There are many war movies that military experts praise for realism. However, just as many TV shows do an excellent job of touching upon the true cost of war. Conversely, since the realities of war are so intense, there are some series that omit the harsher aspects. The toll war takes on the psyches of the soldiers and, most prominently, how many civilian lives are lost are at the forefront of many of these narratives. By centering on the individual experiences of people paying the everyday price of war, the realities feel more immediate and impossible to ignore.
Many of these series feature the best TV show battle scenes, as the violence of infamous clashes is frequently portrayed on television. However, it's not just the big bombastic moments that make these projects memorable. The quieter, more intimately devastating moments typically hit the hardest in these narratives, as this is more relatable to most people watching the shows. When watching these series, the clearest takeaway is that everyone involved in war is a human being and that war strives to rob them of their humanity.
10
All the Light We Cannot See (2023)
This adaption of the acclaimed novel looks at how young people are changed by war
Your changes have been saved
All the Light We Cannot See is a historical drama set in occupied France during World War II. The Netflix original series stars Aria Mia Loberti as Marie-Laure, a blind French teen who connects with a German soldier named Werner (Louis Hofmann). All the Light We Cannot See also stars Mark Ruffalo, Hugh Laurie, and Louis Hofmann.
Release Date
November 2, 2023
Cast
Aria Mia Loberti
, Mark Ruffalo
, Hugh Laurie
, Louis Hofmann
, Lars Eidinger
, Andrea Deck
, Nell Sutton
Seasons
1
Writers
Steven Knight
Directors
Shawn Levy
Showrunner
Shawn Levy
, Steven Knight
Netflix's adaptation of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, All The Light We Cannot See, had a tough job crafting a screen iteration of this harrowing human story. Chronicling the parallel stories between the teenagers, Marie-Laure (Aria Mia Loberti), who lives in France, and Werner (Louis Hofmann), who is recruited to the German army,All The Light We Cannot See doesn't shy away from the desperation of their situations. Using non-linear storytelling and exploring how emerging technology changes both war and resistance, it's a powerful tale.
While All The Light We Cannot See wasn't as praised as the book, it's still a moving addition to the genre.
Many of the best shows, like All The Light We Cannot See, look at different aspects of World War II, as there's a lot to unpack from this period of history. Since so much has been written about WWII, there are a lot of avenues that TV series can go down since most viewers are aware of what's happening behind the scenes. While All The Light We Cannot See wasn't as praised as the book, it's still a moving addition to the genre.
9
Generation Kill (2008)
A harsh look at the early days of the U.S. invasion of Iraq
Your changes have been saved
Based on the book by Evan Wright, Generation Kill is a 2008 war drama that retells Wright's story by recounting his experiences as a reporter during the beginning of the Iraq War.
Release Date
August 24, 2008
CastAlexander Skarsgard
, James Ransone
, Lee Tergesen
, Jon Huertas
, Stark Sands
, Billy Lush
, Jonah Lotan
, Wilson Bethel
, Pawel Szajda
, Marc Menchaca
, Rey Valentin
, Kellan Lutz
, Mike Figueroa
, Josh Barrett
Seasons
1
Writers
David Simon
, Ed Burns
, Evan Wright
Streaming Service(s)
Max
Directors
Susanna White
, Simon Cellan Jones
Based on Evan Wright's 2004 book of the same name, Generation Kill unpacks a more contemporary war, showcasing the way conflict has evolved. The series boasts incredible performances from an all-star cast featuring Alexander Skarsgård as Staff Sergeant Brad "Iceman" Colbert, with many of the actors playing real-life members of the Marines that Wright accompanied on their missions. Though the political situation surrounding the invasion of Iraq is extremely fraught, Generation Kill limits itself to only discussing the here-and-now realities of the men in the battalion.
Tackling recent conflicts is something that film and television are often hesitant to do, as it's easy to take firm stances on wars from long ago. The moralities and situations in a project like Generation Kill are murkier, and the series does a great job of leaning into this uncertainty. Like many other miniseries about war, Generation Kill is closer to a long-form movie rather than a series, with every episode inextricably linked and extensive character studies against a visceral backdrop of violence.
Title
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Generation Kill (2008)
86%
92%
8
The Pacific (2010)
While Band of Brothers deals with Europe, The Pacific looks to the other front
Your changes have been saved
A companion piece to the WWII miniseries Band of Brother, The Pacific chronicles the lives of three Marines in the 1st Marine Division and their actions in the Pacific Theater of the Second World War. Based on the lives of real men who fought in the war, The Pacific focuses on some of the war's most well-known battles, such as Guadalcanal and the Battle of Iwo Jima. James Badge Dale, Jon Seda, and Joseph Mazzello star as the three main focuses of the series.
Release Date
March 14, 2010
Network
HBO Max
Seasons
1
Writers
David Nutter
Directors
David Nutter
After the smash-hit success of Band of Brothers, it was clear that there was more to explore through the miniseries format about the experience of U.S. soldiers in WWII. Following the experiences of three Marines fighting in the Pacific Theater of Operations, The Pacific learned from some of the criticisms of Band of Brothers and limited its main cast so the audience could better connect with the protagonists. Overall, The Pacific does a great job of differentiating itself from its predecessor and justifying its existence.
TV shows about war are often judged by their historical accuracy, and the best examples have earned glowing reviews from military experts.
It's redundant to say that the fighting in the Pacific was vastly different from that in Europe, but The Pacific takes this common knowledge and makes it fresh. The horrors that the men in The Pacific face aren't limited to the heat of battle, as the way conflicts play out in the air and at sea involves new terrors beyond the audience's imagination. While Band of Brothers is still considered the definitive WWII TV series, The Pacific is a must-watch show for those interested in this period.
Title
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
The Pacific (2010)
89%
90%
7
Shōgun (2024–Present)
One of the best historical dramas that focus on war in recent history
Your changes have been saved
Shogun is an FX original mini-series set in 17th Century Japan. Shogun follows John Blackthorne, who becomes a samurai warrior but is unknowingly a pawn in Yoshii Toranaga's plan to become Shogun. The series stars Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne and Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga, along with Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, and Yûki Kedôin.
Release Date
February 27, 2024
Cast
Cosmo Jarvis
, Hiroyuki Sanada
, Anna Sawai
, Tadanobu Asano
, Yûki Kedôin
, Takehiro Hira
, Tommy Bastow
Creator(s)
Rachel Kondo
, Justin Marks
Seasons
1
Writers
Maegan Houang
, Rachel Kondo
, Justin Marks
, Emily Yoshida
Directors
Frederick E.O. Toye
, Jonathan van Tulleken
Hulu's smash hit TV series Shōgun immediately made waves when it was released on the platform, and critical and audience response has not diminished since it first premiered. Based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell, Shōgun follows the story of Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), who uses his influence and the arrival of John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) to leverage additional power and control. While the warfare in Shōgun is different than most depictions on television, it still presents a searing portrait of the cost of conflict.
Shōgun is unique among other shows that touch upon war because it elevates the minutia of every decision.
Shōgun season 2 has been confirmed after its success at the Golden Globes and the Emmys and the demand for further additions to the story. Shōgun is unique among other shows that touch upon war because it elevates the minutia of every decision. This demonstrates how all these pieces are instrumental in determining the outcome of who will seize power. The way war is waged is almost unrecognizable compared to Shōgun, but the fictionalized series is closer to how power was won for most of human history.
Title
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Shōgun (2024–Present)
99%
89%
6
M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
One of the most groundbreaking and genre-bending TV shows in history
Your changes have been saved
M*A*S*H is a drama-comedy series set during the Korean War, centering on the lives of the staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenges of wartime medical service with humor and resilience.
Release Date
September 17, 1972
Cast
Alan Alda
, Loretta Swit
, William Christopher
, Jamie Farr
, Harry Morgan
, Mike Farrell
, Gary Burghoff
, Larry Linville
, David Ogden Stiers
, Wayne Rogers
, McLean Stevenson
, Jeff Maxwell
, Kellye Nakahara
, Odessa Cleveland
, Johnny Haymer
, Patricia Stevens
Seasons
11
Writers
Larry Gelbart
, Richard Hooker
Directors
Larry Gelbart
Showrunner
Larry Gelbart
It may seem strange to include MASH in an article about the horrors of war, but this dramedy series ended up being one of the most timely explorations of war of the latter half of the 20th century. It might have started as a comedy, but MASH quickly transcended its roots, taking on the true atrocities that the doctors on the front lines were facing. Though MASH was set during the Korean War, it was a clear commentary on the contemporary conflict in Vietnam and was vehemently opposed by so many Americans.
If anything, the lighter tone that MASH took on and the hijinx of its characters is a clear response to having to work and fight in the face of unimaginable cruelty.
The most rewatchable MASH episodes broke boundaries in terms of serious subject matter, as the series finale directly interacted with violence and unforgettable trauma. If anything, the lighter tone that MASH took on and the hijinx of its characters is a clear response to having to work and fight in the face of unimaginable cruelty. The balance between devastation and humor is something that few TV shows like MASH were able to achieve.
Title
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
N/A
88%
5
The Liberator (2020)
The visual experimentation of The Liberator helps portray its intensity
Your changes have been saved
The Liberator is a 2020 animated drama series that follows a diverse and resilient group of soldiers from the 157th Infantry Regiment as they lead the Allied invasion of Italy during World War II. The series combines live-action and animation to depict their courageous journey on the battlefield.
Release Date
November 11, 2020
Network
Netflix
Cast
Bradley James
, Billy Breed
, Finney Cassidy
, Kiowa Gordon
, Forrest Goodluck
, Pedro Leandro
, Matt Mercurio
, Tatanka Means
, Harrison Stone
, Sam Gittins
, Martin Sensmeier
, Bryan Hibbard
, Billy Rayner
, Jose Miguel Vasquez
, Michael Shaeffer
Seasons
1
Number of Episodes
4
Writers
Jeb Stuart
Directors
Grzegorz Jonkajtys
Though the 2020 miniseries The Liberator was widely overlooked by many contemporary audiences and critics, this visually astounding project deserves reevaluation. The Liberator incorporates themes of tolerance and acceptance into its central conflict of WWII. Based on the real experiences of the 157th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division, this division was integrated, seeing men of different backgrounds and creeds working together, unlearning prejudice as they helped to liberate Europe.
Using its unique animation style was a great choice for The Liberator, as it helped to distinguish the series among the many stellar shows that focus on WWII. While some critics complained that the story was too familiar, The Liberator worked hard to strike a new tone and bring the book to life.The Liberator: One World War II Soldier's 500-Day Odyssey, by Alex Kershaw, served as the inspiration for the show. Though not perfect, The Liberator doesn't pretend to be anything other than a faithful retelling of a well-known story.
Title
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
The Liberator
69%
75%
4
Tour Of Duty (1987–1990)
Set against the Vietnam War, Tour of Duty takes a frank look at the cost of this conflict
Your changes have been saved
Tour of Duty is a drama series set during the Vietnam War, focusing on a single combat infantry platoon led by Sgt. Zeke Anderson (Terence Knox). The show delves into the personal and professional struggles of the soldiers, providing a realistic portrayal of the complexities and challenges of wartime service. The series ran from 1987 to 1990 and is noted for its gritty depiction of the Vietnam conflict.
Release Date
September 24, 1987
Cast
Ramón Franco
, Tony Becker
, Stephen Caffrey
, Terence Knox
, Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
, Stan Foster
, Dan Gauthier
, Eric Bruskotter
, Joshua Maurer
, Kim Delaney
, Steve Akahoshi
, Kevin Conroy
, Carl Weathers
, Kyle Chandler
, Betsy Brantley
, Neal Hickerson
, Lee Majors
, Alan Scarfe
Creator(s)
Steve Duncan
, L. Travis Clark
Seasons
3
Tour of Duty tackles the Vietnam War, one of the most controversial and costly wars in recent history. Premiering in the late 1980s, not too long after the conflict ended, Tour of Duty faced many hardships in terms of ratings and continuation, as season 1 was such an intense exploration of this period of history. Though Tour of Duty season 2 was closer in tone to a typical action drama, season 1 was more similar to the realities of war.
Though it's often overlooked, Tour of Duty helped pave the way for future television series focusing on Vietnam.
While there are some campy and dated elements of Tour of Duty, it doesn't just focus on the war effort. It touched upon the conflicts soldiers faced in their interpersonal relationships. Tour of Duty is an interesting time capsule of when the Vietnam War was still fresh in the general public's memory. However, the series didn't shy away from focusing on real events that unfolded during the war. Though it's often overlooked, Tour of Duty helped pave the way for future television series focusing on Vietnam.
Title
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Tour of Duty (1987–1990)
N/A
N/A
3
Rome (2005-2007)
This ancient series treads new territory despite being cut short
Your changes have been saved
Rome is a historical drama television series that aired from 2005 to 2007. The show is set in the 1st century BC and follows the lives of two Roman soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, as they navigate the complexities of ancient Roman politics and warfare.
Release Date
August 28, 2005
Creator(s)
John Milius
, William J. MacDonald
, Bruno Heller
Seasons
2
The kind of war depicted in Rome is unlike most other conflicts shown on television, as the historical accuracy can't be as certain since the series takes place so long ago. However, based on what accounts and records there are, there's reason to believe that Rome is as close to realistic as possible. While there's an element of fun and escapism in Rome since it takes place so long ago, this doesn't detract from how brutal and visceral the series is.
Rome positions itself as a war series, a political thriller, and a character study all in one, as the central characters are foot soldiers in the great Roman army. The TV show has fast-paced action and fight scenes and had the potential to go on for several more seasons despite being canceled after season 2. The biggest takeaway audiences might have while watching Rome is not how much the world and war have changed but how much it hasn't and how it continues to affect people with limited resources the most.
Title
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Rome (2005–2007)
86%
96%
2
Das Boot (2018–Present)
An updated take on the iconic 1981 movie of the same name
Your changes have been saved
A sequel to the 1981 film of the same name, Das Boot is a war drama series that expands the narrative into a suspense-filled, multifaceted drama set during World War II. Viewers are taken on a harrowing voyage with the crew of U-612, a German U-boat, as they navigate the ocean's depths amidst extreme political conflict.
The 1981 film Das Boot is considered a revolutionary achievement in war cinema and was later released as an extended miniseries. However, the recent reinterpretation of the story, the 2018 German TV series Das Boot, is quite different from the original movie and the book it's based on. Focusing primarily on German U-boats during WWII, Das Boot takes the viewer on a far-reaching journey throughout its seasons, expanding its scope and touching upon the different perspectives of everyday soldiers in the German army.
The Second World War has acted as the setting or primary influence for some of the most incredible television series ever produced.
There have been criticisms of Das Boot, as it touches upon a specific niche of the army and is more concerned with warfare and the experiences of men in submarines rather than the on-land atrocities of the Holocaust. However, as the series progresses, more moral conflicts and the different avenues of war in Europe are exposed, broadening Das Boot in an exciting way. In terms of cinematography and visual execution, Das Boot is a credit to television.
Title
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Das Boot (2018–Present)
N/A
71%
1
Band Of Brothers (2001)
Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks collaborated on this incredible exploration of a true story
Your changes have been saved
Band of Brothers tells the dramatized story of World War II's "Easy" company, as they go through training together, participate in major wartime events in Europe, all the way until the end of the war.
Release Date
September 9, 2001
Network
HBO Max
CastKirk Acevedo
, Eion Bailey
, Michael Cudlitz
, Dale Dye
, Scott Grimes
, Frank John Hughes
, Damian Lewis
, Ron Livingston
, James Madio
, Neal McDonough
, David Schwimmer
, Richard Speight Jr.
, Donnie Wahlberg
, Matthew Settle
, Rick Warden
, Marc Warren
, Dexter Fletcher
, Colin Hanks
, Ross McCall
Seasons
1
Writers
Erik Jendresen
, Tom Hanks
, John Orloff
, E. Max Frye
, Graham Yost
, Bruce C. McKenna
Directors
Richard Loncraine
, David Nutter
, Tom Hanks
, David Frankel
, Phil Alden Robinson
, Mikael Salomon
Perhaps the most famous depiction of war on television of the 21st century, Band of Brothers is well remembered for its incredible performances and the bond that's portrayed between the men of East Company. Beginning with their initial training and following the unit all the way through D-Day, Band of Brothers sees the ensemble cast put through every horror imaginable. They're key players in some of the biggest conflicts of WWII, allowing the series to show delicately crafted battle sequences.
Though the bravery and heroism of these individuals take center stage, the violence and horrible nature of the invasion aren't shied away from in Band of Brothers. The series is critically acclaimed and has instantly connected with audiences since it first premiered in 2001, losing none of its potency as the years have progressed. As far as TV shows about war go, Band of Brothers is still considered one of the strongest projects in history.
Image by Yailin Chacon
English (US) ·