Trump’s Hollywood power play: These are the 80s and 90s movies he wants to bring back to the big screen

Donald Trump has already proven that his second term in office isn’t just about politics. At least not directly. The president has exerted his “influence” in entertainment, effectively having late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel taken off the air for criticizing his administration. Now, Trump wants to reshape American culture by reviving old movies.

“Rush Hour” could be back

According to reports, Trump has been putting pressure on Larry Ellison, one of his most prominent financial allies, to bring the “Rush Hour” franchise back to theaters.

Ellison is the co-founder of multinational tech company Oracle and has a considerable stake in entertainment conglomerate Paramount Skydance, where his son David Ellison serves as CEO. Paramount Skydance is currently ahead in the bidding race to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which holds the license to the movie series.

Should the acquisition go through, Trump, as a close ally of Ellison’s, may well get his way. Film producer Dallas Sonnier told Semafor to expect “a wave of classically male-driven movies with mentally tough, traditional, courageous, confident heroes. Maybe even a tad cocky, but dedicated to honor and duty. Plus, of course, a few explosions, gun battles, helicopters, fistfights, and car chases.”

Why “Rush Hour” fits the bill

Buddy cop action comedy “Rush Hour” fits that mold. Directed by Brett Ratner and starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, the 1998 film received a mixed critical response. Variety critic Joe Leydon described it as “a frankly formulaic but raucously entertaining action comedy,” while it holds “generally favorable reviews” on Metacritic.

However, The Washington Post’s Michael O’Sullivan called the movie a “misbegotten marriage of sweet and sour” and “perfunctory and sloppy.” Chan himself admitted, “I didn’t like the movie. I still don’t like the movie.”

“Rush Hour 2” and “Rush Hour 3” followed in 2001 and 2007, respectively, and were commercial successes. Still, general opinion has long held that the franchise naturally ended after the third film.

Ratner’s rocky road back

Ratner, who also directed “X-Men: The Last Stand” and “Tower Heist” and worked as an executive producer on “Prison Break,” was dropped by Warner in 2017 following sexual misconduct allegations. But he has recently revived his career, with Trump’s help. Earlier this year, Amazon confirmed he will direct a documentary on First Lady Melania Trump, set to premiere on Prime Video in January 2026.

Trump’s other cinematic favorites

President Trump is also reportedly a fan of the 1988 martial arts film “Bloodsport.” Whether that means Jean-Claude Van Damme should expect a call for a sequel nearly 40 years later is not yet clear.

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