Best movies like Bob Roberts
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Mock documentary about an upstart candidate for the U.S. Senate written and directed by actor Tim Robbins. Bob Roberts is a folksinger with a difference: He offers tunes that protest welfare chiselers, liberal whining, and the like. As the filmmakers follow his campaign, Robbins gives needle-sharp insight into the way candidates manipulate the media.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: mockumentary, political, witty, cynical, talky, humorous, funny, satirical, independent film, parody
Best tv shows and movies like Bob Roberts (1992):
Similar in 84%
Lisa Picard Is Famous (2000)
Plot Summary:
A documentarian decides to follow the career of New York actress Lisa Picard, believing she is on the brink of fame. Instead, he bears witness to Lisa's continued, humorous, struggles as an actress, as well as the conflict that arises when Lisa's best friend Tate hits it big with an off-Broadway one-man show.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 620
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, mockumentary, independent film, clever, offbeat, talky
Similar in 80%
In the Loop (2009)
Plot Summary:
The US President and the UK Prime Minister are looking to launch a war in the Middle East. The plot follows government officials and advisers in their behind-the-scenes efforts either to promote the war or prevent it. Spinal Tap meets Strangelove. A satirical demolition of Whitehall and Washington: politically astute, hilarious and terrifyingly real.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 61000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: political, humorous, dark comedy, black comedy, semi serious, funny, light, clever, realistic, witty
Similar in 80%
The Perfect Dictatorship (2014)
Plot Summary:
TV MX, the most powerful Mexican Television Corporation, discloses a scandalous story involving Governor Carmelo Vargas in serious crimes and illicit business. Governor Vargas worried about his political future, decides to clean his image and negotiates a billionaire secret agreement with the owners of the TV Corporation. Carlos Rojo, an ambitious young news producer, and Ricardo Diaz, TV network star reporter, are responsible for making a dirty campaign to change the image the public has of the corrupt Governor and make him, at any cost, a political star and a great presidential candidate. Mexican Television believes that democracy is a farce and has already placed one President... Will they do it again?.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Mexico
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: cynical, humorous, semi serious, realistic, dark comedy, political, political thriller, cult classic, biting, soap opera
Similar in 84%
The Obama Effect (2012)
Plot Summary:
A serious health scare ignites John Thomas, an insurance salesman in his 50s, to take a closer look at his life. Motivated by a misguided obsession with getting Barack Obama elected, John takes an overwhelming involvement in the Presidential campaign. While John becomes obsessed with the ideal of change that Obama represents for Americans, he has in turn neglected to create positive change in his own life, particularly with regard to his health and familial relationships. John hides his health problems from his strong, yet supportive wife, Molly, creating a strain on their marriage. John seeks the support of a Republican relative, MLK, who initially starkly resists supporting a Democratic candidate. John's son, Kalil, rebels against his father's avid support of Obama by supporting the Republican candidate as well. John neglects to support his daughter, Tamika, at a crucial moment in her life.
IMDB Rating: 2.0
IMDB Votes: 453
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: sentimental, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 76%
Tanner '88 (1988)
Plot Summary:
In 1988, renegade filmmaker Robert Altman and Pulitzer Prize–winning Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau created a presidential candidate, ran him alongside the other hopefuls during the primary season, and presented their media campaign as a cross between a soap opera and TV news. The result was the groundbreaking Tanner ’88, a piercing satire of media-age American politics, in which actors Michael Murphy (as contender Jack Tanner) and Cynthia Nixon (as his daughter) rub elbows on the campaign trail with real-life political players Jesse Jackson, Gary Hart, Bob Dole, Ralph Nader, Kitty Dukakis, and Gloria Steinem, among many others. The Criterion Collection is proud to present the complete eleven-episode television series—more relevant today than ever.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 936
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 353 min
Plot tags: mockumentary, political, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, biting, suspense
Similar in 80%
Being There (1979)
Plot Summary:
A simple-minded gardener named Chance has spent all his life in the Washington D.C. house of an old man. When the man dies, Chance is put out on the street with no knowledge of the world except what he has learned from television.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 77000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: West Germany, USA
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: political, thought provoking, philosophical, surreal, clever, satirical, meditative, dark comedy, existential, realistic
Similar in 88%
Our Brand Is Crisis (2015)
Plot Summary:
A feature film based on the documentary "Our Brand Is Crisis", which focuses on the use of American political campaign strategies in South America.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: political, clever, satirical, tricky, harsh, inspirational, political thriller, art house, cult classic, comedy drama
Similar in 83%
K Street (2003)
Plot Summary:
K Street is a 2003 HBO television series about lobbyists and politicians in Washington, D.C. It was named for a street that is home to many lobbying and legal firms.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 317
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: political, clever, serious, realistic, cynical, satirical, witty, talky, biting, black comedy
Similar in 85%
Knife Fight (2012)
Plot Summary:
A political strategist juggling three clients questions whether or not to take the high road as the ugly side of his work begins to haunt him.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, talky, independent film, biting, suspense
Similar in 82%
True Colors (1991)
Plot Summary:
Two law school friends find themselves at odds when one becomes a Justice Department lawyer and the other goes into politics.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: political, talky, intense, realistic, serious, captivating, clever, tense, sincere, crime drama
Similar in 79%
The Best Man (1964)
Plot Summary:
The other party is in disarray. Five men vie for the party nomination for president. No one has a majority as the first ballot closes and the front-runners begin to decide how badly they want the job.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, cynical, political, rough, clever, witty, contemplative, biting, suspense
Similar in 78%
Swing Vote (2008)
Plot Summary:
In a remarkable turn of events, the result of the presidential election comes down to one man's vote.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: humorous, political, touching, satirical, light, intense, semi serious, tear jerker, entertaining, realistic
Similar in 80%
The Campaign (2012)
Plot Summary:
Two rival politicians compete to win an election to represent their small North Carolina congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 136000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: parody, funny, political, humorous, black comedy, hilarious, witty, sex comedy, ironic, surreal
Similar in 77%
Silver City (2004)
Plot Summary:
The discovery of a corpse threatens to unravel a bumbling local politician's campaign for governor of Colorado.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: clever, political, satirical, stylized, suspenseful, thought provoking, talky, sincere, realistic, witty
Similar in 78%
The Second Civil War (1997)
Plot Summary:
When a planeload of Pakistani orphans are shipped to his state for permanent relocation, the governor of Idaho (Beau Bridges, who won an Emmy) defies the president (Phil Hartman) and closes the state's border. News Net Television, a cable news program that makes hay by reporting on political scandals, quickly spins the racist act into an overnight media sensation, creating a divide in national opinion over the issue.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: offbeat, humorous, futuristic, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, biting, black comedy, suspense
Similar in 87%
The Distinguished Gentleman (1992)
Plot Summary:
A Florida con man uses the passing of the long time Congressman from his district who he just happens to share a name with, to get elected to his version of paradise, Congress, where the money flows from lobbyists. But soon he learns the nature of the game and decides to fight back the only way he knows how, with a con.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Comedy, Crime
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: political, realistic, clever, humorous, parody, relaxing, witty, semi serious, hilarious, funny
Similar in 90%
Spinning Boris (2003)
Plot Summary:
Russian political elite hires American consultants to help with President Yeltsin's re-election campaign when his approval rating is down to single digits.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: clever, realistic, political, humorous, witty, talky, semi serious
Similar in 86%
Irresistible (2020)
Plot Summary:
A Democratic political consultant helps a retired Marine colonel run for mayor in a small, conservative Wisconsin town.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: political, funny, twist ending, parody, humorous, ironic, satirical, absurd, feel good, cult classic
Similar in 82%
Man of the Year (2006)
Plot Summary:
The irreverent host of a political satire talk show decides to run for president and expose corruption in Washington. His stunt goes further than he expects when he actually wins the election, but a software engineer suspects that a computer glitch is responsible for his surprising victory.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 35000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: humorous, political, stylized, semi serious, sincere, realistic, hilarious, satirical, feel good, romantic comedy
Similar in 81%
Dave (1993)
Plot Summary:
Bill Mitchell is the philandering and distant President of the United States. Dave Kovic is a sweet-natured and caring Temp Agency operator, who by a staggering coincidence looks exactly like the President. As such, when Mitchell wants to escape an official luncheon, the Secret Service hires Dave to stand in for him. Unfortunately, Mitchell suffers a severe stroke whilst having sex with one of his aides, and Dave finds himself stuck in the role indefinitely. The corrupt and manipulative Chief of Staff, Bob Alexander, plans to use Dave to elevate himself to the White House - but unfortunately, he doesn't count on Dave enjoying himself in office, using his luck to make the country a better place, and falling in love with the beautiful First Lady.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 56000
Genere: Comedy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: feel good, political, touching, humorous, witty, funny, romantic comedy, sweet, semi serious, realistic
Similar in 88%
Grassroots (2012)
Plot Summary:
Grant Cogswell, a liberal music critic decides to run for city council against a popular black incumbent and is assisted by a reporter who recently lost his job. Initially given no chance, things turn dark when Cogswell makes it into the general election. Based on a true story.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, political, clever, biting, suspense
Similar in 75%
Head of State (2003)
Plot Summary:
When a presidential candidate dies unexpectedly in the middle of the campaign, the Democratic party unexpectedly picks a Washington, D.C. alderman, Mays Gilliam (Rock) as his replacement.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: funny, humorous, entertaining, light, absurd, realistic, witty, semi serious, parody, hilarious
Similar in 86%
The American President (1995)
Plot Summary:
Widowed U.S. president Andrew Shepherd, one of the world's most powerful men, can have anything he wants -- and what he covets most is Sydney Ellen Wade, a Washington lobbyist. But Shepherd's attempts at courting her spark wild rumors and decimate his approval ratings.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 60000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: political, romantic, touching, witty, suspense, romantic comedy, realistic, semi serious, clever, feel good
Similar in 82%
Running Mates (2000)
Plot Summary:
A governor running for President gets revealed to be a serial philanderer.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 693
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, political, biting, suspense
Similar in 81%
Primary Colors (1998)
Plot Summary:
In this adaptation of the best-selling roman à clef about Bill Clinton's 1992 run for the White House, the young and gifted Henry Burton is tapped to oversee the presidential campaign of Governor Jack Stanton. Burton is pulled into the politician's colorful world and looks on as Stanton -- who has a wandering eye that could be his downfall -- contends with his ambitious wife, Susan, and an outspoken adviser, Richard Jemmons.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK, USA, France, Germany, Japan
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: political, intense, witty, talky, semi serious, thought provoking, humorous, realistic, clever, satirical
Similar in 89%
The Candidate (1972)
Plot Summary:
Bill McKay is a candidate for the U.S. Senate from California. He has no hope of winning, so he is willing to tweak the establishment.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: political, witty, realistic, cynical, thought provoking, clever, talky, biting, entertaining, funny
Similar in 80%
Power (1986)
Plot Summary:
Pete St. John is a powerful and successful political consultant, with clients spread around the country. When his long-time friend and client Ohio senator Sam Hastings decides to quit politics, he is rapidly drafted to help with the campaign of the man destined to succeed him, unknown and mysterious businessman Jerome Cade.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, clever, cynical, political, retro, talky
Similar in 80%
Thank You for Smoking (2005)
Plot Summary:
Nick Naylor is a charismatic spin-doctor for Big Tobacco who'll fight to protect America's right to smoke -- even if it kills him -- while still remaining a role model for his 12-year old son. When he incurs the wrath of a senator bent on snuffing out cigarettes, Nick's powers of "filtering the truth" will be put to the test.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 227000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: black comedy, entertaining, dark comedy, political, humorous, funny, satirical, hilarious, feel good, indie film
Similar in 81%
The Ides of March (2011)
Plot Summary:
Dirty tricks stand to soil an ambitious young press spokesman's idealism in a cutthroat presidential campaign where 'victory' is relative.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 229000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: political thriller, talky, political, suspense, clever, tense, realistic, psychological, suspenseful, tricky
Similar in 87%
Bulworth (1998)
Plot Summary:
A suicidally disillusioned liberal politician puts a contract out on himself and takes the opportunity to be bluntly honest with his voters by affecting the rhythms and speech of hip-hop music and culture.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 27000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: political, humorous, witty, funny, thought provoking, controversial, clever, biting, dark comedy, spiritual