15 Movies About Journalism That All Aspiring Writers Should See

There's nothing like a good story, and it turns out that the process of writing a good story can often make for an engaging movie as well. Across a variety of different genres — from screwball comedies to taut, political thrillers — there are plenty of films that look at the process of writing, and more specifically, journalism. Whether it is focused on chasing a story, the pressures of a bustling newspaper office, or a desperate fight to uphold the very nature of democracy, films about journalists and writers are usually a winning formula.

The press may come under scrutiny — often by those in the highest seats of power — but the role they play is vital. News Media Association states that the press is "the public's watchdog, activist, and guardian as well as educator, entertainer, and contemporary chronicler." With so many different roles and playing such a key part in modern society, it is no wonder that movies so often use journalism as the basis for telling a story. Of course, there is a darker side to the profession as well, with many unscrupulous individuals the power they wield as a chance to spread slander, rumors, and gossip.

Words hold a potency quite unlike any other weapon, and while some may have the power to communicate the truth, others have the ability to destroy a reputation in an instant. For aspiring writers or anyone who just loves an enthralling story, here are 15 movies about journalism that you need to see.

Arguably the benchmark for movies about journalism, "All the President's Men" remains one of the strongest arguments for the importance of the free press — particularly when it pertains to scandals relating to the highest seats of power. Based on the book of the same name, the film focuses on two reporters for The Washington Post as they research a break-in at the Democratic Party Headquarters. Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) are rival reporters and reluctant to work together, but when they are both assigned to cover the story, they begin to uncover the corruption and deceit that goes all the way to the top.

The Watergate scandal — as it later became known — is one of the most significant events in American political history, and "All the President's Men" explores the vital work undertaken by journalists. Their relentless hunt for the truth, even when their lives are at risk, is the ideal material for a compelling drama. Writers may sometimes feel as though their words have no impact, but this film proves that the right words have the power to hold even the President to account. Throughout "All the President's Men," there is a sense of urgency; that this is a story that has to be told, and that the consequences of not telling it could have much larger ramifications.

Few films are as thorough as David Fincher's "Zodiac" when it comes to the exploration of the blood, sweat, and tears that can go into telling a story. Based on the true events surrounding the Zodiac killer, this procedural thriller focuses on the journalists and police officers investigating his crimes — who are left bewildered by the cryptic messages and clues. While "Zodiac" is driven by dialogue more than it is by action, the film is still remarkably engaging. With the emphasis on conversations, "Zodiac" brings us alongside those who are obsessing over and analyzing every detail of the puzzling crime. The sheer weight of the task at hand effectively casts a feeling of dread and foreboding over the film that is palpable.

Similarly, director David Fincher's almost clinical attention to detail in the film adds to the sense of realism. It can be frustrating in a film where plot contrivances can lead the characters to resolve things too quickly or make unbelievable assumptions that just so happen to be right. There is none of that here, instead, there is a genuine feeling of frustration and futility as the investigators mull over the clues — something that will be deeply relatable for anyone who has had to tackle seemingly impenetrable information and turn it into something readable.

Contrary to the popular phrase, words can hurt almost as much as "sticks and stones." Words in print in particular can hold immense power and weight — something that 1957's "Sweet Smell of Success" explores. Burt Lancaster plays J.J. Hunsecker, a ruthless and highly influential New York columnist who holds the power to make or break someone's career. When his sister, Susan (Susan Harrison), begins dating someone he doesn't approve of, Hunsecker hires crooked press agent Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis) to start spreading salacious rumors and tear the couple apart.

Many film noir movies focus on violence and crime, but "Sweet Smell of Success" takes a rather different approach, examining the surprisingly cutthroat world of journalism. While he is positioned as the protagonist, Falco is a reprehensible character with little regard for the lives he may ruin in the process of trying to be a "somebody" himself. Living in the shadow of Hunsecker, Falco desires — more than anything — to be a formidable figure in New York, and while his tenacity is admirable, it is hard to align with his propensity for corruption, blackmail, and deceit.

"Sweet Smell of Success" presents an intoxicating, sleazy snapshot of New York City and the grittier, darker side of journalism. For writers today — in what can seem like a crowded market with so many voices jostling for attention — this film offers a cautionary tale on what can happen when you allow your ruthless ambition to overtake all reason and morality.

While remembered as a landmark film, and possibly the greatest ever made (via Britannica), it shouldn't be overlooked that "Citizen Kane" is also one of the very best films about journalism. In fact, its exploration of journalism is twofold thanks to the film's multiple storytellers. After Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) — a wealthy publishing tycoon — utters the immortal words, "Rosebud" on his deathbed, newspaper reporter Jerry Thompson (William Alland) is assigned to investigate the possible meaning behind this cryptic phrase. Told both in the present — with Thompson interviewing Kane's friends and associates — and in the past through flashbacks of Kane's extraordinary rise to the top, the audience is brought along for the ride to learn more about the enigmatic figure.

What is perhaps most fascinating about "Citizen Kane" is the way it explores the duality of the story we would write about ourselves, and the one that others might write about us. The version of Kane that he presented to the world was one of power and authority — and unbeknownst to many was the traumatic moment from his childhood when he was taken away from his mother and entrusted to the banker, Walter Parks Thatcher (George Coulouris). The satisfying sting is that the true meaning of "Rosebud" — and the connection to the aforementioned trauma — is only revealed to the audience at the end, making us privy to an element of the story that even eluded those who supposedly knew Kane best.

In many ways, Steven Spielberg's 2017 film "The Post" is the perfect accompaniment to 1976's "All the President's Men." In terms of the historical events it depicts, it works as a prequel to Alan J. Pakula's classic film, and even borrows some visual clues for its ending that ties the two together beautifully (via Medium). The film focuses on Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep), the owner and publisher of The Washington Post. While Graham struggles to get her voice heard in the male-dominated boardroom, her paper is flagging against its competitors — namely The New York Times, who are planning to publish a damning exposé of the government's involvement in Vietnam. Assisted by the Post's editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), Graham is forced to decide between printing something that could potentially see the paper cease to exist, and the duty the press has to report on the truth.

While "The Post" covers a very specific time in history, its themes are universal, and it was particularly potent in 2017 when it was released (per Vox). The film portrays the notion of the power struggle between the media and the government, and the importance of the former to be allowed to report the facts without fear of being silenced, manipulated, or controlled by the latter. Speaking about the film's pertinence to today, Spielberg told USA Today, "The relevance is up to everybody. But obviously, sometimes bad things happen twice and history is certainly repeating itself."

As the title would suggest, 2015's "True Story" is inspired by real-life events — specifically, the intriguing relationship between reporter Michael Finkel (played by Jonah Hill) and Christian Longo (portrayed by James Franco), a man accused of murdering his wife and children. Finkel is highly ambitious and has worked his way up to a prestigious position at The New York Times. However, when it is revealed that he committed a cardinal sin of news journalism — using a composite character to tell a story about mistreated slave workers in Africa — he is fired. Now discredited and struggling to find work, Finkel strikes lucky when he is contacted to give an opinion on Christian Longo — who had assumed Finkel's identity when he was arrested in Mexico. Recognizing the potential for a story, Finkel agrees to meet with Longo to learn more about him.

As well as exploring essential journalism ethics, "True Story" presents an intriguing character study. The stripped-back filming style focuses on the two central performances and allows the story to do the talking. While Longo is the very definition of an unreliable source, it is fascinating to watch Finkel be drawn in by him, so consumed by the potential for the story to have a redemptive arc that he almost loses sight of his obligation to tell the truth. While it does feel like this story would be better served by a documentary, the compelling performances from Hill and Franco make this film worth a watch.

Captured with documentary-like realism, "The Killing Fields" is a harrowing and powerful drama — initially about the dangers of reporting under a totalitarian regime, and later about the human cost of a deadly genocide that saw nearly a quarter of Cambodia's population murdered (via Britannica). Set in Cambodia in 1975, the film focuses on two journalists — The New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg (Sam Waterston) and local journalist and reporter Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor) — caught up in the brutal takeover by the Khmer Rouge.

As well as being colleagues, Pran and Schanberg are friends and dedicated to helping each other no matter what happens. What "The Killing Fields" demonstrates more than anything, is how horrifyingly quickly a situation can turn into something incredibly dangerous. The real Schanberg was awarded The Pulitzer Prize for his work (via The New York Times), and while the film does show the reporter receiving an award, "The Killing Fields" is much less focused on the articles being written about Cambodia's fall, and much more attentive to the bravery of those caught up in the violence. It feels like a very human story, and the powerful performances from Waterston and Ngor — who won an Oscar for playing Pran — are a testament to the real people who lived through this ordeal.