10 Must-Watch Political Thriller Movies

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Let's start our list with one of the most gripping political thrillers of recent times. Kathryn Bigelow's 'Zero Dark Thirty' is based on the US military’s decade-long manhunt for Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden following the 9/11 attacks, and the raid on May 2, 2011, that killed the terrorist in a compound in Pakistan.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

'The Manchurian Candidate' is based on the 1959 novel by Richard Condon and follows an American prisoner of war during the Cold War who is brainwashed into becoming an unwitting assassin for an international Communist conspiracy. The sharp performances by the film's leading actors, Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, and Janet Leigh, make it a timeless conspiracy classic.

V for Vendetta (2005)

A bold modern political masterpiece, 'V for Vendetta' is set in a dystopian future Britain where a shadowy freedom fighter known as “V” fights to overthrow a tyrannical government with the help of a young woman. The film stars Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea, and John Hurt.

Foreign Correspondent (1940)

One of the finest political thrillers set during WWII, this Alfred Hitchcock classic had to be on our list. The story follows a young reporter who exposes enemy agents in London on the eve of the war. The film stars Joel McCrea and features 19-year-old Laraine Day.

State of Play (2009)

Based on the British television show of the same name, 'State of Play' follows a journalist named Cal McAffrey who investigates the murder of the assistant and mistress of Congressman Stephen Collins. The film features a strong cast including Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, and Jason Bateman.

All the President's Men (1976)

Based on the Watergate scandal that brought down US President Richard Nixon, 'All the President's Men' follows The Washington Post journalists Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward as they investigate the case. Starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as the two reporters, the film is considered one of the finest political thrillers of all time.

Seven Days In May (1964)

John Frankenheimer's 'Seven Days in May' follows United States military leaders who plot to overthrow the President in reaction to his negotiation of a disarmament treaty with the Soviet Union. Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster lead a stellar cast in this taut exploration of loyalty and patriotism.

Argo (2012)

Based on the real-life “Canadian Caper” mission, this Ben Affleck–directed espionage thriller is a must watch. The story follows CIA agent Tony Mendez, who leads the rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Tehran, Iran, under the guise of filming a science-fiction movie during the 1979–81 Iran hostage crisis. Besides Affleck, the film also stars Bryan Cranston and Alan Arkin.

Munich (2005)

Steven Spielberg’s political thriller 'Munich' is based on the 1984 book Vengeance by George Jonas and provides an account of the Mossad assassinations following the Munich Olympics massacre. Although it was one of the lowest-grossing films in Spielberg’s career, The New York Times named it the 16th best film of the 21st century.

The Ides of March (2011)

George Clooney's The Ides of March follows a campaign press secretary who becomes involved in a scandal that threatens his candidate's election chances. Widely praised by critics, the film stars Clooney and also features Ryan Gosling.