Dave

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Dave

PG-13

1993

1h 50m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Shifty White House chief of staff Bob Alexander hatches a scheme to use a double for the president at a public photo opportunity. Small business owner Dave Kovic (Kline) fits the bill, but after the president suffers a debilitating stroke, opportunist Alexander arranges for Dave to step in full time without even informing the First Lady. It doesn't take long before the press, the nation and the president's wife realize something is different.

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Critics Consensus

Ivan Reitman's refreshingly earnest political comedy benefits from an understated, charming script and a breezy performance by Kevin Kline.

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Bernard Zuel

Sydney Morning Herald

Apr 24, 2026

What saves the movie is [a] neatly balanced performances by Kevin Kline, who mixes the charm with restraint, the silliness with a believable core.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Aug 4, 2023

4/4

When someone asks me to name the best film directed by Ivan Reitman, I immediately respond with 1993’s political comedy Dave.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

May 8, 2018

Layering this sweet comedic story with some sharp, editorial barbs, screenwriter Gary Ross has fashioned an engaging, brainy comedy.

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

Jun 1, 2026

7/10

There is something in the way Dave combines its story, tone, cast, and music that feels particularly representative of 1990s American cinema.

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Michael Clark

Epoch Times

Mar 6, 2022

4.5/5

Pulls off the rare feat of being rooted in politics without displaying any partisanship. Sophisticated but relatable and smart, it is a comedy with endless charm and an ability to impart a common sense message without standing on a soap box doing so.

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Joe Leydon

The Moving Picture Show

Oct 26, 2020

"Dave" is the very model of a modern Capraesque comedy, being the story of a little guy who triumphs, through pluck and luck, over a corrupt system.

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Mauricio R

@RT87072560 Oct 17, 2026

Inspiring movie in which you live the right values with great performances from all cast and a superb soundtrack from James Newton Howard. Must see.

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tim G

@timg8747 Jun 24, 2026

i really enjoyed dave this comedy movie stars kevin kline as business owner who has the exact image of the us president and is asked to take his place for an event but i later needed to take over after an emergency does a very good job sigourney weaver, frank langella,kevin dunn,charles grodin and ben kingley all give good performances in what was the top comedy for 1993

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thiago S

@Thiagostone Apr 11, 2026

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Yash B

@yashbansal Feb 22, 2026

The beautiful message that shines in "Dave" is that the common man is capable of doing good, which is a beautiful thing. I think this is a sharp political comedy that has laughs and a lot to chew on. The movie feels relevant even today, and I think anyone who is planning on being president or even any form of public office could learn a thing or two from the movie. I think the movie becomes a bit more serious in the last act, which isn't an issue, but the tonal shift felt a bit jarring for me. I liked the performances and characters in this and think this sort of premise is just suited to a 90s movie. Overall, it is a classic movie that has an old-school charm that I enjoyed quite a bit.

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David B.

@Baros1962 Feb 16, 2026

Excellent dramedy. One of the absolute best feel-good movies ever produced.

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Joy B.

@9mr_0 Jan 15, 2026

فلم حلو. القصة حلوه مع كوميديا خفيفه . الاخراج جيد جدا المخرج سرد القصة بطريقة بيها نوع من السرعة لكن جيده. الممثلين كان ادائهم مقبول رغم فتقار شخصيات الفلم للعمق الدرامي اغلب الشخصيات ضهرة مساندة للبطل اكثر من كونها مستقلة . التصوير كان هادىء و دافي.الموسيقى كانت جيده و مناسبة مع الصورة.

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Ivan Reitman

Director

Kevin Kline

Dave Kovic

Sigourney Weaver

First Lady Ellen Mitchell

Frank Langella

White House Chief of Staff Bob Alexander

Ben Kingsley

Vice President Gary Nance

Kevin Dunn

Alan Reed, White House Communications Director

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Synopsis

Shifty White House chief of staff Bob Alexander hatches a scheme to use a double for the president at a public photo opportunity. Small business owner Dave Kovic (Kline) fits the bill, but after the president suffers a debilitating stroke, opportunist Alexander arranges for Dave to step in full time without even informing the First Lady. It doesn't take long before the press, the nation and the president's wife realize something is different.

Director: Ivan Reitman
Producer: Ivan Reitman, Lauren Shuler Donner
Screenwriter: Gary Ross
Distributor: Argentina Video Home, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Northern Lights Entertainment, Donner/Schuler-Donner
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 7, 1993, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.0M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround

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