These movies about journalists help with a thorough understanding of what journalism, especially investigative journalism, is all about, and it also shows the perks of being a journalist. There are several movies out there about journalists, and these movies, both fictional and real, bring a different dimension to what the world already knows about journalism. That being said, we have gathered the best movies about journalists, some of which you can watch on Netflix. These movies are rated from best to worst according to their IMDb ratings.
Best Movies About Journalists Rated From Best To Worst
1. Collective
Release Date: 2019 IMDb: 8.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 99% Metacritic: 95%
Collective is a Romanian documentary movie that centers on the 2016 public health scandal that followed the Colectiv nightclub fire. It follows the stories of Romanian investigative journalists working at Gazeta Sporturilor, a Romanian newspaper outlet, as they uncover public healthcare corruption, injustice, and how the government responds to the issues being faced in the health ministry amid a deadly nightclub fire that happened in 2015. Released in September 2019, the movie was critically acclaimed, and it garnered several accolades, including the European Film Awards and the National Society of Film Critics Award. More so, it also earned nominations as the Best Documentary Feature and Best International Feature Film. Alexander Nanau directed this movie, and it made history as the first Romanian film to be nominated for an Academy Award.
2. Spotlight
Release Date: 2015 IMDb: 8.1/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 97% Metacritic: 93%
Spotlight is one of the best movies about journalists that was set in 2001. It follows a team of journalists assigned by editor Marty Baron of the Boston Globe to uncover cases of pedophilia against John Geoghan, a Catholic priest accused of molesting over 80 boys. The journalism team, also known as the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team, was led by editor Walter Robinson and reporters- Sacha Pfeiffer, Matt Carroll, and Michael Rezendes. This spotlight team took it upon themselves to dig up proof of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church. Written and directed by Tom McCarthy, Spotlight received a critical response from many Catholics and critics upon release. With actors like Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Michael Keaton, and Brian d’Arcy James among its main cast, the film was rated among the best 10 films of 2015. It was nominated for several awards, including the Golden Globe Awards, Best Cast in a Motion Picture, Best Ensemble, and Independent Spirit Awards.
3. Network
Release Date: 1976 IMDb: 8.1/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 91% Metacritic: 83%
Network is a 1976 American satirical black comedy-drama film about a fictional television network struggling with a high rate of poor ratings. Howard Beale, a longtime evening newscaster for the Union Broadcasting System (UBS), was hated by his audience due to his angry man personality on air; thus, gaining tons of declining ratings, which pulls down the broadcasting system. In a bid to salvage the situation, programming chief Diana Christensen reaches out to another reporter, Schumacher, with an offer to help “develop” the show. Schumacher declines the professional proposal, as he had other ideas. However, Beale didn’t have that happy ending because he was shot on-air, making him the first reporter to be killed because of his ill ratings.
4. All the President’s Men
Release Date: 1976 IMDb: 8.0/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 94% Metacritic: 84%
This American political drama film centers on the scandal that led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1972. It follows two green reporters, who are rivals working for The Washington Post, investigating a botched 1972 burglary of the Democratic Party Headquarters. With the help of a mysterious source who is code-named Deep Throat, the two reporters uncover a link between the burglars and a White House Staffer. However, with their lives and security at stake, the duo is hell-bent on getting to the root of the investigation amind serious warnings. Released in 1976, All the President’s Men captures the exhilarating rush of the biggest presidential scandal in United States history. Directed by Alan J. Pakula, this movie garnered positive reviews from critics and was also commercially successful.
5. Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within
Release Date: 2010 IMDb: 8.0/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 91% Metacritic: 71%
Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within is a 2010 Brazilian crime thriller film directed by José Padilha. A sequel to the Elite Squad, released in 2007, Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within centers on BOPE, the special operations force of the Rio de Janeiro Military Police, which focuses on the relationship between law enforcement and politics, and how the media works in such environment. This movie generally depicts what happens in modern-day Brazil. Unveiling the corruption that flows through the society to reach the very top people in government and the corruption within the Police Force. It was released to critical reception in 2010 and was also commercially successful.
6. His Girl Friday
Release Date: 1940 IMDb: 7.9/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 98% Metacritic: 81%
Yet another intriguing movie about journalists, His Girl Friday is a 1940s comedy movie about Hildy Johnson, the Morning Post reporter and wife of Walter Burns, the Morning Post’s editor. Their picture-perfect union started crumbling, and as a result, Hildy divorces him, quit her job, and leaves town. She meets a guy, Bruce Baldwin, who works with the insurance company as a salesman. Bruce is a ton better off than her ex; he treats her like a “woman” instead of a “water buffalo.” They managed to live happily ever after for a short while before evil Walter happened. Walter uses every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex-wife from remarrying. Though it was released in 1940, this old classic comedy has remained evergreen and would make you want to watch it repeatedly. It was critically acclaimed, garnering positive reviews from critics and moviegoers.
7. Killing Fields
Release Date: 1984 IMDb: 7.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 93% Metacritic: 76%
Killing Fields is one of the movies about journalists with an outstanding storyline. It is based on a true-life story about Sydney Schanberg, a New York Times correspondent to Cambodia during the 1973 war of the Cambodian army with the communist Khmer Rouge group, and his assistant, Dith Pran- a Cambodian journalist and interpreter. Together with Pran, he covered the war scenes and piled reports for publishing. Things went south when Cambodia became dangerous for Pran; Khmer’s year zero policy was detrimental to all Cambodian citizens, including westerners. Meanwhile, Sydney managed to secure a passage for Pran and his family, but Pran insisted on staying and helping Sydney while his family moves to San Francisco. The movie made rounds in the industry with an IMDb rating of 7.8/10 and 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
8. The Insider
Release Date: 1999 IMDb: 7.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 96% Metacritic: 84%
This thriller movie is one of the best journalist movies. It is about Jeffery Wigand, a man who worked in a tobacco company as an executive. He decided to appear on 60 minutes, partly because Lowell Bergman persuaded him to talk and also a matter of conscience. Despite threats and likes of it, he reveals that the tobacco industry is not only aware that cigarettes are addictive and harmful but deliberately works on increasing that addictiveness to gain more sales and demand from their customers.
9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Release Date: 2009 IMDb: 7.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 87% Metacritic: 71%
This movie depicts and promotes the power of journalism, an extract from a novel written by Swedish author and journalist Steig Larsson- the girl with the dragon tattoo, which was published posthumously in 2005 to become an international bestseller. Sadly, he didn’t live quite long to see it. This movie is about a journalist hired by a wealthy man to solve a murder mystery of his niece who went missing 40 years earlier. The journalist, together with his hacker friend, made shocking discoveries afterward. The movie was first released in 2009 in the Swedish language and was later redubbed in English and released in 2011 with a different cast.
10. Dhaka Attack
Release Date: 2017 IMDb: 7.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: NA Metacritic: NA
Dhaka Attack is a 2017 movie that centers on the Dhaka Metropolitan Police as they investigate the fierce operations of a terrorist organization with a ploy to destabilize and destroy the country’s defense structures. As they delve deeper, they discovered an investigative journalist Chaity, who has additional information about the criminal circle. With the information he provides, they uncover the mastermind, a narcotic psycho killer who wants to rule the international mafia gang. Directed by Dipankar Dipon, Dhaka Attack is an outstanding action thriller set in the context of Bangladesh. With an intriguing plot, heart-touching soundtrack, and cinematography, it features top Bangladesh actors like Arifin Shuvoo, Mahiya Mahi, Afzal Hossain, etc. Rated 7.8/10 on IMDb, its other ratings for Metacritic, TV.com, and Rotten Tomatoes are currently unavailable.
11. Zodiac
Release Date: 2007 IMDb: 7.7/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 89% Metacritic: 78%
Zodiac is one of the best movies about journalists, and it is based on the 1986 non-fiction book of the same name written by Robert Graysmith about a serial killer who terrorized San Francisco Bay. Graysmith, a cartoonist by profession, investigates the zodiac’s case, interpreted his letter (which was sent to San Fransisco Chronicles, where he worked), analyzed evidence which he got from his source in the San Francisco police department; it involves fingerprints and handwriting, which did not really fetch him feasible evidence for the killer’s identity. Later on, after his book was published, the police identified Allen, who lived near the first victims as the killer Zodiac, but he died before he could be questioned. The movie was praised for its historical accuracy, writing, directing, and screenplay, with numerous positive reviews.
12. Tickled
Release Date: 2016 IMDb: 7.5/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 94% Metacritic: 76%
Tickled revolves around David Farrier, who works with 3 News in New Zealand- as he comes across a website promoting “Competitive Endurance Tickling.” Excited and most certain that he’s got a magnificent storyline for the program. Well, he wasn’t allowed to have a full grin on the cheekbones, for he was turned down by the American company behind the site; thus, receiving homophobic slurs, legal threats, and possible lawsuits from them. Devastated and bewildered, David embarks on strange and somewhat disturbing research on the subject matter. Released in 2016, Tickled garnered positive reviews and was regarded as one of the best documentary movies about journalists. It was rated 76% on Metacritic, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 7.5/10 on IMDb.
13. The China Syndrome
Release Date: 1979 IMDb: 7.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 86% Metacritic: 81%
The China Syndrome is an American thriller film directed by James Bridges. The storyline follows a TV reporter Kimberly Wells and her cameraman, as they uncover safety coverups at a nuclear power plant while doing a report on alternative energy sources. However, Wells is eager to report her findings but soon finds herself entangled in a sinister conspiracy to keep the full impact of the incident a secret. The term “China Syndrome,” refers to a fictional result of a nuclear meltdown, where reactor components melt through their containment structures and into the underlying earth, all the way to China. Released in 1979, The China Syndrome was critically acclaimed for its storyline and screenplay. According to many reviews, the film was a taut, intelligent, and gripping thriller with a melodramatic end. It was also commercially successful, grossing a massive $51.7 million from a production budget of $5.9 million. After its release, The China Syndrome garnered several award nominations for its cast and characters, winning a few of them.
14. Live from Baghdad
Release Date: 2002 IMDb: 7.3/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 78% Metacritic: NA
Live from Baghdad is a 2002 war movie and one of the most interesting movies about journalists in Hollywood. The plot centers on the actual CNN coverage of the Iraqi force invasion into Kuwait City. CNN picked Robert Weiner and his crew to go to Baghdad and cover the invasion. As risky as the task was, they all moved down to Baghdad from Atlanta for the coverage. They started reporting as soon as they got there. With the help of the Iraqi minister of information, Najid AL Hadithi, Weiner and his crew could cover and send reports back to CNN in Jordan, including Saddam Hussein’s interview through a four-wire. After a while, Weiner and his crew were forced to stop reporting by Al Hadithi and the Iraqi soldiers. They must return to America to avoid getting harmed. The movie gathered a lot of positive ratings and international recognition.
15. The Post
Release Date: 2017 IMDb: 7.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Metacritic: 83%
This thriller movie about journalists was released in 2017, and it is one of the best movies on this list. The storyline was based on a true story involving a series of attempts by The Washington Post to publish a set of classified Pentagon Papers. Set in 1971, it follows Katherine Graham, the first female publisher of The Washington Post, as she teams up with Ben Bradlee, a longtime executive editor at The Washington Post, to expose top secrets regarding the United States government’s involvement in the Vietnam War and French Indochina. To achieve this, they must put aside their differences as they risk their careers and freedom to bring the long-buried truths to the fore. Released in December 2017, this film was directed by Steven Spielberg, and it was both commercially successful and critically acclaimed. It garnered positive reviews from critics, and the storyline was highly referenced to the administration of former US Presidents Donald Trump and Richard Nixon. The ensemble cast is made of A-List actors, including Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Sarah Paulson, Tracy Letts, and Bob Odenkirk, among others.
16. Broadcast News
Release Date: 1987 IMDb:7.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 98% Metacritic: 84%
Broadcast News is a 1987 comic drama, where journalism and romance coexist in one space. Right at the center of “Broadcast News” is a character named Jane Craig, who is a news writer-producer for the Washington Bureau of a TV network. She is a smart and vibrant young lady whose love for journalism is second to none. However, Jane gets caught in a love triangle between one of her best friends, Aaron Altman, a smart and aggressive reporter, best in their line of work but not camera-friendly, and Tom Grunick, a sportscaster, with little education but a natural in front of the camera. This romantic comedy is one of the best movies about journalism out there, and it tends to bring to the fore the travails of female journalists and how they deal with their journalism careers and personal life. Released in 1987, Broadcast News was commercially successful and critically acclaimed.
17. Bad Education
Release Date: 2019 IMDb: 7.1/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 93% Metacritic: 79%
This movie is one of the best movies portraying journalism par excellence. It is based on the true story of the largest public school embezzlement in the history of America. It follows a school superintendent and his assistant who is credited with bringing unrivaled repute. In a bid to make the school one of the best in the country, they practically sit on the ‘same’ school’s funds. Well, that changes when a student reporter uncovers a mind-blowing embezzlement scheme, forcing the superintendent to come up with an intricate cover-up. Released in 2019, Bad Education had an epic proportion of critic reception and outstanding recognition by the public.
18. Shattered Glass
Release Date: 2003 IMDb: 7.1/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 92% Metacritic: 73%
This biographical drama film revolves around a fraudulent Washington D.C. journalist Stephen Glass who rose to greater heights as a young writer in his 20s. However, he is hired by The New Republic, where he would spend the next three years of his career. Stephen fell from grace after it was discovered that 27 of his 41 published stories were thoroughly fabricated. He always looks for a shortcut, concocting sources, and even stories, which ultimately brought him fame. However, when his deception was noticed, his world came crumbling. Directed by Billy Ray, Shattered Glass first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2003. While the film was a flop at the Box Office, it garnered positive reviews for its gripping and intriguing storyline. It was rated 7.1/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 73% on Metacritic.
19. State of Play
Release Date: 2009 IMDb: 7.1/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 84% Metacritic: 64%
State of Play is a movie about a journalist who was invited by his old-time friend, congressman Steven Collins, to solve a murder case of Sonia Baker, his assistant. The journalist, Cal McAffrey, joins forces with the police to investigate the murder, which turns out to be related to other deaths of certain individuals before Sonia. Cal and his friend, Della, garnered evidence linking Collins to the murders. Cal later publishes a story, reporting Collins’ arrest for his role in the death of Sonia Baker and other deaths related to Sonia’s death. Released on 17 April 2009 in Canada, the State of Play is greatly applauded for its storyline and suspense. The twisty substantial thriller earned several positive ratings from critics and was commercially successful. 20. Balibo
Release Date: 2009 IMDb: 7.0/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 100% Metacritic: NA
Balibo is one of the most interesting movies about journalists on this list. Released in 2009, this Australian war film follows the story of the Balibo Five, a group of journalists captured and killed while on duty before the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in 1975. It is a real-life story, based on the 2001 book Cover-Up by Jill Jolliffe, an Australian journalist who met the five journalists before they died. This movie revolves around Roger East, a notable war correspondent who goes to East Timor in 1975 to investigate the deaths of the Balibo Five during the buildup to the Indonesian invasion of East Timor. Quite intriguing, this mystery thriller is a tense, character-driven film with a political comment on the side, letting viewers who don’t know the subject matter engage instinctively with the film. It garnered several positive reviews and was rated 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.0/10 on IMDb.
21. Kill the Messenger
Release Date: 2014 IMDb: 6.9/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 77% Metacritic: 60%
This 2014 American biographical crime thriller movie revolves around a journalist, Gary Webb, who investigates the spread of cocaine in the US. With the help of a woman, Coral, he gathered information about the government and CIA’s involvement in the drug racket that funds contra rebels in the states. Despite warnings from high CIA operatives and death threats not to publish his findings, Gary didn’t yield. Later on, he publishes the article with the title Dark Allies, which raised eyebrows. His resilience earned him an award for the Bay Area “Journalist of the Year.” The movie was very well received by moviegoers, with a considerable amount of positive ratings.
22. The Paper
Release Date: 1994 IMDb: 6.7/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Metacritic: 70%
The Paper is one of the movies about journalists and journalism out there. It centers on a hectic 24 hours of trying to strike a balance between the professional and personal life of Henry Hackett, an editor at a New York City tabloid. Henry gives more time to his job and less to his family. Despite his dedication, he still receives low pay in the end. However, his wife, Martha, who is his former reporter and is heavily pregnant, is fed up because Henry hardly has time for his family. As a result, the editor considers an offer to edit for the New York Times, which means more money and less working time. However, that might be boring for his tastes. Faced with these tough decisions, another hot case comes his way. Directed by Ron Howard, The Paper garnered positive reviews and was seen as one of the best movies about journalists released in 1994. However, some argued that the storyline, which suggests that women belong to the nursery rather than the newsroom, is prehistoric. It was rated 6.7/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 70% on Metacritic.
23. Shock and Awe
Release Date: 2017 IMDb: 6.3/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 30% Metacritic: 47%
Shock and Awe is a movie about a group of journalists of the Knight-Ridder news service who covered President George W. Bush’s planned invasion of Iraq in 2003 over a claim that Saddam Hussein possesses weapons of mass destruction. As skeptical as the journalists were, they question the administration’s claim that Hussein has weapons of mass destruction. Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Joey Hartstone, Shock and Awe’s storyline was greatly applauded but received tons of criticism because its result is dramatically inert. It was premiered in September 2017 and was officially released in 2018.
24. Assassination of a High School President
Release Date: 2008 IMDb: 6.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 50% Common Sense Media: 3/5
Assassination of a High School President is an American neo-noir comedy film written by Tim Calpin and Kevin Jakubowski and directed by Brett Simon. This film revolves around Robert Funke, a less popular high school sophomore with dreams of securing admission into Northwestern University’s summer program. He claims he is a good writer but never finished an article for the school’s newspaper. However, he was assigned to do an article on the student council president Paul Moore, but the quest was unsuccessful as he was bullied by Paul’s friends. He later uncovers a conspiracy after a popular senior girl persuades him to investigate the theft of the SAT exams. His findings point to Paul, the president of the student council; nevertheless, he discovers a hidden conspiracy after Paul proclaims his innocence. In the end, his investigation unmasked those behind the conspiracy, which earns him respect from everyone. He becomes one of the most popular kids at St Donovan’s High and also got a scholarship to attend Northwestern University’s summer program. Although this movie was completed in 2008, it was released in October 2009. It was initially scheduled to be released theatrically in February 2009, but the release date was moved indefinitely because the distributing company faced bankruptcy; hence, it affected the movie ratings. The movie later yielded $6 million at the box office from a budget of $11.5 million.
25. The Journalist
Release Date: 2019 IMDb: 6.0/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 100% Metacritic: NA
This 2019 Japanese movie is based on the 2017 book of the same. Directed by Michihito Fujii, it follows a young Journalist Erika Yoshioka who works for Tokyo Metropolitan News, where her father committed suicide after allegations of falsifying news. However, Yoshioka was assigned to investigate a government plan to establish a new university by anonymous fax. Her researched points to Mr. Kanzaki, a cabinet official who soon commits suicide. The young journalist must do all she could to uncover Kanzaki’s death. The Journalist captures different degrees o anxiousness knowing that the public is usually shaped by the work each does and how the process constitutes a moral dilemma. Despite its flaws, this movie The Journalist is a slick reminder about not taking the media’s role for granted, especially in politically distressed times.
26. The Shrine
Release Date: 2010 IMDb: 5.5/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 67% Metacritic: 77%
The Shrine is a Canadian supernatural horror film that was released in 2010 and directed by Jon Knautz. It follows a rookie reporter (Cindy Sampson) and two other companions as they try to uncover the story behind a missing young American backpacker in Poland. Cindy and her colleagues trace his disappearance to a remote village in Poland. As they wander off to a distant land for their investigation, trying to uncover secrets in the mysterious village, they are captured by deadly cultists. While they are unable to escape, the three journalists get to discover the village hides even a more horrible secret than they can imagine. Upon release, The Shrine garnered mixed reviews; while some hail it for outstanding plot and screenplay, others frown at the slow pace of the horror flick. It was rated 5.5/10 on IMDb and 67% on Rotten Tomatoes.
27. Extreme Justice
Release Date: 1993 IMDb: 5.5/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 31% Metacritic: NA
Extreme Justice is a 1993 American thriller that revolves around a Los Angeles officer Jeff Powers who was put on probation after using questionable police tactics to solve a crime. His friend later invited him to join the Special Investigation Section of the LAPD. However, he realizes that the elite LAPD Unit is made up of rogue police officers, such that instead of arresting criminals in the act, they use brutality and often murder the suspect they are supposed to arrest. While he tries to question their abuse of power, Jeff discovers they are protected by influential people. Now, he must fight to stay alive as his teammates decide to take measures to eliminate him before he exposes them. Directed by Mark L. Lester, Extreme Justice garnered poor ratings from critics and was rated 5.5/10 on IMDb and 31% on Rotten Tomatoes. It also didn’t do well commercially; hence, it is one of the worst movies about journalists on this list.
