The ten best movie presidents ever –

Hollywood loves strong, charismatic leaders who make your heart burn. Gunmen whose charged speeches make patriotism flow into you like a river in the North. And of course I’m not just talking about JFK or Lincoln, but those fictional gentlemen who step forward just when the country needs it most. In other words, the exact opposite of many of the leaders we face in the world today. So dream away for a moment to the world of film, where men of steel lead the way for country and kingdom. With speeches that give you goose bumps and fist bumps that connect the dots. So without further ado, here is the list of the ten best and coolest film presidents – according to yours truly, of course.

(10) President Ellis – Iron Man 3 (2013)

Marvel presidents are often little more than characters relegated to the background. But Ellis, played by William Sadler, gets some more time in the spotlight when he falls into the clutches of The Mandarin. Because what actually makes him memorable is that – unlike many of the other leaders on this list – he actually behaves as a normal person probably would. Moreover, Sadler actually has the right look – he really does look like a real leader.

(9) President Camacho – Idiocracy (2006)

Yes, this is the president of the future: former wrestler, porn star and action hero – complete with minigun and dressed in all the colors of the American flag. Idiocracy may be as laughable as it is depressing, but Camacho is a comic masterpiece, played to perfection by Terry Crews. Who somehow manages to give this absurd character a heart to heart, and you almost want him to succeed.

(8) President Frankenstein – Death Race 2000 (1975)

Of course, we must include David Carradine’s absurd character here. President Frankenstein, a fool who is certainly not a traditional leader, but whose charisma is nevertheless undeniable. Here it’s all honest talk and no whining, and how can you not get behind a man who takes pleasure in running down pedestrians in some kind of gimp suit.

(7) President Jackson Evans – The Chancellor (2000)

It’s hard not to appreciate Jeff Bridges here, an honest man in a suit who plays the normally dirty game of politics with dignity. He evokes his inner Clint Eastwood, restrained but with a clear ethical line and plenty of backbone. There are no terrorists or evil aliens to fight against, but there is no need to. Because with his restrained whiskey system and principled stance, Evans is a rare role model. We’re talking gravitas deluxe here.

(6) President Lindberg – The Fifth Element (1997)

Not necessarily a character that many people remember, considering everything else you care about when it comes to The Fifth Element. But I do like the giant guy who sounds like he swallowed an airplane engine. It also helps that he’s actually quite likable, if a little confused, and the fact that he actually dares Korben to trust him says a lot. Lindberg is a coolly unexpected president in a world of crazy hairstyles and space opera kitsch.

(5) President Andrew Shepherd – The American President (1995)

This is probably the closest we will get to an ideal, a president who smells like Sorkin to the core – long before The West Wing. Douglas, of course, is his usual fantastic self, playing the role of world leader in love as if he was born for it. Equal parts political drama and sophisticated romcom, plus his closing monologue is a mic-drop of the highest order. Shepard definitely wins my vote, with style, heart and razor-sharp rhetoric.

(4) President Tom Beck – Deep Impact (1998)

The end of the world is near, thank God. It’s just pack up and go, right? No, it’s a good thing we have President Tom Beck to lean on, because who better to proclaim that Armageddon is imminent than Morgan Freeman. His voice is like hot chocolate with a bass line, warm, soothing and friendly. Just the right man in the right place, exuding not only credibility but also gravitas.

(3) President Dave Kovic – Dave (1993)

What would be a top list that didn’t allow at least some cheating? Kovic is not really president, at least not at first. He is a charming stand-in who intervenes when the real president has a stroke, and turns out to be the most empathetic, humane and competent leader there is. Kevin Kline is warm, funny and absolutely wonderful in the role. Even the best “real” movie president ever, but there happen to be two butt-kissing individuals that I personally cannot ignore, and rank higher.

(2) President James Marshall – Air Force One (1997)

The Flying Turkey, as some film critics maliciously called it at its premiere. Words they can take to their graves, because President James Marshall is not someone to argue with. This is Indiana Jones with nuclear codes, because when terrorists hijack his beloved plane, it is Marshall who takes the lead. It’s sweaty and macho in that perfect, wonderful way that only films from the 1990s can be. Plus, “Get off my plane” is one of the most killer lines in movie history. How can you not love this?

(1) President Thomas J. Whitmore – Independence Day (1996)

What else is wrong with you? Because if you don’t become a full-blooded patriot and swear allegiance to the American flag when Pullman gives his iconic speech, there’s probably something wrong with you. Whitmore is the perfect package. Ex-fighter pilot, man with tousled hair, father and the last hope of the planet. The fact that he himself jumps into an F/A-18 Hornet to fight the aliens is nothing short of pure testosterone poetry. All other movie presidents live in Whitmore’s shadow.