If you’re sick of politics then you likely don’t want to watch any of the 11 best political movies on Netflix in 2017. Politics is all around us. I know it’s been a long few years. But perhaps the best thing you can do to escape is to dive in. Don’t fight the current. Get inspired by politics and by these 11 best political movies on Netflix in 2017.
More than just the current Presidential issues–politics is universal. We each engage in political maneuvering, whether or not we see it that way. It could be something on our level–from high school elections to a workplace power dynamic, or even literally fighting for the best seat on the table. We all participate in some sort or type of politics in some way. Be sure to examine in the 11 best political movies on Netflix in 2017 how the elements of politics are composed and contrived.
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But the ugliest and some would argue the “more real” politicking is done in the corridors of power. Domestic bickering between politicians, country against country, state against a state is something we see daily. However, there are always rays of light in progressive politics and policies that lead to social uplift. Similarly to reality, the movies on this list will make you bring you high and low–but ultimately they will each make you think. Thinking will never be “overrated” so consider one of these 11 Best Political Movies on Netflix streaming in 2015 as your civic duty.
In order for the rankings to be more realistic and not random, we devised a method of ranking. There were a few things we considered. We made sure (obviously) that the movies can be streamed on Netflix. We then created a list of movies which received the highest score on IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes. By combining everything together, we averaged the scores and created our own score.
Here are 11 best political movies on Netflix in 2017 of the best movies. Some of them wacky and fictitious and others, totally relatable.
11. Casino Jack – 2010
IMDB: 6.2 Rotten Tomatoes: 4 IM Score 5.1
Starring Kevin Spacey, the movie oscillates between personal accounts and political culture, following DC lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his protege. Strong acting combined with being based on a true story make the whole thing very realistic.
10. The Reluctant Fundamentalist – 2012
IMDB: 6.9 Rotten Tomatoes: 5 IM Score 5.95
A drama featuring the struggles of a third-world Pakistani aspirant (Changez) looking to make it big at Wall Street. The film is based on Mohsin Hamid’s bestseller The Reluctant Fundamentalist. It revolves around the impact of 9/11 on Changez’s life, and how he lets go of the capitalist success and how gets down to love his life. A lesson for those who see material success as the means to a great life.
9. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – 2013
IMDB: 7.1 Rotten Tomatoes: 6 Site Score: 8 IM Score: 6.55
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, is a flashback into the life of the famous activist Nelson Mandela. The film is based on Mandela’s autobiography and highlights his long life in prison to achieving freedom. With the help of real life events, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom reproduces that passion with which Nelson Mandela stood up against oppression.
8. Bulworth – 1998
IMDB: 6.8 Rotten Tomatoes: 7.5 IM Score: 7.15
Bulworth is an epic imitation of a congressman’s corrupt life. Full of political satire, the film is made more relevant by showing how people with power use that privilege to do whatever they want. Funny incidents in the movie make it all the way more entertaining.
7. The Butler – 2013
IMDB: 7.2 Rotten Tomatoes: 7.1 IM Score: 7.15
Based on the life of Eugene Allen, who spent 34 years in the White House as a butler, and consequently served through 8 administrations, the film takes us back through all the major events that helped shape the America of today. And, how some of the controversial decisions impacted Allen’s personal life as an African American.
6. Primary Colors – 1998
IMDB: 6.7 Rotten Tomatoes: 8 IM Score: 7.35
Most people know that Bill Clinton spend a troubling time, sometimes outright bizarre, at the White House. Primary Colors is based on those absurd moments of Clinton’s time as the President of America. Very creative in its screenplay and direction.
5. Che – 2008
IMDB: 6.9 Rotten Tomatoes: 8 Site Score: 10 IM Score: 8.45
Che – the movie is about the transformation of Ernesto ‘Che Guevara’ from an asthmatic doctor to being the most famous revolutionary of Latin America. Starring Benicio Del Toro as ‘Che’, the film portrays the true story about Che Guevara joins hands with fellow revolutionary Fidel Castro to topple Batista’s government in Cuba.
4. The Unknown Known – 2013
IMDB: 7 Rotten Tomatoes: 8 Site Score: 8 IM Score: 8
Based on the political career of former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Congressman Donald Rumsfeld, The Unknown Known shows how he rose up the ranks and how he helped sell the invasion of Iraq.
3. The Wind That Shakes the Barley – 2006
IMDB: 7.5 Rotten Tomatoes: 8.8 IM Score: 8.15
Set in the time of Irish civil war, the film, one of the best political movies on Netflix in 2017, explores how the Irish Republican Army fought against the British with a focus on one set of brothers. It is not just a war movie, the screenplay takes into account lives of those who suffered the most in an absolutely gripping and poignant tale.
2. Election – 1999
IMDB: 7.3 Rotten Tomatoes: 9.2 IM Score: 8.25
Starring Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon this is the story of a high school student running for class president. Considered President Obama’s personal favorite, Election is a narrative of those people who go to great lengths to realize their personal dreams.
1. In The Loop – 2009
IMDB: 7.5 Rotten Tomatoes: 9.4 IM Score: 8.45
With wit that sharply slices this is a hilarious account of how murky things can get within England’s brand of politics. With special relevance to the invasion of Iraq, In The Loop is a fantastic satire and an insider’s view into global politics. Written and directed by Armando Iannucci who would go on to make HBO’s Veep, and co-written by Jesse Armstrong, this is a masterwork of satire.
Now you’ve enjoyed the 11 Best Political Movies on Netflix in 2017 get watching!
