Politics and films are frequently intertwined. Political movies exist in a variety of formats. While some of them tell tales of basic human traits like corruption and greed, others tell tales of strong individuals who spoke out because their voices needed to be heard, those who put themselves in great danger because of their irrational ambition, and those who overthrew established leaders in a struggle for dominance.
These films encourage us to consider how we may better our society. These films can also offer viewers insight into historical events, different perspectives of powerful people, and in some cases, light relief through humor. We have accumulated information on the top 10 best political movies of all time and we ranked them using IMDb ratings and critic reviews. Let’s go over each one individually.
Top 10 Best Political Movies Of All Time
Here is a list of some of the best political movies of all time you should watch right now:
1. The King’s Speech (2010)
Director: Tom Hooper
IMDB: 8.0
One of the most remarkable movies ever filmed is The King’s Speech. The movie tells the tale of an important historical event. To give his nation the courage to oppose Nazi Germany, a reluctant king overcomes his speech handicap.
This movie was expertly helmed by Tom Hooper. Both Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush gave outstanding performances as King George VI and Lionel Logue, respectively. The film offers a combination of humorous, depressing, smart, and perceptive looks at why a king was so unwilling to be a king and how he frantically attempted to overcome his flaws.
2. JFK (1991)
Director: Oliver Stone
IMDB: 8.0
Oliver Stone’s most iconic work is JFK. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the corruption of the American government are the main topics covered in this movie, which is considered one of the best political movies of all time. The way that Jim Garrison’s inquiry is shown in the film is quite intriguing. For everybody who not believes in the foundation of the Constitution but also insists on its application, this movie is a must-see.
The film is a groundbreaking expose of U.S. government interests, which firmly held the belief that they were more significant than the wishes of the American people.
3. All The President’s Men (1976)
Director: Alan J. Pakula
IMDB: 7.9
The drama of one of the biggest political scandals in American history is explored in All The President’s Men. To give this movie the appropriate level of gravitas in one of America’s strangest conspiracies ever, Alan J. Pakula contributes his amazing directorial experience.
Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, who play the two main characters, tie this convoluted story together. Hoffman’s portrayal of reporter Carl Bernstein is frantic, while Redford’s portrayal of reporter Bob Woodward is hypnotic. The plot of the film is based on the aftermath of the Watergate crisis and how The Washington Post looked into the matter and exposed the facts, forcing President Richard Nixon to resign.
4. Selma (2014)
Director: Ava Duvernay
IMDB: 7.5
The movie Selma focuses on the events that happened in Alabama during the American Civil Rights Movement, including the protracted marches protesting for voting equality.
David Oyelowo’s portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. starts his journey from Selma, a little hamlet on the Alabama River, to Montgomery, the state capital, which is some 54 miles distant. In this march, people of both races come together to show their support for genuine change. The film conveys a positive message about what it means to stand up for what is right which can be related to people of both races.
5. Lincoln (2012)
Director: Steven Spielberg
IMDB: 7.3
Famous for being one of the best political movies of all time, Lincoln is both directed and produced by Steven Spielberg, a legendary filmmaker. Following Lincoln’s second term reelection, the movie is set in 1865.
The film centers on Lincoln’s tenacity in trying to enact the 13th amendment to the Constitution, which would have abolished slavery in the United States. Daniel Day-Lewis does an outstanding job portraying Abraham Lincoln. He portrays himself to be wise and kind, but also as a politician who can use coercion, shady side deals, and threats to get what he wants.
6. The Queen (2006)
Director: Stephen Frears
IMDB: 7.3
The Queen provides a fascinating inside look at British politics as well as how the monarch handled, or rather, mishandled the loss of Princess Diana in 1997. Nobody could have played the queen more effectively than Helen Mirren. Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, played by Michael Sheen is superb. The movie focuses on the cultural shift among Britain’s young generation and how they respond to the terrible passing of Princess Diana.
7. The Courier (2020)
Director: Dominic Cooke
IMDB: 7.2
The Courier has one of Benedict Cumberbatch’s strongest performances to date, making it one of the best political movies of all time. Merab Ninidze gave another outstanding performance as well.
This superbly produced film tells the true story of Soviet Officer Oleg Penkovsky and British businessman Greville Wynne, who during the Cold Conflict of the 1960s prevented the world from developing into a disastrous war by providing the crucial intelligence used to defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis.
8. Wag the Dog (1997)
Director: Berry Levinson
IMDB: 7.1
Wag the Dog by Berry Levinson is a masterful work of satire. The nature of politics and spin-doctoring is captured in this movie. This movie is unquestionably among the best political comedies of all time. A few days before the elections, there was a scandal involving a young girl that put the president in hot water.
Conrad Brean, a renowned spin doctor, enters the scene to divert public attention while they work to remove their boss from the firing line. He hires Hollywood producer Stanley Motss to fabricate a conflict in Albania to draw media attention from the true story.
9. The Ides of March (2011)
Director: George Clooney
IMDB: 7.1
The pivotal battleground of Ohio is at stake in this epic film, which stars Steven Meyers as Governor Mike Morris’ senior adviser. Morris will very certainly win the Democratic nominee if he can win over the delegates from Ohio. Meyers, however, entangles Morris in a significant political controversy that imperils his chances of winning the presidency.
The hand-selected cast is outstanding. Along with George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Marisa Tomei, and Philip Seymour Hoffman at their best, the film also features Paul Giamatti as the campaign manager for the governor’s rival. Even in sequences they share, each character seems to steal the show. Even Evan Rachel Wood gives a standout performance in her role as a fresh intern at Morris’ camp in one of the best political movies of all time.
10. Nixon (1995)
Director: Oliver Stone
IMDB: 7.1
The movie is a biopic of Richard Nixon that depicts his life from his early years in California in the 1920s to his ignominious departure from office due to the Watergate incident in 1974. Oliver Stone had to fill in many blanks with guesswork because there were so many unanswered questions regarding Nixon’s political career.
Anthony Hopkins does a great job of assuming the role of Richard Nixon. He presents as a multifaceted individual who is both ambitious and dreamy as well as possessing demons. As convincing as Pat Nixon is Joan Allen. Unlike Nixon, she is a strong lady who adores her husband but gets weary of the political scenes.
Conclusion
A great theme for movies to explore is politics. These top 10 best political movies of all time will provide you with a more in-depth but enjoyable look at the complex world of politics. Each movie on our list has been taken into account in light of the history of cinema and the growth of political films.
Please feel free to share your favorite political film in the comments below. Let us know if you concur with our selections as well. If we have your support, we will add more such interesting lists.
I am Mohana Sarma, a full time content writer and editor. I have experience of more than 2 years in the writing field. I began my content writing journey by working for a local newspaper. Soon after that, I began working as a content writer on a full-time basis. I have worked in different niches such as education, health, technology, finance, management, etc. Apart from writing, I am really into music, movies, and traveling.