The Campaign
Performance & Direction: The Campaign Review
Last updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Campaign (2012) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
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?
Story & Plot Summary: The Campaign
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2012, The Campaign is a Comedy film directed by Jay Roach. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Will Ferrell.
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 production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks 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 recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: The Campaign
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Jay Roach, 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 involving Will Ferrell, 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
Box Office Collection: The Campaign
| 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.
Top Cast: The Campaign
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Campaign Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Google Play MoviesYouTubeThe Campaign Parents Guide & Age Rating
2012 AdvisoryWondering about The Campaign age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Campaign is 85 minutes (1h 25m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Campaign is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2012 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Campaign worth watching?
The Campaign is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.8/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Campaign parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Campaign identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Campaign?
The total duration of The Campaign is 85 minutes, which is approximately 1h 25m long.
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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 review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
