The Best Political Drama Movies Of All Time, Ranked

Ranker Film
Updated August 11, 2023 1.5K votes 247 voters
Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Political Drama Movies Of All Time, Ranked
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Vote up your favorite dramas about politics and politicians.

More than 240 movie fans have cast their votes to determine the best political drama movies of all time. Political dramas are a genre that has captivated audiences for decades, and it's easy to see why. These films explore the inner workings of our political system, highlighting its complexities and giving viewers an in-depth look at how political power and influence works.

 

At their core, these movies are about what we value as a society - morality, justice, and freedom. From classics like All The President's Men to modern favorites like Miss Sloane and Lincoln, these films bring us into a world of intrigue with complex characters grappling with difficult choices between right and wrong. Whether they're exposing government conspiracies or delving into the personal lives of politicians, these stories offer fascinating insight into our own reality while delivering gripping storylines full of suspenseful moments.

From riveting historical biopics to engrossing thrillers filled with twists and turns - here is your chance to discover some great political drama movies you may have missed out on or you can revisit old favorites. So make sure you check out this list before heading off for your next cinematic adventure – and don't forget to vote up your favorite picks.

Most divisive: Game Change
Ranked by
  • All the President's Men
    1

    All the President's Men

    Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Warden
    53 votes
    • Released: 1976
    • Directed by: Alan J. Pakula
    All the President's Men is a gripping political drama that unravels in the wake of the Watergate scandal. This fact-based film follows Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) as they dig into a petty burglary case, only to discover a massive conspiracy reaching the top echelons of power. Directed by Alan J. Pakula, this critically acclaimed film won four Academy Awards. It meticulously recreates the tense atmosphere of 1970s newsrooms while shedding light on one of the biggest political scandals in American history.

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  • Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
    2

    Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

    James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains
    30 votes
    • Released: 1939
    • Directed by: Frank Capra
    When the idealistic young Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) winds up appointed to the United States Senate, he gains the mentorship of Senator Joseph Paine (Claude Rains). However, Paine isn't as noble as his reputation would indicate, and he becomes involved in a scheme to discredit Smith, who wants to build a boys' campsite where a more lucrative project could go. Determined to stand up against Paine and his corrupt peers, Smith takes his case to the Senate floor.

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  • Thirteen Days
    3

    Thirteen Days

    Kevin Costner, Bruce Greenwood, Steven Culp
    43 votes
    • Released: 2000
    • Directed by: Roger Donaldson
    For thirteen extraordinary days in October of 1962, the world stood on the brink of an unthinkable catastrophe. Across the globe, people anxiously awaited the outcome of a harrowing political, diplomatic and military confrontation that threatened to end in an apocalyptic nuclear exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union. Thirteen days captures the urgency, suspense and paralyzing chaos of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

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  • Lincoln
    4

    Lincoln

    Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn
    53 votes
    • Released: 2012
    • Directed by: Steven Spielberg
    Lincoln, a historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg, stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Set during the Civil War era, the film focuses on Lincoln's monumental struggle to pass the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery nationwide. Sally Field portrays Mary Todd Lincoln, his emotionally volatile wife, while Tommy Lee Jones plays Thaddeus Stevens, a fervent abolitionist congressman. The movie is a compelling exploration of political maneuvering and moral dilemmas. It won two Oscars including Best Actor for Day-Lewis's riveting portrayal of this iconic leader.

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  • Wag the Dog
    5

    Wag the Dog

    Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Anne Heche
    27 votes
    • Released: 1997
    • Directed by: Barry Levinson
    Two weeks prior to reelection, the United States president lands in the middle of a sex scandal. In need of outside help to quell the situation, presidential adviser Winifred Ames (Anne Heche) enlists the expertise of spin doctor Conrad Brean (Robert De Niro), who decides a distraction is the best course of action. Brean approaches Hollywood producer Stanley Motss (Dustin Hoffman) to help him fabricate a war in Albania -- and once underway, the duo has the media entirely focused on the war.

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  • V for Vendetta
    6

    V for Vendetta

    Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea
    43 votes
    • Released: 2006
    • Directed by: James McTeigue
    V for Vendetta is a provocative dystopian political thriller. In this film, Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked vigilante known only as V (Hugo Weaving). Set in an alternative future where a totalitarian government has seized control of the United Kingdom, V ignites a revolution when he detonates two London landmarks and takes over the state-run television network, urging his fellow citizens to rise up against oppression and tyranny. As Evey uncovers the truth about V's mysterious past, she also discovers her own path to personal freedom. The film won Saturn Award for Best Actress and Best Horror Film.

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