9 election-themed movies to watch after you've voted

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By , Audacy

There's no better time to throw on an election-themed movie than on Election Day!

As we patiently and anxiously wait for results to roll in, there’s only a handful of things we can do to distract ourselves.

While some turn to social media, some go to bed early, and others indulge in political films to stay on theme without actually watching the events unfold in real time.

Looking for political film suggestions? Look no further than our list, which includes thrillers, dramas, and comedies!

Election (1999)

Honesty and integrity may be the cornerstones of democracy, but not when it comes to a hotly-contested election for high school student council president. Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), high school government teacher, intervenes in the political race after noticing that overly ambitious Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) is using unethical tactics to get ahead.

Streaming on HBO Max

American President (1995)

The Aaron Sorkin classic finds the widowed U.S. President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Doughlas) aiming for a second term and juggling his feelings for a lobbyist that will drop his approval ratings. Sorkin is best known for his political drama “The West Wing.” The cast reunited earlier this month to support voter registration.

Watch on Hulu

Man of the Year (2006)

What started as a joke brings Tom Dobbs (played by the late Robin Williams) to the Oval Office. The talk show host, who decides to run for office, becomes a fan-favorite and is hailed as a breath of fresh air, particularly because he’s not politically correct (sound a bit familiar?) in this 2006 comedy.

Watch it on Amazon Prime

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

“Vote for Pedro” may be the most popular fictional slogan right along with the most famous fictional candidate, Pedro Sánchez. With help from awkward teen, Napoleon Dynamite, the two launch a competitive campaign for class president. Heck yes.

Watch it on Hulu now

Milk (2008)

Based on a true story, Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk, an American gay activist who fought for LGBTQ rights and became the nation’s first openly gay man elected to public office before being killed for his lifestyle.

Watch on Amazon Prime

Swing Vote (2008)

Think your vote doesn’t matter? Think again. This 2008 film explains why one vote can make a difference as American citizen Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner) becomes the deciding vote in the presidential election due to a voting malfunction.

Watch it on Amazon Prime

The Ides of March (2011)

The 2011 film proves just how ugly and personal politics can get. In the days leading up to the Ohio presidential primary, Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling), a budding campaign press secretary to Gov. Mike Morris (George Clooney) finds himself embroiled in a political scandal that threatens the campaign.

Streaming on Amazon Prime

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

Remakes are never as good as the original, but the 2004 film starring Denzel Washington as Major Ben Marco is just as good as the 1962 film starring Frank Sinatra. Marco’s nightmares force him to think that he and fellow soldier, Sgt. Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber), who is now running for vice-president, were brainwashed for sinister purposes.

Watch it on Hulu now

Welcome to Mooseport (2004)

Following a messy divorce, former U.S. President Monroe Cole (Gene Hackman) moves to the small town of Mooseport, Maine and decides to run for mayor. Little does he know, he’s up against the local hardware store owner, Handy Harrison (Ray Romano), who has a bit of a competitive streak.

Watch it on Hulu now

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