Thread by @ProfPaulPoast

When teaching Intro to International Relations, I love referencing "IR Movie Easter eggs": explicit international politics lessons/references from movies NOT overtly about international politics.

For those teaching IR classes this coming term, here are my 10 favorite!

A quick note on the rankings: They basically go from #10 "Not subtle and sort of critical to the plot" to #1 "very subtle and not essential at all to the plot at all"

But all were probably unexpected when you sat down to watch the movie for the first time !

#10 Captain America: Civil War

Was NOT expecting a super hero movie to offer a one-scene master-class in the meaning of sovereignty, power, and legitimacy in international politics

#9: Sound of Music

Come from the cheesy family-friendly musical, leave with a lesson in the Anschluss

#8 Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country

In a movie that is basically a Cold War Allegory, this famous scene drops a reference to Lebensraum

#7 Frozen

Wasn't expecting a lesson on trade treaties as a lever of power and exploitation

#6 Black Panther

Revealing Wakanda's power at the UN General Assembly in this bonus scene raises all sorts of questions about how the world will react

#5 Talladega Nights:

This scene is great for teaching bargaining and credible commitments (h/t @mkmckoy) -- "just say `really thin pancakes'" -- and how nationalism can lead to conflict -- "this here is `Merica, the greatest planet on Earth"

#4 Animal House

"The Germans?"

#4 DIE HARD

Given that the helicopter is heading to a roof top, this is an ingenious reference

#2 The Princess Bride

While learning about mixed strategies, don't forget the the the most famous strategic blunder!

#1 Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Didn't expect a lesson on the folly of trade wars courtesy of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff

Yes, there was a tie for #4 -- Is "The Germans" or "Saigon" more subtle?

Anyhow, hope you enjoy the list!