War backdrop

War movies

Gritty and poignant depictions of conflict, focusing on the bravery, tragedy, and humanity found on the battlefield.

Subgenres include: Age of Sail & Early Modern Warfare, 19th Century Wars, World War I.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

1. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Action Comedy War Military Action World War II
6.8
20242h

Overview

During World War II, the British Army assigns a group of competent soldiers to carry out a mission against the Nazi forces behind enemy lines... A true story about a secret British WWII organization — the Special Operations Executive. Founded by Winston Churchill, their irregular warfare against the Germans helped to change the course of the war, and gave birth to modern black operations.

Themes

Spy craft under pressure, Tensions of world war ii, Covert operation dynamics, Loyalty under risk amid special operations, Difficult choices in dangerous mission, Risk and deception in black ops

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Civil War

2. Civil War

War Action Drama Modern Conflicts Political Drama
7.0
20241h 49min

Overview

In the near future, a group of war journalists attempt to survive while reporting the truth as the United States stands on the brink of civil war.

Themes

Frontline journalism under fire, Desensitization to violence, Militia brutality and fear, State power versus secession, Mass trauma and refugees, Ethical ambiguity in reporting

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Land of Bad

3. Land of Bad

Action War Thriller Military Action Survival Thriller
6.6
20241h 53min

Overview

When a Delta Force special ops mission goes terribly wrong, Air Force drone pilot Reaper has 48 hours to remedy what has devolved into a wild rescue operation. With no weapons and no communication other than the drone above, the ground mission suddenly becomes a full-scale battle when the team is discovered by the enemy.

Themes

Duty under pressure, Special ops constraints, Air force dependence, Behind enemy lines dynamics, Rescue operation pressure, Battle under fire

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Arctic Convoy

4. The Arctic Convoy

War Drama
6.5
20231h 49min

Overview

In 1942, a convoy of 35 civilian ships, carrying vital supplies from Iceland to the Soviet Union, faces deadly challenges in the Arctic. Despite Allied naval escort, catastrophic intelligence errors expose the convoy to relentless German air and naval attacks. In the brutal conditions, inexperienced civilian sailors fight for survival, with only 12 ships making it to their destination.


Noryang: Deadly Sea

5. Noryang: Deadly Sea

War Action History Drama
6.3
20232h 33min

Overview

The Imjin War reaches its seventh year in December of 1598. Admiral Yi Sun-shin learns that the Wa invaders in Joseon are preparing for a swift withdrawal following the deathbed orders of their leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Determined to destroy the enemy once and for all, Admiral Yi leads an allied fleet of Joseon and Ming ships to mount a blockade and annihilate the Wa army. However, once Ming commander Chen Lin is bribed into lifting the blockade, Wa lord Shimazu Yoshihiro and his Satsuma army sail to the Wa army's rescue at Noryang Strait.


The Zone of Interest

6. The Zone of Interest

Drama History War Historical Event Historical Drama
7.3
20231h 45min

Overview

The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.

Themes

Moral complicity, Domestic life near atrocity, Material status vs ethics, Bureaucracy and mass violence, Technocratic killing efficiency, Deception and withholding

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

12.12: The Day

7. 12.12: The Day

Drama Thriller Action War History
7.5
20232h 22min

Overview

After the assassination of President Park, martial law has been declared. A coup d'état bursts out by Defense Security Commander Chun Doo-gwang and a private band of officers following him. Capital Defense Commander Lee Tae-shin, an obstinate soldier who believes the military should not take political actions, fights against Chun Doo-gwang to stop him. The conflict between the two grows while military leaders are holding their decision and Defense Minister is gone. In the midst of chaos, the spring of Seoul that everyone longed for heads to unexpected direction.


Napoleon

8. Napoleon

History War Romance Biographical History 19th Century Wars
6.3
20232h 38min

Overview

An epic that details the checkered rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine.

Themes

Public life versus private life, Ambition versus loyalty, Romantic entanglements shaping leadership, Exile and brief restoration, Alliances and political maneuvering, Military mastery under pressure

Available on

Apple TV
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Commander

9. The Commander

War History Drama
6.6
20232h

Overview

One dark night during the early phases of WWII, the Italian Royal Navy submarine Cappellini sinks an armed merchant ship sailing with lights out. At that moment, its commander Salvatore Todaro makes a decision that was destined to go down in history: to save the 26 shipwrecked Belgians who otherwise would have drowned in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and disembark them at the nearest safe harbor. To make room for them on board his submarine, he is forced to navigate on the surface of the water for three days, visible to the enemy forces and endangering his life and that of his men.


White Bird

10. White Bird

Drama War Historical Drama World War II
7.3
20232h 1min

Overview

After being expelled from Beecher Prep for his treatment of a classmate with a facial deformity, Julian has struggled to fit in at his new school. To transform his life, Julian's grandmother finally reveals her own story of courage of her youth in Nazi-occupied France, where a classmate shelters her from mortal danger.

Themes

Coming of age under threat, Occupation era resilience, Family memory and legacy, Interfaith sheltering, Propaganda and schooling, Loss and remembrance

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.