The American President

Play trailer

The American President

PG-13

1995

1h 54m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

131 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

With the end of his first term in sight, widowed U.S. President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) knows that overwhelming public support will guarantee his re-election. But when he falls in love with lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), Shepherd's supporters question the relationship, and his approval ratings drop. As a rival presidential candidate goes on the attack, Shepherd must choose between his political career and his love for Sydney.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

A charming romantic comedy with political bite, Rob Reiner's The American President features strong lead performances and some poignant observations of politics and media in the 1990s.

Read Critics Reviews

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Jan 22

4/4

Director Rob Reiner has picked himself up off the floor that was his last picture, North, and created simply one of the year's best films, one filled with sparkling performances by Michael Douglas and Annette Bening and bright writing by Aaron Sorkin.

Go to Full Review

Bob Fenster

Arizona Republic

Jan 22

The American President is sophisticated, witty and wonderful, an intelligent comedy that finds a wealth of humor in the unlikely dual pursuit of the presidency and romance.

Go to Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

Jan 22

3/4

Reiner gets at least half of what he wants: the comic-romantic part. When the movie focuses on the relationship between President Andrew Shepherd and lobbyist Sydney Wade, it's a funny, sparkling show.

Go to Full Review

Mike Roberts

The Province (Vancouver)

Apr 14

4/4

What we've got here is a damn good story and some fine acting by all involved. Michael Douglas shines. Annette Bening positively glows and Martin Sheen and Michael J. Fox are downright funny.

Go to Full Review

Amy Dawes

Los Angeles Daily News

Jan 22

4/4

The American President is mainstream filmmaking at its sparkling best, a charmer of a movie bound to sweep audiences off their feet into the holiday season.

Go to Full Review

Steve Persall

Tampa Bay Times

Jan 22

A

After last year's vilified North, Reiner has shaped a comeback worthy of Richard Nixon. His deft hand, Sorkin's script and two magnetic stars should put The American President on the Oscar ballot when that "other" election rolls around next spring.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Julianne C.

@SloaneCelenne Mar 23

Charming movie with an all star cast. Written well, acted well. This movie proves explicit content isnt needed to tell a good story.

See more

Brian D

@Brianwd Feb 24

82%. 2/22/26. Entertaining, witty, fun film. Well written by Aaron Sorkin - does a good job mixing serious issues with funny spins. Love the start how she's bashing the president and he walks in and overhears her but immediately is fascinated by her. When he calls her at home is really funny too. Interesting to see him balance his relationship and his agenda. Cute film. 4/5 rewatch

See more

Yash B

@yashbansal Feb 20

"The American President" is a fascinating movie that may almost feel overly optimistic in the modern day. I feel like the kind of positive feeling it evokes is far removed from the current state of politics, but it does give the world something to strive towards. While I don't feel this is among Rob Reiner's best films or even Aaron Sorkin's best scripts, it is still a good film, with drama and romance at the forefront. I liked the performances, and even though it is not the type of movie that usually draws me in, I felt engaged by it. Overall, it is a movie worth watching because of the great collaboration between Reiner and Sorkin and because it still feels timely, regardless of how things may seem these days.

See more

William R.

@MileHighMilk Jan 7

Charming movie with solid acting.

See more

Tim M

@tgmacman Dec 31

The American President finds Aaron Sorkin entering somewhat formulaic territory, but his dialogue remains reliably sizzling with capable actors to realize it.

See more

Glen F.

@Caddisboy Dec 17

With what’s going on in the country today, This was a very nice reprieve. Just a sweet movie with no major entanglements.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Rob Reiner

Director

Michael Douglas

President Andrew Shepherd

Annette Bening

Sydney Ellen Wade

Martin Sheen

A.J. MacInerney

Michael J. Fox

Lewis Rothschild

David Paymer

Leon Kodak

View more videos

Much Ado About Nothing

90%

86%

Much Ado About Nothing

Watchlist

And So It Goes

16%

40%

And So It Goes

Watchlist

Save the Last Dance

54%

59%

Save the Last Dance

Watchlist

Don Juan DeMarco

70%

68%

Don Juan DeMarco

Watchlist

Drive Me Crazy

27%

53%

Drive Me Crazy

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

With the end of his first term in sight, widowed U.S. President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) knows that overwhelming public support will guarantee his re-election. But when he falls in love with lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), Shepherd's supporters question the relationship, and his approval ratings drop. As a rival presidential candidate goes on the attack, Shepherd must choose between his political career and his love for Sydney.

Director: Rob Reiner
Producer: Rob Reiner
Screenwriter: Aaron Sorkin
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo, Columbia Tristar, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Universal Pictures, Castle Rock Entertainment, Wildwood Enterprises
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $59.0M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround