10 TV Shows and Movies That Are Pretty Much Propaganda

Propaganda is like a smooth-talking salesperson who tries to convince you to buy a product you don't really need by telling you only the good things and leaving out the bad. It's sneaky and manipulative, aimed at getting you to believe a specific perspective or ideology, whether it's true or not. While many TV shows and movies strive to entertain and inform, some have been accused of being propaganda vehicles for certain political, social, or cultural agendas.

1. Cast Away (2000)

Starring Tom Hanks might seem like a survival story, but its product placement has also been criticized. With FedEx featured prominently throughout the film, some have claimed that it's nothing more than a glorified commercial for the company. Despite this, the movie is still an engaging tale of a man's struggle for survival on a deserted island after a plane crash.

2. Battlefield Earth (2000)

This sci-fi movie based on a novel by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, has been accused of promoting the religion's agenda. The story follows a group of humans enslaved by an alien race, and some have seen the movie's themes of liberation as a nod to Scientology's beliefs. However, the film's poor reviews and box office performance suggest audiences may have yet to receive its propaganda well.

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3. Reefer Madness (1936)

Take a trip in a time-traveling machine and journey back to the 1930s with “Reefer Madness,” a flick created to terrify viewers about the terrors of marijuana. It's like a cautionary tale straight out of a school assembly, but with exaggerated acting and ridiculous plotlines.

Drug use was a major concern for the nation at the day, and this film was designed to depict marijuana as a dangerous drug that could turn you into a raving lunatic. It was even used to support the government's efforts to make marijuana illegal. But fast-forward to today, and the movie is a hilarious, campy throwback to a time when people were seriously freaked out by the idea of smoking a little weed.

4. The Wizard (1989)

The Wizard features Nintendo prominently and has been accused of being an advertisement for the video game company. The plot follows a young boy with a talent for video games who competes in a gaming tournament in California. Despite criticisms of being a glorified commercial, the film has become a cult classic for portraying 1980s gaming culture.

5. Top Gun (1986)

With Tom Cruise in the lead role, this timeless film has faced reproach for portraying the armed forces and the romanticization of combat. The film follows the story of Maverick, a young and reckless fighter pilot, as he navigates through the rigorous training program at the Top Gun Naval Flying School. Despite its propaganda-like portrayal of the US military, the movie has become a beloved classic and has been credited with inspiring a generation of pilots.

6. Mad Money (2008)

Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, and Katie Holmes take the lead in this uproarious caper comedy. The movie follows three women who work at the Federal Reserve and decide to steal money about to be destroyed. While the film is not overtly political, some critics have argued that it promotes a Robin Hood-like mentality of taking what you feel you are owed rather than earning it through hard work and dedication.

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7. Undercover Boss (2010)

In the television series “Undercover Boss,” influential executives assume incognito identities to witness the daily struggles of their staff. Although the show aims to highlight the optimistic side of corporate ethos, some have criticized it for disguising itself as a tool for corporate manipulation that humanizes the upper echelons of big businesses.

8. American Sniper (2014)

Helmed by Clint Eastwood and featuring Bradley Cooper in the lead, this factual war drama chronicles the life of Chris Kyle, a sharpshooting Navy SEAL who served four back-to-back tours in Iraq. While the movie has been praised for its accurate depiction of war and its toll on soldiers, it has also been criticized for glorifying violence and portraying Iraqis as one-dimensional villains. Some have argued that the movie is propaganda for the US military and its involvement in the war on terror.

9. Transformers (2007)

Michael Bay helms this adrenaline-fueled sci-fi blockbuster inspired by the well-known Hasbro toys and animated TV series. The story follows a group of heroic Autobots, led by the noble Optimus Prime, battling the evil Decepticons to protect Earth from destruction. Starring Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, the film is filled with explosive action sequences and impressive special effects.

10. Starship Troopers (1997)

In a world where humanity is at odds with a race of insect-like extraterrestrial creatures dubbed the Bugs, Paul Verhoeven directs this sci-fi action thriller. The story follows a young man named Johnny Rico, played by Casper Van Dien, who joins the military to fight against the Bugs. The film has been criticized for its fascist undertones and glorifying militarism, with some seeing it as propaganda for the military-industrial complex.

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This article was produced and syndicated by Max My Money.