- Election
This movie draws an uncomfortable parallel between high school and federal elections. In one scene in particular, Tammy decries how everyone lauds the high school election as a major event, but it seemingly changes nothing at all, while the results make no difference on the lives of anyone except for the winner.
- Office Space
Perhaps no film epitomizes “sticking it to the man” and promotes individualism over uniformity as much as this instant classic. Office Space shows the many ways in which we all wish we could rise up against our superiors.
- The Incredibles
Pixar produces an excellent film throwing blame upon collectivism for downfalls in society. The protagonist, Mr. Incredible is brought down by a frivolous lawsuit. Furthermore, the superheroes, attempting to do good for society, are restrained by the government throughout the film. The heroes featured are able to perform their duties without “capes,”, perhaps a metaphor for the ability of some to excel without assistance.
- The Lego Movie
This film decries corporatism, as the protagonist Emmet fights to bring down Lord Business, who is able to suppress the citizenry with the help of government, and more specifically Scribble-Face Bad Cop. There is a clear implication that Scribble-Face Bad Cop wants to do good, but that even as powerful as he appears, he has no choice but to eventually fall prey to enabling special interests.
- All Quiet on the Western Front
The 1930 Academy Award winner for best picture, this film fights mightily against the romanticizing of war. Paul comes back from war to describe to the students that there is nothing noble about dying for one’s country, in contrast to what the teacher had told him and has continued to teach to students.
- Dr. Strangelove or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Bomb
Another significant film in the arena of anti-war sentiment, Dr. Strangelove shows world leaders to be mindless, egomaniacal sociopaths who wish to use war as a means of proving their own masculinity, with little regard for the welfare of the general public.
- To Kill a Mockingbird
The center-piece of libertarianism is a belief in equality and justice. This movie, released in 1962 when racial tensions were still high, promotes standing up for our values even when it is not convenient to do so. Additionally, it is regularly lauded as one of the greatest movies of all-time, and was nominated for 8 Academy Awards.
- V for Vendetta
This movie points out that the blankets of security and order can often come with a cost of freedom and liberty. The main character commandeers a hostile takeover of the oppressive government, with an intention to bring to light the hypocrisy and abuses of the standing government.
- The Matrix
Are any of our complaints about modern-day politics really anything new? The Matrix tells a tale that many libertarians are all too familiar with: two supposedly completely different realities (in fact one “blue” and one “red”). The blue pill returns the subject to the status quo. Meanwhile, the red pill contains a significant risk/reward in exchange for the promise of “change.” The famous “pill scene” details the Matrix as being pervading in our everyday lives, much like government.
- Iron Man
Tony Stark is a perfect representative of libertarianism: he makes loads of money, but uses his fortune to benefit the world and protect it from evil. His libertarian characteristics are so pervading that it was impossible to pick only one of the movies to rank. In the second movie, when the government attempts to seize his “arms,” he stands up against it as unconstitutional and outside of their rights.