The primary category is for motion pictures and scripted television dramas where a non-fictional president of the United States is a central character or a central part of the film's plot. It may include any films about a president that offer little or no coverage of his presidency and even fictionalized works about a non-fictional president. It should not include works that include one or more presidents in secondary or minor roles.

Works about fictional presidents are in the sub-category Films about fictional presidents of the United States.