War movies have always been a popular genre in the film industry. Over the past 23 years, studios in Hollywood and other countries have produced some of the most exceptional war movies ever made. Many of these films offer a glimpse into the military world, the battles armies fight, and the sacrifices they make for a cause. These stories have entertained audiences, moving them to the core with powerful stories and award-winning performances. This list brings together some of the best war movies, with each one offering a unique perspective on armed conflicts and why they are fought.

Moviegoers can appreciate the harrowing and gritty portrayal of combat, as well as explorations of the human spirit paired with the resilience of soldiers. All these films have their range of emotionality to leave a lasting impact on the viewer. Whether you're a history buff or simply a fan of great storytelling doesn't matter. The grittier war films usually have a strong anti-war statement. These films are made to make us reflect and contemplate the past. After the credits roll, these movies captivate your mind and leave you thinking long and hard about human nature.

25 Black Hawk Down (2001)

Black Hawk Down
Sony Pictures Releasing

From the mind of Ridley Scott, Black Hawk Down is a gripping, intense war movie that tells the story of the Battle of Mogadishu during the Somali Civil War. The film received accolades for its realistic and sincere portrayal of combat while exploring the political and military factors leading to the mission. The performances from Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana, and Ewan McGregor are outstanding, making this one of the most thrilling and emotionally impactful movies honoring the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers involved in the conflict.

24 The Pianist (2002)

Adrien Brody in The Pianist
BAC Films
Syrena Entertainment Group
Pathé

Directed by the ever-controversial Roman Polanski, The Pianist is a powerful and emotional story depicting the true story of a Polish Jewish pianist who survived the Holocaust. The film is notable for its realistic portrayal of the horrors of Nazi-occupied Warsaw and the exploration of the power of art and music to provide hope and solace in the darkest of times. Adrien Brody's performance is still the highlight of this movie, and his Oscar-winning performance still lingers in mind as one of the most deserving honors given to the resilience and courage of the human spirit.

23 We Were Soldiers (2002)

We were Soldiers
Paramount Pictures

From the creative mind of Randall Wallace, this stirring, emotional war drama tells the true story of the Battle of Ia Drang during the Vietnam War. We Were Soldiers is notable for its realistic and intense depictions of combat and its focus on each soldier's personal stories and relationships. Mel Gibson's performance is outstanding, along with other seasoned war films mainstays, such as Barry Pepper and Sam Elliot. The story makes for a gripping and emotionally impactful movie showing that no one is safe in war, and even the bravest can be the first to fall.

22 Downfall (2004)

Downfall cast of Nazis
Constantin Film

Our first foreign offering on the list comes from director Oliver Hirschbiege and features the impeccable performance of Bruno Ganz. This powerful film is regarded as one of the best war movies of the past 20 years for its unflinching portrayal of the final days of Hitler's reign. Downfall showcases Hitler's madness, desperation, and defiance in the last days of World War II. The movie was filmed on location and used historical accounts of life in the Führerbunker right before the Russian army took over Germany, leaving a wave of destruction. The film is regarded by many as a harrowing but necessary reminder of the atrocities of war and testimony about how absolute power corrupts.

21 Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Scene from Hotel Rwanda
MGM Distribution Co.

Hotel Rwanda is regarded as one of the most moving and powerful depictions of the Rwandan Genocide, highlighting the bravery and humanity of ordinary people in the face of unspeakable violence. The film serves as a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and a gripping reminder of the need for compassion and empathy in times of crisis. The performance of Don Cheadle as hotelier Paul Rusesabagina is exceptional, bringing a lot of emotional weight to the film, which was directed by Terry George from a script written by director Keir Pearson.

20 Munich (2005)

Eric Bana in Munich
Universal Pictures

This excellent film by Steven Spielberg was the underdog of 2005. The gripping and emotionally complex story tells the tale of the Israeli response to the terrorist attacks at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Munich is notable for its nuanced and humanistic portrayal of the Israeli operatives and Palestinian militants and its exploration of the moral and ethical dilemmas raised by the mission. Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, and Geoffrey Rush give some of their best performances with one of the most solid scripts ever produced on a low budget, making for a powerful and thought-provoking movie.

19 Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

Clint Eastwood's war film Letters From Iwo Jima
Warner Bros. Pictures

Letters from Iwo Jima is a beautiful, haunting movie that explores the human cost of war. It tells the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese perspective, offering a rare glimpse into the mindset and struggles of the soldiers on the other side of the conflict. The incredible performances of Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, and Tsuyoshi Ihara are powerful reminders of humanity in different cultures, even during the war. Directed by Clint Eastwood, this film is a companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers, yet it was the most successful of the two entries.

Related: Clint Eastwood's Best Non-Western Movies of the Last 30 Years

18 Flags of Our Fathers (2006)

Flags of Our Fathers war movie with the American flag
Paramount Pictures

Also directed by Eastwood, this epic war movie explores the complexities of heroism and patriotism. Flags of Our Fathers tells the story of the iconic photograph of the American flag being raised on Iwo Jima. Still, it goes beyond the image to reveal the personal stories and struggles of the soldiers involved in the battle and the struggle to take the island and end the war. Ryan Phillippe, George Grizzard, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach, Paul Walker, Barry Pepper, Robert Patrick, and Neal McDonough grace the screen offering their best performances, making for a profoundly moving and unforgettable movie.

17 Red Cliff (2008)

red-cliff
Magnet Releasing

The second foreign offering, Red Cliff comes to us from director John Woo. This visually graceful movie tells the story of The Red Cliffs and all the events that led to the end of the Han Dynasty before the period of the Three Kingdoms in Imperial China. The film combines epic battle scenes, complex characters, and political intrigue, making for a compelling and engaging story. Woo offers some of his best work with outstanding cinematography and a solid script delivered by superstars Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro that add to the sense of grandeur of the times depicted in the movie. Although the film is offered in two separate chapters, it is considered a single film lasting close to four hours.

16 Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Hans Landa Inglourious Basterds
Universal Pictures

From the mind of Quentin Tarantino, we have a retelling of the events of World War II, as well as one of the more unique takes on the war movie genre, blending elements of comedy, action, and suspense. With a powerful script focused more on the interactions between characters than the action pieces, Inglourious Basterds creates a sense of tension and thrill that not many movies can match to date. The all-star cast of actors includes powerhouses like Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Eli Roth, and the American debut of Christoph Waltz, who would go on to play our favorite villains in franchises like James Bond. This unforgettable movie subverts expectations and challenges the audience's assumptions about war and the so-called nobility of its heroes.

15 Brothers (2009)

Borthers (2009)
Lionsgate Studios

Directed by Jim Sheridan with a script from David Benion, Brothers is a powerful, emotional drama about two brothers, Sam and Tommy, who serve in the military. When Sam is presumed dead in Afghanistan, Tommy returns to care for Sam's wife and children, leading to a complex and emotional exploration of family, loyalty, and the impact of war on soldiers and their loved ones. The movie heavily deals with the psychological toll paid by soldiers and their families, making it a must-see for anyone interested in the human impact of war conflict. Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal deliver outstanding performances, making for a heart-wrenching, thought-provoking film.

14 Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Jessica Chastain in Zero Dark Thirty
Columbia Pictures

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty is a tense and gripping story about the hunt for Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks. Jessica Chastain plays a composite character of multiple CIA analysts who worked hard to get Bin Laden's position, while some of the greatest names in the industry, such as Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, Mark Strong, Kyle Chandler, Edgar Ramírez and James Gandolfini play the operatives that led the ground hunt. The movie received accolades for its intense and realistic depiction of the intelligence work and military operations involved in the search and its nuanced portrayal of the moral and ethical questions raised by the mission.

Related: Best Jessica Chastain Movies, Ranked

13 American Sniper (2014)

American Sniper
Warner Bros. 

The third film by Clint Eastwood on the list, the powerful and controversial American Sniper tells the true story of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL sniper who became the deadliest marksman in U.S. military history. The film received wide recognition for its intense and realistic battle scenes and its exploration of PTSD in soldiers and the effect the condition has on their families. The film received its fair share of criticism since the real-life Kyle wasn’t exactly a role model. Still, Bradley Cooper's performance is exceptional, making for a touching and emotional movie that raises important questions about the morality of war and its effect on soldiers.

12 Fury (2014)

fury tank
Sony Pictures Releasing

Written and directed by David Ayer, Fury is a visceral and intense movie telling the story of a tank crew in the final days of World War II. With a large cast led by Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Michael Peña, Jon Bernthal, Jason Isaacs, and Scott Eastwood, the film dwells on the exploration of the bonds formed between soldiers in the face of overwhelming danger and how human resourcefulness goes to the limits in the face of adversity. The film is notable for having some of the most realistic and grittiest portrayals of tank combat ever put on film.

11 The Childhood of a Leader (2015)

Childhood_Leader_1
IFC Films

The directorial debut of Brady Corbet is a haunting and atmospheric film that explores the roots of fascism and authoritarianism in the aftermath of World War I. The stunning visuals and unsettling score only match the outstanding performance from Robert Pattison. This movie can be challenging and thought-provoking while offering a unique perspective on the origins of some of the darkest ideologies in modern history and still present in our society. Unlike other war films on the list, Childhood of a Leader explores the past life of someone who would become an unrepenting fascist.

10 Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge
Lionsgate

Directed by Mel Gibson, the script of Hacksaw Ridge, written by Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight, is an inspiring and emotional ride narrating the true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who became a hero during World War II. The film won accolades for its powerful message of faith, courage, and selflessness while portraying some of the most thrilling and intense battle scenes ever put in a movie. Andrew Garfield's performance is exceptional as the uncompromising soldier who refused to shoot a weapon while saving as many lives as possible in one of the most uplifting war films ever made to celebrate the best of the human spirit.

Related: Best Andrew Garfield Movies, Ranked

9 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)

Krasinski holds a machine gun as a soldier in 13 Hours
Paramount Pictures

Michael Bay is a great storyteller when he has a solid script to work with. Chuck Hogan wrote 13 Hours, and the film has to be the most intense war conflict ever portrayed in cinema tied to real-life events. The story is a retelling of the events of the 2012 Benghazi attack told from the perspective of the CIA contractors who fought to defend the U.S. consulate. The film offers some of the most intense and realistic portrayals of combat and the personal stories and relationships of the soldiers involved. The Benghazi operatives are played by recognizable names such as stars James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, Pablo Schreiber, Max Martini, David Denman, and Dominic Fumusa, making for a thrilling and emotionally impactful movie.

8 Dunkirk (2017)

Fionn Whitehead in Dunkirk
Warner Bros. Pictures

Another home run by Christopher Nolan, this masterful war movie tells the story of the evacuation of British soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk during World War II. The act was made possible after the British government requested the aid of every single civil ship able to sail to pick up the soldiers stranded in the harbor. The story is a slow burn that creates a sense of urgency and tension that never lets up. Like most Nolan films, Dunkirk is notable for using practical effects and minimal CGI, making for a visceral and immersive viewing experience. It went on to be rewarded by the Academy with three Oscars in the categories of Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing.

7 The Outpost (2019)

Bloom The Outpost Screen Media Films
Screen Media Films

An intense war film, The Outpost was directed by Rod Lurie and adapted from the novel The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor by Jake Tapper. The tense and visceral tale tells the story of the Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan. The film gained notoriety for having realistic combat scenes and focusing on the soldiers' relationships. The star-studded cast includes veterans like Orlando Bloom and some mainstays from action films such as Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry Jones, Jack Kesy, Cory Hardrict, Milo Gibson, Jacob Scipio, Will Attenborough, and Taylor John Smith.

6 The Painted Bird (2019)

A young boy buried to his neck is pecked by crows in The Painted Bird
IFC Films

The most gruesome film on the list is The Painted Bird, an adaptation of the gut-punching novel by Jerzy Kosiński about the experiences of an unnamed boy during World War II. The book was deemed too controversial by 1965 standards and proved challenging to adapt for many years. Václav Marhoul took it upon himself to write the script and direct the film, securing a small budget of $5 million. Most of the acts of cruelty depicted in the book can be seen in the movie. The impact of imagery is lessened due to the film being presented in black and white. It's a brutal movie to watch, but it's also an important one, shining a light on the human cost of war and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.