There are many films out there that celebrate the golden-days of journalism. To narrow it down is a bit tough, but for a budding journalist such as myself, these 5 films have done their fair share of inspiring me to get a college degree in a dying profession.

Forget print – it’s a lost cause. But it is never too late to save good journalism.

All the President’s Men (1976)
-The top-dog of possibly any movie created about journalism. If you’re going into the field of investigative journalism and don’t know who Carl Bernstein or Bob Woodward is – hell, or even what Watergate was – go get a creative writing major instead. Classic movie.

Almost Famous (2000)
-The semi-autobiographical account of Cameron Crowe’s days as a young reporter for Rolling Stone magazine. The glamour of rock n’roll through the eyes of a 15 year old boy who gets the writing opportunity of a lifetime to follow an up and coming band on tour. The quintessential movie for any music aficionado trying to break into the biz as a journalist.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
-Gonzo journalism. I’m a big fan of it – though there are plenty who aren’t. That’s okay too. Just appreciate this oddball masterpiece of a movie for what it is and Hunter S. Thompson for who he is.

Good Night and Good Luck (2005)
-Edward R. Murrow’s days as a broadcast journalist who worked to bring down Senator Joseph McCarthy during the early 50s’ communism scare. A great example of what journalism is all about: to tell and bring the truth to those that do not have a voice.

Superman
-Any movie involving Clark Kent working at the Daily Planet. Who wouldn’t want to work at the Daily Planet? Too bad the Seattle PI shut down – it eerily resembled the Daily Planet.