The Campaign 2012

The Campaign

Critics Consensus

Its crude brand of political satire isn't quite as smart or sharp as one might hope in an election year, but The Campaign manages to generate a sufficient number of laughs thanks to its well-matched leads.

66%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 206

51%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 123,155

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The Campaign Photos

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Movie Info

When incumbent Congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) commits a major gaffe, two wealthy CEOs decide to try to gain influence in their district by putting up a rival candidate. Their unlikely choice is a naive tourism director named Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis). Aided by his family's political connections and a cutthroat campaign manager, Marty soon becomes locked in a dead heat with Cam. As Election Day approaches, each man slings mud galore in a last-ditch effort to bury the other.
  • Rating:
    R (Crude Sexual Content|Brief Nudity|Language)
  • Genre:
    comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Jay Roach
  • Producer:
    Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Jay Roach, Zach Galifianakis
  • Writer:
    Chris Henchy, Shawn Harwell
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $86.9M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Gary Sanchez Productions, Everyman Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital

Cast & Crew

Will Ferrell
Cam Brady
Zach Galifianakis
Marty Huggins
Jason Sudeikis
Mitch
Dylan McDermott
Tim Wattley
Katherine LaNasa
Rose Brady
John Lithgow
Glenn Motch
Dan Aykroyd
Wade Motch
Brian Cox
Raymond Huggins
Karen Maruyama
Mrs. Yao
Grant Goodman
Clay Huggins
Jay Roach
Director
Chris Henchy
Screenwriter
Shawn Harwell
Screenwriter
Will Ferrell
Producer
Adam McKay
Producer
Jay Roach
Producer
Zach Galifianakis
Producer
Amy Sayres
Executive Producer
Jon Poll
Executive Producer
Chris Henchy
Executive Producer
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News & Interviews for The Campaign

Weekly Binge: Veep
RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: The Campaign and Alfred Hitchcock
Critics Consensus: The Bourne Legacy Is A Solid Sequel
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Critic Reviews for The Campaign

All Critics (206) | Top Critics (47) | Fresh (136) | Rotten (70)

View All Critic Reviews (206)

Audience Reviews for The Campaign

  • Mar 10, 2017
    A few funny moments, but in light of all the Trump stuff, pretty accurate viewing, even though it was made prior to all this and I am just late watching it. Below average comedy.
    Nicki M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 28, 2014
    A real riot. This movie gets my vote. A raunchy, wild and hilarious comedy. Zach Galifianakis and Will Ferrell are comedy gold together. A super funny satire that packs plenty of laughs and a great cast. Dylan McDermott and Jason Sudeikis are terrific. A really funny good time. Over the top fun from start to finish.
    Al S Super Reviewer
  • Jan 20, 2014
    Bland, boring, and generally unfunny with it's excess use of sex-related humor.
    Max G Super Reviewer
  • Jan 04, 2014
    "The Campaign" starts with Cam Brady(Will Ferrell) well on his way to winning a fifth election to congress in North Carolina, running unopposed this time. That is until the Phone Call. That makes the Motch Brothers(Dan Aykroyd & John Lithgow) so nervous that they recruit Marty Huggins(Zach Galifianakis) through his super wealthy father(Brian Cox, in an excellent turn). Even after that, Tim Wattley(Dylan McDermott, in danger of being typecast as scary and/or threatening) decides an image makeover is needed for Marty, starting for his dogs being swapped out and his wife Mitzi(Sarah Baker) getting a new haircut. Like most Hollywood movies, "The Campaign" has lots of things that are old and borrowed in its mostly on target political satire, exaggerated as it may be at times, but not the part about there being little difference between Democrats and Republicans.(Plus, you'll never see Drew Carey quite the same way ever again.) Even its central message that style trumps substance in political contests is almost pure Frank Capra, albeit with sex tapes thrown in here. But there is also plenty new to consider like the barely veiled attacks on the Koch Brothers and outsourcing which also hit the mark. That's not to mention the fine work of the leads, with Will Ferrell again displaying his expertise at playing nincompoops while Zach Galifianakis fares well playing a less devolved, more sweet character this time around.
    Walter M Super Reviewer
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The Campaign Quotes

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