Our nation's capital has long been an inspiration to filmmakers. Some of the stories they’ve produced concern politics; others transcend them. Here are some of the best movies set and shot in Washington, D.C.:

The Exorcist
The horror classic takes place and was mostly shot in Georgetown, where Linda Blair’s Regan is living temporarily with her mother. Most of the action centers around the house, but there are exterior shots aplenty on D.C. streets

Being There
Hal Ashby’s wry comedy takes a satirical stab at American politics in this tale of a simple-minded gardener who is adopted as a political guru by the Washington elite. Ashby is never broad or blatant, but nevertheless deftly skewers the truisms and empty phrases so often spouted by politicians.

The Day the Earth Stood Still 
Predating movies like Independence Day by more than 40 years, The Day the Earth Stood Still is the gold standard of “aliens invade DC” movies. Ever since Klaatu landed his ship on the White House lawn, aliens always seem to make a beeline for our nation’s capital.

Three Days of the Condor
Filmed in the wake of the Watergate scandal, this tense thriller features as Robert Redford’s hapless CIA translator who goes up against forces that seem to be coming from within the agency.

Born Yesterday
Judy Holliday, in her best known role, is hysterical as the ditzy mistress of a corrupt businessman, in Washington to buy a congressman. When her lover hires a journalist played by William Holden to teach her proper manners, a whirlwind romance set against the requisite D.C. landmarks ensues.