The Best Movies Ever Made About Leaders Ranked

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 a relationship with a grandfather that was a big fan of a political leader with courage. I recall with nostalgia that my grandfather spoke fondly about a 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”. Following its release in the 1980’s, Attenborough’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about leadership. 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 modern-day Cinema.

2. 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. Unlike most movies about the Royal Family, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. 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 cinematic big-screen.

3. 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 commonly satisfied.

4. Judas and the Black Messiah

Fred Hampton is a legendary African-American leader that earned my friend’s appreciation. I remember a close classmate that was fascinated with the black political leader. He would always speak fondly about a messiah that started rebellions during the segregation era. My friend always admired an African-American leader with wisdom that fought racism. In 2021, Shaka King honoured the iconic rebellious messiah in his movie “Judas and the Black Messiah”. King used captivating montages capturing a rebellious African-American leader fighting racism in his country that’s frightening. For instance, the scene in which Fred Hampton delivers a rebellious speech about injustice to his followers during a ceremony in America is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Daniel Kaluuya, who embodied a rebellious political leader that fought injustice in America. Ultimately, what makes “Judas and the Black Messiah” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. A powerful tribute towards a rebellious black leader with charisma that fought racism, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made unforgettable movies that achieved stardom.

5. Darkest Hour

Winston Churchill is a great historical figure that inspired my mother. At an early age, I bonded with a mother had knowledge about a historical figure with courage. Fascinated with WWII, she grew up to value a historic figure making her dreams come true. In 2017, Joe Wright honoured the iconic prime minister during his darkest hour in his movie “Darkest Hour”. Wright used captivating montages capturing a prime minister that sought to rescue England from wars that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Winston Churchill delivers a speech to encourage followers facing a dilemma during the WWII era is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Gary Oldman, who embodied a legendary British prime minister seeking recognition. Ultimately, what makes “Darkest Hour” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most historical biopics, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with WWII history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. 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 movies capturing inspirational leaders that audiences treasure.

6. Apollo 13

Leadership has often been a crucial part of NASA. NASA has often relied on leaders that face obstacles to ensure that astronauts are transported into space. Without leaders, space missions would not have been accomplished with doubt. The roles that leaders play in allowing astronauts to carry out their routine is beautifully depicted in the film “Apollo 13”. Released in 1995, Ron Howard’s movie captured leaders that ensured the Apollo 13 space mission. Howard used captivating cross-cutting editing to capture leaders ensuring that astronauts survived a disaster in space that’s frightening. Assisted by Tom Hanks who is amazing in the lead role, Howard honoured NASA’s leaders.  A powerful tribute to moon landings in space, it’s a soaring reminder of a commemorated genre that has made great movies about strong teams that audiences embrace.

7. 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 commonly divine.

8. Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is a powerful president that gave America greater direction. A president with larger-than-life personality, Lincoln guided the country during slavery. With his bold presence, wisdom and powerful leadership, Lincoln guided America. In 2012, Steven Spielberg honoured the legacy of Abraham Lincoln in his movie “Lincoln”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Lincoln” stand out is its production. Spielberg meticulously recreated the era of the 1800’s when Lincoln was president through stunning production. Assisted by Daniel Day-Lewis who is extraordinary in the leading role, Spielberg honoured the legacy of a president that’s legendary. A powerful tribute towards a prestigious American president, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies providing unforgettable entertainment.

9. Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer is a legendary historical leader that changed the world forever. A physicist with lasting legacy, Oppenheimer designed an atomic bomb causing catastrophe. Oppenheimer’s bomb invention made him a controversial figure in history. In 2023, Christopher Nolan honoured the iconic inventor in his Oscar-winning movie “Oppenheimer”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Oppenheimer” stand out is its complex storytelling. Nolan deviates from the traditional three act structure of biopics telling the story in a unique non-linear style. Assisted by Cillian Murphy who is extraordinary in the lead role, Nolan honoured Oppenheimer’s legacy. 90 years after Oppenheimer designed an atomic bomb with consequences that were tragic, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has built a legacy which is undeniably iconic.

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 become a vice-president that’s iconic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a genre making terrific movies about heroic leaders which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve my dreams of becoming a film critic.