The Best Biopics About Real Politicians

Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Biopics About Real Politicians
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Political biopics. Vote up the best biopics about politicians and political figures.

There are many biopics that look at the lives of politicians and other political figures. But what are the best political biopic movies? This list includes titles such as All the President’s Men, The King’s Speech, Charlie Wilson’s War, and The Queen. The films on this list have been ranked by men and women as the best political biopics.

Movies have the ability to make us feel. They make us want to believe, be inspired, and live vicariously through the stories we see on screen. It is for this reason we often feel an emotional connection to films. Politics affects our lives in a variety of ways, so it is natural that filmmakers are drawn to stories about the lives of those who run the world.

Political biopics have told the story of Queen Elizabeth, John Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and George Patton and with a peek into the lives of these individuals, we can hopefully understand their motives, and thus their politics, all that much better. These movies vary in their genre but they are all equally fascinating.

Vote up the greatest political biopic movies ever made below or add one you think is great that isn't already on the list.

Most divisive: Cry Freedom
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  • Gandhi
    1
    Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen, Edward Fox
    25 votes
    • Released: 1982
    • Directed by: Richard Attenborough
    mahatma gandhi
    Gandhi, an epic historical drama, unravels the life and times of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Ben Kingsley). Set against the tumultuous backdrop of colonial India, the film charts Gandhi's transformative journey: from a humble lawyer in South Africa to the spearhead of India's non-violent independence movement. Directed by Richard Attenborough, this Oscar-winning masterpiece paints an intimate portrait of a man who championed peace in a world torn by violence. It also features powerful performances by Rohini Hattangadi as Kasturba Gandhi and Roshan Seth as Jawaharlal Nehru. A riveting tale of resistance and resilience, Gandhi is a cinematic tribute to an extraordinary life.

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  • Malcolm X
    2
    Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall
    27 votes
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: Spike Lee
    Malcolm X
    Malcolm X, a biographical drama, chronicles the life of one of America's most influential African American leaders. Malcolm X (Denzel Washington), born Malcolm Little, evolves from a petty criminal to a fervent advocate for the rights of blacks. Director Spike Lee depicts Malcolm's transformation through his experiences - including his conversion to Islam during imprisonment, his subsequent rise to power within the Nation of Islam, and his eventual break with the organization. Culminating with his assassination in 1965, the film provides an intense exploration of Malcolm X's personal development and ideological journey. The movie received numerous accolades, including an Oscar nomination for Denzel Washington's powerful performance.

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  • All the President's Men
    3
    Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Warden
    29 votes
    • Released: 1976
    • Directed by: Alan J. Pakula

    Woodward and Bernstein

    If you like this movie, be sure to check out our list of the best political thrillers.

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  • Patton
    4
    George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Michael Bates
    21 votes
    • Released: 1970
    • Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner
    George S. Patton
    Patton is a biographical war film that delves into the life of the audacious World War II General George S. Patton, portrayed by George C. Scott. The movie paints an incisive portrait of Patton's passionate and larger-than-life persona, his military genius, and his controversial methods. It explores his key operations during WWII, including the North Africa campaign and the Battle of the Bulge. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, Patton bagged seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Scott. This epic film seamlessly blends historical drama with intense war sequences to provide a riveting viewing experience.

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  • Frost/Nixon
    5
    Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon
    27 votes
    • Released: 2008
    • Directed by: Ron Howard
    Richard Nixon
    Frost/Nixon dwells in the world of politics and television, capturing the historic face-off between Richard Nixon (Frank Langella), the disgraced ex-president, and David Frost (Michael Sheen), a rising British television presenter. The narrative unfolds through a series of televised interviews conducted by Frost post-Watergate scandal. The movie, directed by Ron Howard, is a gripping drama that navigates the intricate corridors of power, truth, and redemption. It's an Oscar-nominated film that highlights the power dynamics between two formidable characters under intense media scrutiny. The movie masterfully blends history with entertainment, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience.

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  • Downfall
    6
    Alexandra Lara, Bruno Ganz, Thomas Kretschmann
    22 votes
    • Released: 2004
    • Directed by: Oliver Hirschbiegel
    Adolf Hitler
    Downfall is a 2004 German film directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, depicting the final ten days of Adolf Hitler's reign over Nazi Germany in 1945. The film is written and produced by Bernd Eichinger, and based upon the books Inside Hitler's Bunker, by historian Joachim Fest; Until the Final Hour, the memoirs of Traudl Junge, one of Hitler's secretaries; Albert Speer's memoirs, Inside the Third Reich; Hitler's Last Days: An Eye–Witness Account, by Gerhardt Boldt; Das Notlazarett unter der Reichskanzlei: Ein Arzt erlebt Hitlers Ende in Berlin by Doctor Ernst-Günther Schenck; and Siegfried Knappe's memoirs, Soldat: Reflections of a German Soldier, 1936–1949.