17 political movies that are factually on point

Political cinema combines the power to enthrall and the ability to scrutinize some of the more important episodes and personalities in history. Some films take liberties, others remain astonishingly faithful to the truth, providing piercing portrayals of political decisions and controversies. This work presents 17 political movies depicting historical moments based on facts: complex issues and terrains of politics. From the rise of great leaders to the manipulations behind the scenes, these films are entrancing specimens that give a glimpse into real-world politics.

1. All the President’s Men (1976)

This Oscar-winning political thriller tells the true story of The Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein whose investigation resulted in President Richard Nixon's resignation. According to their book, the film chronologically details their investigation of the Watergate scandal. Commended for its authenticity, it conveys the tension and meticulous research in the breaking of one of the largest political scandals in American history. Even today, decades later, it is a standard for investigative journalism movies.

2. The Post (2017)

Prior to All the President's Men, The Washington Post broke waves when it published the Pentagon Papers, documenting decades of government secrecy about the war in Vietnam. The Post theatrically recounts the decision of publisher Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep) and editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) to challenge the Nixon administration and publish leaked documents. Though the movie documents the political pressure, it also captures Graham's evolution into a bold leader in a man's world. The script was rewritten several times to make it relevant in the context of press freedom debates.

3. Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)

Shot in bold black-and-white, this movie documents reporter Edward R. Murrow's confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare. Directed by George Clooney, it employs real McCarthy footage rather than an actor, adding to its authenticity. The movie condemns media accountability, resonating with contemporary criticism of sensationalist reporting. Clooney, whose own father was a news anchor, added authenticity to the film by having every detail—from tension in the newsroom to Murrow's cigarette-smoking persona—mirror reality. Its examination of journalistic integrity continues to be strangely relevant in current political times.

4. Frost/Nixon (2008)

This riveting drama tells the iconic 1977 TV interviews between British reporter David Frost and former U.S. President Richard Nixon. Michael Sheen and Frank Langella are compelling in their portrayals of the tension as Nixon, in the aftermath of Watergate, tries to redeem himself. The actual David Frost spent years working to get the interviews, and Nixon's honest confessions were historic. Although there are some dramatizations, the movie is mostly true to history. Interestingly, Langella, having played Nixon on Broadway before the film, refused to impersonate him, instead concentrating on capturing his essence.

5. Lincoln (2012)

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Lincoln dramatizes the last few months of Abraham Lincoln's presidency, with a focus on his concerted efforts to get the 13th Amendment, which ended slavery, passed. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a masterful performance, bringing Lincoln's wisdom and moral principles to life. The film remains faithful to historical events, depicting the political maneuvering and difficulties of getting the amendment passed in the midst of Civil War tensions. With its focus on detail, Lincoln presents a strong, factually grounded depiction of a turning point in American history and the leadership needed to steer it.

6. JFK (1991)

Oliver Stone's JFK explores the conspiracy theories about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy through the investigation by New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison. Although the film is taking artistic license, it does use real events and features many historical figures, such as Lyndon B. Johnson and Lee Harvey Oswald. Stone's depiction of the political atmosphere of the 1960s is informed by his own research, which challenged the official version. The film generated controversy regarding the Kennedy assassination, some of which still affect public opinion today. Although the movie largely addresses the scenario of that era, it is not completely factually accurate.

7. 13 Days (2000)

Drawing on the Cuban Missile Crisis, 13 Days dramatizes the extreme political and military confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union in 1962. Kevin Costner plays Kenneth O'Donnell, one of President John F. Kennedy's most important advisors, whose responsibility was to see the crisis through and avoid nuclear war. The film is applauded for its fidelity to the process of high-level decision-making and the profound tensions of the time. Where some events are over-dramatized, political climate and judicious diplomacy at large are all represented faithfully so that it constitutes a gripping informative historical account.

8. Selma (2014)

Enormously indicative of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches to insist on the right to vote, initiated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Selma is somewhat representative of the political struggle for African Americans' right to take part in political matters. This film is destined for the screen by Ava DuVernay. It shows the courage and resolution of civil rights activists against violence, mostly depicting things that, while not completely historical scenarios from all angles, are something that still rings heavily true around the minds of people who have been around during that time.

9. The Report (2019)

The investigative report addresses the CIA's torture during the War on Terror particularly with respect to the 6,700-page report of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Daniel Jones, the lead investigator portrayed by Adam Driver, uncovers nasty truths about the interrogation practices followed by the CIA after 9/11. The film is based on an actual report, focusing on the moral and political outcomes of the intelligence community's actions. It highlights the continuing controversy regarding accountability and transparency in government, rendering it both a historical account and a cautionary tale.

10. Vice (2018)

Vice is the film by Adam McKay that showcases the impressive political life of Dick Cheney, from reaching new heights to his controversial years serving as Vice President to George W. Bush. It exposes all those manipulating acts. The period when Cheney waxes more eloquent about how to run the American political system, especially during the country’s war on Iraq, is cited quite often in the film as foreign and domestic influences. Christian Bale's performance acts out the ruthless pursuit of power.

11. The Ides of March (2011)

Against the background of a presidential campaign, The Ides of March explores the underside of American politics. Featuring Ryan Gosling, the movie follows an ambitious press secretary embroiled in the entanglement of political corruption, betrayal, and manipulation. Though not grounded on a specific real-life incident, the film captures the ruthlessness of strategies and the immoral sacrifices typical in actual campaigns. Directed by George Clooney, it presents an unflinching examination of how idealism and ambition conflict in the political world, echoing the moral conflicts many political leaders experience. Although the movie captures the ups and downs of American politics, it is not completely factually accurate.

12. The Contender (2000)

This political thriller is about a female senator (Joan Allen) who is nominated to serve as Vice President but is attacked by a smear campaign based on a previous scandal. The Contender examines the issues of gender, power, and political manipulation with a keen eye for the double standards faced by women in politics. Although not inspired by any one historical woman, it mirrors the difficulties and scrutiny women have to face in the political limelight. The subtle presentation of the media's role in framing the public mind remains a sharp commentary on contemporary political life. The movie largely addresses the gender divide in politics but is not completely factually accurate.

13. Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)

Directed by Mike Nichols, this film tells the story of Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson's involvement in supporting the Afghan mujahideen in the course of the Soviet-Afghan War. Tom Hanks illustrates Wilson, whose unlikely partnership with CIA operative Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and socialite Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts) helped organize the covert operation funneling U.S. aid to the rebels. Based on actual events, the film shows the political maneuvering that lay behind the war and its unintended consequences on U.S. involvement.

14. Argo (2012)

Argo tells the true story of a daring CIA mission to rescue six American diplomats from Iran in 1979 during the hostage crisis. Some liberties were taken with the film, such as augmenting the duty of Hollywood within the operation, but it stuck rather closely to the accounts of the events preceding the successful rescue. The film tells the story of diplomacy and clever thinking in what could well have been an unrecorded effort. Affleck's direction, with outstanding performances by Goodman and Arkin, mixes suspense and dark humor to an unusual degree.

15. The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, this film tells the courtroom drama between seven accused conspirators and rioters for the riots during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968. Now, although some details have been creatively fabricated, the rest of the characterization, especially political climate and activism during the late 1960s, remains historically accurate. The trial itself carries with it the drama's absurdity and gravity as it has come to symbolize political dissent.

16. Bridge of Spies (2015)

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Bridge of Spies is based on true events; therefore, it is the story of a lawyer (played by Tom Hanks) who negotiated the exchange of spies between America and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The film's attention to detail is truly astounding by depicting the intense atmosphere of the 1960s and political maneuvering that formed international diplomacy. The real-life exchange was between an American U-2 pilot, Francis Gary Powers, and Soviet spy Rudolf Abel.

17. Darkest Hour (2017)

Darkest Hour is the story of Winston Churchill's leadership during the early days of the Second World War, in particular, during the Dunkirk evacuation and Churchill's refusal to negotiate with Nazi Germany. In an Oscar-winning performance by Gary Oldman, Churchill shows the determination and political acumen to resist enormous odds set against him. Some elements of Winston Churchill's private life are dramatized, but it is in a historical sense that the film is an authentic view of the moments when Britain was making the major decisions of war.