15. Wag The Dog (1997)
> IMDb user rating: 7.1/10 (81,359 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76% (44,627 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 86% (76 reviews)
> Directed by: Barry Levinson
Hired by the president in the wake of a sex scandal, two men (Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro) fabricate a war as a diversionary tactic. The film’s title plays upon a long-standing political idiom with origins dating back to 1870. David Mamet co-wrote the screenplay.
14. Dave (1993)
> IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (51,473 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 72% (42,834 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (60 reviews)
> Directed by: Ivan Reitman
Ivan Reitman’s comedy classic tells the story of a regular man (Kevin Kline) who looks exactly like the president. Hired as a double, he soon takes on the role full-time. Its plot bears resemblance to a number of predecessors, including Akira Kurosawa’s historical drama “Kagemusha” and the 1894 novel “The Prisoner of Zenda.”
13. The American President (1995)
> IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (55,166 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 77% (55,116 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91% (57 reviews)
> Directed by: Rob Reiner
Before creating the hit TV series “The West Wing,” Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay for this high-concept romantic dramedy. It follows a widowed president (Michael Douglas) as he runs for re-election and welcomes a new love interest (Annette Bening) into his life. But will this personal twist compromise his public persona and political pursuits?
12. Bob Roberts (1992)
> IMDb user rating: 7.0/10 (14,904 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 78% (7,623 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (43 reviews)
> Directed by: Tim Robbins
Director Tim Robbins plays conservative folk singer and aspiring politician Bob Roberts in this overlooked mockumentary. It expands upon an “Saturday Night Live” sketch and chronicles the devious character as he runs for senator in Pennsylvania. Look for a number of high-profile cameos and guest roles, including Gore Vidal as incumbent Brickley Paiste.
11. Election (1999)
> IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (93,961 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 79% (61,870 votes)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (115 reviews)
> Directed by: Alexander Payne
Alexander Payne’s laser-sharp satire functions as both a political microcosm and a bonkers character study. The story takes place in a Nebraska high school and centers around the election for class president. Ambitious student Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) is determined to win at all costs and teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) is just as determined to stop her.
