15 Must-Watch War Movies, Ranked

War stories are a timeless source of media. From powerful documentaries to true-story recounts and fictionalized depictions of battle, they have been told in various ways for decades. They can be some of the most raw and unfiltered pieces of media across the entertainment industry, and their importance in the world will never cease, whether to educate or shine a light on some of history's most turbulent times.

War epics have been around for decades, and while some will argue that many of the best were created before the start of the new millennium, there's no denying that recent acclaimed additions like Hacksaw Ridge and Dunkirk have only proved how important this genre continues to be. From Saving Private Ryan to Schindler's List, these movies are war stories everyone should find the time to watch at least once in their lives.

15 'Lone Survivor' (2013)

Lone Survivor is a 2013 war epic by director Peter Berg that tells the story of a Navy SEALS team and their fateful 2005 mission disclosed as Operation Red Wings. It is a harrowing true story of survival against all odds, centering on a four-man team tasked with finding the then-leader of the Taliban during the war in Afghanistan, and as the title suggests, depicts how Marcus Luttrell (played by Mark Wahlberg) became the only surviving member.

One by one, this team of four is torn apart by the brutalities of the devastation around them. It's a heartbreaking edge-of-your-seat feature with heartbreak, inspiration, and devastation at its core. But it will remain a must-watch for years and one of the most memorable war movies of the last twenty-five years.

14 'Platoon' (1986)

If you're looking for a realistic depiction of war, it's hard to find a better example than Platoon. This now nearly forty-year-old war feature from director Oliver Stone remains one of the most accurate depictions of warfare to date. It may have been one of the most successful films at the time of its release, but it's arguably become a little underrated as the years have passed and others have released over time.

Platoon stars a young Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen, and many more in a story born from the real-life experiences of its director during his time serving in the Vietnam War. Nominated for eight Academy Awards and winning four, including Best Picture, Platoon solidified itself early on as an iconic addition to the war genre. Its accuracy and experienced director only helped create something that would stand the test of time in this industry as one of the best war films ever made.

13 'Zero Dark Thirty' (2012)

9/11 remains the deadliest terrorist attack on record, having taken the lives of almost 3000 people on September 11th, 2001. The carnage and devastation left in the wreckage of the Twin Towers, directly and indirectly, affected millions of people across the globe. But as the dust began to clear, the focus turned to catching those responsible as one of the biggest international manhunts ever got underway.

Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, and many more star in this dramatized retelling of the nearly decade-long tracking of the former Al-Qaeda leader, and Zero Dark Thirty, despite some controversial opinions on historical accuracy, is one of the most acclaimed war features of the 21st Century. What Osama Bin Laden did will never be forgotten, but this film is a fantastic telling of the work that went on behind the scenes to bring him down.

12 'Hacksaw Ridge' (2016)

Hacksaw Ridge depicts the almost unbelievable true story of a war hero whose heroic acts seem almost humanly impossible. Set during World War II in the Battle of Okinawa, this 2016 war epic can be upsetting to watch for various reasons, but Desmond Doss' story of bravery is one everybody should know.

Doss' incredible acts of bravery, courage, and strength allowed him to save the lives of at least 75 soldiers during the chaos of battle, all without bearing arms due to his personal beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist. His actions earned him a Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star Medal. This movie is a phenomenal telling of his experiences and is breathtaking from start to finish. It is a story worthy of knowledge to all.

11 '1917' (2019)

With a trailer as tense as 1917 to set the tone for the movie ahead, it's no surprise this epic feature became as acclaimed as it did. Outstanding production, direction, sound design, and cinematography make Sam Mendes' 2019 British war film stand out as one of the best of its kind set in World War I.

1917 primarily follows two British soldiers given the task of getting a message out to prevent 1600 soldiers from walking straight into a trap. The brother of one of the men is among the soldiers, adding a personal goal to their mission. What ensues is an expertly told journey along the frontlines that keeps its audiences engaged the entire time, with plenty of breathtaking visuals and emotional storytelling to continue gripping its viewers. 1917 is more than deserving of its many accolades and praise.

10 'The Hurt Locker' (2008)

Bomb disposal is a job that a small few would even consider doing. The idea of being within centimeters of a device that could wipe a person from existence in a split second is a thought that would frighten most people. But there are those brave individuals who do this as a profession within the military, and 2008s The Hurt Locker highlights this as one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet.

Jeremy Renner stars alongside Anthony Mackie in this action-war feature from director Kathryn Bigelow as a member of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team working in the Iraq War. The movie is a record-breaker on multiple fronts. But its nail-biting story, incredible performances, flawless choreography, and cinematography make it one of the most memorable additions to the genre. It also shines a light on a profession some may be unfamiliar with.

9 Dunkirk' (2017)

Another highly acclaimed depiction of World War II warfare comes with one of Christopher Nolan's most praised features, 2017's Dunkirk. Dunkirk dramatizes the goings-on of the evacuation from the titular beaches and harbors of Dunkirk in France.

Occurring during the Battle of France, a six-week-long conflict in which thousands and thousands of troops from Britain, Belgium, and France were overwhelmed by the German troops, Dunkirk depicts the rescue efforts and subsequent evacuation of thousands of Allied soldiers from the stricken beaches. Impressive cinematography immerses the viewer in what they're seeing and captures the realities of what happened from the perspectives of those on the ground and those in the skies. It is an emotional yet brilliant portrayal of the events on which it is based.

8 'Paths of Glory' (1957)

Stanley Kubrick was one of cinema's most influential directors, and he left behind a strong legacy over his 5 decades of filmmaking. The movie that arguably put him on the map was 1957's Paths of Glory, based on Humphrey Cobb's 1935 novel. Starring Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax, it plunges audiences into the trenches of World War I, where uncaring commanders play with the lives of the soldiers under their command.

Path of Glory is one of the strongest anti-war films out there, because it focuses on the grim reality over the glory of victory. Nobody leaves war unscathed, especially the soldiers on the front line, who are pulled into a conflict they did not choose by those higher in command than they are. Dax's struggle to save innocent men from an unfair trial also shows the struggle to maintain one's humanity and decency in such hostile environments. —Tyler B. Searle

Kubrick's second influential war film, Full Metal Jacket, jumps from the trenches of World War I into the brutality of the Vietnam War. The movie approaches the conflict from two angles, which divides the movie. The first half sees young men go through brutal boot camp to turn them into hardened killers, while the second half throws them headfirst into the conflict.

Most people prefer the first half of Full Metal Jacket, and it's easy to see why. Alongside fantastic filmmaking that makes the boot camp feel oppressive and isolated, you get two of the best performances in any war film. Vincent D'Onofrio elicits so much sympathy and horror as the brutal training system takes its toll on his humanity, while R. Lee Ermey uses his own experience as a drill instructor to ad-lib plenty of horrific yet memorable rants. That said, the second half is still fantastic, as it shows that all this effort only leads to destruction and pain. —Tyler B. Searle

6 'Apocalypse Now' (1979)

There are few movies that boast productions more turbulent than Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 war epic, Apocalypse Now. It takes Joseph Conrad's novella, Heart of Darkness, and sets it in the middle of the Vietnam War. Captain Benjamin L. Willard is tasked with going deep into the jungles of Cambodia to hunt down the rogue Colonel Walter E. Kurtz, and the journey pushes him and his team to physical and psychological extremes.

When you learn about how insane things got for the cast and crew, including Charlie Sheen suffering a heart attack, it makes the film's message all the more impressive, since the team went through their own mini-apocalypse. Its gorgeous yet brutal visuals help to convey its powerful themes regarding the horrors of war and the thin line that separates human decency from animalistic savagery. Just look at the meeting between Willard and Kurtz. With its dim lighting, fantastic dialogue, and a sinister performance by Marlon Brando, you feel as if you've stepped into the deepest pit of hell, where morality is dead, and all that matters is survival, no matter how brutal. —Tyler B. Searle