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This article was originally published on November 6, 2018.
Were republishing it today in case you want to spend your Presidents Day actually thinking about American presidents .
Their whole life becomes an origin story.
Again, this feels like it will all change because of our recent situation.
How reverential can anyone find the job after this?
Not every president featured in these films is a great man.
But they are all Large Men, men of import and power.
Thats probably going to change in 20 years.
One rule about this list: We didnt include documentaries.
(Sorry,Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains.)
This is a look at fictionalized characterizations of real-life presidents, for better and, often, worse.
20.Hyde Park on Hudson(2012)
20.
(The scene in which this happens will haunt your memories for years.)
Murray isnt bad, exactly, but hes playing a cartoon, and the movie doesnt cut much deeper.
(Available to rent or purchase onApple TV,Prime Video, andGoogle Play.)
19.The Better Angels(2014)
19.
(Lincolns father is stoic.
His mother is angelic.)
18.LBJ(2017)
18.
ButLBJs blandness outshines everything else.
This movie feels like a missed opportunity and afurther indication of Reiners waning powers.
(Available to stream onPluto TVandthe Roku Channel.)
17.Elvis & Nixon(2016)
17.
Not really worth the effort or time.
(Available to stream onPrime Video.)
16.Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter(2012)
- wave that also includedPride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Not surprisingly,Vampire Hunterwas a commercial disappointment, but its cheesy gusto makes it perfect Sunday-afternoon cable viewing.
(Available to rent or purchase onGoogle PlayandPrime Video.)
15.Jefferson in Paris(1995)
15.
ButJefferson in Parisnever quite succeeds as either a character study or a love story.
(Available to rent or purchase onApple TV,Prime Video, andGoogle Play.)
14.Barry(2016)
14.
(Available to stream onNetflix.)
13.TheButler(2013)
13.
A whole movie with Rickman as Reagan might have been onto something.
(Available to rent or purchase onApple TV,Prime Video, andGoogle Play.)
12.Dick(1999)
12.
(Available to rent or purchase onApple TVandPrime Video.)
11.Southside With You(2016)
11.
(Available to stream onPrime Video.)
10.PT109(1963)
10.
The movie is straightforward and perfectly pleasantly made.
(Available to rent or purchase onApple TV,Prime Video, andGoogle Play.)
9.ThirteenDays(2000)
9.
(Available to rent or purchase onApple TV,Prime Video, andGoogle Play.)
(2008)
8.
Neither damning nor satiric,W.is oddly wistful, almost regretful rare sentiments in a Stone film.
(Available to streamPluto TVandTubi.)
7.Amistad(1997)
7.
(Available to stream onParamount+ with ShowtimeandPluto TV.)
6.PrimaryColors(1998)
6.
(Though it didnt help the film make a profit.)
(Available to rent or purchase onApple TV,Prime Video, andGoogle Play.)
5.Frost/Nixon(2008)
5.
(Available to stream onMax.)
4.Young Mr. Lincoln(1939)
4.
(Available to stream on the Roku ChannelandTubi.)
3.Secret Honor(1984)
3.
(Available to rent or purchase onApple TVandPrime Video.)
2.Nixon(1995)
2.
(Available to rent or purchase onApple TVandPrime Video.)
1.Lincoln(2012)
1.
Its a movie that believes, truly, in the presidency and what it can achieve.
One wonders if Spielberg still feels that way six years later.
(Available to rent or purchase onApple TVandPrime Video.)
