Our nation’s capitol has been the backdrop of hundred’s of movies.  From the tense political drama to the farcical alien comedy, the list of classic films that take place in Washington DC is chock full of A-list blockbusters. We take a look at the best of these cinematic gems.

1. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
   In the role that secured his leading man status, Jimmy Stewart plays the role of Jefferson Smith. Smith goes to bat for the little guy in this feel good comedy from 1939. The inspiring speech that Smith gives to the politicians at the end of the film, delivered expertly by Stewart, is enough to inspire any wide eyed optimist to action. You cannot mention movies that are set in Washington DC without tipping your hat to this classic.|
2. Mars Attacks
   Director Tim Burton, the eccentric genius who brought us Edward Scissor Hands and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, salutes science fiction in this off center comedy. Jack Nicholson plays the President of the United States who follows the advice of a science adviser played by Pierce Brosnan.  Flying saucers descend on the capitol in this film and high jinks ensue.
3. The Day the Earth Stood Still
   The original release of this movie in 1951 shocked movie goers as they watched an alien space ship land in Washington DC. Despite being a fictional movie not a news reel, the idea of Earth being visited by being from another planet was more than some to take. The fiction DC is visited by a mild mannered space traveler with a message of impending doom. Remade in 2008 with Keanu Reeves in the role of alien visitor.
4. Thank You for Smoking
   Aaron Eckhart stars in the first film from director Jason Reitman as a political lobbyist for big business tobacco corporations. An adaptation of a novel by Christopher Buckley, the movie follows Nick, played by Eckhart, as he tries to insert tobacco and other harmful products into the hearts of Washington’s political scene.
5. American President
   Apart from being the perfect setting for political and outer space movies, Washington DC can also host a great American love story. Michael Douglas, as the President, falls in love with an environmental lobbyist named Sydney, played by Annette Bening. The President needs to choose between smooth political discourse and the woman he loves. A great love story and true heart warmer.
6. The Sum of All Fears
   The role of action hero Jack Ryan is recast in this installment of Tom Clancy’s blockbuster series. While Washington, DC isn’t the primary setting of this techno-thriller from the Tom Clancy series, its political symbolism is never far from the general storyline. The CIA analyst, played by Ben Affleck, is fighting for the safety of American citizens once again. This time he’s keeping the sacred Super Bowl from getting blown to smithereens.
7. True Lies
   Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jaime Lee Curtis combine marital tension, comedy and political betrayal in this suspense thriller directed by James Cameron. A neglected housewife looks into the truth of what keeps her husband away and discovers that he is in reality a secret agent for the US government searching for two missing nuclear war heads.
8. Clear and Present Danger
   Harrisson Ford stars in the third installment of Tom Clancy’s high-tech political espionage story of Jack Ryan. In this adventure, Ryan is charged to a investigation into a powerful drug cartel. Ryan must leave Washington DC and go to Columbia to rescue a military force trapped by the dangerous drug lords. This is an action packed ride, which is to be expected from Clancy’s thrilling stories.
9. A Few Good Men
   This star studded film is a political courtroom drama based on the play by Aaron Sorkin. Released in 1992, it quickly launched the phrase “You can’t handle the truth!” into the pop culture vernacular. The climax of the movie is an exchange between young ambitious Navy lawyer played by Tom Cruise and the hard nosed Col. Jessup played by Jack Nicholson. A modern classic, this movie captures the intensity of the armed forces with grace.
10. Pelican Brief
    An adaptation of a best selling John Grisham novel, the Pelican Brief is a highly suspenseful thriller starring Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington. When two Supreme Court justices are murdered and a theory of the murders that could bring down the current regime is brought to the President, Darby Shaw, played by Roberts, must go into hiding trying to prove the theory while avoiding the grasp of an assassin.

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