Overview
A sharp-witted lobbyist navigates the murky waters of corporate ethics and personal dilemmas in a world where smoking is both a vice and a livelihood.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- sardonic
- cynical
- lazy sunday
- political movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a witty, sharply scripted satire powered by Aaron Eckhart’s smarmy lead performance, though some found its episodic structure and softer ending less incisive.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Nick Naylor repeatedly reframes tobacco-industry harm through charm, debate tactics, and persuasive public speaking.
Nick, Polly Bailey, and Bobby Jay Bliss form the self-styled M.O.D. Squad while comparing tobacco, alcohol, and firearms industries.
Nick’s career depends on lobbying, strategic spin, confidential dealings, and defending cigarette companies under pressure.
The film mocks tobacco advocates, anti-smoking politicians, media opportunism, and public-relations culture through Nick’s campaign battles.
Films like Thank You for Smoking, and why
Election
shared witty, cynical political satire and morally slippery characters
The Informant!
shared dark workplace comedy, sharp social critique, and charismatic antihero
Wag the Dog
shared media manipulation, cynical institutions, and fast-talking comic dialogue
The Big Short
shared satirical treatment of capitalism, lobbying, and corrupt public discourse
Movie Details
- Director
- Jason Reitman
- Release Date
- 2005-09-09
- Runtime
- 92 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (2490)
Cast
- Aaron Eckhart
- Maria Bello
- Cameron Bright
- Adam Brody
- Sam Elliott
- Katie Holmes
- Rob Lowe
- William H. Macy
- Robert Duvall
- David Koechner
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Thank You for Smoking about?
- A silver-tongued tobacco lobbyist turns public outrage, political opposition, and personal scandal into material for his next persuasive argument.
- What is Thank You for Smoking like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Thank You for Smoking as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Thank You for Smoking violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Thank You for Smoking.
- What did critics think of Thank You for Smoking?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a witty, sharply scripted satire powered by Aaron Eckhart’s smarmy lead performance, though some found its episodic structure and softer ending less incisive.
- Which films are like Thank You for Smoking?
- Films with a similar feel include Election, The Informant!, Wag the Dog, and The Big Short.
- How long is Thank You for Smoking?
- Thank You for Smoking runs 92 minutes.
- Where can I watch Thank You for Smoking?
- In United States, Thank You for Smoking streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
