Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending.
No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good?
In honor of Election Day in the US, this week’s Top Ten Tuesday is dedicated to political films. This category encompasses a variety of sub-genres, including thrillers, dramas, and comedies. For the purpose of this list, I’m focusing on films whose primary theme is political. While a film like Citizen Kane (1941) features political moments – such as running for office and themes of power and influence – these elements serve more as a backdrop to the personal journey of Charles Foster Kane. As such, I chose not to include it here.
As I narrowed down the list, I faced tough decisions about leaving out remarkable films like The Candidate (1972), Malcolm X (1992), and The Contender (2000). I also wrestled with whether to include films like Citizen Kane and The Conversation (1974). In the end, I decided that if a film was on the cusp, it was probably better suited for another list.
Here are the ten best political films of all time:
10. All The King’s Men (1949)
9. Lincoln (2012)
8. Duck Soup (1933)
7. The Great Dictator (1940)
6. JFK (1991)
5. The Lives of Others (2006)
4. All the President’s Men (1976)
3. The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
2. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
1. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
![Tony Nominee Ali Louis Bourzgui On ‘The Lost Boys,’ David’s Queerness [VIDEO]](https://thecontending.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/THE-LOST-BOYS-Ali-Louis-Bourzgui-and-Dean-Maupin-Photo-by-Matthew-Murphy-2026-120x86.jpg)
![‘Lord’… Time ‘Flies’ When You’re Getting Bullied on an Island [VIDEO]](https://thecontending.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LOTF-120x86.png)
I STRONGLY object to this list due to absence of Advise & Consent (1962)!
Mr Preminger's searing political drama is the absolute height of sub-genre in my not so humble opinion (Only for this film though, otherwise I try to be at least a bit more humble).
That said, really enjoyed the list and can feel how you had to wrestle between on the cusp pics (Though I'd fight harder to include The Contender (2000)).
Also two 1999 pics might deserve honorable mentions: Election (1999) and Richard III (1999).
This is what I get for not being humble.
How on earth could I forget Mr Costa-Gavras' magnum opus Z (1969). Not to mention Mr Rosi's works like Hands Over The City (1963) with unforgettable Mr Rod Steiger?
As a side note with US Elections going on right now, Primary Colors (1998) might be welcome (Which is MUCH more than a simple Clintons satire) as well as Bulworth (1998).
Not Bulworth?
No Election?