Best Movies About Presidents

From Oliver Stone, starring Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau
Rated R

JFK is a 1991 historical drama directed by Oliver Stone. The film is a dramatized re-telling of the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The film follows New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) as he investigates and attempts to prosecute the suspected conspirators involved in the assassination. With a cast of notable actors such as Kevin Bacon, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and Joe Pesci, the film was a box office success and was nominated for 8 Academy Awards, winning 2. JFK is a riveting drama that remains one of the most acclaimed films of its time.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, Fritz Weaver, Dan O'Herlihy
Rated Approved

Fail Safe is a 1964 Cold War political thriller directed by Sidney Lumet. Something goes wrong when an American bomber is sent on a top-secret mission to deliver an atomic bomb to Moscow. After being ordered to drop the bomb, the bomber's crew are unable to receive recall orders due to a power failure. The President of the United States and his advisors must struggle with the dilemma of trying to stop the bomber before it reaches its target, while also trying to avoid an all-out war with the Soviet Union. The film stars Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau and Dan O'Herlihy, and features a gripping score composed by composer Jerry Goldsmith.

From Ron Howard, starring Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell
Rated R

Frost/Nixon is a 2008 film directed by Ron Howard, based on the play of the same name by Peter Morgan. The film follows the historic interviews between British television host David Frost (Michael Sheen) and former President Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) as Frost attempts to extract a confession from Nixon about his involvement in the Watergate scandal. The film also portrays Frost's legal and political maneuvering as well as Nixon's attempts to manipulate the media and their respective public images. As the interviews progress, a battle of wits ensues with both men seeking to outmaneuver each other. In the end, Nixon offers up a partial apology to Frost, and Frost walks away with one of the most watched television interviews of all time.

From John Ford, starring Henry Fonda, Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver, Arleen Whelan
Rated Passed

Young Mr. Lincoln is a 1939 biographical drama directed by John Ford, starring Henry Fonda as the iconic 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. The film follows the early life of Lincoln, including his work as a lawyer in Springfield, Illinois, and the impact of the death of his sweetheart Ann Rutledge. The story follows Lincoln through his first legal case, in which he defends two brothers who are wrongfully accused of murder. Through his careful application of the law and his stirring words, Lincoln manages to secure the acquittal of his clients. The film is a well-remembered classic which depicts Lincoln's early life as well as his eventual rise to the Presidency.

From Directors: Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker, starring James Carville, George Stephanopoulos, Heather Beckel, Paul Begala
Rated PG

From Steven Spielberg, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Rated PG-13

From Roger Donaldson, starring Kevin Costner, Bruce Greenwood, Shawn Driscoll, Drake Cook
Rated PG-13

From Steven Spielberg, starring Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman
Rated R

From Adam McKay, starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell
Rated R

From Lee Daniels, starring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda
Rated PG-13

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter, Lillian Carter, Elizabeth Hayes
Rated PG

From Oliver Stone, starring Anthony Hopkins, Joan Allen, Powers Boothe, Ed Harris
Rated R

From George Clooney, starring Paul Giamatti, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ryan Gosling
Rated R

From Ivan Reitman, starring Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella, Kevin Dunn
Rated PG-13

From Rod Lurie, starring Joan Allen, Gary Oldman, Jeff Bridges, Christian Slater
Rated R

From Rob Reiner, starring Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox
Rated PG-13

From Mike Nichols, starring John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Kathy Bates, Larry Hagman
Rated R

From Pablo Larraín, starring Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup
Rated R

From Antoine Fuqua, starring Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett
Rated R

From Roland Emmerich, starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke
Rated PG-13