Head of State

PG-13

Released Mar 28, 2003

1 hr. 35 min.

Comedy

List

30%

120 Reviews

Tomatometer

46%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A low-level Washington, D.C., public servant, Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock), is thrust into the national spotlight when he's asked by Martin Geller (Dylan Baker), the head of the Democratic Party, to run for president after the party's presidential and vice-presidential nominees are killed in a plane crash. The odds are against Gilliam, mostly because he has a penchant for telling the truth about what is wrong with the country. Remarkably, his straight-talking style catches on with the public.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Apr 17

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Max

Apple TV

Watch Head of State with a subscription on Max, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Head of State squanders its potentially ripe premise with watered-down satire and formulaic gags.

Read Critics Reviews

Charles T

Fun use of an hour and a half.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/11/23

Full Review

UnRealSilky J

Chris Rock I see why Will smith slapped you now, but my man Bernie Mac always deserves a 5 star. RIP

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

GRD I

I liked it a lot, not an amazing piece of cinematic beauty but funny

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I really loved this movie frowning up. Cheap laughs and some fun throughout

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/13/22

Full Review

Victor M

I've watched this movie so many times and it's still hilarious, just a fun movie overall.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/05/22

Full Review

G H

Dynamite. Chris, Bernie - Nate Dogg. Hilarious jokes and refreshing

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/14/22

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Chris Rock

Director

Chris Rock

Mays Gilliam

Bernie Mac

Mitch Gilliam

Dylan Baker

Martin Geller

Nick Searcy

Brian Lewis

Lynn Whitfield

Debra Lassiter

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

41%

49%

Guess Who

TRAILER

for Guess Who

66%

86%

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

47%

49%

Hollywood Ending

26%

30%

The Stepford Wives

TRAILER

for The Stepford Wives

20%

40%

Down to Earth

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Who Is the Best Chris in the Movies?

Box Office Guru Wrapup: "300" Reigns Again as Box Office King

Box Office Guru Preview: "Premonition" Leads New Pics into Battle Against "300"

View more photos

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Chris Rock runs for president.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 24, 2010

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 2/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

But in his acting pursuits, Rock just doesn't do well. He's stiff and uncomfortable on camera, especially when it comes to romantic or emotional scenes.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jun 19, 2003

Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

The film is much like the wannabe candidate foiled by the primaries. You can't help but think what could have been, if only the movie had gotten off on the right foot.

Rated: C+

Nov 15, 2019

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Rock is a man who continues to perpetuate stereotypes for the price of "comedy" and continues making one terrible film after the other.

Apr 1, 2014

Full Review

Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 3/5

Aug 7, 2008

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

A low-level Washington, D.C., public servant, Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock), is thrust into the national spotlight when he's asked by Martin Geller (Dylan Baker), the head of the Democratic Party, to run for president after the party's presidential and vice-presidential nominees are killed in a plane crash. The odds are against Gilliam, mostly because he has a penchant for telling the truth about what is wrong with the country. Remarkably, his straight-talking style catches on with the public.

Director: Chris Rock
Executive Producer: Ezra Swerdlow
Screenwriter: Chris Rock, Ali LeRoi
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: DreamWorks SKG, 3 Arts Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Drug References|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 28, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.8M
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now