War films hold a deep human significance. They allow us to step into the shoes of those who've lived through the chaos of conflict, giving faces to the stories that shaped history. These movies capture the friendships forged in the heat of battle, the fear that grips hearts, and the courage that emerges in the face of adversity.
Through war films, we experience the raw emotions of soldiers and civilians alike, highlighting the sacrifices made on both sides. We witness the moral dilemmas they grapple with, questioning their actions amid the chaos. These stories aren't just about battles and strategies; they're about love, loss and the enduring bonds that form between people in times of crisis.
War films bridge the past and present, ensuring that the lessons of history aren't forgotten. They remind us of the human cost of conflicts, encouraging empathy and understanding. When we watch these movies, we connect with the humanity behind the headlines and statistics, recognizing the shared experiences that unite us all.
Ultimately, war films inspire conversations about the importance of peace, diplomacy and finding common ground. They honor the resilience of the human spirit while urging us to seek alternatives to violence. In embracing the stories of war, we're reminded of the strength we can find within ourselves and the potential for compassion to triumph over chaos.
In honor of this powerful and important genre, here is our ranking of the best war films ever made.
25. 1917 (2019)
Universal Pictures and Storyteller Distribution Co.
In World War I, two soldiers are given an urgent mission: Cross enemy territory and deliver a critical message that could save hundreds of lives. Their harrowing journey tests their courage and determination in a race against time.
24. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
20th Century Fox
Amid colonial conflicts, a man and a woman from opposing sides find love while navigating treacherous landscapes, clashing cultures and battles during the French and Indian War.
23. Black Hawk Down (2001)
Getty Images
A harrowing account of a U.S. military mission gone awry in Somalia, depicting the courage and struggles of soldiers trapped in a hostile urban environment.
22. Patton (1970)
mptvimages.com
This biographical film portrays the charismatic and controversial Gen. George S. Patton as he leads his troops through World War II, showcasing his strategic brilliance and complex personality.
21. Platoon (1986)
Orion Pictures
This presents a young soldier's perspective of the Vietnam War, torn between the conflicting ideologies of his platoon's leaders and the harrowing realities of combat in the dense jungles.
20. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Columbia Pictures
World War II prisoners of war are forced by their captors to build a bridge, while a British officer attempts to sabotage the construction, leading to a tense clash of wills.
19. Inglorious Basterds (2009)
The Weinstein Company
A group of Jewish American soldiers in Nazi-occupied France plans to assassinate high-ranking officers, intertwining their plot with a vengeful cinema owner.
18. Das Boot (1981)
Bavaria Film
Set within a German U-boat during World War II, the film portrays the claustrophobic and dangerous existence of submariners as they navigate the perils of Atlantic warfare.
17. Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Presented from the Japanese perspective, the film depicts the intense battle for Iwo Jima during World War II, highlighting the human struggles and sacrifices of the Japanese soldiers.
16. All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
Universal Pictures
Following a group of German soldiers during World War I, the film poignantly portrays the horrors and disillusionment of war, challenging romanticized notions of combat.
15. The Deer Hunter (1978)
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
Friends from a Pennsylvania steel town serve in the Vietnam War, facing physical and emotional challenges as they grapple with the trauma of combat and their return home.
14. The Hurt Locker (2008)
Summit Entertainment
A bomb disposal team navigates the dangerous streets of Iraq, exploring the psychological toll of defusing explosive devices and the addictive nature of warfare.
13. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Toho
Set in Japan during World War II, the Studio Ghibli animated film follows two siblings' struggle to survive amid the devastation and showcases the impact of war on innocent lives.
12. Ran (1985)
Rialto Pictures
A reimagining of Shakespeare's King Lear, this set in feudal Japan as an aging warlord divides his kingdom among his three sons, leading to betrayal and devastating battles.
11. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Warner Bros
Depicting the training and combat experiences of U.S. Marine recruits during the Vietnam War, the film contrasts the brutality of war with the dehumanizing effects of military conditioning.
10. Come and See (1985)
Mosfilm
Through the eyes of a young Belarusian boy, the film reveals the horrors of Nazi occupation and the atrocities of war as he witnesses the devastation of his homeland.
9. Pan's Labrynth (2006)
New Line Cinema
Set against the backdrop of post-civil war Spain, a young girl's escape into a fantastical labyrinth becomes a refuge from the brutal reality of her stepfather's sadistic rule. Technically war film-adjacent, Pan's Labrynth does a mesmerizing job of telling the story of war through the eyes of an imaginative child.
8. Braveheart (1995)
Paramount
This is the epic story of Scottish warrior William Wallace's fight for freedom against English tyranny, inspiring his people to rise up in a passionate struggle for independence.
7. Glory (1989)
Columbia/TriStar Pictures
The film portrays the first African American regiment in the American Civil War, exploring their challenges, camaraderie and determination to prove their valor on the battlefield.
6. Fires on the Plain (1959)
Toho
In the final days of World War II, a Japanese soldier in the Philippines faces starvation, disease and moral dilemmas in his desperate quest for survival.
5. The Thin Red Line (1998)
20th Century Fox
Amid the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II, soldiers reflect on the nature of humanity, existence and the brutality of war as they face both external and internal conflicts.
4. Schindler's List (1993)
Universal Pictures
Based on a true story, the film follows German businessman Oskar Schindler as he saves over a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees from the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.
3. Life is Beautiful (1997)
Cecchi Gori Distribuzione
In a concentration camp, a father shields his young son from the horrors of the Holocaust by inventing a game that transforms their grim reality into a tale of hope.
2. Apocalypse Now (1979)
United Artists
A Vietnam War veteran embarks on a mission to find and terminate a renegade officer, venturing into the heart of darkness and confronting the surreal horrors of war.
1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Paramount Pictures
After D-Day, a group of soldiers receives a special assignment to locate and bring home a paratrooper whose brothers have all been killed in action, highlighting the bonds of brotherhood amid the chaos of war.
