12 of the best movies and shows that feature U.S. presidents
Stars of the show...
(SHAUN CURRY/AFP via Getty Images)
With Presidents’ Day weekend here, there’s no better way to celebrate America’s commanders-in-chief in 2022 than by sitting around and watching something. Whether it’s been the small or big screen, there have been plenty of movies and shows featuring United States Presidents.
Here’s a look at some of our favorites:
"Lincoln" (2012)
DreamWorks Pictures/20th Century Fox
Director Steven Spielberg helps bring to life a specific part of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency. The film, starring Daniel Day-Lewis (who won an Oscar for his performance) focuses on the first months of Lincoln’s second term.
"All the President’s Men" (1976)
GPN
A film that is centered around President Richard Nixon… but the flick actually doesn’t focus on him much at all. Rather, the movie follows now legendary Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman), who are credited with exposing the Watergate scandal.
"Thirteen Days" (2000)
(LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)
The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis was thankfully a silent, yet extremely pivotal moment in history. Following the Soviet-United States episode involving nuclear weapons, “Thirteen Days” explains the behind the scenes difficulties President John F. Kennedy (Bruce Greenwood) faced during the episode.
"Nixon" (1995)
Illusion Entertainment
The fall of President Richard Nixon is a story that writes itself for the big screen. He is the only President to be removed from office, after all. But for those looking for a deeper look at the man himself, the simple-named film “Nixon” from director Oliver Stone displays the former President (Anthony Hopkins) and his struggles with inner demons leading to his eventual downfall.
"Frost/Nixon" (2008)
Courtesy of Photofest
Another President Nixon picture… and another not just about him. This one surrounds Nixon (Frank Langella) and David Frost (Michael Sheen) and the post-resignation exclusive interview the two had.
"John Adams" (TV Miniseries - 2008)
HBO
President John Adams (Paul Giamatti) sometimes has his impact on early America overlooked a bit in the history books. Or at least it feels that way next to the likes of guys like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Not the case in the award-winning seven-part series from HBO.
"Hyde Park on Hudson" (2012)
Focus Features film image
Bill Murray starring as Franklin D. Roosevelt is a curious enough sight alone to pull some of us in. “Hyde Park on Hudson” is a bit of a historical comedy-drama pulls the curtain back on FDR’s personal life.
"W" (2008)
Emperor Motion Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock
Presidents go pretty far back, but stay closer to home with “W.” The third of director Oliver Stone’s Presidential trilogies follows President George W. Bush (Josh Brolin) from his Texas beginnings to his tumultuous journey in office which turned out to be a volatile time in American politics.
"JFK" (1991)
Warner Bros.
Time to round out Oliver Stone’s flicks. The first of the trio was “JFK.” Surrounding the President’s end via his assassination, the film isn’t really about President John F. Kennedy aside from that. Rather, it’s about New Orleans D.A. Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) and his challenge to the theory that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.
"Hamilton" (2020)
Disney+
So Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda) was not a President. Still, the super popular Broadway show-turned-small screen musical is a very popular streaming option that gets the Presidential vibes going… plus several early Presidents such as George Washington and James Madison are portrayed in it.
"Turn: Washington's Spies" (series - 2014)
AMC
Another non-direct President feature… but George Washington (Ian Kahn) does eventually become a big player in AMC’s series based on his spy ring during the Revolutionary War.
"LBJ" (2017)
Electric Entertainment
“LBJ” takes a look at a distinctly emotional period of American history. The transition of power from JFK to President Lyndon B. Johnson (Woody Harrelson) following assassination.
