In our narrowly divided political culture, many Americans often wish for a different president. Whether they want a president more in line with their political views, a president willing to make tough decisions or a president who rises to the occasion against some grave threat, they often don’t get what they want in the Oval Office. Luckily for them, Hollywood has given us plenty of great fictional presidents we can turn to for inspiration or solace.

Of course, film and TV presidents have the luxury of being fictitious and thus not answerable to the electorate, which frees them up to make the impassioned speech or take the controversial stand. Maybe that’s what often makes them more entertaining than the real thing.

Here’s my five favorite fictional presidents:

#5 President Andrew Shepherd (“The American President”)

#4 President Dave Kovic, aka Bill Mitchell (“Dave”)

#3 President Merkin Muffley (“Dr. Strangelove”)

#2 President Thomas Whitmore (“Independence Day”)

#1 President Josiah Bartlet (“The West Wing”)