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Top 10 Funniest Political Movies

Tired of the serious and stress-filled world of politics? Turn that upside down and check out the ten funniest political movies.

By Jesse KinneyPublished 6 years ago 8 min read
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In today's political climate, we could all stand to have a few more laughs in our lives. So much is going on around us these days that flipping on a movie, throwing your feet up, and having a quality chuckle or two is the only way to decompress after a long day, week, or god help you, anything longer. Politics are what divide and irritate us the most, so why not turn that around and enjoy some movies that make a mockery of the whole political landscape? They make for a great stress reliever and abs workout if you pick the right ones. I have seen my fair share of movies and while I do not consider myself an expert, I am confident enough in having my favorite picks seen by the world. So in the hopes of giving you some much-needed joy and quality abs right before beach season, here are the ten funniest political movies you can watch.

Perhaps the only film that could be considered one of the funniest political movies on the premise alone, The Interview was declared an act of war by North Korea, as the Asian nation threatened to retaliate against the United States if the movie was released. You know what they say, there is no such thing as bad publicity! This prompted a controversy-filled timeline of official statements, hacks, and new release dates. Ultimately, The Interview was released on iTunes and theatrically shortly after. Go freedom of speech!

After all the hype and controversy, Seth Rogen and James Franco did not disappoint. Their journey to North Korea to interview, and kill, Kim Jong-un is both hilarious and the perfect movie to learn more about how the government works. OK, maybe not so much the second one, but it's definitely hilarious. It is one of the funniest political movies on the premise alone. I still don't know why this particular piece of art annoyed Kim Jong-un so much; there are numerous examples of music, videos, and street art trolling him. Maybe one day we'll find out the truth.

Up next we have two of the biggest heavyweights in the industry, Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro, coming together for this political hit. Wag the Dog follows a Hollywood producer and a professional spin doctor as they create a fictional war to draw voters' attention away from the president's latest sex scandal. The cast boasts a bevy of other stars including Woody Harrelson, Denis Leary, Kirsten Dunst, and Willie Nelson. Make no mistake though, Hoffman and De Niro steal the show (as they often do), and give you two big reasons to see this.

Perhaps the most famous film on this list, Dr. Strangelove is one of the funniest political movies, no question about it. It boasts a trio of bonafide legends: Stanley Kubrick, Peter Sellers, and George C. Scott. Dr. Strangelove was made in 1964, directly after the Cuban Missile Crisis and at the height of the Cold War. It perfectly satirized both events and the threat of nuclear war, giving everyone the ability to laugh at serious situations that once worried them to their core. There are countless lines to quote, great performances to witness, and laughs to be had while watching one of Kubrick's best. So grab a water (don't forget about the abs you should be making) and prepare to watch a masterpiece of cinema. And remember, there is no fighting in the war room.

A light-hearted, feel-good movie about politics, this is just what everyone needs. Dave is centered around an ordinary guy, Dave Kovic, who bears a striking resemblance to the president. After the president suffers a massive stroke, Kovic is called upon to act in his stead due to the vice president having the mind of a looney tune.

Kevin Kline plays the titular character with compassion, intelligence, and a consistent level of humor. Dave shows the White House environment through the eyes of an average Joe, who ends up running the country in an incredibly efficient manner. It's no surprise Kovic is considered one of the five most virtuous U.S. movie presidents. The same could be said for Dave to be included one of the funniest political movies out there, unsurprising.

The combination of the story and the untimely passing of Robin Williams makes Man of the Year one of the most heartwarming movies to see if you're feeling down. Williams' humor and showmanship are on full display in this political comedy. Barry Levinson, who also directed Wag the Dog, is at the helm for this one. Levinson and Williams make a dynamic pair, and they are joined by Lewis Black, Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum, and Laura Linney.

Man of the Year is similar to Dave in that it follows an average person (a political comedian to be exact) taking their stab at being president. The only difference being this follows the campaign and journey to becoming president, rather than already holding the Oval Office. A great director, a good cast, and Robin Williams at his best, all the ingredients needed to make an excellent movie are there. What are you waiting for?

No one could quite blend drama and comedy like Charlie Chaplin, which was exemplified in his first true sound film, The Great Dictator. Chaplin is a force of nature in this film, playing two different roles and delivering incredible performances for both. In one world, he is a Jewish barber and former war hero living under persecution. In the other, he is the fascist dictator Adenoid Hynkel (based off of Adolf Hitler), the cause of that persecution.

What surprised me most about this film is the fact that it released before World War II even began. It is so accurate and knowing it was made before everything that occurred in the 40s is chilling. One of the most celebrated and praised works of political satire in history, Chaplin's brilliance easily finds its way into the funniest political movies conversation.

If there was a book on how to be the opposite of politically correct, I would bet good money Sasha Baron Cohen wrote it. He basically already wrote it with Borat, Brüno, and The Dictator. Cohen doesn't shy away from sensitive or controversial subject matter, and it's clear in this movie. Cohen plays Admiral General Aladeen, the leader of the Republic of Wadiya, and the moronic political decoy meant to replace him, Efawadh.

Aladeen visits America to address the United Nations Security Council. He is then kidnapped, escapes being tortured, and wanders around New York City. Cohen is at his best in this film, and Anna Faris and Ben Kingsley are splendid as well. Though a different look at a dictator from Chaplin's, the humor in this movie is top-notch.

We come to an outstanding film that involves two of my favorite actors. Anything with Will Ferrell AND Zach Galifianakis is guaranteed to be a hoot and a half. That theorem is proven by The Campaign, which isnot only one of the funniest political movies but one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Ferrell takes a detour from his successful string of sports movies (Blades of Glory, Semi-Pro, Kicking & Screaming, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby are all certified classics) and dives headfirst into the pool of politics. Galifianakis more than matches Ferrell with the awkward, physical humor he is known for.

The two superstars of comedy go head-to-head for a seat in Congress and it gets intense. Snake bites, punched babies, stolen cop cars, and live raccoons being eaten are just some of the instances that follow this political steel cage death match. You're going to want to check out the rest.

Two words: Chris Farley. That is all you need to know about this film, but I'll digress a little more. Farley paired up with Saturday Night Live co-star David Spade in what would be the final movie the two-some starred in together. Their first work together, Tommy Boy, is a cult-classic and one of the funniest movies ever made in my opinion. Farley's physical comedy was incredible and Spade's straight man humor complemented it perfectly.

Black Sheep follows Mike Donnelly (Farley), as he tries to stay away from trouble to ensure his brother wins the governorship of Washington. As you can probably guess, this proves to be tremendously difficult. If nothing else, see this for the Spade/Farley duo. It was a partnership that should've dominated big screens for years to come, only to be cut short by Farley's unfortunate passing. Rest in peace big guy, you are sorely missed.

From the brilliant minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, we come to my final pick for the funniest political movies, Team America: World Police. At the beginning of their South Park fame and before their The Book of Mormon success, Parker and Stone crafted this ingenious action-based political thriller. Team America, a paramilitary anti-terrorism force, goes up against Kim Jong-il (I guess he had a better sense of humor) and the Film Actors Guild (F.A.G.).

Team America: World Police makes sure to hit all the action movie clichés while simultaneously making them funnier and more over the top. If you've seen South Park, you know this is a recurring trait that Parker and Stone have become famous for. Oh, and the entire movie is with puppets with strings they don't even attempt to hide. If that doesn't convince you that this is pure comedic gold, I don't know what will.

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About the Creator

Jesse Kinney

Huge sports fan, primarily hockey and football. Also a big TV and movie fan. Recent Marist graduate writing about whatever interests me!

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