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The Campaign

Play trailer Poster for The Campaign R 2012 1h 25m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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66% Tomatometer 201 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
When incumbent Congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) commits a major gaffe, two wealthy CEOs decide to try to gain influence in their district by putting up a rival candidate. Their unlikely choice is a naive tourism director named Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis). Aided by his family's political connections and a cutthroat campaign manager, Marty soon becomes locked in a dead heat with Cam. As Election Day approaches, each man slings mud galore in a last-ditch effort to bury the other.
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The Campaign

The Campaign

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Critics Consensus

Its crude brand of political satire isn't quite as smart or sharp as one might hope in an election year, but The Campaign manages to generate a sufficient number of laughs thanks to its well-matched leads.

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Critics Reviews

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Kate Muir The Times (UK) 09/28/2012
3/5
Perhaps one in ten of the jokes hits the mark; the rest are damp, childish squibs Go to Full Review Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard 09/28/2012
2/5
There are some laughs, it doesn't overstay its welcome and neither side in the present fight for the presidency is likely to be offended. Go to Full Review Donald Clarke Irish Times 09/28/2012
3/5
The increasingly absurd squabbling between Ferrell and Galifianakis provides more than enough hearty laughs to be getting on with. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 08/10/2022
4/5
The Campaign is a satire that is pointing what's wrong with American politics and in this regard, it hits it right on the money. Go to Full Review David Walsh World Socialist Web Site 02/12/2021
Overwhelmed by events, intimidated by the ultra-right, intellectually lazy, distant from the population and its problems and feelings, the liberals find it almost impossible to summon up anything meaningful to say. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 12/01/2020
6/10
Underneath the layer of laughs is a rather forgettable story. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ed R @JustcallmeER Oct 31 Over the top comedy with hilarity that continues to ensue! See more John C @RT25427934 02/04/2025 I think that, living in Britain and being brought up on such classics as `Yes, Minister' and `The Thick of It,' the bar has been raised pretty high when it comes to political satire. The Campaign is about two political rivals, vying to be Senator in America. It's not as clever as either of the British TV shows; it's more low-brow and slapstick - definitely not as clever. However, it's still good in its own way. Will Ferrell is on form as one slimy Senator and Zach Galifianakis is equally amusing as his hapless and dopey rival. It's daft, enjoyable fun that anyone can enjoy with plenty of laugh out loud moments. It really doesn't matter who wins as the story comes secondary to seeing the two leads send up politicians in general for the lying, patronising, amoral, self-serving cads they are with their polished manufactured image and double-standards (I could go on). Maybe The Campaign is a sad sign of the times? Once upon a time politicians were respected figures of authority. Now they're so unpopular that they're easy fodder to be sent up - and we enjoy seeing them presented like this. It may not be a classic, but it has enough `laugh out loud' moments to make it definitely worth a watch. See more Drew B @RT87397005 01/10/2025 Pitch perfect casting & written horribly close to real life politics... Unfortunately. It works on a lot of levels. See more Colby B @RT20973746 06/19/2024 Not will ferrell’s best but still hilarious. The extended version is the best way to watch the movie. See more Jelisije J @jjosifovic 01/22/2023 An enjoyable comedy about politicians, politics, and the American way. See more 12/09/2022 Some really funny moments but mostly choppy and dumb See more Read all reviews
The Campaign

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Cast & Crew

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Jay Roach

Director

Will Ferrell

Cam Brady

Zach Galifianakis

Marty Huggins

Jason Sudeikis

Mitch

Dylan McDermott

Tim Wattley

Katherine LaNasa

Rose Brady

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The Campaign

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Movie Info

Synopsis When incumbent Congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) commits a major gaffe, two wealthy CEOs decide to try to gain influence in their district by putting up a rival candidate. Their unlikely choice is a naive tourism director named Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis). Aided by his family's political connections and a cutthroat campaign manager, Marty soon becomes locked in a dead heat with Cam. As Election Day approaches, each man slings mud galore in a last-ditch effort to bury the other.
Director
Jay Roach
Producer
Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Jay Roach, Zach Galifianakis
Screenwriter
Chris Henchy, Shawn Harwell
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Bros., Gary Sanchez Productions, Everyman Pictures
Rating
R (Crude Sexual Content|Brief Nudity|Language)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 10, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$86.9M
Runtime
1h 25m
Sound Mix
Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital