He’ll defend your freedom to the death.

(Really, who’s the last real-life president who could speak Latin?)

Also, forthright and honest (well, except for that wholenot telling voters he has multiple sclerosisthing).

James Sawyer, ‘White House Down’

Reiner Bajo

And I think we can all admit we were surprised it wasn’t actually Freeman.

you’re able to’t fight in here!

This is the War Room.''

Bill Pullman, Independence Day | Played by: Bill Pullman Pullman was used to playing the sap, the heroic fool, the guy-who’s-not-Bill-Paxton, but Roland Emmerich gave him the role of the

Everett Collection

Strangeloveboth hit theaters in 1964, but each depicted the madness of MAD in their own way.

‘‘I hate this job,’’ he intoned in perfect Arnold-ese.

‘‘Everything’s ‘crisis’ this and ‘end of the world’ that.

24, Dennis Haysbert | Played by: Dennis Haysbert Has there ever been a TV president so universally beloved? With his charisma, his take-charge attitude, his resolve in the face

24: Everett Collection

Nobody opens with a joke.

I miss Danny DeVito.’’

‘‘I was elected to lead, not to read.

Annette Bening, Michael Douglas, … | Played by: Michael Douglas Andrew Shepherd isn’t just a White House widower; he’s also the world’s most eligible bachelor. In the 1995 movie, Michael Douglas

Everett Collection

Gary Susman

James Dale, Mars Attacks!

In his defense, how was he supposed to know that the Martians would attack?

Give Dale credit also for his ability to put a positive spin on disaster.

Martin Sheen, The West Wing | Played by: Martin Sheen President Bartlet was a liberal’s dream chief executive: resolute, popular, and always the smartest guy in the room. (Really, who’s the

Mitchell Haddad

Morgan Freeman, Deep Impact | Played by: Morgan Freeman If ever there were a man suited to addressing the nation through a series of fireside chats, it would be Morgan

Everett Collection

John Travolta, Primary Colors | Played by: John Travolta Sure, his name is Stanton, not Clinton, but John Travolta’s performance is about as close to a definitive screen portrayal of

Primary Colors: Kobal Collection

Harrison Ford, Air Force One | Played by: Harrison Ford Leave it to Harrison Ford to give us a president who’s a two-fisted action hero. In this 1997 thriller, his James

Air Force One: Everett Collection

George C. Scott, Peter Sellers, … | Played by: Peter Sellers As suggested by his emasculated name, President Muffley (right) is a meek and dovish fellow, precisely the wrong person to be

Doctor Strangelove: Kobal Collection

Played by: Henry Fonda Like the Armageddon/Deep Impact double-bill of its day, the dueling war-room nuclear apocalypse films Fail-Safe and Dr. Strangelove both hit theaters

Everett Collection

Mary McDonnell, Edward James Olmos, … | Played by: Mary McDonnell Laura Roslin (center) has the presidency thrust upon her by tragedy — in this case, the near extinction of humanity at

Battlestar Galactica: Carole Segal

Kevin Kline, Dave | Played by: Kevin Kline Testing the theory that anybody can be president, the Capra-ish 1993 comedy finds mild-mannered presidential double Dave Kovic stepping in for

Dave: Kobal Collection

The Simpsons Movie | Voiced by: Harry Shearer When the Governator was unconstitutionally promoted to president for the Simpsons big-screen adventure, the real Arnold was still enjoying his second

Joan Allen, Sam Elliott, … | Played by: Jeff Bridges In the 2000 movie, Laine Hanson (Joan Allen, left) seeks to become the first female vice president, but the film is

The Contender: Everett Collection

Jack Nicholson, Mars Attacks! | Played by: Jack Nicholson Jack Nicholson’s aloof President Dale may not be the most effective commander-in-chief, but in this 1996 Tim Burton flick, he proves

Mars Attacks!: Kobal Collection