Is The Campaign Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, The Campaign is likely a skip if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 85 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Campaign Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2012, The Campaign emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Two rival politicians compete to win an election to represent their small North Carolina congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. Unlike standard genre fare, The Campaign attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Campaign features a noteworthy lineup led by Will Ferrell . Supported by the likes of Zach Galifianakis and Jason Sudeikis , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Campaign (2012) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Campaign Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Campaign is a Comedy film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Two rival politicians compete to win an election to represent their small North Carolina congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together running gags and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
The Campaign Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Campaign attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Campaign reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Campaign?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
The Campaign Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $95.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $104.9M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Campaign Budget
The estimated production budget for The Campaign is $95.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of The Campaign
- Will Ferrell – Cam Brady
- Zach Galifianakis – Marty Huggins
- Jason Sudeikis – Mitch Wilson
- Katherine LaNasa – Rose Brady
- Dylan McDermott – Tim Wattley
Top Highlights
Will FerrellCam Brady
Zach GalifianakisMarty Huggins
Jason SudeikisMitch Wilson
Katherine LaNasaRose Brady
Dylan McDermottTim Wattley
Sarah BakerMitzi Huggins
John LithgowGlen Motch
Dan AykroydWade Motch
Brian CoxRaymond
Karen MaruyamaMrs. Yao
Where to Watch The Campaign Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Google Play MoviesYouTubeParents Guide & Age Rating
The Campaign is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.8/10, and global collection metrics, The Campaign stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2012 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Campaign movie hit or flop?
The Campaign has received mixed reviews with a 5.8/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Campaign worth watching?
The Campaign is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Campaign online?
The Campaign may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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How The Campaign Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Campaign
Boring watch, won't watch again, and do not recommend. After watching "Irrestitable", I should have known better than to give this a try, but I was hoping the stars being the actual candidates would make it better, but it's still about nonsense politics and social manipulation. If you like the actors, then you might get a bit out of it, but you could also just watch other good things they're in. Politics isn't fun for me, and there are a few absurd jokes that land, but for the most part it is a lot of work to setup jokes that just do not land.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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