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Biographical thriller

The Front Runner (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

The Front Runner (2018) movie poster

The Front Runner is a 2018 biographical thriller directed by Jason Reitman, starring Hugh Jackman as Gary Hart, Vera Farmiga and Molly Ephraim. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes and earned $3.2 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. Critics gave it 58% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
58%
worldwide gross
$3.2M
Echo Score
55
The Front Runner (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 53m (113 min)
Director
Jason Reitman
Original language
English
Budget
$25M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Front Runner About?

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

In 1988, Senator Gary Hart appeared poised to secure the Democratic presidential nomination. His promising campaign faltered when allegations of an extramarital affair with Donna Rice became public, igniting a media storm. The ensuing tabloid frenzy and intense political scrutiny led to the campaign's abrupt collapse, significantly impacting the course of American politics and leaving a lasting legacy on how candidates are perceived.

The Front Runner Themes & Keywords

· 17 tags
  • politics
  • 1980s
  • scandal
  • presidential campaign
  • politician
  • 20th century
  • based on real person
  • u.s. politician
  • united states of america
  • year 1987
  • sex scandal
  • political drama
+5 more
  • docudrama drama
  • u.s. senator
  • australian actor plays an american character
  • british actor plays an american character
  • based on true story
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Front Runner

Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Front Runner Cast & Characters

Hugh Jackman leads the cast as Gary Hart, with Vera Farmiga as Lee Hart and Molly Ephraim as Irene Kelly. Directed by Jason Reitman; 19 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Front Runner

· 15 more
Ratings

The Front Runner Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Front Runner 58% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

55 /100

The Front Runner Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Front Runner demonstrates a blend of accomplished filmmaking and uneven narrative focus. Its dynamic cinematography and impactful lead performance provide moments of engagement, yet the crowded editorial style and ambiguous pacing frequently undermine dramatic energy. The ensemble cast delivers noteworthy work, although emotional resonance suffers from underdeveloped character arcs and fragmented storytelling. While the film raises relevant ethical questions and offers subtle political parallels, the combination of cautious plotting and uneven flow leaves a varied impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 55

    It showcases dynamic camera movements and occasional bravura framing that energize key sequences. Editing often embraces overlapping dialogue and crowded compositions, creating a sense of immediacy but occasionally hindering clarity. Production design supports the political setting with functional period details yet feels restrained. The net effect is a visually active style that sometimes compromises cohesion for momentum.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character depth and emotion, the film benefits from Hugh Jackman’s committed portrayal and capable work from the supporting cast. Despite these performances, the depiction of Gary Hart and his family remains underexplored, limiting emotional connection. Ensemble members such as Sara Paxton and Vera Farmiga contribute moments of sincerity but receive limited development. Overall, the emotional resonance is uneven and constrained.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative adopts a cautious, evidence-driven approach that offers historical context but lacks dramatic propulsion. The pacing shifts between methodical setup and abrupt transitions, resulting in uneven momentum. Ethical themes around media privacy emerge but are only briefly examined. The overall plot remains informative yet feels fragmented, leaving the dramatic stakes insufficiently realized.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s sound design and soundtrack remain serviceable yet unremarkable, with overlapping dialogue that sometimes borders on unintelligible. Visual style relies on a restrained palette punctuated by dynamic camera sweeps, offering intermittent visual interest. Ambient noises of press events contribute authenticity but can feel cluttered. The net effect is an engaging aural and visual texture that occasionally sacrifices clarity.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In evaluating rewatch factor, The Front Runner appeals most to viewers with an interest in political history and nuanced ethical debates. While the central performances and thematic relevance invite a second viewing, the fragmented structure and uneven pacing may diminish overall replay value. The film’s thoughtful moments provide occasional reward, but the lack of sustained narrative drive limits its enduring appeal.

Plot

The Front Runner Plot Summary

What happens in The Front Runner from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As the 1988 Democratic Party presidential primaries kick off, the spotlight shines on former Senator Gary Hart, whose reputation as a leading candidate was bolstered by a strong performance in the 1984 primary. As Hart and his campaign team prepare for the official launch of his presidential bid in April 1987, a growing concern looms: Hart may be prioritizing policy discussions over personal revelations, making it difficult for voters to connect with him on a deeper level.

At the same time, the journalistic circles at The Washington Post are buzzing with inquiries about Hart’s marital standing and rumors of his alleged infidelities. Seeking respite from the campaign chaos, Hart embarks on a yacht cruise from Miami to Bimini aboard the Monkey Business, where he meets the enchanting Donna Rice.

Full summary

The whole story of The Front Runner, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Front Runner Box Office & Budget

The Front Runner grossed $3.2 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, 13% of what it cost. $2 million came from the US and Canada and $1.2 million (38%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.2M

13% of its budget back

US & Canada
$2M
International
$1.2M
Budget
$25M
US & Canada 62% Rest of the world 38%
Videos

The Front Runner Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Front Runner.

THE FRONT RUNNER - Official Trailer (HD)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Front Runner?

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 did Gary Hart's presidential campaign officially launch?

Cars

Cars in The Front Runner

30 cars on screen, including the 1986 Honda Accord and the 1979 Jeep CJ-5.

All 30 cars
  • 1986 Honda Accord in The Front Runner 1986 Honda Accord Important role
  • 1979 Jeep CJ-5 in The Front Runner 1979 Jeep CJ-5 Important role
  • 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine in The Front Runner 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine Minor role
  • 1986 Chevrolet Caprice in The Front Runner 1986 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
Details

The Front Runner Also Known As

28 alternative titles, including “Главный кандидат” and “Кандидатът”.

Also known as
  • Главный кандидат
  • Кандидатът
  • Как не стать президентом
  • Baş Aday
  • Front runner : Le scandale
  • El candidato
  • Ο Υποψήφιος
  • Лідер перегонів
  • O Favorito
  • The Front Runner - Il vizio del potere
  • 프론트 러너
  • Der Spitzenkandidat
+16 more
  • Pewny kandydat
  • Candidat favori
  • O Candidato Favorito
  • Favorit
  • Így ne legyél elnök
  • 领先者
  • Vadošais kandidāts
  • המועמד המוביל
  • Hlavní kandidát
  • 爆料世代
  • Candidatul
  • El favorito
  • Kaip netapti prezidentu
  • フロントランナー
  • 選戰謊情色
  • เดอะ ฟร้อนท์ รันเนอร์

Seen The Front Runner?

FAQ

The Front Runner FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Front Runner, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Front Runner?

The Front Runner runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).

When was The Front Runner released?

The Front Runner was released on November 6, 2018.

Who directed The Front Runner?

The Front Runner was directed by Jason Reitman.

More films by Jason Reitman

Who is in the cast of The Front Runner?

The Front Runner stars Hugh Jackman as Gary Hart, Vera Farmiga as Lee Hart and Molly Ephraim as Irene Kelly, among 19 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Front Runner?

In the US, The Front Runner is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did The Front Runner make at the box office?

The Front Runner grossed $3.2 million worldwide ($2 million domestic, $1.2 million international) on a budget of $25 million.

How is The Front Runner rated?

The Front Runner has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 58% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does The Front Runner have a post-credit scene?

No. The Front Runner has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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