5 Great Election Movies You Should Watch Instead of Worrying About Today’s Election Results

Tonight, America and the world will be watching only one thing: the results of the 2024 presidential election and all other minor elections in the United States that evening. It’s a stressful time, no matter what side of the political stage you find yourself on.

If you want to immerse yourself in the political drama without actually sitting around waiting for the votes to be counted, or just want to distract yourself from the stress, consider one of the following films. Sure, you’ll still think about the election (there are probably more efficient ways to avoid the topic entirely), but you’ll instead think about other elections, some fictional and some historical. Is there a great thing about movies that doesn’t exist in politics? When it comes to enjoying great films, we can actually find some agreement. Politics may be the art of getting things done, but it comes at a terrible price: constant friction and division.

Let me know if you have a favorite choice or political drama/thriller/comedy if your drama/thriller/comedy isn’t on this list. Let’s dive right in!

1. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Vote for Pedro! While people might not think about it Napoleon dynamite For being a traditional political film, it is truly a modern classic and I have to include it on this list for comic relief. People are stressed about the 2024 election, and nothing relieves stress like watching Jon Heder do the Jamiroquai dance. (PS: The trailer above is misleading – this is not an A24 film). Regard Napoleon dynamite on Hulu.

2. All the President’s Men (1976)

The true story of Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) and the events that led to Nixon’s downfall isn’t exactly an election film, but in a “post-truth” era it seems more relevant than ever. In some ways, the biggest political scandal of the 20th century seems almost quaint when you consider all the shenanigans happening today. Actually, this movie might be too serious if you just want to distract yourself from today’s election results. Still, it is good to remember the value of investigative journalism and its role in checking the powerful. The film is currently available on AMC+.

3. The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

The 2004 remake The Manchurian Candidate Starring Denzel Washington is good, but nothing beats the 1962 original. The phenomenal cast includes Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury and Janet Leigh. The story is about brainwashing, betrayal, backstabbing and foreign interference. In other words, even though the film was released over six decades ago, it is still relevant today. Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

4. The Candidate (1972)

Our second film starring Robert Redford, The candidate is about a young politician in an unwinnable race who decides to approach politics differently: by saying what he wants, winning over the electorate against his powerful rival – and attracting the attention of interest groups who appreciate his refreshing honesty want to use it for their own purposes. Regard The candidate on Prime Video.

5th choice (1999)

Perhaps the greatest film about elections is, appropriately enough, simply titled Choice. The film stars Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon in a bitter rivalry during a high school election. Witherspoon’s ambitious Tracy Flick annoys Jim McAllister, the high school government teacher, and he is determined to stop her from taking power. It all depends on a few votes – because every vote counts! Again, that’s funny, but the student-teacher feud seems terribly relevant in today’s divisive political climate. Regard Choice on MGM+ via Prime Video.

What other great election films do you like? let me know TwitterInstagram or Facebook. Also, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.