The Contender (2000): cast, story & where to watch
2000 · Film · ★ 6.7
Released in 2000, The Contender is a thriller and drama film directed by Rod Lurie, running about 126 minutes. “Sometimes you can assassinate a leader without firing a shot.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. The vice president is dead, and as the president makes his choice for a replacement, a secret contest of wills is being waged by a formidable rival. When Senator Laine Hanson is nominated as the first woman in history to hold the office, hidden agendas explode into a battle for power.
Who’s in it. The Contender stars Gary Oldman as Shelly Runyon, Joan Allen as Laine Hanson, Jeff Bridges as President Jackson Evans and Christian Slater as Reginald Webster, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.7/10, The Contender has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $22.4M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Contender page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Contender tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Contender (2000)?
- In US, The Contender is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Contender worth watching?
- The Contender holds an audience score of 6.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller and drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Contender?
- The Contender stars Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Christian Slater and Sam Elliott.
- When was The Contender released?
- The Contender was released in 2000, with a runtime of about 126 minutes.