20 Best War Movies of All Time

It seems like the idea of a peaceful world is far from reach, doesn't it? To this day, numerous groups or nations feel threatened, which leads them to resist forcefully, escalating to warfare. Such conflicts often arise due to the greed of one party, igniting disputes and disagreements.

This ongoing narrative has captivated many filmmakers and production companies, inspiring them to create movies that explore this theme. There have been countless war movies released globally, but in this article, Showpoiler has succeeded in gathering the best of the best. Take a look at the list below to find the best ones!

1. Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant

In this movie, we follow the story of Master Sergeant John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal), who is a member of the US Army Special Forces. John and his team find themselves under attack by a Taliban truck bomb while serving in Afghanistan. Sadly, this attack results in the death of John's translator.

After this tragic incident, John is approached by Ahmed Abdullah (Dar Salim), a former member of the Taliban who offers to become his new translator.

As the story unfolds, John gets injured during another conflict, but Ahmed comes to his rescue, despite ending up getting arrested in the process. Once John returns to the United States, he is determined to repay Ahmed's kindness. He returns to Afghanistan and hatches a plan to help both of them escape from the relentless pursuit of the Taliban. But will they succeed in their daring escape and manage to survive against all odds?

2. Blood & Gold

In the movie Blood & Gold, the story revolves around the quest for a vast treasure of gold that was left behind by Jews before their expulsion from the village of Sonneberg. At that time, the Nazi army, which held power, believed that this treasure was buried in a single location, and they launched an extensive search to find it.

On one side of this story, we have Heinrich (Robert Maaser), a veteran of the Nazi army who is considered a defector. As a result, he is pursued by a group of elite Waffen-SS troops. Heinrich seizes the opportunity presented by the soldiers' preoccupation with searching for the gold. He manages to escape with the assistance of Elsa (Maria Hacke), in their bid to evade the soldiers who are chasing him.

3. The Zone of Interest

Based on a novel by Martin Amis, this film tells the story of a couple who finally achieve their dream of owning a home. The husband, Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel), holds the position of commandant at Auschwitz, while his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller), is a homemaker. They both come from humble backgrounds.

Their dream comes true when they acquire the house they've always desired, conveniently located next to the separation wall where Rudolf carries out his duties. While Hedwig can appreciate the beauty of the courtyard, Rudolf finds himself in charge of the Holocaust operations next door. But will they ever find peace in their lives there?

4. Napoleon

This film narrates the remarkable life of the legendary Napoleon Bonaparte. Throughout his rule, Napoleon (Joaquin Phoenix) was a formidable military commander, renowned for his unwavering leadership. When he ascended to the throne as the Emperor of France, he assumed control of the nation and introduced numerous progressive reforms.

Napoleon harbored immense ambitions and devised numerous effective military strategies, dedicating his entire life to becoming an exceptional leader. However, amid his triumphs, his romantic relationship with his wife, Josephine (Vanessa Kirby), became marred by numerous conflicts that ultimately led to the decline of his career as a military commander.

5. All Quiet on the Western Front

Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer) is a 17-year-old teenager. He, along with his two friends, Albert (Aaron Hilmer) and Muller (Moritz Klaus), harbors a dream of becoming soldiers and voluntarily enlists in the German military. Fueled by their patriotic fervor, they are eager to serve their country.

However, their experience on the Western Front is starkly different from Paul's initial expectations. The realities of war prove to be harsh, and he endures the painful loss of his friends during the conflict. Paul's eventual death goes unrecorded, symbolizing the anonymous sacrifices made by countless soldiers in wartime.

6. Sisu

Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila) leads a solitary life as a miner in the desolate Lapland wilderness. During the waning days of World War II, he stumbles upon a substantial cache of gold deep within a mine. As he sets out to transport it to Rovaniemi, he crosses paths with a group of Nazis under the command of Bruno Helldorf (Aksel Hennie).

Initially disinterested in Aatami, the Nazis' attitudes take a turn when they discover the significant amount of gold in his possession. They seize the gold and plan to execute Aatami.

Unbeknownst to the Nazis, Aatami is not just an ordinary miner; he is a former soldier. Faced with imminent danger, Aatami decides to fight back, and in the ensuing confrontation, he manages to eliminate nearly all of the Nazi soldiers.

7. Devotion

This film draws its inspiration from a remarkable true story centered around Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors), who holds the distinction of being the first black pilot in the history of the United States Navy. He shares a deep friendship with fellow aviator Tom Hunder (Glen Powell).

Jesse and Tom are very close, and they frequently find themselves embroiled in combat missions. One significant deployment took them to the Mediterranean, and later, they were reassigned to Korea during the Korean War. It is in the crucible of this intense conflict that the story unfolds.

The film showcases their unwavering support for each other as they fight to survive, even though tragically, one of them ultimately meets their fate. Which of the two friends faces this heartbreaking outcome?

8. The Tragedy of Macbeth

Macbeth (Denzel Washington) is a nobleman hailing from Glamis, while Banquo (Bertie Carvel) is a nobleman from Lochaber. Together, they achieve victory against the treacherous King Duncan (Brendan Gleeson).

Their lives take a fateful turn when they encounter a group of witches who deliver a prophecy to Macbeth. This prophecy foretells that Macbeth will ascend to the throne as the new king. Hearing this tantalizing prediction, Macbeth's insatiable greed is ignited. Driven by a desire to seize the throne immediately, he commits a grievous act, taking the life of King Duncan.

However, this rash decision plunges Macbeth into a state of madness, and he becomes the target of numerous enemies who seek to bring about his downfall.

9. The Shadow in My Eye

Henry (Bertram Bisgaard) is a young boy who experienced severe trauma when he witnessed a tragic incident involving the Danish army. This event left him unable to speak and filled with fear whenever he looked at the open sky. In an effort to help Henry heal, his parents decide to send him to Copenhagen.

In Copenhagen, Henry receives an education while staying with relatives at the Institut Jeanne d'Arc, a Roman Catholic school where French is spoken. Unfortunately, not long after his arrival, the school becomes the unintended target of an attack.

Thankfully, as time passes and the war progresses, Henry begins to recover from his traumatic experiences. He regains his ability to speak and starts to assist others, finding a renewed sense of purpose.

10. Munich: The Edge of War

In the autumn of 1938, Adolf Hitler was poised to launch an invasion of Czechoslovakia, a move that was met with strong opposition from various quarters. In response, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain (Jeremy Irons) took an active stance in seeking a peaceful resolution, even though it required significant concessions.

Efforts to prevent military action were formalized in writing, and Hitler appeared to be receptive to Chamberlain's proposals. In fact, he invited Chamberlain to attend a conference in Munich. The subsequent signing of the Munich Agreement appeared to temporarily avert the outbreak of World War II. However, the events that followed would go on to reshape the world in profound ways.

11. Ghosts of War

This film follows the harrowing tale of a group of American soldiers stationed at a castle in Paris during World War II. The castle had previously served as a resting place for Nazi soldiers and needed to be secured, so American troops were assigned to rotate guard duty there.

Upon their arrival at the castle, Chris (Brenton Thwaites) starts to notice peculiar occurrences within the premises. It becomes clear that the castle is haunted by the lingering spirits of its tragic past, where innocent people met their untimely demise at the hands of Nazi soldiers. Can Chris and his fellow soldiers endure the supernatural torment and make it out of the castle alive?

12. Enemy Lines

Set against the backdrop of World War II, this film unfolds the gripping story of American and British soldiers tasked with a critical mission: to apprehend a Polish scientist possessing the knowledge to create a potentially devastating nuclear rocket weapon, one that poses a significant threat to countless lives.

In a race against time, these soldiers join forces and collaborate before the Nazis, Russians, or other nations can seize the scientist and compel him to construct the perilous weapon. However, capturing the scientist is no easy feat, as they must overcome a series of formidable obstacles.

As word spreads that the scientist has been "kidnapped," hostile nations grow increasingly incensed. Now, in addition to their pursuit of the scientist, they target the combined American and British forces, escalating the tension and danger.

13. Shadow in the Cloud

This film narrates the story of Captain Maude (Chloe Moretz), who is entrusted with a mysterious and highly confidential package to be transported to Auckland via an aircraft, the B-17 Flying Fortress. The entire crew aboard the plane is comprised of men, and they initially harbor doubts and skepticism about Maude, due to her being a woman.

However, Maude skillfully dispels their reservations by showcasing her capabilities. Initially, the mission to deliver the package proceeds smoothly, but their journey takes a perilous turn when an unexpected intruder disrupts their plans.

The flight schedule is thrown into disarray, and Maude faces the loss of several of her crew members. Despite the challenges, Captain Maude remains resolute in her determination to fulfill her mission and deliver the enigmatic package to Auckland. But will she ultimately succeed in this endeavor?

14. Rogue

Megan Fox, usually known for portraying beautiful characters who aren't necessarily fighters, takes on a new role in the film "Rogue" as the leader of a mercenary group named O'Hara. This group of skilled soldiers embarks on a daring mission to rescue a hostage in the remote regions of Africa.

As O'Hara and her team confront a series of formidable challenges, her leadership is put to the test. When it comes to dealing with adversaries, O'Hara is undoubtedly well-trained. However, what happens when they find themselves stranded in a vast desert inhabited by formidable and ferocious lions? Rogue promises an exhilarating and suspenseful adventure as the story unfolds.

15. Extraction

Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth) is a daring and reckless black market mercenary. He is tasked by his handler with a high-stakes mission: to rescue a young boy who has been kidnapped by a notorious international criminal organization.

The boy in question is Ovi Mahajan (Rudhraksh Jaiswal) and he happens to be the son of India's most prominent drug lord. Ovi's adventure begins when he sneaks away from his guards to enjoy some time at a club. Tragically, during his outing, he is abducted by a rival of his father's.

Faced with this dire situation, Tyler is called upon to carry out the perilous mission to rescue young Ovi and bring him to safety. The film unfolds as Tyler navigates a world of danger and intrigue in pursuit of this challenging objective.

16. Greyhound

Captain Ernest (Tom Hanks) commands an American army ship with a critical mission: to escort 37 allied ships across the border. Unfortunately, as they approach their destination, the air and naval units responsible for protecting them from German attacks are nowhere to be found. This sets the stage for a harrowing battle.

With no protective shield in sight, the cunning German forces begin a relentless pursuit of the allied ships, all under Captain Ernest's leadership. Amidst these dangers, Captain Ernest and his crew must also contend with the fierce North Atlantic sea, further complicating their efforts to navigate and stay afloat.

The film chronicles their perilous journey as they face both enemy threats and the treacherous waters of the North Atlantic.

17. The Outpost

This film is adapted from Jake Tapper's non-fiction book, "The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor," published in 2012. It recounts the true story of a group of American soldiers who establish a remote outpost in the Kamdesh region, serving as a critical reconnaissance point against the Taliban.

Despite the inherent vulnerability of their position, the outpost's leader, Benjamin (Orlando Bloom), seeks to forge a relationship with the local tribal chief to secure protection and facilitate the delivery of weapons to the outpost for use against the Taliban.

However, in a sudden and unexpected turn of events, the Taliban forces launch an assault on the unprepared soldiers. What transpires next? To find out, be sure to watch the movie!

18. The Forgotten Battle

Set against the backdrop of World War II, this film tells the story of a fierce battle on the island of Walcheren, Zeeland, where hundreds of soldiers from various nations unite to combat the German army. Amid the chaos of war, three individuals forge a deep friendship due to the immense pressures they face.

These three comrades include a young Dutch soldier named Staversen (Gijs Blom), who is fighting against the German forces; an English glider pilot named William Sinclair (Jamie Flatters); and Teuntje Visser (Susan Radder), a Zeeland girl who courageously joins the fight guided by her heart.

All three find themselves entrenched in a brutal battle on Dutch soil, sharing a common mission: to secure their own form of freedom. Will they achieve the freedom they seek?

19. Rogue Warfare 3: Death of Nation

A menacing Middle Eastern terrorist organization known as the Black Masks has emerged as a grave global threat, carrying out a series of ruthless terrorist attacks worldwide. In response, leaders from different nations convene to assemble a team of highly skilled soldiers tasked with the mission of capturing the Black Masks.

This elite unit comprises select troops from various countries, including Daniel (Will Yum Lee) from China, James (Rory Markam) from the United States, Ralph (Jermaine Love) from the United Kingdom, and others. Together, they must forge a strong bond and offer mutual support as they work collaboratively to successfully accomplish their mission.

20. The 24th

In this film, we follow the journey of Boston (Trai Byers), a member of the American army who stands out amongst his fellow soldiers. Despite being black, Boston's exceptional toughness earns him favor with many of his superiors. However, his belief that all black soldiers are treated fairly is shattered when he confronts a harsh reality.

During his service in the 24th Infantry Regiment, Boston bears witness to the unjust treatment, violence, and brutality suffered by many black soldiers. Faced with these injustices, Boston grapples with how to respond. Can he find a way to voice his objections and work toward achieving equality for his people within the army?

That's a list of the top 20 war movies created by renowned production companies and experienced directors. These films include stories based on real events. We hope this list could serve as a weekend movie recommendation for you!