35+ Great Political Movies Based on True Stories

Ranker Film
Updated June 23, 2023 1.9K votes 295 voters
Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of 35+ Great Political Movies Based on True Stories

Sometimes the truth is more entertaining than fiction, especially when it comes to films inspired by real-life political events, scandals, and personalities. The top true politics movies are typically about a major event that changed the scope of government. This is a list of true political movies featuring everything from All the President's Men to The Last King of Scotland to Malcolm X.

What classics will you find on this list of movies based on true politics? Maybe you'll vote Lincoln to the top. Daniel Day-Lewis took home the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the 16th president, in a film examining the time when he abolished slavery. Hyde Park on Hudson, which offers a look at the personal life of Franklin D. Roosevelt, is another good movie about a political figure. Nelson Mandela was the subject of the acclaimed 2013 film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Other notable movies featured in this roundup include Patton, The King's Speech, and The Ides of March.

Which political true stories are the best? Give your favorite films a thumbs up to move them to the number-one spot, and add any great flicks that are missing.

Most divisive: Syriana
Ranked by
  • Lincoln
    1

    Lincoln

    Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn
    95 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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  • Patton
    2

    Patton

    George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Michael Bates
    64 votes
    • Released: 1970
    • Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner
    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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  • The King's Speech
    3

    The King's Speech

    Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter
    76 votes
    • Released: 2010
    • Directed by: Tom Hooper
    In the historical drama The King's Speech, Bertie (Colin Firth), who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment his whole life, is unexpectedly crowned King George VI of Britain. With his country on the brink of World War II and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), arranges for Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), an eccentric speech therapist, to help him overcome his stutter. An unlikely friendship develops between the two men, as they work together to enable Bertie to lead his people. This film won four Academy Awards including Best Picture.

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  • All the President's Men
    4

    All the President's Men

    Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Warden
    84 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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  • Munich
    5

    Munich

    Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Geoffrey Rush
    65 votes
    • Released: 2005
    • Directed by: Steven Spielberg
    Set against the backdrop of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, Munich is a gripping historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie follows the covert operations of Avner Kaufman (Eric Bana), a Mossad agent, who leads an Israeli government-sanctioned team to hunt down and assassinate eleven Palestinians purportedly involved in the massacre. Laden with moral ambiguity, the film paints a stark picture of revenge and its devastating consequences. Despite its gritty content, Munich was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

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  • The Last Emperor
    6

    The Last Emperor

    John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O'Toole
    46 votes
    • Released: 1987
    • Directed by: Bernardo Bertolucci
    The Last Emperor, a biographical drama, unveils the life of Puyi (John Lone), the final monarch of China. Born in Beijing's Forbidden City, Puyi ascends to the throne at age two but is ousted during the Xinhai Revolution. Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, the film captures Puyi's tumultuous reign and subsequent downfall, from lofty emperor to humble gardener. Joan Chen portrays Wanrong, his Empress, with Peter O'Toole as Reginald Johnston, his tutor. The movie earned nine Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director - a testament to its cinematic brilliance.

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