBO

“Head of State” (2003)

Chris Rock as the president. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more mordant (and direct) satire of Washington power and influence than "State," which features a bravura performance by Bernie Mac as Rock's street-smart, straight-talking brother.

Dreamworks LLC

“Primary Colors” (1998)

Well, this is pretty mordant. John Travolta and Emma Thompson work on their Clinton impersonations in this version of Joe Klein's not very camouflaged "novel" about a very charismatic — but unconventional — political couple.

Universal Pictures

“Dave” (1993)

A presidential look-alike (Kevin Kline) finds himself thrust into power. With determination and common sense — and the help of his accountant pal (Charles Grodin) — he begins to figure it out.

Warner Bros. Pictures

“Being There” (1979)

How's this for an ordinary guy thrust into power? Peter Sellers is Chance, a simple gardener whose aphorisms are liberally interpreted by the power elite, sending him soaring into the president's inner circle. Being simple, Chance stays on message, not tempted by money or a sexy Shirley MacLaine. "I like to watch," he parries.

Warner Bros. Entertainment

“Dick” (1999)

So, you're in high school, like, and you end up hanging out in the Nixon White House. And OMG, they're not such bad guys after all. But — now this is the weird part — there's this whole secret taping system. Sorry, Woodward and Bernstein, here's how Kirsten Dunst and a pre-"Marilyn" Michelle Williams saved American democracy.

Columbia Pictures

“Wag the Dog” (1997)

Imagine a country that would fire cruise missiles into another country, partly to distract a nation's attention from a growing scandal surrounding the president. Barry Levinson's all-star satire (with Dustin Hoffman NOT playing a role of a Washington Post reporter) entertains as well, at least most of the way.

New Line Cinema

“The Ides of March” (2011)

George Clooney, whose dad was once a Senate candidate, plays a charismatic governor with his eyes on the Executive Office. Will an insider on his own staff lead to his downfall? Here's Ann Hornaday's review.

Sony Pictures

“JFK” (1991)

Paranoia runs deep. Into the Oliver Stone "JFK"/"Nixon"/"W" triptych it did creep. "JFK" seeks to demolish the single-bullet theory behind Kennedy's 1963 assassination.

Warner Bros.

“Nixon” (1995)

Nixon has poor Anthony Hopkins swaying and raging through the White House in his final days of power, his mind addled by alcohol and Henry Kissinger.

Cinergi Pictures Entertainment

“W.” (2008)

"W." portrays an emotionally needy 43, always seeking daddy's love, delivering the master stroke — the race-baiting Willie Horton ad — to make dad tough enough to win the 1988 elections. But did 41 appreciate him? No! That darned Jeb! I'll show them all! Get me Karl Rove. And Dick Cheney. Josh Brolin transcended the agitprop to portray a very human (and occasionally sympathetic) George W. Bush. Favorite cameo: Rob Corddry as spokesman Ari Fleischer.

Lionsgate

“Frost/Nixon” (2008)

Is there a better performance of the autumn of a president than Frank Langella's turn as Nixon? Lonely, guarded, strategically candid, Langella's Nixon duels with Michael Sheen's driven David Frost (a journalist not previously known as a heavyweight). The taut screenplay, by Peter Morgan ("The Queen," "The Damned United," "The Last King of Scotland"), forms a tidy bookend to "All the President's Men."

Universal Pictures

Featured Photo Galleries

In this image released by the Miss Universe Organization, Miss Washington USA 2012, Christina Clarke; Miss West Virginia USA 2012, Andrea Rogers; and Miss Wisconsin USA 2012, Emily Guerin compete in their swimwear by Kooey Australia and fashion footwear by Chinese Laundry during the 2012 Miss USA Presentation Show on May 30, 2012 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2012 MISS USA Pageant will air LIVE on NBC June 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET from the Theatre for Performing Arts in Las Vegas. = RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT 'AFP PHOTO / Miss Universe Organization / DARREN DECKER' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS =DARREN DECKER/AFP/GettyImages

Miss Universe, Beijing Aquarium, National Spelling Bee and more in the day in photos

Miss Universe, Beijing Aquarium, National Spelling Bee and more.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 30: Jon Stewart attends the Sesame Street Workshop 10th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 30, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jon Stewart, Justin Bieber, Bruce Springsteen, Lil Wayne, Michelle Williams and other celebrities.

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is seen in a camera on the end of the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm as it moves away from the station in preparation for its return to earth in this image from NASA TV May 31, 2012. REUTERS/NASA TV (SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

SpaceX prepares to return home

The SpaceX Dragon capsule detached from the international space station Thursday morning.

Police investigate the scene where a man who was believed to have shot and killed several people earlier in the day shot himself Wednesday, May 30, 2012, in the West Seattle neighborhood of Seattle. A gunman opened fire at a Seattle cafe earlier Wednesday, killing three people and critically wounding two others and later a man believed to be the same suspect shot and killed a woman and took her car near downtown, abandoning it less than two miles from where the alleged shooter shot himself as officers closed in on him, authorities said. His condition wasn't immediately known. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Gunman kills five, shoots himself in Seattle

A gunman killed five people in Seattle — four at a cafe and another in a carjacking.

LANDOVER, MD May 30, 2012 U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Fabian Johnson (23) hits a crossing pass to forward Herculez Gomez (9) for their 1st half goal against Brazil Men's National Team goalie Rafael (12) on May 30, 2012 in Landover, MD (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)

Brazil too much for U.S. to handle

Herculez Gomez scores just before halftime, but Brazil runs away with a 4-1 victory.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

Editor’s choice: Reader-submitted photos

Some of the Post’s top picks of snapshots taken and submitted by readers.

HANDOUT PHOTO: Camera men film as the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station (ISS) crew, U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, blasts off from it's launch pad at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. (Courtesy of Shamil Zhumatov/ADAY.org)

A snapshot of life

ADAY.org aimed to capture a picture of life across the globe on one day: May, 15, 2012.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.