In a plot twist that not even Hollywood screenwriters could have predicted, Dennis Quaid’s Reagan has soared to the top of the global box office, becoming the #1 movie in the world despite being largely ignored, criticized, and in some cases, unofficially banned by what many are calling “Liberal Hollywood.” It seems the tale of America’s 40th president, played by Quaid with enough patriotic gusto to make an American flag blush, has struck a chord with viewers across the globe—even if it left the Hollywood elite clutching their soy lattes in shock.

While liberal strongholds on the coasts seemed to yawn at the film’s release, the heartland of America, as well as international audiences from London to Tokyo, rallied behind the biopic, making Reagan a smash hit that no one—except maybe Ronald Reagan himself—could have seen coming.

For those who may not have tuned into the Labor Day weekend release, Reagan tells the inspiring story of the former president’s rise from humble beginnings to the Oval Office, a journey that—depending on who you ask—either redefined the conservative movement or is the reason for all that is wrong with the world today. Directed by Sean McNamara, the film stars Dennis Quaid as the iconic Gipper, Penelope Ann Miller as his devoted wife Nancy, and features a soundtrack by none other than country music legend Clint Black. It’s all wrapped up in a heartwarming narrative set against the backdrop of the Cold War—a time when politics, while still nasty, seemed somehow less… well, Twitter-like.

But here’s the kicker: Reagan has been lambasted by Hollywood’s glitterati since its inception. The film’s release was met with a digital cold shoulder from major studios, with whispers that it didn’t fit the “progressive” tone Hollywood aims to project in 2024. According to insiders, film execs cringed at the idea of a Reagan biopic, fearing it might reignite the nostalgia for a conservative era that they’d rather forget.

Dennis Quaid, for his part, knew he was stepping into murky waters by taking on the role of one of the most divisive figures in American political history. Appearing on Joe Rogan’s podcast (because where else does one have serious conversations these days?), Quaid candidly admitted that taking the role of Reagan might be career suicide in today’s hyper-polarized entertainment industry.

“I don’t care anymore,” Quaid declared, with the calm assurance of a man who’s read one too many think pieces about being “canceled.” Quaid explained that the movie wasn’t just about Reagan’s political legacy, but rather about American ideals and values—concepts that, for some reason, had become too controversial for today’s Hollywood to handle. “In this election, everybody’s got to choose a side,” he continued, as if the mere act of starring in a biopic had suddenly become a form of political activism.

He wasn’t wrong. Critics came for the film with their digital pitchforks. Twitter threads filled with outrage. Media outlets described the movie as “a love letter to conservatism” and “propaganda.” Quaid himself faced backlash for daring to humanize a president who still holds sainthood status among Republicans and is a four-letter word for many on the left.

The controversy didn’t end there. In an age where social media plays kingmaker, the marketing team for Reagan ran into roadblocks when Meta (the artist formerly known as Facebook) decided to reject their paid promotions. Yes, you read that right. Apparently, a 1980s presidential biopic was deemed an “attempt to sway the election.”

Quaid was baffled. “Ronald Reagan hasn’t been on the ballot for 40 years,” he remarked, likely while shaking his head and muttering something about how social media is ruining society. But the damage was done. Facebook wouldn’t allow the film to promote itself with its inspirational message: “Don’t let anyone tell you that America’s best days are behind her — that the American spirit has been vanquished.” To Meta, that was a bit too close to election interference.

Of course, the irony of blocking a movie about a president from the 80s while allowing 24/7 political ads from every modern-day candidate seemed to be lost on Meta. But Reagan didn’t need Zuckerberg’s platform. It turns out that when you ban something, people just want to see it more.

Here’s where the story takes a triumphant turn. Despite being effectively ghosted by Hollywood elites and blocked by social media giants, Reagan found its audience—and what an audience it was. In Middle America, from the Bible Belt to the Rust Belt, theaters were packed with viewers eager to relive the story of the man who famously told Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.” Even international markets embraced the film, with surprising box office success in countries like Japan and South Korea, where Reagan’s role in ending the Cold War still resonates.

By the end of its opening week, Reagan had topped the global box office charts, surpassing the latest superhero flicks and summer blockbusters. It was the ultimate underdog story: a biopic about a conservative icon becoming a worldwide sensation despite being shunned by the very industry that’s supposed to make such movies successful.

Meanwhile, Hollywood insiders were left stunned. How did this happen? How did a film that they’d written off as “niche” and “outdated” suddenly become the #1 movie in the world? Surely it was a fluke, they thought, or the result of some shadowy cabal of Reagan enthusiasts buying up tickets to rig the numbers.

But the truth was far simpler: Reagan resonated with people. Love him or hate him, Ronald Reagan remains a larger-than-life figure who still captivates audiences—and in a world that’s becoming increasingly divided, his story of resilience, optimism, and belief in the American Dream was a welcome reprieve.

Of course, Hollywood will probably continue to ignore the film’s success. They’ll chalk it up to “nostalgia” or dismiss it as a “right-wing phenomenon,” but the numbers don’t lie. In a landscape where movies are often more about pushing messages than telling stories, Reagan stood out by doing the one thing audiences still crave: it entertained.

And so, Dennis Quaid’s supposed career-suicide role turned into a victory lap. Reagan is officially the most-watched movie on the planet, and it did so without the help of Liberal Hollywood, Meta, or any of the usual industry kingmakers. In the end, the Gipper got the last laugh—and Quaid, well, he’s probably sitting back with a glass of something strong, laughing right along with him.