Find Movies & TV
Home
Live TV
On Demand
Discover
Explore
Movies & TV Shows
Most Popular
Leaving Soon
Explore
Browse Channels
Featured Channels
Sign In
Primary Colors
Directed by
Mike Nichols
R
1998
2h 23m
Comedy
,
Drama
6.7
80%
64%
Add to Watchlist
Jack Stanton is running for president. The election is seen through the eyes of young Henry Burton. Along the way Stanton must deal with a sex scandal.
More
Where to Watch Primary Colors
Google Play Movies
Subscription
Amazon Prime Video
Rent $3.79
Buy $14.99
Amazon Video
Rent $2.89
Buy $14.69
+2 more
Cast of Primary Colors
John Travolta
Jack Stanton
Emma Thompson
Susan Stanton
Billy Bob Thornton
Richard Jemmons
Adrian Lester
Henry Burton
Maura Tierney
Daisy Green
Paul Guilfoyle
Howard Ferguson
Larry Hagman
Gov. Fred Picker
Kathy Bates
Libby Holden
Diane Ladd
Mamma Stanton
Rebecca Walker
March
Caroline Aaron
Lucille Kaufman
Tommy Hollis
Fat Willie
Rob Reiner
Izzy Rosenblatt
Ben Jones
Arlen Sporken
J.C. Quinn
Uncle Charlie
Allison Janney
Miss Walsh
Robert Klein
Norman Asher
Mykelti Williamson
Dewayne Smith
James Denton
Mitch
Leontine Guilliard
Ruby
See all
Primary Colors Ratings & Reviews
diegom651
August 14, 2025
A great political satire that has been forgotten. The cast is amazing.
Associated Press
Hillel Italie
Primary Colors, Nichols' second feature with screenwriter and former stand-up comedy partner Elaine May, is mainstream filmmaking at its most accomplished.
The Hollywood Reporter
Duane Byrge
The performances are splendid, beginning with Travolta's magnificent turn as the big-hearted but hardballing man with 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. on his horizon.
USA Today
Mike Clark
Primary Colors perfectly captures the spirit of its topic and time to become The Big Chill of politics.
Los Angeles Times
Kenneth Turan
A smart and savvy piece of work.
Variety
Todd McCarthy
Travolta's warmth and expansiveness effectively amplify and embellish the likable and personable side of Stanton.
San Francisco Chronicle
Mick LaSalle
The movie loses something by downplaying the book's arresting contrast between Stanton's smooth dishonesty and Picker's raw sincerity.
Chicago Sun-Times
Roger Ebert
The movie is endlessly inventive and involving.
Entertainment Weekly
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Adapting Joe Klein's roman a clef of the same name, ferociously witty screenwriter Elaine May and her smooth old compatriot in comedy, director Mike Nichols, have made a zingy drama and have staffed it well.
Film.com
Tom Keogh
There are piecemeal wonders in Primary Colors, but not the grand and resonant vision the film should have been.
New York Magazine/Vulture
David Denby
This entertaining but rather peculiar movie asks extraordinary questions, and I wish it were better equipped to give the answers.
Film.com
Robert Horton
Like its politicians, the movie is savvy about using whatever it takes to achieve a goal.
Film.com
Sean P. Means
A hilariously entertaining movie.
Film.com
John Hartl
Primary Colors is the Mr. Smith Goes to Washington of our jaded era.
Slate
David Edelstein
It's hard for me fully to express how deeply rotten I think Primary Colors is. Adjectives like 'glib,' 'coarse,' and 'sour' don't fully do it.
Houston Chronicle
Jeff Millar
May and Nichols may not be right for the material, especially the Searching for Jimmy Stewart component, which feels more labored as the film proceeds.
New York Times
Janet Maslin
The film seldom displays much in the way of directorial hallmarks.
Salon.com
Charles Taylor
A slack, tepid picture stuck in a no man's land between satire and drama.
Boston Globe
Jay Carr
Those who wonder how good a Clinton impersonation Travolta does miss the point.
Detroit News
Susan Stark
The movie itself makes no judgment. It's smart enough to ask you to do that by yourself and for yourself.
Watch Primary Colors Videos
Primary Colors
Primary Colors
Trailer
Take Plex everywhere
Watch free anytime, anywhere, on almost any device.
See the full list of supported devices
Home
Live TV
On Demand
Discover
Categories
Action
Animation
Comedy
Crime
Descriptive Audio
Documentary
Drama
En Español
Horror
Music
Romance
Sci-Fi
Thriller
Western
NFL Channel
Hallmark Movies & More
Acorn TV Mysteries
Categories
Hit TV
Drama TV
True Crime
Comedy
News
Sports
Reality
History & Science
Movies
Sci-Fi & Action
Classic TV
Food & Home
Lifestyle
Nature & Travel
Daytime TV
Game Shows
Kids & Family
Anime+
Chills & Thrills
International
En Español
Music
