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From patriotic films and public service announcements to retellings of historical events, the subject of war in cinema has evolved into a genre of its own and is now an important artistic expression of people and politics. But why are war movies so popular among viewers, filmmakers, and critics alike? It’s not because anyone wants to see the atrocities that wars bring with them but because we want to see the story behind the scenes and be somewhere we haven’t been or learn something that no one should ever have to experience directly in real life.
Most of the time, war movies gain popularity among fans not just for the heroism or the glorified portrayal of events but for the atmosphere they create. War movies, as grim as they might be, are a way of turning the most horrific acts of human society into a compelling and immersive work of art. It recreates history for future generations and evokes empathy, pushing us to be better as a species. Stories of war make its machinations more humanized for us, bring us closer to things we often distance ourselves from, and give us a different perspective.
This genre of movies has a very special place in filmmaking and finds fans across all categories. So, we did some digging and found these titles that you cannot miss. Here’s a list of the best war movies you can watch on Netflix right now. In this list, there are heroic sacrifices, psychological struggles, political conspiracies, historical events, and more. Whether you are a history buff or just eager to learn about the past, these Netflix war movies are sure to fulfill all your entertainment goals.
Editor's note: This article was updated January 2025 to include The Six Triple Eight.
‘The Six Triple Eight’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 54% | IMDb: 6.7/10
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Release Date December 6, 2024
Runtime 130 minutes
Written, directed, and produced by Tyler Perry, The Six Triple Eight is a war drama film that reveals the story of an all-Black, all-female World War II battalion, based on Kevin M. Hymel’s 2019 article “WAC Corporal Lena Derriecott and the 6888th Central Postal Battalion.” The film focuses on the first and only battalion of women of color who served during WWII, tasked with delivering a massive backlog of undelivered mail while dealing with mass discrimination and the lack of basic amenities in a war-torn Europe. Kerry Washington leads the ensemble cast, which includes Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, and more, with Susan Sarandon, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston, and Oprah Winfrey appearing in supporting roles.
The Six Triple Eight was released in select theaters on December 6, 2024, ahead of a streaming debut on Netflix. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for Kerry Washington’s compelling performance as unit leader Major Charity Adams. While the movie’s writing and direction are a bit uneven, The Six Triple Eight is ultimately a necessary and inspiring history lesson brought to life by a superbly talented cast.
‘Uprising’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 6.6/10
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Uprising
Release Date October 11, 2024
Director Kim Sang-man
Cast Gang Dong-won , Park Jeong-min , Cha Seung-won , Kim Shin-rock , Jin Sun-kyu , Jung Sung-il , Jeon Bae-soo , Jo Han-chul , Jeon Jin-oh , Kang Gil-woo , Lee Min-jae , Hong Seo-jun , Choi Dae-hoon , Hwang Bo-reum-byeol , Oh Youn-hong , Jin Jae-hee , Lee Yoon-sang , Kwon Hyuk , Yoon Woo , Won Choon-gyu , Yoon Se-woong , Park Kyung-geun , Kim Gwi-seon , Jung Ki-wook
Runtime 126 minutes
Co-written by the genius Park Chan-wook, Uprising tells the tale of two former friends whose community split by a terrible war leaves the pair enemies. With one an impressive martial artist and the other the scion of Joseon’s most important military family, their rivalry is one with high stakes. Bursting with impressive action sequences and stunning cinematography, Uprising is much more than just a war film, with this flick perfectly capturing the tone of its historical setting through a clever script and brilliant set design. Innovative in shooting action and full of heart, Uprising is one of the best South Korean offerings on Netflix. - Jake Hodges
‘Land of Bad’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 68% | IMDb: 6.6/10
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Land of Bad
Release Date February 16, 2024
Runtime 113 Minutes
This action thriller, co-written and directed by William Eubank, follows a US Army Delta Force team on a rescue mission in the southern Philippines and the drone support offered by Captain Eddie "Reaper" Grimm (Russell Crowe) and Staff Sergeant Nia Branson (Chika Ikogwe). Packed full of one-liners and explosive action, Land of Bad doesn’t sugarcoat what it's attempting to be. A testosterone-fueled, no-holds-barred war thriller, plenty of the movie’s central stars are given a chance to shine, but it is certainly Crowe who steals the show as the no-nonsense Reaper. For anyone looking for a war movie bursting with thrills ready to take their mind off the real conflict of the world, Land of Bad more than does the job. - Jake Hodges
'1917' (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 8.2/10
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Release Date December 25, 2019
Runtime 119 minutes
Set during World War I, 1917 is a British war film directed by Sam Mendes, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Krysty Wilson-Cairns. The movie follows British soldiers as they risk their lives to deliver an important message to another battalion — with the lives of 1,600 men on the line. The film stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman, with Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch in supporting roles. When it first hit theaters in 2019, 1917 became both a massive commercial success and a critical darling. The film went on to receive several accolades as well, earning three Academy Awards out of ten nominations and the Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director. Presenting a moving story of heroism through a thoroughly immersive audio-visual experience, 1917 is everything you want a war movie to be and then some.
'Unbroken' (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes: 52% | IMDb: 7.2/10
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Release Date December 25, 2014
Runtime 138 minutes
Based on Laura Hillenbrand’s 2010 non-fiction book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, Unbroken was directed by Angelina Jolie from a script written by the Coen Brothers, Richard LaGravenese, and William Nicholson. The film follows the story of American soldier and Olympian Louis Zamperini (Jack O'Connell), who survives a plane crash during World War II only to then be captured by Japanese forces and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. Besides O’Connell, the movie also stars Miyavi, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund, and Finn Wittrock. While Unbroken had a mixed reception from critics, the film did quite well at the box office, with a worldwide gross of over $160 million. The movie has been praised for Jolie’s direction and the performances of its ensemble cast, as well as for the gorgeous cinematography courtesy of the iconic Roger Deakins (1917). Sure, the script can be quite predictable, but it’s those performances and visual brilliance that make Unbroken such an engaging watch. In 2018, the film also got a sequel, Unbroken: Path to Redemption.
'Megan Leavey' (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 7.1/10
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Megan Leavey
Release Date June 9, 2017
Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Runtime 116 minutes
In the emotionally charged drama Megan Leavey, Kate Mara embodies the eponymous marine on a journey of redemption. Mara delivers a heartfelt performance as she forges an unbreakable bond with her combat dog Rex. This inspiring true story, directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Blackfish), delves into the connection between a soldier and her loyal companion.
'Outlaw King' (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 63% | IMDb: 6.9/10
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Outlaw King
Release Date November 9, 2018
Director David Mackenzie
Runtime 137 Minutes
If you need a slice of Scottish history served to you in bloody fashion, Outlaw King is a great follow-up to Braveheart. Anyone who saw Mel Gibson’s Best Picture-winning epic knows how the rebel leader William Wallace perished during the conflict against the English crown, and Outlaw King picks up with a subsequent rebel movement led by Wallace’s close ally, Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine). Bruce gathers a group of loyal lords, and they gradually take back their homeland castle-by-castle. As you might expect, there’s no shortage of brutal combat. Pine re-teamed with his Hell or High Water director David Mackenzie for this fast-paced historical thriller. — Liam GaughanWatch on Netflix
'All Quiet on the Western Front' (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.8/10
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Release Date September 29, 2022
Director Edward Berger
Runtime 143 Minutes
Edward Berger directs the Academy Award-winning epic war drama All Quiet on the Western Front, adapted from the timeless novel by Erich Maria Remarque. Starring Felix Kammerer as a naively idealistic soldier thrown into the explosive final days of World War I, All Quiet on the Western Front exposes the harsh foundation of battle. Featuring a stellar performance from Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s Daniel Brühl, as well as a parallel storyline exploring the war-ending armistice negotiations, All Quiet on the Western Front cleverly veers from the original story in Remarque’s books, allowing for hope alongside the brutal horrors of war. – Yael TygielWatch on Netflix
'Outside the Wire' (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 37% | IMDb: 5.4/10
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Outside the Wire
Release Date January 15, 2021
Runtime 115 minutes
Outside the Wire is a science-fiction military film that seems little more than an action-packed romp, but it has so much more to say. Set in the near future, Damson Idris plays drone pilot Harp who makes a tactical decision and is subsequently punished for it. For his crimes he’s redeployed and assigned to work with Captain Leo (Anthony Mackie), who is secretly a highly sophisticated android super-soldier. Much of the film rides on Idris and Mackie’s banter and frenemy chemistry. Neither can really trust each other, and it isn’t clear if the audience can either. As most action films of this kind go, there’s a grander conspiracy at play, which is revealed slowly. If Outside the Wire is guilty of anything, it’s that it thoroughly buries the lede! This film has a very important message to send but doesn’t get to it till well into the third act. It’s highly recommended to stick around because the denouement is rewarding. We do suggest caution as this fictional story is set in Ukraine and can be upsetting given the current war in the country. – Monita MohanWatch on Netflix
'The King' (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | IMDb: 7.3/10
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Director David Michôd
Though based on and made as an epic, The King is technically a movie about a historical war. The story is based on William Shakespeare’s Henriad. Adapted from three different plays about Henry IV and Henry V, the plot focuses on Henry V, the eldest son of King Henry IV of England. The prince is an emotionally distant and disenchanted individual, who experiences a turnaround of life and character after his father’s death. Henry must navigate his emotions, royal politics, and the adversaries that his father left behind and become the rightful king that his kingdom expects him to be.
The tone of The King is very classic Shakespearean, as you would imagine. While there's no constant sword-crossing, there are a couple of significant and historical battles which are quite brutal and make this movie fit well into the war genre.Watch on Netflix
'Da 5 Bloods' (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 6.5/10
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Da 5 Bloods
Release Date June 12, 2020
Runtime 154 minutes
There are the usual stories of Vietnam war vets and then there’s Da 5 Bloods. An acclaimed and still underrated movie, to say the least, Da 5 Bloods is a powerful story that would be hard to forget if you watch it once.
Co-written and directed by Spike Lee, the movie follows a group of black Vietnam veterans who reunite in Vietnam after years to search for the remains of their squad leader and a buried treasure they had left behind when they were serving in the war. You may not look at it as a “war story” per se, but this is war-adjacent and shows enough of the struggle and trauma that wars bring to people, even if it’s years later. While the journey of these old war vets reconnecting with their past is very emotional, the performances are the real delight. Also, Chadwick Boseman’s work is something to look out for.
'First They Killed My Father' (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 7.2/10
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Release Date September 15, 2017
Cast Sveng Socheata , Phoeung Kompheak , Sareum Srey Moch , Tharoth Sam
Runtime 136 Minutes
Loung Ung, a Cambodian-American author and human rights activist, penned her personal experience as a little girl during the Khmer Rouge regime in her book First They Killed My Father. The eponymous movie is a cinematic recount of the same incidents that took place in the 1970s, during the Vietnam War. When Ung was seven years old, her parents and siblings were sent to labor camps and she was forced into training as a child soldier for the Khmer Rouge. The Khmer-language biographical historical thriller, directed by Angelina Jolie, explores the traumatic events in Ung and her family’s life in the camps and how she and some of her siblings manage to escape and eventually reunite.
Although the movie is a dramatized retelling of the true story, the struggles of Ung and her family as depicted are quite horrific and painful. But at the same time, it also gives a first-person insight into the events of the Vietnam war, parts of which are still unknown to many.
'War Machine' (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 48% | IMDb: 6.0/10
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War Machine
Run Time 2 hr 2 min
Director David Michôd
Release Date May 26, 2017
Actors Brad Pitt, Anthony Michael Hall, Anthony Hayes, Topher Grace, Will Poulter, Tilda Swinton, Ben Kingsley
There is nothing humorous about war but sometimes, the best way to understand the most complex and brutal things is to add some humor to them. War Machine is such a movie. The satirical, dark war comedy is set to the backdrop of the Afghanistan war and is based on the non-fiction book, The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan by Michael Hastings.
The plot follows madcap four-star U.S General Glen MacMahon, played by Brad Pitt, who is sent to Afghanistan with a mission to end the war. The catch is he can’t request more troops but MacMahon goes ahead and decides to recruit 40,000 additional troops. His decision leads to a series of unpredictable consequences, including press coverage and an exposé that discredits him and jeopardizes his mission. The movie is a dramatized and fictionalized account of the events of Hastings’ book with MacMahon’s character derived from U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal. With its quirky, tongue-in-cheek narrative, this movie is sure to make you look at the whole concept of war in a different way. And of course, there’s a subtle lesson at the end.
'The Siege of Jadotville' (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes: 64% | IMDb: 7.2/10
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The Siege of Jadotville
Run Time 1 hr 48 min
Director Richie Smyth
Release Date October 7, 2016
Actors Jamie Dornan, Mark Strong, Mikael Persbrandt, Jason O'Mara, Danny Sapani, Michael McElhatton, Guillaume Canet
Based on the 2005 book The Siege of Jadotville: The Irish Army’s Forgotten Battle by Declan Power, this action-drama war film explores the Irish Army’s role in a UN peacekeeping mission in Congo. The story is set in 1961 when a small unit of the Irish Army is stationed in the mining town of Jadotville in Congo to hold off the civil war following the death of the Congolese Prime Minister. The unit, led by Connor Cruise O’Brien (Mark Strong) fights the local mercenaries and Katangese forces for five days before Jadotville is sieged. What happens after that is exactly why you need to watch this movie. Highly acclaimed and well-received among fans and critics, The Siege of Jadotville exposes you to the brutality of war and is a reminder of a significant historical event that might otherwise have been forgotten.
'Beasts of No Nation' (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 7.7/10
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Release Date September 11, 2015
Director Cary Fukunaga
Runtime 133 minutes
Award-winning filmmaker Cary Joji Fukunaga, of No Time to Die and True Detective fame, directed and wrote this war drama movie adapted from the eponymous novel by Uzodinma Iweala. Beasts of No Nation is a war movie in all senses of the phrase, featuring endless battles.
It follows a young boy named Agu in a small region in West Africa in the middle of a horrifying civil war. As the war tears his country apart, Agu is forced to join a team of rebels and is trained as a child soldier to fight in the war. The rebel leader takes Agu and his fellow soldiers down a violent and bloody path. Like most of Fukunaga's works, this story will leave you with a nightmarish feeling, empathizing with the trauma that the young child soldiers experience in such war-torn regions.
'Sand Castle' (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 47% | IMDb: 6.3/10
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Sand Castle
Release Date April 21, 2017
Director Fernando Coimbra
Runtime 113 minutes
The story of this movie is taken directly from the personal experiences of its writer, Chris Roessner. Sand Castle revolves around Private Matt Ocre (Nicholas Hoult), a young soldier in the United States Army who is stationed in Baghdad during the Iraq War. Ocre is assigned the task of restoring the water supply in a small village but his mission is not as simple as he thought. The events that follow are terrifying and emotional at the same time. With convincing performances by the cast members and a powerful story, this Netflix original movie promises a good watch.
'The Photographer of Mauthausen' (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 76% | IMDb: 6.7/10
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The Photographer of Mauthausen
Run Time 1 hr 50 min
Director Mar Targarona
Release Date October 16, 2018
Actors Mario Casas, Macarena Gómez, Alain Hernández
Another movie based on real-life events, this Spanish historical biography drama retells the true story of Spanish photographer and civil war veteran Francisco Boix during his time at the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp complex in Austria. The movie is centered around Boix (Mario Casas), a prisoner at the Nazi concentration camp in Mauthausen, and his attempts to collect and save photographic evidence of what happens inside the camp. From the horrific treatment of millions of innocent Jews to all the atrocities committed by the Nazi officers, the photographer records it all. Boix and his fellow prisoners risk their lives and do anything to hide the negatives from the officers and other people who would want it all gone.
The Photographer of Mauthausen is a moving story of one man trying to fight for justice and an insight into the dreadful realities of life in those camps.
'Virunga' (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Virunga
Release Date November 7, 2014
Director Orlando von Einsiedel
Runtime 90 minutes
Virunga is about a war fought by people against people. But it is also about a war to save nature. The British documentary film focuses on the conservation efforts of park rangers at the Virunga National Park in Congo.
Amidst the violent M23 Rebellion (a local rebellion against government forces) in the Democratic Republic of Congo that took place in 2012, four people fight to protect the national park, which is home to the world’s last mountain gorillas. The forest and its inhabitants are threatened by war, poaching, and oil interests. Three park officers and an investigative journalist get together to save the animals and their home. This feature explores the complex political and economic issues of the country while giving you a straight look into the endless natural beauty and biodiversity of this region, making you realize how we often forget the planet while fighting for our social and political needs.
'The Silent War' (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 60% | IMDb: 5.5/10
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The Silent War
Run Time 2 hr 8 min
Director Alfonso Cortés-Cavanillas
Release Date September 13, 2019
Actors Asier Etxeandia, Marian Álvarez, Hugo Silva, Aitor Luna, Olimpia Melinte, Imanol Arias
The Silent War (titled Sordo in Spanish) is a war movie about a deaf revolutionary soldier. Set in 1944, during the Spanish Revolution, the story is adapted from the eponymous graphic novel Sordo by David Muñoz and Rayco Pulido. Though most of the story is fiction, some events of the Spanish Civil War relate to real-life events.
The events in the movie take place around the end of World War II. The relentless fight of the Resistance and the Allied forces has finally pushed Nazi occupation out of France. While everyone is celebrating the victory, a Spanish guerilla group decides to overthrow dictator General Franco and reclaim their homeland. The sabotage mission fails, leaving all but two of them dead. One of them gets arrested while the other loses his hearing and goes on the run for his life from the military. The (Silent) War is an intriguing war drama with an intimate look into one character’s journey and how his life takes a bad turn, leaving him with nothing but his fate.
'Paskal' (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 45% | IMDb: 6.5/10
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Paskal
Run Time 1 hr 55 min
Director Adrian Teh
Release Date September 27, 2018
Actors Hairul Azreen, Ammar Alfian, Henley Hii
This Malaysian military action movie is inspired by the principal special operations force of the Royal Malaysian Navy – PASKAL. The plot is based on real-life events that the team encountered during a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Angola.
In 1998, Laurel 11, a Malaysian supertanker, is hijacked by Somalian pirates on the Gulf of Aden. The Royal Malaysian Navy picks up the distress signal and sends out the elite PASKAL unit to rescue the seized tanker. A game of strategic warfare involving swift and stealthy tactics ensue. The movie has been well-received among fans for its strong narrative, close-to-reality military events, and impressive action sequences. That makes it worthy enough to add to your watchlist.
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