When asked what is the difference between a “conservative” or “liberal” film, many will argue that the distinction lies in how certain political and social issues are discussed and handled. Movies with progressive and supportive affirmation of LGBTQ+ experiences or abortion, for example, would be considered liberal, while movies that show the positivity of nuclear families, the military, and Christianity would be thrown into the conservative category. But the truth is, a lot of movies fall into a gray area, where whether it leans toward one side or another depends solely on the viewer and their own worldview, not necessarily the content of the movie itself.
For example, Juno, the story of a teen girl who carries her baby to term and puts it up for adoption is often seen as “pro-choice” by liberals and “pro-birth” by conservatives. Both viewpoints are valid in their own way, but which side one perceives is reflected more in their own morals and personal beliefs than in the movie, which never flat out says what their position is on abortion versus carrying to term.
However, while this may indeed be the case for many movies, this list was selected for reflecting conservative values of family, freedom, and personal responsibility. These are some of the best movies one could classify as “conservative.”
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10 The Thin Red Line
20th Century Fox
The Thin Red Line is a story of redemption and self-sacrifice in the tragedies of combat during World War II, as a recovered AWOL U.S. Army Private is brought back into the war he abandoned. The movie, considered by some as being one of the most realistic portrayals of the war, dives into the philosophical mindsets of man and war, and portrays the different fates and mindsets of the men who lived and died during combat. Stressing the importance of patriotism and showing that redemption is always achievable if you work for it, The Thin Red Line is a poetic, masculine masterpiece.
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9 United 93
Universal Pictures
A docudrama that chronicles the heroic efforts of the United Airlines flight of the same number, United 93 is a brilliant and poignant reenactment of the real events that happened on 9/11 from director Paul Greengrass. The sacrifice of the heroic passengers, who gave their lives to keep the hijacked plane from crashing into the United States Capitol, is certainly one that deserves to be on this list. Their noble efforts saved many, and they are still remembered today for their bravery on such a gut-wrenching day in the modern history of the United States.
8 Sicario
Lionsgate
Sicario shines a light on a topic that many, especially in the liberal media, try to avoid: the drug cartels along the U.S.-Mexico border. This action thriller follows FBI agent Kate Macer, who is asked to join a task force led by the CIA to fight in the war on drugs, specifically the cartels that are bringing them in from Mexico. Loyalties and personal morals are tested at every turn, and as in life, there are more gray areas than definitive lines between good and evil. The interesting characters in Sicario and its amazing direction and score helped it become an instant classic.
7 Black Hawk Down
Sony Pictures Releasing
Showcasing both the patriotism and bravery of the U.S. Armed Forces, Black Hawk Down shows, in vivid detail, the harsh realities of the brutality and futility of fighting a war in a lawless land. The movie depicts just how cruel fate can be, when the odds are stacked against the men who are fighting for their mission, their country, and their lives. It also shows why the United States, until the events of 9/11, withdrew from deploying ground troops and fighting other people’s wars for nearly 20 years.
6 Starship Troopers
TriStar Pictures
While it may not be seen as the most “traditional” conservative film, Starship Troopers is still an important movie for every conservative to watch. The over-the-top, exaggerated superiority of a military-led government shows a failure of democracy in the far future, where one’s citizenship is earned rather than given. Only those that enlist through military service can win the right to vote and have access to elite privileges upon retirement. It is a good warning for anyone living in a free society.
5 First Blood
Orion Pictures
The first of what has now become a franchise, Rambo’s story starts in First Blood, the story of a Vietnam veteran that is harassed and pushed to a breaking point that turns into a manhunt, all as he spirals into survival mode due to his severe PTSD from the Vietnam War. This poignant film shows, in all too much detail, how neglected and rejected U.S. service men are treated after their service to their country ends. An excellent movie with a strong message, it deserves its place on this list.
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4 300
Warner Bros.
A historical drama following the Spartan warriors who gave their lives for family and country, 300 is a perfect addition for this list. While 300 has been criticized for romanticizing the realities of war and male bravado, the film shows that fighting for what one believes in, even when the odds are stacked against victory, will inspire and lead others to fulfill their own destinies. It also shows the importance of fighting for a cause, no matter what those in society may think of you at the time.
3 No Country For Old Men
Miramax / Paramount Vantage
A riveting tale of an ever-changing world that leaves the people and things which become old and outdated behind, No Country For Old Men follows the story of a drug deal gone wrong and the men it affects. A hunter who stumbles upon money in the blood aftermath, a merciless killer who grows more violent as he gets closer to finding him, and the aging sheriff who reflects on his own secrets and the world leaving him in the dust, all add up to a dark and thrilling story.
2 Dirty Harry
Good people often have to do bad things in order to balance the score (this is the murky ethics of revenge thrillers), and no movie shows that better than Dirty Harry. An unorthodox cop is faced with a serial killer who keeps eluding cops and demanding ransoms, leaving a bloody path in his wake. When policies and laws keep getting in the way of stopping the killer, Harry finds himself faced with a decision: allow the criminal to walk free or take justice into his own hands.
1 Gran Torino
Warner Bros. Pictures
As a Korean war veteran tries to cope in a world that insists on changing and leaving him behind, the protagonist of Gran Torino, played by Dirty Harry conservative icon Clint Eastwood, finds himself helping reform a young, misguided teen, saving him from a short life in a gang. His efforts to conceal his declining health and save the Hmong community that has sprouted up around him show a level of bravery and self-sacrifice that Clint Eastwood has become known for.
