'

The American President

Play trailer

The American President

PG-13

Released Nov 17, 1995

1h 54m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

55 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

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Part romantic comedy, part Capra-corny political drama, this movie exudes so much sympathy, it sweats.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

With great looks, a dandy supporting cast, a zinger-filled screenplay by Aaron Sorkin and Mr. Douglas twinkling merrily in the Oval Office, The American President is sunny enough to make the real Presidency pale by comparison.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Variety

Genial middlebrow fare that coasts a long way on the charm of its two stars.

Feb 13, 2001

Full Review

Don Shanahan

25YL (25 Years Later)

What makes both Douglas's president and the movie itself victorious classics is the combination of edge and enchantment.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 6, 2020

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

When the focus is on romantic comedy, the film is breezy and amusing; but when it switches to dramas involving fundraising and campaigning, it grows stickier.

Rated: 6/10

Sep 9, 2020

Full Review

Mary Nemeth

Maclean's Magazine

Despite lapses into sentimental corn-notably in scenes with the president's 12-year-old daughter-director Rob Reiner has crafted a whimsical fable that packs a deceptive punch.

Oct 15, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Tania G

This movie influenced me in many ways for years. I’ve been a member of the ACLU because of it. I just watched it again and the story holds up and maybe has some hints as to what going on now.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

Full Review

M R

"The American President" feels like it was made in the 1950's. There is something Norman Rockwell Esque regarding the story and directing. I liked it. Rating: 8/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/25

Full Review

Scott M

Enjoy the first half of this movie. The notion of a president who needs a date to his political functions is funny and interesting. Annette Benning is wonderful and a good actress. The second half of the movie is just Sorkin's politics and I'm not a fan.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/06/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Different kind of presidential movie - nice love story

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/25/23

Full Review

R B

This film was even worse than I remembered.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/22/23

Full Review

Jace E

Aaron Sorkin is one of the best screenwriters of all time. His dialogue is sharp but also subtle. He is able to create characters that are human, while simultaneously elevating them to a position of power. Quippy, throwaway lines in the first act carry to the end and are delivered with a punch. I wanted more time with the President's staff, which is probably why "The West Wing" was greenlit. The relationships and dichotomy between the President and each character was captivating, especially with Sydney. The score is powerful, the setting is elegant, and the story is seamless. Intention and obstacle are at the forefront the entire film and I loved every minute of it. Best Character: Sydney Ellen Wade Best Quote: "My name is Andrew Shepherd and I am the President." Best Scene: Drink the Sand. Best Piece of Score: "The American President" Additional Note: I wonder what it would be like to have a President like Andrew Shepherd.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

72%

68%

Don Juan DeMarco

Watchlist

Drive Me Crazy

29%

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

Most Popular at Home Now