Political films and TV shows that you can stream right now

One of the great movies of all time and a film that further enforced the importance of the press when it comes to government oversight — on any level. Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman shine as Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, respectively, investigating what would become the Watergate scandal. Political and news junkies can catch this 1976 classic on Amazon Prime and also those Cinemax subscribers can as well.

Widowed President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) is a confident and extremely popular leader. That is until he starts seeing a lobbyist (Annette Bening), and his favorability among United States voters starts to dip. Shepherd is Aaron Sorkin's ideal president, and Douglas is stellar in the role. Viewers can catch it via Hulu, for starters, but Amazon Prime and Vudu are also options.

David Budd (Richard Madden) is a military veteran with PTSD now in charge of protecting British Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes) in this political-crime thriller. This Netflix series was obviously quite popular overseas and has also captivated streaming audiences beyond the United Kingdom. All six episodes are there for the taking and well worth the time.   

This is a smart and funny political comedy staring Kevin Kline as Dave Kovic, a presidential impersonator who actually becomes a stand-in for an incapacitated and incompetent POTUS. Dave turns quite popular and learns how to play the game rather quickly. It's a good time and lighthearted enough to momentarily break free from the political reality. Available most prominently on Amazon Prime.

Kiefer Sutherland's Tom Kirkman went from a rather inconspicuous cabinet position to the President of the United States following a massive attack on the government during the State of the Union address. While running the country, the inexperienced Kirkman finds a world of deceit, corruption and betrayal. And that's just his first couple of days. "Designated Survivor" began on ABC in 2016 and finished with two seasons on Netflix — where the entire run is available. 

We head to Disney+ for this family-friendly series about the middle-school-aged life of a future U.S. president. The comedy is told through the diary of young Cuban-American Elena (Tess Romero), who grows up to become president. Gina Rodriquez ("Jane the Virgin") plays the older Elena, and the series is typical of most Disney fare aimed at preteens. 

OK, we're talking about a high school student body election , but it's politics none the same. Reese Witherspoon shines as overachiever Tracy Flick, who is obsessed with running for the president of the student council. Trying to stop her is veteran teacher Mr. McAllister (Matthew Broderick). It can be dark at times, but that's the kind of humor we expect from a talented writer/director like Alexander Payne. Catch it on Hulu.

Is this the greatest drama series in the history of HBO? That might be hard to argue. This fantasy drama is filled with political and royal undertones — not to the mention the graphic violence and strong sexual content. "Game of Thrones" had it all, and thanks to Hulu and HBO Now, fans can relive it all via stream whenever the mood to return to the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros strikes.  

No doubt Kevin Spacey's sexual misconduct allegations tarnished the perception of the show, but there are others who made this one of the great political dramas of all time — for starters, Frank Underwood's wife, Claire. Played brilliantly by Robin Wright, she's as fierce, cunning and intimidating as any female character on television — past or present. Netflix subscribers have the chance to watch Claire at her best — or worst.

This one is from 2013 and reportedly based on late longtime White House butler Eugene Allen. Forest Whitaker stars as Cecil Gaines, a butler who's seen much during his years serving those in the White House . Whitaker is not the only big name among a cast that includes Oprah Winfrey as Cecil's wife, Gloria. Robin Williams (as Dwight D. Eisenhower), John Cusack (as Richard Nixon) and Jane Fonda (as Nancy Reagan) also star. Available on Vudu, plus Amazon Prime.

Head to HBO Now and Hulu for this 2019 comedy starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen. Theron's Charlotte Field is the U.S. Secretary of State who decides to run for president. In her younger days, she babysat for Rogen's out-of-work journalist Fred Flarsky. After they meet up as adults, Field hires him as a speechwriter. Rogen is a little more down-to-earth in this comedy but still resorts to some of his usual antics. 

Watching the political progress and evolution of Elizabeth McCord (Téa Leoni) is quite entertaining. She went from college professor to the first female president of the U.S. It's the typical network political drama but solid enough to have kept the world entertained for six seasons. Fans of the genre can watch on both CBS All Access and Netflix.

One of the most cherished films of all time, Jimmy Stewart stars as Jefferson Smith, the junior senator who delivers his famed filibuster. And it's also one of the most beloved scenes in U.S. film history. Subscribers of Amazon Prime can check out this 1930s classic, a film that should restore most adults' faith in humanity — at least a little bit. Or simply just enjoy Stewart's memorable performance. 

Before Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) became the governor of Indiana and then moved on to the U.S. Department of Interior, she was running the Pawnee parks department. Small-town politics made for great comedy on a sitcom that  rose from an underrated gem to a major hit. The show's physical distancing, COVID-19 episode reminded us why many loved it so much. Fans — or newcomers — can watch the full series on Netlfix and Hulu as well as via Sling TV and fuboTV.

A smart and witty Netflix original, "The Politician" stars Ben Platt ("Pitch Perfect") as Payton Hobart, a California teen running for the presidency of his high school student body. Platt, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for this project, seems wise beyond his years, at least when it comes to his political aspirations. The long-anticipated second season is slated to begin during this summer. 

Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) is one fierce political fixer. And many should think twice about crossing her, as we've seen over the years. Pope was a massive presence on the Washington landscape, and "Scandal" was an ABC favorite for seven seasons. Hulu subscribers are the real winners after the series has found a new home since leaving Netflix in May.   

Another Netflix gem, and this one delves into world politics with an Australian angle. Now, it's a good bet the original 2016 series might be off the radar for some. But it's certainly intriguing, and Anna Torv, as press secretary Harriet Dunkley, leads an underrated cast as a former journalist who has never forgotten her investigative ways. Following the original series release in 2016, "Secret City: Under the Eagle" (2019) can also be found on Netflix. 

The life of Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was steeped in political intrigue, specifically, his ties to communism . The 2015 film offers a polished look at Trumbo's life in Hollywood and his attempt to keep working after being blacklisted by the industry. Netflix subscribers can catch Cranston in another of his notable performances as well as Helen Mirren as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper. 

Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep take us into "The Washington Post" coverage of the "Pentagon Papers." Hanks is gruff as celebrated news man Ben Bradlee, and the pace of the film is pretty intense. It's another example of how the press plays a part in taking down the government through real and thorough investigative report. It's available on Amazon Prime, among other smaller, pay-to-stream options.

Mike Nichols' comedy drama from 1998 showcases the issue of dirty laundry within the lives of American politicians — primarily that of Jack Stanton (John Travolta), who is making a push to be President of the United States. Emma Thompson, Kathy Bates and Adrian Lester also deliver above-average performances in a film that is worth revisiting (on Amazon Prime)— and still relevant today.

Whether on Netflix, Hulu or Showtime, the four seasons of "The Tudors" (2007-10) are available years after the hit show went off the air. That's because fans still need their fix involving the Tudor Dynasty. Jonathan Rhys Meyers does a good job as King Henry VIII, the focus for most of the series. Though not as intense as "Game of Thrones," "The Tudors" offers its own level of brilliance.

This Julia Louis-Dreyfus hilarious and inappropriate sitcom became the gold standard for political comedies and will go down as one of the funniest sitcoms television has ever produced. Louis-Dreyfus' Selina Meyer is dysfunctional and uproarious whether serving as vice president or president. Her bumbling supporting cast of characters is just as funny. Fans can relive the madness on HBO Now and Hulu. 

The popular NBC drama spanned seven seasons and won more than 20 Primetime Emmy Awards. The good news for fans of the show is that President Jed Bartlet and the rest of the gang can be found on Netflix. The entire run of the series is available on the popular streaming platform, so if you're tired or frustrated with real-world politics, here's a more entertaining option. 

One of the most successful shows in HBO history, "The Wire," which can be streamed on HBO Now and Hulu, is obviously not totally a political show. Seasons 3-5, though, follow city politics in Baltimore — and the state of Maryland — along with the roles played by law enforcement and the media. Of all the politicians during the series' run, we can't go wrong with corrupt, foul-mouthed state Sen. Clay Davis (Isiah Whitlock Jr.).

This is not one of Will Ferrell's best movies, but the 2012 film is far from his worst. It's just good comedy that might not be far from the buffoonery of real-life politics. Ferrell is Congressman Cam Brady running for reelection against a planted, everyman opponent Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis). Their attempts at smearing and one-upping each other are entertaining, highlighted by Brady's visit to a church of snake healers.