Politics makes for strange bedfellows—and for great movies. The drama inherent in choosing our politicians—watching as they try to change the world and, on occasion, watching them implode—is always in ample supply at political conventions, and pretty much anywhere one chooses to look during an election season. But even the most adamant political junkies will admit that the drama is more thoroughly satisfying when a talented screenwriter, a smart director and stellar actors are able to distill the chaos into 120 riveting minutes.
Here, we take a look at the 15 best political films of the past eight decades or so. Did we miss any? Are there any here that you’d veto? Well, that’s what democracy’s all about. Cast your votes in the comments.