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.

281. Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor
War Romance History Action World War II
6.3
20013h 3minUnited States
Director: Michael Bay

Overview

The lifelong friendship between Rafe McCawley and Danny Walker is put to the ultimate test when the two ace fighter pilots become entangled in a love triangle with beautiful Naval nurse Evelyn Johnson. But the rivalry between the friends-turned-foes is immediately put on hold when they find themselves at the center of Japan's devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Friendship tested by love, Duty and love conflict, Memory and mourning, Military camaraderie, Resilience under attack

Available on

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

282. Conspiracy

Conspiracy
History Drama War TV Movie Historical Event
7.6
20011h 36minUnited Kingdom, United States
Director: Frank Pierson

Overview

At the Wannsee Conference on January 20, 1942, senior Nazi officials meet to determine the manner in which the so-called "Final Solution to the Jewish Question" can be best implemented.

Themes

Bureaucratic complicity, Euphemistic violence, State-sponsored extermination, Dehumanization under duty, Historical accountability, Mass coercion and control

Available on

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

283. No Man's Land

No Man's Land
Action History War Military Action World War I
7.9
20011h 38minFrance, Italy
Director: Danis Tanović

Overview

Two soldiers from opposite sides get stuck between the front lines in the same trench. The UN is asked to free them and both sides agree on a ceasefire, but will they stick to it?

Themes

Frontline ethics, Neutral aid dilemma, Mutual distrust under pressure, Ceasefire fragility, Deception in wartime, Human cost of siege

Available on

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

284. Enemy at the Gates

Enemy at the Gates
Drama War History Romance World War II
7.5
20012h 11minUnited States, France
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud

Overview

A Russian and a German sniper play a game of cat-and-mouse during the Battle of Stalingrad in WWII.

Themes

Duty versus desire, Deception and loyalty, Propaganda and morale, Information warfare and double agents, Romance amid warfare, Winter warfare hardship

Available on

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

285. Enigma

Enigma
Mystery Drama Thriller Romance War
6.4
20011h 59minGermany, United Kingdom
Director: Michael Apted

Overview

The story of the WWII project to crack the code behind the Enigma machine, used by the Germans to encrypt messages sent to their submarines.

Themes

Loyalty vs duty, Missing intercepts motive, Secrecy and surveillance, Wartime cryptanalysis tension, Intercepted signals pressure, Communication networks under strain

Available on

Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

286. Tigerland

Tigerland
Drama War Coming-of-Age Drama Vietnam War
6.9
20001h 41minGermany, United States
Director: Joel Schumacher

Overview

A group of recruits go through Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana's infamous Tigerland, last stop before Vietnam for tens of thousands of young men in 1971.

Themes

Group cohesion under stress, Conscription under pressure, Authority vs dissent, Racial tension within units, Escape and punishment dynamics, Leadership under adversity

Available on

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

287. The Man Who Cried

The Man Who Cried
Romance Drama Music War Romantic Epic
6.1
20001h 36minFrance, United Kingdom
Director: Sally Potter

Overview

A young refugee travels from Russia to America in search of her lost father and falls in love with a gypsy horseman.

Themes

Displacement and longing, Persecution and danger, Forbidden romance across borders, Renaming and assimilation pressure, Survival through performance, Art as refuge

Available on

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

288. The Patriot

The Patriot
Drama History War Action Historical Event
7.2
20002h 45minGermany, United States
Director: Roland Emmerich

Overview

After proving himself on the field of battle in the French and Indian War, Benjamin Martin wants nothing more to do with such things, preferring the simple life of a farmer. But when his son Gabriel enlists in the army to defend their new nation, America, against the British, Benjamin reluctantly returns to his old life to protect his son.

Themes

Patriotism under pressure, Guerrilla warfare ethics, Family resilience under war, Cost of violence, Loyalist rebel conflict, Foreign aid and alliance

Available on

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

289. U-571

U-571
War Action Adventure World War II Military Action
6.6
20001h 56minUnited States, France
Director: Jonathan Mostow

Overview

In the midst of World War II, the battle under the sea rages and the Nazis have the upper hand as the Allies are unable to crack their war codes. However, after a wrecked U-boat sends out an SOS signal, the Allies realise this is their chance to seize the 'enigma coding machine'.

Themes

Leadership under pressure, Wartime deception, Alliance risk, Clandestine operations, Moral ambiguity of war, Trust under fire, Code secrecy

Available on

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

290. Rules of Engagement

Rules of Engagement
War Drama Modern Conflicts Legal Drama
6.4
20002h 8minUnited States, Germany
Director: William Friedkin

Overview

A Marine Colonel is brought to court-martial after ordering his men to fire on demonstrators surrounding the American embassy in Yemen.

Themes

Leadership under fire, Political interference, Military accountability, Ethical duty, Propaganda vs evidence, Civilian casualties

Available on

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