29 Anti-Fascist Films to Watch
29 titles
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BlacKkKlansmanMovie · 2018 · 136m · Crime, Comedy, DramaColorado Springs, late 1970s. African American police officer Ron Stallworth and his Jewish colleague Flip Zimmerman undertake an undercover mission to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.5 - 2
The Lives of OthersMovie · 2006 · 137m · Drama, ThrillerEast Berlin, 1984. A dedicated Stasi officer, Gerd Wiesler, is assigned to monitor a celebrated playwright and his actress partner, Christa-Maria. As Wiesler observes them, he develops unexpected empathy for the couple, leading him to struggle with conflicting loyalties when his superior becomes interested in Christa-Maria.IMDb 8.4TMDB 8.0 - 3
American History XMovie · 1998 · 119m · DramaThe film chronicles Derek Vineyard's life after he completes a three-year prison sentence for a hate crime that resulted in the deaths of two African-American men. Narrated by his brother Danny, the story reveals Derek's past as the leader of a prominent white supremacist gang in Los Angeles. The gang’s focus on recruitment and violence significantly influenced both Derek’s actions and Danny’s life. After his release, Derek rejects his former ideology and cuts ties with the gang. Determined to protect Danny, he dedicates himself to preventing his brother from repeating the destructive choices that defined his own past.IMDb 8.5TMDB 8.3 - 4
Triumph Over ViolenceMovie · 1965 · 138m · Documentary, History, WarRoman's documentary "Ordinary Fascism" takes viewers to 1920s-1940s Europe, confronting the horrors of fascism and Nazism. The film uses carefully chosen archival footage to create an immersive story about how ordinary people were drawn to radical ideologies and helped build these evil regimes. Witnessing these events on film, viewers are reminded of the importance of preventing history from repeating itself and remaining vigilant against oppressive politics.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.4 - 5
Educate Yourself My SonMovie · 1981 · 96mThis is a sharp, satirical look at the country, its religion, schools, and families – a biting commentary on its political situation following the military's departure from power.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.4 - 6
The Big CannonMovie · 1981 · 84mA massage therapist living in Germany discovers his son has joined a Neo-Nazi group.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.5 - 7
The White RibbonMovie · 2009 · 144m · Drama, MysteryAn old tailor reflects on his time as a schoolteacher in a remote Northern German village during the year before World War I, a period marked by a series of unusual occurrences.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.5 - 8
The Great DictatorMovie · 1940 · 125m · Comedy, WarThis satirical film explores the dark world of dictator Adenoid Hynkel and his relentless drive to expand his empire, which oppresses his people. In this climate of fear, a Jewish barber tries to survive the dangerous political situation. The film mixes humor with emotional moments to expose the absurdity and cruelty of totalitarianism, examining power, resistance, and human bonds. By following the stories of Hynkel and the barber, it offers a sharp critique of authoritarianism that remains relevant today.IMDb 8.4TMDB 8.3 - 9
Green BookMovie · 2018 · 130m · Drama, Comedy, HistoryIn 1962, Tony Lip, a tough bouncer, takes a job driving pianist Don Shirley on a tour of the Deep South. At the time, African Americans depended on a guidebook called the Negro Motorist Green Book to find safe places to stay and services, as segregation laws restricted their options below the Mason-Dixon Line.IMDb 8.2TMDB 8.2 - 10
Come and SeeMovie · 1985 · 142m · Drama, WarThe peaceful life of young Florya in a small Byelorussian village is shattered when German forces invade. Defying his family, he seeks refuge with Resistance fighters in the forest. Glasha, a strong and determined girl, joins him on the journey back home, only to discover his village has been brutally destroyed and his family murdered. Florya's struggle to survive in the war-torn landscape becomes a harrowing fight against despair as he navigates a world irrevocably changed.IMDb 8.3TMDB 8.2 - 11
This Is EnglandMovie · 2007 · 101m · Drama, CrimeSet in England during 1983, the film follows a troubled young boy. After a school fight, he encounters a group of skinheads who quickly become his closest friends, evolving into something akin to family. The story is drawn from the director's own experiences.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.5 - 12
La HaineMovie · 1995 · 98m · DramaDuring a chaotic night of rioting in the Parisian suburbs, the lives of three young friends – Vinz, Hubert, and Saïd – become intertwined. They anxiously await news about a friend seriously injured during a clash with police. The film portrays their raw emotions, hopes, and fears as they face the harsh realities of their lives and the complexities of their bonds. Set against this turbulent backdrop, the story explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and identity in a truthful and emotionally powerful look at contemporary society.IMDb 8.1TMDB 8.1 - 13
The CaptainMovie · 2018 · 118m · War, Drama, HistoryGermany, 1945. During the final, desperate weeks of World War II, deserter Willi Herold finds a discarded Nazi captain's uniform. He takes it to stay warm, but soon discovers that many Germans are willing to follow anyone who appears to be in charge.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 14
Cross of IronMovie · 1977 · 132m · Drama, Action, HistoryIn 1943, as the German army retreats from Russia in disarray, a tense rivalry develops between Captain Stransky and Corporal Steiner. Stransky, an aristocrat driven by ambition, seeks the Iron Cross to gain recognition in Berlin, believing in the superiority of the Third Reich. Steiner, a courageous soldier, prioritizes his men's lives over personal fame and remains skeptical of the Nazi ideals. The film explores bravery, loyalty, and ambition amidst the challenges of war through their contrasting viewpoints.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1 - 15
MudboundMovie · 2017 · 135m · DramaFollowing World War II, two families in the South struggle against a rigid social order and a harsh environment, mirroring their fight for survival during the war.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.4 - 16
Diario de un skinMovie · 2005 · 80m · HistoryIMDb 6.2TMDB 5.9 - 17
The ExperimentMovie · 2010 · 96m · Thriller, DramaTwenty men agree to take part in a psychological experiment, assigned as either guards or prisoners. The study quickly descends into chaos as the power dynamics shift unexpectedly.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.4 - 18
1900Movie · 1976 · 317m · Drama, HistoryThis film explores twentieth-century Italy, depicting the effects of class differences on people's lives. It follows two friends from childhood as they grow up in a changing world. Their lives move in different directions because of their different economic situations. The story shows how friendship and political beliefs are connected during a time of upheaval. With moving stories and beautiful visuals, the film examines how inequality affects people, leaving viewers to consider the human cost of division.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.8 - 19
I Stand AloneMovie · 1999 · 89m · Drama, ThrillerThis is the story of two siblings who share one body, one with a cat's head and the other with a dog's. Their unusual connection creates both challenges and humor as they navigate everyday life. The cat sibling is quick-witted and controlling, always trying to keep things orderly and avoid discomfort. The dog sibling is full of joy and loves simple things, but struggles when things don't go his way. It’s a heartwarming story about love, understanding, and strength, as they learn to accept their differences and support each other.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.4 - 20
Nineteen Eighty-FourMovie · 1984 · 113m · Drama, Science FictionThis film adapts George Orwell's dystopian classic, set in a society controlled by an absolute authority. The story follows a government bureaucrat who alters historical records to fit the ruling power’s current story. Growing disillusioned with his work, he begins a risky path of self-discovery and rebellion through love – a love that challenges the oppressive regime. The film examines power, manipulation, and humanity's ability to resist tyranny, all within a suspenseful and unsettling atmosphere.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 21
Land and FreedomMovie · 1995 · 109m · War, Drama, HistoryIn 1936, unemployed British Communist David Carr feels a growing urgency to act as the Spanish Civil War erupts. He joins the Popular Front of Catalonia (POUM) militia, a diverse group of liberals, communists, and anarchists fighting against Franco's Nationalists. During his experiences, Carr begins to realize a disturbing truth: Stalin's allies in Spain are secretly sabotaging the revolution they claim to champion, acting under orders from Moscow. Forced to confront this profound betrayal, Carr navigates a complicated landscape of shifting political loyalties and hidden agendas.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.3 - 22
The PianistMovie · 2002 · 150m · Drama, WarThis is the true story of pianist Władysław Szpilman's life in Warsaw during the Nazi occupation. As the city's Jewish population is confined to a ghetto, Szpilman finds work performing in a café. When his family is deported in 1942, he remains in Warsaw, working as a laborer before ultimately going into hiding amidst the ruins of the war.IMDb 8.5TMDB 8.4 - 23
Schindler's ListMovie · 1993 · 195m · Drama, History, WarThis is the true story of Oskar Schindler, a businessman who saved over a thousand Jewish lives during World War II. He provided them work in his factory, effectively shielding them from the Nazis' atrocities and forced labor.IMDb 9.0TMDB 8.6 - 24
The Boy in the Striped PyjamasMovie · 2008 · 94m · Drama, War, HistoryWhen Bruno's family relocates from Berlin to a new house in Poland, he befriends Shmuel, a boy living beyond a fence who wears striped pajamas. Unaware of Shmuel's situation as a Jewish prisoner or his father's role in it, Bruno ventures into the camp.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.8 - 25
MissingMovie · 1982 · 123m · Drama, Mystery, ThrillerA determined American businessman travels to Chile after his son vanishes during a military coup. He's joined by his daughter-in-law as they uncover layers of cover-ups and lies. Their search for answers reveals disturbing US State Department involvement with the ruling government, exposing a world of human rights abuses and corruption. The film is a moving story about a father's strength and the hidden truths of international politics.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.2 - 26
Son of SaulMovie · 2015 · 107m · War, Drama, ThrillerIn 1944, at the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz, a prisoner tasked with cremating the bodies of fellow inmates struggles with his conscience. He attempts to secretly give a young boy, whom he sees as his own son, a proper Jewish burial by saving his body from the flames.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1 - 27
The WaveMovie · 2008 · 107m · Drama, ThrillerDuring a lesson on government, a teacher discusses various systems with his students. Disinterested in the topic, the students find the repeated discussion of National Socialism tedious and dismiss the possibility of dictatorship in contemporary Germany. To demonstrate the susceptibility of people to manipulation, the teacher initiates an experiment.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.5 - 28
The Book ThiefMovie · 2013 · 131m · DramaDuring World War II in Germany, young Liesel discovers comfort in stealing books and sharing them with those around her. Hidden beneath the stairs of her family's home, a Jewish refugee is being sheltered by her new parents.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.5 - 29
CBS Evening NewsMovie · 1997 · 116m · Comedy, DramaThis moving story follows an Italian bookseller with a Jewish heritage, whose life centers on his passion for books in a peaceful town. His peaceful world is shattered when World War II begins and his family is deported to a concentration camp.
As darkness descends, the father uses a clever way to shield his son from the horrors of their imprisonment. He convinces his child that their terrible situation is just a game, offering a fragile sense of normalcy in their nightmare.
The film is a powerful exploration of resilience, hope, and love during hardship. It’s a heartbreaking tale of a father fighting to protect his family and preserve their humanity amidst unimaginable tragedy.IMDb 8.6TMDB 8.4
