The American President

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The American President

PG-13

1995

1h 54m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

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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.

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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.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Jan 22, 2026

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.

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Bob Fenster

Arizona Republic

Jan 22, 2026

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.

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

Jan 22, 2026

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.

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Mike Roberts

The Province (Vancouver)

Apr 14, 2026

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.

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Amy Dawes

Los Angeles Daily News

Jan 22, 2026

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.

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Steve Persall

Tampa Bay Times

Jan 22, 2026

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.

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Huntin P

@PaxVobiscum80 6 days ago

Before we had Obama we had this guy, Andrew Shepherd. Michael Douglas plays the POTUS, a single dad and a widower, who finds himself turned-on by a lobbyist he overhears giving him hell (Annette Bening). They start dating and his approval rating starts to plummet. I won't give anything away, except Douglas gives a superb speech to the press pack at the end of the movie. Great cast. Funny, romantic, wholesome, but tinged with cynicism. I'd call it the blue pill political movie of the 90s, to put with Primary Colors as the red pill one. We all need our dreams to cling to.

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David O

@RT11509648 Aug 24, 2026

31 years later more true than ever. We were still innocent and there was hope.

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Julianne C.

@SloaneCelenne Mar 23, 2026

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

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Brian D

@Brianwd2 Feb 24, 2026

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

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Yash B

@yashbansal Feb 20, 2026

"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.

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William R.

@MileHighMilk Jan 7, 2026

Charming movie with solid acting.

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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

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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

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