GoLeft.org Ranking

Movie

Why Progressives Should Watch

Starring

Directed by

Date Released

1

Matewan

A perfect movie. The best labor film there is.

Chris Cooper; James Earl Jones

John Sayles

1987

2

V for Vendetta

This film shows such courage in critiquing our current climate of war and torture it is a MUST SEE.

Natalie Portman

James McTeigue

2006

3

Paths of Glory

The best anti-war movie ever!

Kirk Douglas

Stanley Kubrick

1957

4

Pleasantville

A multi-layered film that explores the interplay of race, sexual repression, gender roles, dissent and state power, all with Don Knotts as the Greek chorus.

Tobey Maguire; Reese Witherspoon

Gary Ross

1998

5

Modern Times

This is the film to show to discuss class divisions.

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin

1936

6

The Intruder

This film will settle the debate for you on the talent of Mr. Shatner. He portrays a racist organizer seeking to roll-back the wins of desegregation in a small southern town. This is a great movie for progressives as a reminder that there is never an end when we work in terms of legal or policy battles. The struggle for a just world continues.

William Shatner

Roger Corman

1962

7

The Matrix

Because if you've swallowed the red pill already, you can't live without this movie.

Keanu Reaves; Lawrence Fishburne

Andy Wachowski; Larry Wachowski

1999

8

12 Angry Men

To see the value of dissenting voices.

Henry Fonda

Sidney Lumet

1957

9

Elmer Gantry

Because evangelical Christianity is understudied and misunderstood by the Left.

Burt Lancaster

Richard Brooks

1960

10

Seven Days in May

Rod Serling wrote this plausible screenplay of an attempted military coup in the United States.

Burt Lancaster; Kirk Douglas; Fredric March

John Frankenheimer

1964

11

The Grapes of Wrath

Based upon John Steinbeck's novel. This is the classic film about the Depression.

Henry Fonda

John Ford

1940

12

The Shawshank Redemption

A great portrayal of male friendships and seeking humanity in the least likely places.

Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins

Frank Darabont

1994

13

Fail Safe

A classic film on the precariousness of relying on technology and the craziness of nuclear war

Henry Fonda

Sidney Lumet

1964

14

Inherit the Wind

A great film about the 1925 "Scopes monkey trial" that gets to the heart of the debate.

Spencer Tracey; Dick York

Stanley Kramer

1960

15

Missing

The disillusionment of a conservative father as he learns the lies he's been told by his beloved government.

Jack Lemmon, Sissy Spacek

Costa-Gavras

1982

16

Pan's Labyrinth

How one girl survives fascism through her use of fantasy and imagination.

Ivana Baquero

Guillermo del Toro

2006

17

All Quiet on the Western Front

A must see movie about the futility of war from a soldier's perspective.

Lew Ayres

Lewis Milestone

1930

18

A Face in the Crowd

What happens when we allow only media stars to speak for us.

Andy Griffith

Elia Kazan

1957

19

Far From Heaven

1950s sexuality, race relations and conformity.

Julianne Moore; Dennis Quaid

Todd Haynes

2002

20

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Cold War science fiction where the aliens stand in for the fear of communists and immigrants.

Kevin McCarthy

Don Siegel

1956

21

Children of Men

This movie depicts how we must continue to fight totalitarianism and not give up our freedoms in the short run for the illusion of safety.

Clive Owen

Alfonso Cuarón

2006

22

It's A Wonderful Life

An American classic that the FBI found subversive.

James Stewart

Frank Capra

1947

23

Das Boot

One of the best anti-war films ever told from the perspective of German soldiers.

Jürgen Prochnow

Wolfgan Petersen

1981

24

The Battle of Algiers

A must see movie to understand the quagmire that is Iraq. Wonderful dramatization of the impact of colonization on building violence. Also the nuance of the French having recently fought their own occupation from Nazis not having learned the lessons of the need for people to have freedom.

Brahim Hadjadj; Jean Martin

Gillo Pontecorvo

1967

25

Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Cold War satire; "Gentlemen, no fighting in the war room!"

George C. Scott

Stanley Kubrick

1964

26

North Country

Just one of the best films on women's rights ever made.

Charlize Theron; Woody Harrelson

Niki Caro

2005

27

On the Beach

Perfect film to explore the costs of nuclear war.

Gregory Peck

Stanley Kramer

1959

28

The Apostle

The intersection of race and religion in a perfectly crafted film.

Robert Duvall; Farrah Fawcett

Robert Duvall

1998

29

Salt of the Earth

This film was union produced and made by blacklisted writers and actors during the McCarthy era. An early depiction of feminism in Mexican-American culture. A great labor film.

Will Geer

Herbert J. Biberman

1954

30

The Milagro Beanfield War

A town comes together to fight for true development that enriches everyone not just developers.

Rubén Blades; Chick Vennera

Robert Redford

1988

31

Blackboard Jungle

Shows the school as a microcosm of American society and all the problems that ensue.

Glen Ford

Richard Brooks

1955

32

The Children's Hour

Based on Lillian Hellman's play; the use of homophobia to gain power.

Audrey Hepburn; Shirley Maclaine

William Wyler

1961

33

Good Night and Good Luck

Because it's about the fight against McCarthyism.

David Straithern; George Clooney

George Clooney

2005

34

Bulworth

Outrageously funny satire and send-up on liberal politician's ability to spout populism while supporting corporate interest.

Warren Beatty; Halle Berry

Warren Beatty

1998

35

The Ugly American

A must see movie on Vietnam that explores the complexity of U.S. foreign policy. Predicts most of the entanglements that eventually took place during the war.

Marlon Brando

George Englund

1963

36

Spartacus

Classic fight for freedom. We are Spartacus!

Kirk Douglas

Stanley Kubrick

1960

37

Soylent Green

The film to raise environmental awareness.

Charlton Heston

Richard Fleisher

1973

38

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (animation)

Sanctuary! This is a gem for everyone who cares about immigration, minority rights and religious freedom.

Tom Hulce; Kevin Kline

Gary Trousdale; Kirk Wise

1996

39

Kiss of the Spider Woman

This film is a standout in its depiction of the human ability to use creativity to survive.

William Hurt; Raul Julia

Hector Babenco

1985

40

Dirty Pretty Things

Depicts the underground economy and precariousness of life for people that we deem "illegal."

Audrey Tautou; Chiwetel Ejiofor

Stephen Frears

2002

41

A Gentleman's Agreement

Anti-Semitism and bigotry.

Gregory Peck

Elia Kazan

1947

42

Bopha

Raises the question "to what extent can we make change by working within the system?"

Danny Glover

Morgan Freeman

1993

43

Billy Jack

A must see '60s era take on anti-establishment and giving it to "The Man."

Tom Laughlin

Tom Laughlin

1971

44

All My Sons

To learn about war profiteering.

Edward G. Robinson; Burt Lancaster

Irving Reis

1948

45

Amistad

A great reminder of the strong need for freedom.

Morgan Freeman, Djimon Hounsou

Steven Spielberg

1997

46

The China Syndrome

This movie was released two weeks before the real Three Mile Island nuclear accident in Pennsylvania. A must see movie as we enter the renewed push from conservatives for nuclear power.

Jane Fonda; Michael Douglas; Jack Lemmon

James Bridges

1979

47

Hairspray

Covers civil rights in Baltimore along with great messages of being proud of who you are. This film also legitimizes the three person protest!

Ricki Lake; Divine

John Waters

1988

48

The Cradle Will Rock

This film fosters the debate over the benefits and costs of state-sponsored arts programs.

John Turturro

Tim Robbins

2000

49

Year of Living Dangerously

This film gives credence to the importance of paying attention to the buried stories.

Mel Gibson; Sigourney Weaver

Peter Weir

1983

50

John Q.

An engaging film using the premise of access to health care as the major plot point.

Denzel Washington

Nick Cassavetes

2002

51

The Defiant Ones

A compelling thriller on race relations.

Sidney Poiter; Tony Curtis

Stanley Kramer

1958

52

A Woman Rebels

A great take on how to use media for advancing progressive causes.

Katherine Hepburn

Mark Sandrich

1936

53

Under Fire

Because before we poured billions into controlling the Middle East we spent billions into controlling Central America.

Nick Nolte

Roger Spottiswoode

1983

54

Brother From Another Planet

A great allegory on race and immigration. Joe Morton competes with E.T. as the most likable alien on screen.

Joe Morton

John Sayles

1984

55

Brubaker

Addresses the need for prison reform.

Robert Redford

Stuart Rosenberg

1980

56

Casablanca

Because what's better than outsmarting Nazis and watching true love.

Humphrey Bogart; Ingrid Bergman

Michael Curtiz

1943

57

Flower Drum Song

Because it deals with Chinese exclusion in America which is rarely discussed.

Nancy Kwan

Henry Koster

1961

58

City of Hope

A must see film on the issues of gentrification and urban development.

Vincent Spano; Joe Morton

John Sayles

1991

59

Constant Gardner, The

What is great about this movie is that it opens the discussion on the corporate interests in African countries and the larger questions around self-determination for African people vs. ineffective aid which builds increased dependance to advance corporate development.

Ralph Fiennes; Rachel Weisz

Fernando Meirelles

2005

60

Cry, The Beloved Country

Great depiction of the brutality of apartheid.

James Earl Jones

Darrell James Roodt

1995

61

Dead Man Walking

Beautifully told story that lifts the conversation from whether you want this particular person to die, to the role the death penalty plays in our sense of ourselves as a people and a nation.

Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn

Tim Robbins

1995

62

My Beautiful Launderette

Class, sexuality and immigration all wonderfully addressed.

Daniel Day Lewis

Stephen Frears

1985

63

El Norte

The story of the immigration experience through the eyes of Mayan sister and brother.

Zaide Silvia Gutierrez

Gregory Nava

1984

64

Head of State

Make this your Election Day movie!

Chris Rock

Chris Rock

2003

65

King Rat

Depicts the brutality of POW camps and what we will do to survive.

George Segal

Bryan Forbes

1965

66

Munich

Just a wonderful movie to jump start the conversation on how we define our actions via our religious beliefs. Only Spielberg could have done this movie and we're so glad he did.

Eric Bana

Steven Spielberg

2005

67

Do The Right Thing

Opens the questions on race, ethnic, and class tensions.

Danny Aiello; John Turturro

Spike Lee

1989

68

Catch-22

Satire on the insanity of war.

Alan Arkin

Mike Nichols

1970

69

F.I.S.T

Union organizing in the 1930s.

Sylvester Stallone

Norman Jewison

1978

70

Gandhi

A great epic on the life of one of the most influential world leaders for peace.

Ben Kingsley

Richard Attenborough

1982

71

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

The classic film on race relations.

Sidney Poiter; Spencer Tracy; Katharine Hepburn

Stanley Kramer

1967

72

Down to Earth

No one has nailed the need for health care reform like Chris Rock.

Chris Rock

Chris Weitz; Paul Weitz

2001

73

High Noon

Because sometimes when you stand against evil you find yourself alone.

Gary Cooper

Fred Zinnemann

1952

74

A League of Their Own

Great example of film bringing lost history to light.

Tom Hanks; Geena Davis; Madonna

Penny Marshall

1992

75

Judgment at Nuremburg

Great film that puts on trial what is our role and responsibility to decency when evil despicable acts can be carried out by ordinary human beings.

Spencer Tracey

Stanley Kramer

1963

76

Driving Miss Daisy

Provokes the discussion of the impact of the civil rights movement in interpersonal relationships as well as Black/Jewish relationships in the South.

Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy

Bruce Beresford

1989

77

Life is Beautiful

Life is beautiful!

Roberto Benigni

Roberto Benigni

1997

78

Marathon Man

Dustin Hoffman fights the three evils: Nazis, McCarthyism and dentistry.

Dustin Hoffman

John Schlesinger

1976

79

MASH

An absurdity of war film set in Korea.

Elliot Gould; Donald Sutherland

Robert Altman

1970

80

Born on the 4th of July

Based upon Ron Kovic's biography; shows the making of a Vietnam anti-war activist.

Tom Cruise

Oliver Stone

1989

81

Molly McGuires

Irish immigrants fighting mining companies.

Sean Connery

Martin Ritt

1970

82

Network

Today, this film seems less satirical and more business as usual but we're still mad as hell.

Faye Dunaway

Sidney Lumet

1976

83

Sarafina

One of the few films that shows and celebrates the crucial role children have played in fighting oppression; in this film they're organizing against apartheid.

Whoopi Goldberg

Darrell James Roodt

1992

84

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

A stunning depiction of how we treat the mentally ill which serves as a metaphor of U.S. society.

Jack Nicholson; Danny DeVito

Milos Forman

1975

85

Advise & Consent

This movie serves as a great civics lesson on Presidential nominations and Congressional approval.

Henry Fonda

Otto Preminger

1962

86

Broadcast News

Just one of the best films ever on the problems of media consolidation.

William Hurt; Holly Hunter; Albert Brooks

James L. Brooks

1987

87

Pork Chop Hill

Shows the futility of war during the final battle of the Korean War.

Gregory Peck

Lewis Milestone

1959

88

Primary Colors

We love how this movie shows the selling of progressivism for individual political gain. Also, screenplay by Elaine May always a plus.

John Travolta; Emma Thompson

Mike Nichols

1998

89

Reds

The story of journalist John Reed and the Russian Revolution.

Warren Beatty

Warren Beatty

1981

90

Revenge of the Nerds

Everything you need to know about organizing is here in this movie. We have no delusions that this film was made with any intention beyond adolescent humor, but this is a must-see for anyone interested in organizing.

Anthony Edwards; Robert Carradine

Jeff Kanew

1984

91

Good Will Hunting

Where else are you going to hear references to Gordon Wood and quotes from Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States."

Matt Damon; Ben Affleck

Gus Van Sant

1998

92

She Done Him Wrong

Movie that provoked the 1934 Catholic codes.

Mae West; Cary Grant

Lowell Sherman

1933

93

Silkwood

The story of Karen Silkwood who exposed safety violations at a nuclear facility where she worked.

Meryl Streep; Kurt Russell; Cher

Mike Nichols

1983

94

The Front

The Hollywood Blacklist - created by many people who were actually blacklisted including Mostel.

Woody Allen; Zero Mostel

Martin Ritt

1976

95

The Way We Were

One of the best love stories told within a progressive political framework. Love and learning!

Barbra Streisand; Robert Redford

Sydney Pollack

1973

96

Thelma and Louise

Turns the head on how we view women's friendships and empowerment.

Susan Sarandon; Geena Davis

Ridley Scott

1991

97

To Kill a Mockingbird

Based upon Harper Lee's novel, depicts racism in a small southern town.

Gregory Peck

Robert Mulligan

1962

98

Wall Street

Even though the wall street guys love watching this film, progressives need to reclaim this movie if for no other reason then it serves as a great tool for learning the market.

Michael Douglas; Charlie Sheen

Oliver Stone

1987

99

Norma Rae

Sure, it overemphasizes the individual over collective action but it is a rousing union drama.

Sally Field

Martin Ritt

1979

100

Avalon

A beautiful telling of the immigration experience and how acculturation can divide families.

Aidan Quinn

Barry Levinson

1990