My Favourite Films About Leaders of All-Time

Not many characters attract audiences to theatres like leaders. Since the 1980’s, leaders guiding countries have made for engaging movies. Whether it’s presidential figures, royal family members or bomb inventors, the genre has created several characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about leaders that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Gandhi

Gandhi is a great historical figure that shaped my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a grandfather that was a huge fan of a political leader with courage. I recall with nostalgia that my grandfather often spoke fondly about a great political leader in India. He believed Gandhi was an inspirational leader who deserved to be celebrated for feats he achieved. In 1982, Richard Attenborough celebrated the legendary political figure in his movie “Gandhi”. Ever since its release in the 1980’s, Attenborough’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about leaders. With the greatest film of his career, Attenborough used innovative cinematic techniques to capture the life of an Indian political leader that guided his nation during a time of warfare. Attenborough has always had an aptitude for making great movies about leaders whose lives are in danger, and “Gandhi” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Attenborough effectively used real-life locations in India to capture the unbreakable spirit of a leader with charisma. For instance, the scene in which Gandhi delivers an inspirational speech towards a crowd of spectators during a political rally in India is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ben Kingsley, who embodied the personality of a politician that changed Indian history. Ultimately, what makes “Gandhi’ my favourite film about leadership of all time is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the history of India to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years following the release of a classic film about a leader that changed India, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making memorable movies which always attract audiences to the Cinema.

2. Schindler’s List

The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor that possessed knowledge about genocide damage. He would take pride in teaching students about a gruesome genocide in which his people died. As someone treasuring a teacher that loved to list facts about the Holocaust, I adored “Schindler’s List”. Released in 1993, Steven Spielberg’s movie offered a powerful portrait of leadership during the Holocaust. Spielberg has always had an aptitude for making movies about historical events putting lives in danger, and “Schindler’s List” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. One of the most common techniques that Spielberg uses in his movies is symbolism. Throughout “Schindler’s List”, the girl in the red coat symbolizes hope amidst the gruesome genocide. For instance, the scene in which Schindler reacts with horror seeing the girl in the red coat being slaughtered causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is Liam Neeson, who portrayed a leader that witnessed genocide destruction. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about genocide which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a gruesome mass genocide in which civilians died, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has produced movies which have always left audiences satisfied.

3. The Queen

Queen Elizabeth is a legendary figure of the royal family that my father has always loved dearly. I remember a father that was a huge fan of a queen that he came to treasure. Fascinated with the royal family, he sought to become educated about a queen he appreciated. He would always praise a Queen whose life story he believed deserved to be seen on a big-screen. In 2006, Stephen Frears did an extraordinary job of celebrating the majestic queen in his movie “The Queen”. Frears using breathtaking visuals to capture the legacy of a queen that left a lasting impact on the world. For instance, the scene in which Queen Elizabeth delivers an emotional speech on television news to the media expressing her grief over the death of Princess Diana is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Helen Mirren, who embodied a majestic queen with dedication. Ultimately, what makes “The Queen” a commemorated historical masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about crisis which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the Royal Family to appreciate the movie. A breathtaking tribute towards a beloved British queen, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured movies which deserve to be seen on the big-screen.

4. Oppenheimer

Bombings are intense incidents that shaped my personality. At an early age, my family faced trauma when we experienced bomb blasts causing emotional damage. In 2003, my family endured bomb blasts that caused insomnia in Saudi Arabia. Through a miracle, my family managed to survive the worst disaster in the world imaginable. As someone haunted by memories of bomb blast disasters that changed my life forever, I loved “Oppenheimer”. Released in 2023, Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning blockbuster celebrated an innovator that designed bombs changing the world forever. Nolan used breathtaking sound-design to capture the life of a bomb inventor that faced a mental decline. For instance, the sequence in which Oppenheimer is haunted by sounds of bombs as he delivers a speech to crowds causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Cillian Murphy, who embodied a legendary bomb inventor in history. Ultimately, what makes “Oppenheimer” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with Oppenheimer’s scientific theories to appreciate it. Nearly 90 years after Oppenheimer manufactured a bomb that changed the world forever, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a genre that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences treasure.

5. Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is a legendary American president that always gained my teacher’s appreciation. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a teacher that adored a political leader with courage. He would always praise Lincoln for his ability to guide the country in history. He always sought to educate my family about a president he had grown up to appreciate. In 2012, Steven Spielberg honoured the iconic president earning recognition in his movie “Lincoln”. Spielberg used captivating historical footage capturing a political leader guiding his country through wars that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Lincoln has a tense argument with his political advisors about the future of America is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, who embodied the larger-than-life personality of an iconic president in U.S. history. Ultimately, what makes “Lincoln” a historical masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with American history to appreciate it. An awe-inspiring tribute towards Abraham Lincoln, it’s an amazing reminder of a genre that has manufactured memorable movies about leaders which deserve appreciation.

6. The King’s Speech

When it comes to the most beloved figures in the royal family, it’s worth discussing King George V. A troubled leader, George V suffered from severe speech impediments affecting his ability to guide the country. In 2010, Tom Hooper honoured the iconic political leader with speech disabilities in his movie “The King’s Speech”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The King’s Speech” stand out is its depiction of speech impediments. Hooper uses captivating montages capturing a royal figure that suffered from speech disabilities that are frightening. Assisted by Colin Firth who is amazing in the lead role, Hooper honoured the king’s legacy. As strong as King George V’s desire to overcome speech disabilities that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making memorable movies which are worth celebrating.

7. Judas and the Black Messiah

Few political figures in American history have earned the recognition of Fred Hampton. During the 1960’s, Hampton was an African-American social activist that fought racism. In 2021, Shaka King honoured the iconic political leader that changed America in his movie “Judas and the Black Messiah”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Judas and the Black Messiah” stand out is its depiction of racism. King uses captivating montages capturing hardships that a black political leader during the segregation era was facing. Assisted by Daniel Kaluuya who is sensational in the lead role, King honoured an iconic leader in America. 60 years after Fred Hampton became an African-American political leader that’s powerful, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated genre that has made memorable movies audiences consider special.

8. Darkest Hour

Winston Churchill is a commemorated prime minister that guided Britain. During WWII, Churchill became a prime minister that citizens of Britain would value. In 2017, Joe Wright honoured the iconic political leader facing his darkest hour in his movie “Darkest Hour”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Darkest Hour” stand out is its makeup. Wright uses captivating makeup to recreate a president that guided his country in ways that are inspiring. Assisted by Gary Oldman who is extraordinary in the lead role, Wright honoured Winston Churchill’s legacy. Nearly 90 years after Winston Churchill became a prime minister changing history forever, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable films about the lives of larger-than-life historical figures which audiences treasure.

9. The Devil Wears Prada

Bosses are powerful figures shaping employees’ futures. I remember working for a cruel manager that would often treat employees in a poor manner. She was a demanding person that would commonly humiliate employees which showed up late. As someone reminiscing memories of a devilish manager with nostalgia, I loved “The Devil Wears Prada”. Released in 2006, David Frankel’s movie captured a devilish manager running a fashion company. Frankel captures leaders guiding a fashion organization through costumes. Anchored by an amazing performance by Anne Hathaway, Frankel created a fantastic portrait of fashion leadership. A dazzling depiction of devilish managers in fashion-design, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has never lost abilities to shine by producing movies audiences consider to be divine.

10. Vice

Dick Cheney is a controversial leader in American history. While some supported his policies, others criticized Cheney’s involvement in the war against terrorism. In 2018, Adam McKay honoured the vice-president in his movie “Vice”. McKay used satire to honour a vice-president. Assisted by Christian Bale who is superb in the lead role, McKay captured a vice-president with detail. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of a vice president abusing his authority has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. Nearly 30 years after Dick Cheney became a vice-president, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies about leaders with strong commitment to change the world which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of entertainment.