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.

Da 5 Bloods

1. Da 5 Bloods

War Drama Vietnam War Political Drama
6.5
20202h 35min

Overview

Four African-American Vietnam veterans return to Vietnam. They are in search of the remains of their fallen squad leader and the promise of buried treasure. These heroes battle forces of humanity and nature while confronted by the lasting ravages of the immorality of the Vietnam War.

Themes

War trauma, Ptsd effects, Gold pursuit, Land mine danger, Vietnam veteran memory, Vietnam war legacy

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Persian Lessons

2. Persian Lessons

War Drama World War II Historical Drama
7.4
20202h 7min

Overview

Occupied France, 1942. Gilles is arrested by SS soldiers alongside other Jews and sent to a camp in Germany. He narrowly avoids sudden execution by swearing to the guards that he is not Jewish, but Persian. This lie temporarily saves him, but Gilles gets assigned a life-or-death mission: to teach Farsi to Head of Camp Koch, who dreams of opening a restaurant in Iran once the war is over. Through an ingenious trick, Gilles manages to survive by inventing words of "Farsi" every day and teaching them to Koch.

Themes

Survival through improvisation, Concentration camp pressure, German officer order, German officer pressure, Ledger mnemonic discipline, Concentration camp deception

Available on

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

Father Soldier Son

3. Father Soldier Son

Documentary War
7.3
20201h 39min

Overview

When Sgt. First Class Brian Eisch is critically wounded in Afghanistan, it sets him and his sons on a journey of love, loss, redemption and legacy.


Resistance

4. Resistance

War History Drama World War II Biographical History
6.5
20202h

Overview

The story of mime Marcel Marceau as he works with a group of Jewish boy scouts and the French Resistance to save the lives of ten thousand orphans during World War II.

Themes

World war ii context, Resistance under pressure, Moral ambiguity of collaboration, Gestapo fear and manipulation, Protective bonds amid danger, Art as resilience in jewish communities

Available on

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

Moffie

5. Moffie

Drama War Romance
6.8
20201h 44min

Overview

A young man in 1981 South Africa must complete his brutal and racist two years of compulsory military service while desperately maintaining the secrecy of his homosexuality.


U311 Cherkasy

6. U311 Cherkasy

War Action Drama
6.5
20201h 42min

Overview

The crew of Ukrainian NAVY minesweeper U311 "Cherkasy" is resisting seizure of the vessel by Russian army in Crimea in 2014.


Waiting for Anya

7. Waiting for Anya

Drama War
6.0
20201h 49min

Overview

During the harrows of WWII, Jo, a young shepherd along with the help of the widow Horcada, helps to smuggle Jewish children across the border from southern France into Spain.


The Last Full Measure

8. The Last Full Measure

Drama Action War Vietnam War Historical Drama
6.8
20201h 50min

Overview

The incredible true story of Vietnam War hero William H. Pitsenbarger, a U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen medic who personally saved over sixty men. Thirty-two years later, Pentagon staffer Scott Huffman investigates a Congressional Medal of Honor request for Pitsenbarger and uncovers a high-level conspiracy behind the decades-long denial of the medal, prompting Huffman to put his own career on the line to seek justice for the fallen airman.

Themes

Duty under fire, Based on true story, True story grounding, Vietnam war context, Valor and sacrifice, Political infighting

Available on

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

1917

9. 1917

War History Drama Action World War I
8.2
20191h 59min

Overview

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers.

Themes

Duty under fire, Resilience under hardship, Time pressure, Comradeship under peril, Survival under risk, Uncertainty of command

Available on

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

The Rifleman

10. The Rifleman

War Drama History
7.2
20192h 4min

Overview

The love story of sixteen-year-old Arturs is interrupted by the First World War. After losing his mother and his home, he finds some consolation in joining the army, because this is the first time national battalions are allowed in the Russian Empire. But war is nothing like Arturs imagined – no glory, no fairness. It is brutal and painful. Arturs is now completely alone as war takes the lives of his father and brother. Also, no progress is made in the promised quick resolution of the war and timely return home. Within the notion that only he alone cares about returning home and that his homeland is just a playground for other nations, Arturs finds strength for the final battle and eventually returns home to start everything from scratch, just like his newly born country.