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10 Favorite Movies from 10 U.S. Presidents

Published 3 weeks ago7 minute read

Have you ever wondered which movies are well-liked by United States presidents? It's astounding how unique and different each one's preferences were. Having one of the most powerful positions in the world, who'd have thought men elected to take on this great responsibility would be such enjoyers of cinema? Surprisingly, many of them are.

In honor of President's Day, we'll be looking at and discussing the favorite movies of the last ten U.S. Presidents, from the 37th to the current commander-in-chief of the Oval Office. From Westerns and war classics to crime epics and heartwarming musicals, , and some of them may surprise you.

Patton 3
Image via 20th Century Fox

First is , the 1970 Best Picturing-winning war biopic directed by . Starring as World War II , it sees this unconventional tank commander as he leads his forces from North Africa to the waning days of the war in Europe. A fascinating 3-hour epic with glorious performances, it was a personal favorite of 37th President .

Eight U.S. Presidents bravely served their country during the Second World War, including Nixon, a U.S. Navy officer who achieved the rank of lieutenant commander from 1942 to 1946. It's fitting that a war veteran would enjoy a movie centering around this time period. Who'd have thought this compelling anti-war drama would play a significant role in world history?

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Patton

April 2, 1970

172 Minutes

Franklin J. Schaffner

Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister sitting at the top of the stairs in Home Alone (1990)
Image via 20th Century Studios

One of the most charming and beloved Christmas movies of all time is ' . This story about troublesome eight-year-old Kevin McCallister () as he's accidentally left behind by his during a Christmas vacation and forced to defend his home from burglars has become a celebrated and a rewatchable seasonal classic that many audiences seem to enjoy, including, and most surprisingly, 38th President .

and often left the White House Family Theater vacant during his presidency after taking office after Richard Nixon's resignation. It's hilarious that one of the nation's clumsiest Presidents loved a comedy featuring people falling down and getting hurt a lot.

Scarlett and her father standing on a hill with the sunset behind them in Gone With the Wind
Image via MGM

With 39th President in late 2024 at the age of 100, the world lost an incredible humanitarian who led the country during a turbulent time in America. He may not have gotten a second term, but he was a remarkable leader who did many great things, even had plenty of interesting hobbies, including watching films. Indeed, no other President had better taste in movies than him.

. From to 1967's , Carter was quite the film buff and certainly enjoyed some of the best that cinema had to offer. While some sources vary on what his particular favorite film was, one that's regularly brought up is the classic . It's only fitting that this revered American leader most enjoyed one of the greatest masterpieces of American cinema.

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Gone With the Wind

December 15, 1939

238 minutes

Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Sam Wood

Maria singing in the Alps The Sound of Music
Image via 20th Century Studios

is one of those recognizable and cherished classics that only gets better with age. Released in 1965 and starring and , this iconic love story of a young novice and an Austrian naval officer set in the years leading up to WWII has never dwindled in popularity over the years and has a positive impact on people. One of its biggest fans was none other than 40th President .

Often seen as one of the most popular Presidents in modern U.S. history, Reagan started in movies as an actor, appearing in multiple feature films before transitioning into politics and eventually making his way to the White House. According to one source, he reportedly didn't study briefings one night before an economic summit because The Sound of Music was playing on his television.

Viva Zapata! - 1952
Image via 20th Century Fox

is a 1952 biographical western by . Starring , it sees him as Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata as he leads a rebellion against a corrupt government in the early 1900s. While it suffers from a controversial casting choice and is not often considered Kazan or Brando's best work, this enjoyable black-and-white classic still has its fans. One of them being 41st President .

Bush, a WWII aerial combat veteran, was also a huge fan of 1962's , but he was obsessed with Viva Zapata!

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Viva Zapata!

February 7, 1952

113 Minutes

Elia Kazan

Black and white shot of Gary Cooper walking in a Western village in High Noon.
Image via United Artists

Who doesn't love a great Western? They are some of the most iconic movies in cinema, and continue to fascinate movie lovers with their classic tales of good vs. evil in the Old West to this day. One who certainly loved this genre was 42nd President , who personally favored the classic 1952 film , starring . It's about a newly retired New Mexico Marshall who takes up arms one last time to stand up against a notorious gang leader he once put away.

High Noon is a huge favorite among U.S. Presidents. Besides Clinton, 34th President and even Ronald Reagan cited this film as one of their favorites. However, High Noon is one of the most iconic Westerns of all time, and the fact that it was seen so many times in the executive mansion is a testament to its status as one of the greats.

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High Noon

June 30, 1952

85 Minutes

Fred Zinnemann

Kevin Costner and Dwier Brown from Field of Dreams
Image via Universal

One of America's greatest pastimes makes for compelling sports movies. Baseball is a beloved sport that has appeared in many beloved films, including perhaps one of the best: . This charming 1989 fantasy sports drama has tugged at many people's heartstrings, one being 43rd President George W. Bush.

Like most presidents, he was also a fan of war movies and loved films that came out during his two terms, like and . But Field of Dreams was the one he connected with the most.

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Field of Dreams

May 5, 1989

107 minutes

Phil Alden Robinson

Phil Alden Robinson

Don Vito Corleone, played by actor Marlon Brando, crying in The Godfather.
Image via Paramount Pictures

Hailed as one of the most essential pieces of American cinema, 's is an untouchable masterpiece that will continue to be praised for its brilliance as time goes by. This epic crime tale, full of riveting drama, excellent direction, and Oscar-winning acting, was highly enjoyed by 44th President .

The proclaimed "movie guy" who frequently enjoys cinema, Obama has shared a love for movies throughout the years and even mentions his favorite movies that released each year. It shows no signs of ever losing its acclaim.

The Godfather Poster
The Godfather

March 24, 1972

A group of young men running on the beach in Chariots of Fire
Image via 20th Century Studios

One of the most quintessential Olympic movies ever made was , the 1981 Best Picture-winning period sports drama directed by the late . It's a remarkable tale with an iconic soundtrack and an inspiring story that can lift anyone's spirits. Fans of this classic would be pleased to know that it's a huge favorite of 46th President Joe Biden.

Biden often referenced this movie during his time in office, even paraphrasing one of its most inspirational lines in his 2020 Presidential race victory speech. Chariots of Fire is a hopeful story with motivating themes and messages that stuck with the former President. It's a great film that has shown its potential to inspire those who see it to achieve their goals. It's even more incredible that it can influence people to reach the highest jobs in the world.

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Chariots of Fire

Release Date
May 15, 1981

Runtime
125 Minutes

Director
Hugh Hudson

Orson Welles as Charles Foster Kane standing infront of a banner of himself in Citizen Kane
Image via RKO Radio Pictures

Lastly, Citizen Kane is a 1941 drama directed, written, and starring Orson Welles. Many people consider it to be one of the greatest, most powerful films ever made. A timeless masterpiece with an iconic story and revered performances, it's no surprise that it's often brought up as many people's favorite movie, chief among them being the current President Donald Trump.

The 45th and 47th President has been vocal about some of his favorite films, even enjoying ones like Goodfellas, The Godfather, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and even the Jean-Claude Van Damme 1988 martial arts movie Bloodsport. But it is Citizen Kane that continues to be his top choice among all the other films in cinema.

NEXT: Every Oscar-Nominated Performance of a U.S. President, Ranked

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