Top 10 White House Thrillers

Description: While not a traditional thriller, this film involves political maneuvering and personal crises within the White House, making it a unique entry in this list. It explores the challenges of being the President while navigating a romantic relationship.

Fact: Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the screenplay, later created "The West Wing," which also focuses on White House politics. The film was one of the first to depict the President as a single, dating man.

Description: A master thief witnesses a murder in the White House involving the President, leading to a cat-and-mouse game with the Secret Service. This film explores the dark side of presidential power and the lengths to which one might go to protect it.

Fact: The film was based on a novel by David Baldacci, and Clint Eastwood, who directed and starred in it, chose to shoot scenes in the real White House.

Description: Although not set entirely in the White House, this film involves the President's plane being hijacked, leading to a tense standoff that has significant implications for national security and the White House's response.

Fact: The film was inspired by a real-life incident where a Russian plane was hijacked. The production team built a full-scale replica of Air Force One's interior for the shoot.

Description: This film involves a comet threatening Earth, with significant scenes set in the White House as the President addresses the nation and makes critical decisions.

Fact: The film was released in the same year as "Armageddon," leading to comparisons between the two disaster movies, although "Deep Impact" focuses more on the political and human aspects of the crisis.

Description: While primarily a disaster film, it features scenes where the President and his staff must manage a global catastrophe from the White House, showcasing the building's role in crisis management.

Fact: The film was one of the first to use real-time weather data to simulate the effects of climate change, making it both a thriller and an educational piece.

Description: A Secret Service agent is accused of being part of an assassination plot against the President, leading to a high-stakes investigation within the White House.

Fact: The film was inspired by a novel by Gerald Petievich, who was a former Secret Service agent, adding authenticity to the portrayal of the agency.

Description: When the White House is taken over by North Korean terrorists, a disgraced Secret Service agent must save the President and the country. This film is a quintessential example of a White House under siege, showcasing the building's vulnerability and the heroism required to defend it.

Fact: The film was originally titled "White House Taken" but was changed to avoid confusion with the TV series "Taken." The White House set was built to scale, making it one of the most detailed replicas ever constructed for a film.

Description: A Capitol Police officer must rescue the President during a paramilitary attack on the White House. This film, released in the same year as "Olympus Has Fallen," offers a similar premise with a different twist, focusing on the personal connection between the officer and the President.

Fact: The film was shot in Montreal, Canada, where a full-scale replica of the White House was built. It also features a cameo by the real-life White House Chief Usher.

Description: An assassination attempt on the President during a summit in Spain is shown from multiple perspectives, including those within the White House, highlighting the chaos and confusion of such an event.

Fact: The film uses a non-linear narrative to tell the story, which was a unique approach to a political thriller at the time.

Description: This political thriller focuses on the contentious confirmation process of a female Vice President, with much of the drama unfolding within the White House and its corridors of power.

Fact: The film was praised for its realistic portrayal of political maneuvering and was one of the first to address the issue of sexual harassment in politics.