Each President's Favorite Movie

Woodrow Wilson holds the distinction of being the first U.S. president to watch a feature film while in office. The movie, The Birth of a Nation, premiered in 1915 and was shown in a private screening at the White House. This event marked the beginning of a longstanding tradition where a president's taste in movies might offer a glimpse into their personality and values.

Over the years, the movies that presidents favor have often reflected their personal experiences, ideals, and even the era in which they served. For example, Harry Truman, who led the country through the final stages of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War, was a fan of Westerns. These films, often centered on themes of justice, resilience, and the American frontier spirit, resonated with Truman's no-nonsense, straightforward approach to leadership.

Ronald Reagan, a former actor turned president, had a soft spot for The Sound of Music.

These cinematic preferences offer more than just a peek into a president's leisure activities—they provide a unique lens through which we can understand the men behind the office.

[_magnify]

The Presidents who have mentioned a favorite film on record:

Woodrow Wilson - “The Birth of a Nation” (1915 / Historical Drama)

Warren G. Harding - “The Covered Wagon” (1923/Western)

FDR - “I’m No Angel” (1933/Musical) 

Harry Truman - “My Darling Clementine” (1946/Western)

Dwight Eisenhower - “High Noon” (1952/Western)

JFK - “Dr. No” (1962/Action)

LBJ - “The Searchers” (1956/Western)

Richard Nixon - “Patton” (1970/Historical Drama)

Gerald Ford - “Home Alone” (1990/Family Comedy)

Jimmy Carter - “Gone With the Wind” (1939/Historical Drama)

Reagan - “The Sound of Music” (1965/Musical)

George H.W. Bush - “Viva Zapata!” (1952/Historical Drama)

Bill Clinton - “High Noon” (1952/Western)

W. - “Field of Dreams” (1989/Fantasy Sports)

Obama - “The Godfather” (1972/Historical Drama)[has also mentioned Lawrence of Arabia as his favorite] .   

Trump - “Citizen Kane” (1941/Historical Drama)

Biden - “Chariots of Fire” (1981/Historical Drama)

[aoifedeborha]

Replacing Kevin’s screech with the “eagle” sound was so iconic 😂

[angrytedtalks]

Important to note that Gerald Ford didn't ever see Home Alone until decades _after_ his presidency.

[marcuscicero]

I’m surprised the answer wasn’t Trump considering he was actually in one of the movies

[josephwhiskeybeale]

Gerald Ford was the only US president that didn’t lie about what his favorite movie was.

[DangerJim]

You’d think Home Alone would’ve been Trumps, yknow since he made that appearance in the second one

[thewholecircus]

A historical drama about the founding of the kkk is the gentlest summary of birth of a nation

[MateoF_]

Trumps favorite movie being citizen Kane is hilarious to me.

[Jameman]

Woodrow Wilson liking Birth of a Nation is definitely on brand

[sarahcarter-hqxd]

A good reminder that Jimmy Carter was 14/15 living in Georgia when gone with wind came out. He survived the craze at the epicenter. Of course it was his favorite.

[Krychu]

Fun fact: Home Alone is very popular in Poland and we have a tradition that this movie is broadcast every Christmas Eve on the Polish TV named Polsat

Edit: WOW! Thank you for 1k likes!

[isaacmalown]

Ronald Reagan's favorite film was "Knute Rockne, All American" (1940). In this movie, Reagan played an important role as George Gipp, a famous American football player. His portrayal earned him the lifelong nickname "The Gipper." Reagan had a special connection to the film, both because of his own involvement and because of the film's themes of perseverance and leadership.

[mattcat]

This is worth extending into a long-form video covering each presidential favorite movie.

[btf_flotsam]

Fun fact: One of the reasons the Bond series even got as far as it did was when JFK listed 'From Russia with Love' as one of his favourite books.

[zhongli]

Gerald ford came from Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is a few hours from where I live. He has a museum there, it’s pretty cool

[ole_smokey_south]

Historical fact: Woodrow Wilson was the only US president to have lived in the Confederate South during the entirety of the American Civil War. He actually saw General Robert E. Lee in person when he was a little boy. John Tyler lived in the confederate south in his post presidency years and served in the confederate government, but died during the war and never saw the south’s demise and reconstruction.

[diglit]

I mean he may have not watched a “full” movie but Abraham Lincoln saw a hell of a show

[mericanmade]

That Kevin slapping his face with the eagle sound should be a meme sound 😂

[MichaelEdwardsVA]

Funny enough it's widely believed that Ford only picked that because it was popular at the time he was asked. Gerald Ford didn't care for movies so most historians believe that he only picked it because of its popularity

[kikidapiki]

One of my favorite films also. Still watch it every year at Thanksgiving.. It has become a tradition. Who doesnt love Home Alone!?