Independence Day: Here Are 17 of the Best Fictional Presidents

2 minute read

The President of the United States is one of the most influential people in the world. As Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump dominate headlines ahead of the November election, and with the June 24 release of Independence Day: Resurgence featuring Sela Ward as the franchise’s first female president, it’s a good time to look back at some of the most memorable fictional presidents in film and television.

These leaders are usually challenged by an enormous obstacle over a complicated plot line, or are often thrown into action hero-type roles. The 1990s was full of examples—think Harrison Ford battling Russian terrorists in Air Force One or Morgan Freeman preparing for a comet colliding with Earth in Deep Impact. The one common trait that is consistent among these films’ varied story lines: unforgettable quotes.

Perhaps the best example is in 1996’s Independence Day, when Bill Pullman’s character, President Thomas Whitmore, gives a motivational speech at an Air Force base before retaliating against alien invaders, “We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it’s fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom… Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution… but from annihilation.”

As many dramatic faux-presidential roles as there have been, there are as many that are hilarious. Jack Nicholson portrayed the president in Mars Attacks!, in which TIME said in its 1996 review, “You have to admire everyone’s chutzpah.” In Head of State, Chris Rock hilariously plays Mays Gilliam, an accidental candidate to the presidency with a sharp mouth, who The New York Times reflected, “Helped us imagine [Barack Obama’s] transformative breakthrough before it occurred.” Though it’s Hollywood, one can agree: the presidency isn’t an easy job.

Michael Douglas as Andrew Shepherd in The American President, 1995.
Michael Douglas as Andrew Shepherd in The American President, 1995. Columbia Pictures
Jack Nicholson as James Dale in Mars Attacks!, 1996.
Jack Nicholson as James Dale in Mars Attacks!, 1996. Warner Bros. Pictures
Bill Pullman as Thomas J. Whitmore in Independence Day, 1996.
Bill Pullman as Thomas J. Whitmore in Independence Day, 1996. 20th Century Fox
Gene Hackman as Alan Richmond in Absolute Power, 1997.
Gene Hackman as Alan Richmond in Absolute Power, 1997.Columbia Pictures
Harrison Ford as James Marshall in Air Force One, 1997.
Harrison Ford as James Marshall in Air Force One, 1997. Columbia Pictures
Morgan Freeman as Tom Beck in Deep Impact, 1998.
Morgan Freeman as Tom Beck in Deep Impact, 1998. Paramount Pictures
John Travolta as Jack Stanton in Primary Colors, 1998.
John Travolta as Jack Stanton in Primary Colors, 1998. Steve Sands—AP
Martin Sheen as Josiah Bartlet in The West Wing, 1999.
Martin Sheen as Josiah Bartlet in The West Wing, 1999.NBC
Dennis Haysbert, as David Palmer, and Cherry Jones, as Allison Taylor, in 24, 2001, 2009.
Dennis Haysbert, as David Palmer, and Cherry Jones, as Allison Taylor, in 24, 2001, 2009.Fox
Chris Rock as Mays Gilliam in Head of State, 2003.
Chris Rock as Mays Gilliam in Head of State, 2003. Alamy
Danny Glover in Thomas Wilson in 2012, 2009.
Danny Glover in Thomas Wilson in 2012, 2009.Columbia Pictures
Charlie Sheen as President Rathcock in Machete Kills, 2013.
Charlie Sheen as President Rathcock in Machete Kills, 2013.Open Road Films
Jamie Foxx as James William Sawyer in White House Down, 2013.
Jamie Foxx as James William Sawyer in White House Down, 2013.Columbia Pictures
Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood in House of Cards, 2014.
Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood in House of Cards, 2014. David Giesbrecht—Netflix
Samuel L. Jackson as William Alan Moore in Big Game, 2014.
Samuel L. Jackson as William Alan Moore in Big Game, 2014. Nordisk Film Distribution
Sela Ward as Elizabeth Lanford in Independence Day: Resurgence.
Sela Ward as Elizabeth Lanford in Independence Day: Resurgence.20th Century Fox

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