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Biographical drama

Reagan (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Reagan (2024) movie poster

Reagan is a 2024 biographical drama directed by Sean McNamara, starring Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan, Jennifer O'Neill and Justin Chatwin. It runs 2 hours 15 minutes and earned $30.1 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. Critics gave it 22 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
worldwide gross
$30.1M
Echo Score
38
Metascore
22
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Reagan (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 15m (135 min)
Director
Sean McNamara
Genres
Biography , Drama , History
Original language
English
Budget
$25M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Reagan About?

The premise of Reagan without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This gripping biopic explores the improbable journey of Ronald Reagan, charting his ascent from humble beginnings in small-town America to his role as a prominent international leader. The story unfolds through the perspective of Viktor Petrovich, a seasoned KGB veteran whose life becomes intertwined with Reagan’s as they both maneuver through the complex world of Cold War-era Hollywood and Washington.

Reagan Themes & Keywords

· 44 tags
  • 1980s
  • husband wife relationship
  • california
  • washington d.c.
  • alzheimer's disease
  • first lady
  • 1950s
  • 20th century
  • 1970s
  • 1920s
  • 1930s
  • 1960s
+32 more
  • 1940s
  • actor
  • jane wyman character
  • republican president
  • character name as title
  • ronald reagan character
  • based on real people
  • president
  • nancy reagan character
  • american politics
  • one word title
  • based on true story
  • based on book
  • docudrama drama
  • soviet union
  • white house
  • cold war
  • presidential debate
  • kgb agent
  • kgb
  • reagan assassination attempt
  • president of the united states
  • jimmy carter character
  • margaret thatcher character
  • mikhail gorbachev character
  • berlin wall
  • james baker character
  • moscow russia
  • berlin germany
  • year 1981
  • year 1985
  • surname as title
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Cast & crew

Reagan Cast & Characters

Dennis Quaid leads the cast as Ronald Reagan, with Jennifer O'Neill as Older Nelle Reagan and Justin Chatwin as Jack Reagan. Directed by Sean McNamara; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Reagan

· 16 more
From the director

More from Sean McNamara

More films directed by Sean McNamara, best-rated first: Soul on Fire, Soul Surfer, Spare Parts and The Miracle Season.

Full filmography
Ratings

Reagan Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Reagan 22 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in character & emotion (50) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

38 /100

Reagan Echo Score Breakdown

The biopic's reception is largely negative, with many critics decrying its superficial approach and hagiographic tone. Several reviewers noted the plodding pace and lack of dramatic tension, describing the narrative as a shallow homage rather than an analytical portrayal. Although Dennis Quaid's physical likeness drew occasional praise, most commentary highlights poor production quality and limited nuance. Overall, the film leaves a mixed-to-negative impression with notable flaws in execution.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 30

    The film's visual presentation shows a disparity between slick cinematic moments and noticeable production shortcomings. In terms of cinematography, some scenes appear framed compellingly but are undermined by poor green-screen work and minimal set detail. Editing occasionally yields uneven pacing, contributing to the TV-like aesthetic. Overall, the art and craft feel under-resourced, resulting in a style that lacks polish and cohesion.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    Character portrayal oscillates between strong lead performance and shallow emotional depth. When it comes to acting, Dennis Quaid’s embodiment of Reagan receives frequent commendation for physical likeness and presence, and supporting actors occasionally enliven key moments. Yet emotional resonance suffers from one-note characterization and a hagiographic script that offers little room for complexity. Net effect: engaging in parts but lacking deeper character nuance.

  • Story & Flow 45

    The narrative is impeded by a hagiographic tone and uneven pacing. In terms of plot coherence, the film often breezes through major events without sufficient context, creating a plodding flow that diminishes dramatic stakes. Although history unfolds chronologically, the lack of critical examination and original insight results in a surface-level account. Overall, story momentum remains weak, limiting engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 35

    The sensory experience is marked by inconsistent technical quality and limited sonic identity. In terms of production design and sound, the score and soundtrack rarely distinguish themselves, while visual style fluctuates between glossy set pieces and evident green-screen flaws. Occasional archival clips add historical texture but cannot offset basic sound design and lighting shortcomings. The overall sensory impact is modest and unremarkable.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    The film’s rewatch appeal is limited by its narrow focus and episodic structure. Regarding replay value, the absence of nuanced drama or fresh narrative layers reduces incentive for subsequent viewings. While some viewers may revisit scenes featuring Dennis Quaid's performance or memorable historical moments, the overarching hagiographic approach and lack of deeper insight leave little to discover. Ultimately, the rewatch factor remains low.

Plot

Reagan Plot Summary

What happens in Reagan from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Drawing inspiration from Paul Kengor’s insightful book, The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism, this biographical film explores the life, challenges, and accomplishments of the 40th President of the United States.

The story unfolds in 1981, as President Ronald Reagan approaches the podium to address the AFL-CIO’s Building and Construction Trades at the Washington Hilton. However, as he exits the venue, an unexpected tragedy strikes—gunshots ring out, severely injuring him, despite initial reports suggesting he was unharmed.

Full summary

The whole story of Reagan, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Reagan Box Office & Budget

Reagan grossed $30.1 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, 1.2 times what it cost. $30 million came from the US and Canada and $59,756 (0%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$30.1M

1.2× its budget

US & Canada
$30M
International
$59.8K
Budget
$25M
US & Canada 100% Rest of the world 0%
Videos

Reagan Trailers & Videos

20 videos: 2 trailers, 15 featurettes and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 20 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Featurette Megyn Kelly Interviews Dennis Quaid About His Kids
  • Featurette Megyn Kelly and Dennis Quaid Talk about Nancy Reagan
  • Featurette Former Secret Service Special Agent John Barletta shares the story of Ronald Reagan’s last ride.
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Reagan?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year was Reagan shot as he departed the Washington Hilton?

Details

Reagan Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism” and “ریگان”.

Also known as
  • The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism
  • ریگان
  • ראייגן
  • Reagan: de Hollywood a la Casa Blanca
  • 里根
  • Рейган
  • Reagan - Un presidente sotto i riflettori
  • 레이건
  • 雷根
  • 列根
  • เรแกน
  • רייגן
+1 more
  • Reiganas

Seen Reagan?

FAQ

Reagan FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Reagan, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Reagan?

Reagan runs 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes).

When was Reagan released?

Reagan was released on August 30, 2024.

Who directed Reagan?

Reagan was directed by Sean McNamara.

More films by Sean McNamara

Who is in the cast of Reagan?

Reagan stars Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan, Jennifer O'Neill as Older Nelle Reagan and Justin Chatwin as Jack Reagan, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Reagan make at the box office?

Reagan grossed $30.1 million worldwide ($30 million domestic, $59,756 international) on a budget of $25 million.

How is Reagan rated?

Reagan has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 22 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Reagan have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Reagan has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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