Wag the Dog (1997) movie poster

Wag the Dog (1997)

"A comedy about truth, justice and other special effects."
ThumbScore
👍 81%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
🎬 80% (RT: 86%, MC: 74) ℹ️RT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
ComedyDrama

Where to Watch

Rent / Buy
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Director
Runtime
1h 37m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
6.9/10 (1,038 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
86%
Metacritic
74
Cast
Dustin Hoffman as Stanley Motss
Robert De Niro as Conrad Brean
Anne Heche as Winifred Ames
Woody Harrelson as Sergeant William Schumann
Denis Leary as Fad King
Willie Nelson as Johnny Dean
Andrea Martin as Liz Butsky
Kirsten Dunst as Tracy Lime
Most people think so. 81% of audiences gave it a thumbs up based on 1,038 votes. Critics agree, scoring it 80%.
Overview
During the final weeks of a presidential race, the President is accused of sexual misconduct. To distract the public until the election, the President's adviser hires a Hollywood producer to help him stage a fake war. Wikipedia ↗
Fun Facts
  • During production of Wag the Dog, the crew faced numerous challenges but managed to complete the shoot ahead of schedule.
  • Many of the background extras were actually locals from the filming locations.
Audience Consensus

Wag the Dog is a 1997 comedy, drama film directed by Barry Levinson. During the final weeks of a presidential race, the President is accused of sexual misconduct. To distract the public until the election, the President's adviser hires a Hollywood producer to help him stage a fake war.

The film has been rated by 1,038 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers. As a comedy film, Wag the Dog delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling. The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences.

Wag the Dog (1997) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape. The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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What Reddit Thinks

r/movies
⬆ 4,266💬 182 comments
Throwback Thursdays: "Wag the Dog" 1997 - A Presidential Administration hires a Hollywood producer to fake a war to distract from a sex scandal
“Wag the Dog” is a 1997 American black comedy political satire film starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro. Produced and directed by Barry... Read on Reddit →
Top comment: "This and Bulworth came out about a year apart from each other. Two movies that I felt at the time..."
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