Political movies can approach the notion of politics and government from numerous perspectives, and with many wildly divergent purposes. Some of the earliest and best-remembered films were essentially propaganda tools being used by a political party or ideological group, hoping that the new media of cinema could be useful in helping to persuade or mollify the masses. (In some cases, as with the Nazi documentary "Triumph of the Will" or Sergei Eisenstein's massively influential "Battleship Potemkin," they were undeniable successful, at least initially.)
Political films can also serve the opposite purpose, encouraging people to distrust or even fear their government, or attacking an individual politician or political movement specifically. Some of the best political movies, the paranoia thrillers of the 1970s, for example, reflected America's distrust in its own leaders following the Watergate and other corruption scandals. More recently, George Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck" told a true story about journalist Edward R. Murrow facing off against Joseph McCarthy, but as a way of discussing political issues that remained relevant even upon its release in 2005. Good political movies are able to illuminate complicated situations for their viewers.
Many Americans' understanding of complex political situations, both in their homeland and in other countries, as well, comes from watching popular films. For example, the satirical take on the politics of war in "Wag the Dog," the insights into Greek politics provided by Costa-Gavras "Z" or the look at Bolivian elections in the documentary "Our Brand is Crisis."
This list includes notable and significant political movies from throughout cinema history from all different styles and genres. It is VoteRanked and Open, so be sure to vote up your favorites, vote down the movies you don't think belong on the list and add any other suggestions you have at the bottom of the page.
Check out more lists like this awesome collection of political thrillers, slave movies that will make you question the justice of history, and the top napoleon movies ever made.1
605193Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
James Earl Jones, Peter SellersReleased: 1964
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, more commonly known as... more
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506167All the President's Men
Richard Nixon, Dustin HoffmanReleased: 1976
Directed by: Alan J. Pakula
All the President's Men is a 1976 American political thriller film directed by Alan J. Pakula.... more3
342121The Manchurian Candidate
Frank Sinatra, Angela LansburyReleased: 1962
Directed by: John Frankenheimer
The Manchurian Candidate is a 1962 American Cold War suspense thriller directed by John... more4
343120Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
James Stewart, Claude RainsReleased: 1939
Directed by: Frank Capra
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a 1939 American political comedy-drama film, starring James... more5
20782Lawrence of Arabia
Omar Sharif, Peter O'TooleReleased: 1962
Directed by: David Lean
Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British epic adventure drama film based on the life of T. E.... more6
403150Schindler's List
Liam Neeson, Ralph FiennesReleased: 1993
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Schindler's List is a 1993 American epic historical period drama, directed and co-produced by... more7
352147The Great Dictator
Charlie Chaplin, Paulette GoddardReleased: 1940
Directed by: Charlie Chaplin
The Great Dictator is a 1940 American satirical political comedy-drama film starring, written,... more8
330172V for Vendetta
Natalie Portman, John HurtReleased: 2006
Directed by: James McTeigue
V for Vendetta is a 2006 American political thriller film directed by James McTeigue and... more9
21098American History X
Edward Norton, Edward FurlongReleased: 1998
Directed by: Tony Kaye
American History X is a 1998 American drama film directed by Tony Kaye and written by David... more10
20293One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVitoReleased: 1975
Directed by: Miloš Forman
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 drama film written by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman... more11
16472Judgment at Nuremberg
Judy Garland, William ShatnerReleased: 1961
Directed by: Stanley Kramer
Judgment at Nuremberg is a 1961 American drama film dealing with the Holocaust and with the... more12
231120Gandhi
Daniel Day-Lewis, Ben KingsleyReleased: 1982
Directed by: Richard Attenborough
Gandhi is a 1982 epic biographical film which dramatises the life of Mohandas Karamchand... more13
324199JFK
Kevin Costner, Gary OldmanReleased: 1991
Directed by: Oliver Stone
JFK is a 1991 American historical legal-conspiracy thriller film directed by Oliver Stone. It... more14
19795Hotel Rwanda
Nick Nolte, Joaquin PhoenixReleased: 2004
Directed by: Terry George
Hotel Rwanda is a 2004 American historical drama film directed by Terry George. It was adapted... more15
198107A Clockwork Orange
Malcolm McDowell, Warren ClarkeReleased: 1971
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 dystopian crime film adapted, produced, and directed by Stanley... more16
285154Wag the Dog
Kirsten Dunst, Robert De NiroReleased: 1997
Directed by: Barry Levinson
Wag the Dog is a 1997 black comedy film produced and directed by Barry Levinson. The... more17
17988Mississippi Burning
Willem Dafoe, Gene HackmanReleased: 1988
Directed by: Alan Parker
Mississippi Burning is a 1988 American thriller film directed by Alan Parker and written by... more18
8025Full Metal Jacket
Vincent D'Onofrio, R. Lee ErmeyReleased: 1987
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Full Metal Jacket is a 1987 film directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick. The screenplay by... more19
11041Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Tom Hardy, Benedict CumberbatchReleased: 2011
Directed by: Tomas Alfredson
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a 2011 espionage film directed by Tomas Alfredson. The screenplay... more20
10224Apocalypse Now
Marlon Brando, Harrison FordReleased: 1979
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
Apocalypse Now is a 1979 American epic adventure war film set during the Vietnam War. Produced... more21
13366Frost/Nixon
Kevin Bacon, Sam RockwellReleased: 2008
Directed by: Ron Howard
Frost/Nixon is a 2008 British-American historical drama film based on the 2006 play of the... more22
18151Good bye, Lenin!
Daniel Brühl, Chulpan KhamatovaReleased: 2003
Directed by: Wolfgang Becker
Good Bye, Lenin! is a 2003 German tragicomedy film. Directed by Wolfgang Becker, the cast... more23
203138Braveheart
Mel Gibson, Sophie MarceauReleased: 1995
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Braveheart is a 1995 epic historical medieval war drama film directed by and starring Mel... more24
17991All the King's Men
Broderick Crawford, John IrelandReleased: 1949
Directed by: Robert Rossen
All the King's Men is a 1949 drama film with noir-themed overtones set in a political setting... more25
12564Three Days of the Condor
Robert Redford, Faye DunawayReleased: 1975
Directed by: Sydney Pollack
Three Days of the Condor is a 1975 American political thriller film directed by Sydney Pollack... more
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