9 Must-See Political History Movies That Will Change You

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Republished from Liberal America.

Here are some movies about politics and politicians to give you a bit of a break from the reality.

Some of these are factual. Some of these just have a strong political message. I have included movies about any era of politics as well:

1. Election (1999)

This teen political movie follows a heated student council election. Reese Witherspoon stars as the classic neurotic character determined to win class president. It satirizes the ridiculousness of high school and class elections.

2. Selma (2015)

This is an amazing movie following Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.’s march on Selma, Alabama during the Civil Rights era.

3. Primary Colors (1998)

This movie follows John Travolta as a charismatic and charming Southern politician running for president. When it came out, people thought it resembled the Clintons, but it’s not specifically about them. It is based on the novel written by reporter Joe Klein.

4. Milk (2008)

This epic drama follows the true story of Harvey Milk. He was a gay activist who fought to be the first openly elected official. He was assassinated in 1978 at the age of 48.

5. Lincoln (2012)

This amazing movie features Daniel Day-Lewis as the President Abraham Lincoln. This movie follows his efforts to free the slaves and end the Civil War. He was campaigning the for the Thirteenth Amendment so that we could permanently free the slaves.

6. JFK (1991)

This epic movie follows the investigation of John F. Kennedy’s 1963 assassination. It involves an investigation by Louisiana district attorney Jim Garrison. He conducts his own investigation when he unsatisfied with the one being conducted.

7. V For Vendetta (2005)

This beautiful movie chronicles a fictional London where they are living under a dictatorship. The revolutionary “V” gets the people to fight against their ruler.

8. Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)

This Cold War drama follows the true story of Texas Congressmen Charlie Wilson, who helped arm the Mujahideen in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union. It is wonderful historical drama of an aspect of the Cold War that many don’t remember.

9. All The President’s Men (1976)

This movie follows the infamous “Watergate” scandal that led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation. It follows the story of Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward who was covering a break-in at the Democratic Party headquarters. He helped uncover the Republican involvement in the scandal.