World War II backdrop

World War II movies

Global war stories: resistance, intelligence missions, major campaigns, and the moral extremes of total war.

Suite Française

1. Suite Française

Drama Romance War Historical Drama Passionate Romance
7.0
20151h 43min

Overview

France, 1940. In the first days of occupation, beautiful Lucile Angellier is trapped in a stifled existence with her controlling mother-in-law as they both await news of her husband: a prisoner of war. Parisian refugees start to pour into their small town, soon followed by a regiment of German soldiers who take up residence in the villagers' own homes. Lucile initially tries to ignore Bruno von Falk, the handsome and refined German officer staying with them. But soon, a powerful love draws them together and leads them into the tragedy of war.

Themes

Loyalty versus survival, Forbidden love under occupation, Occupation and romance, Power dynamics under war, Resistance and collaboration, Family duty under occupation

Available on

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

Unbroken

2. Unbroken

Drama War Historical Drama World War II
7.2
20142h 17min

Overview

A chronicle of the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner by Japanese forces during World War II.

Themes

Interrogation under pressure, Brutal discipline and resilience, Captivity and endurance, Survival through punishment, Homecoming and reintegration

Available on

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

Against the Sun

3. Against the Sun

War Adventure World War II Survival Adventure
6.5
20141h 39min

Overview

A WWII pilot, bombardier, and radioman find themselves adrift on a lifeboat without food or water after being forced to ditch their plane during a scouting mission.

Themes

Leadership under pressure, Survival under threat, Scarcity and desperation, Mistrust in crisis, Chance versus control, Isolation and endurance

Available on

Amazon Video
Kanopy
Hoopla
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Imitation Game

4. The Imitation Game

History Drama Thriller War Biographical History
8.0
20141h 53min

Overview

Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain's top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II.

Themes

Code breaking pursuit, World war ii pressure, Homophobia prejudice, Cryptography under pressure, Secrecy burden, Intellectual isolation

Available on

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

Fury

5. Fury

War Drama Action World War II Military Action
7.6
20142h 15min

Overview

April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.

Themes

Military obedience under pressure, Trauma from killing, Leadership vs compliance, Frontline resilience and tactics, Dehumanization in war, Cohesion under threat

Available on

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

Warsaw 44

6. Warsaw 44

Drama History War Historical Event World War II
6.6
20142h 7min

Overview

City of Warsaw, Poland, August 1st, 1944. Citizens have experienced inhuman acts of terror and violence during five long years of Nazi occupation. As the Soviet Army relentlessly approaches, the youngest and bravest among them rise up as one and face tyranny fighting street by street, but the price to pay will be high and hard the way to freedom…

Themes

Loyalty under duress, Resistance under occupation, Personal bonds amid turmoil, Underground networks and trust, Civilian casualties and destruction

Available on

Tubi TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Diplomacy

7. Diplomacy

Drama History War Historical Drama World War II
7.1
20141h 24min

Overview

On the night of August 24, 1944, the fate of Paris rests with General von Choltitz, who plans to destroy the city on Hitler's orders. As the general prepares to detonate explosives throughout the capital, Swedish consul Raoul Nordling uses diplomacy in a desperate bid to convince him to defy the orders and save Paris.

Themes

Duty under pressure, Leadership accountability, Civilian protection, Negotiation under duress, Moral cost of war, Obedience and restraint

Available on

Kanopy
OVID
Chai Flicks
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Monuments Men

8. The Monuments Men

War Drama History Action World War II
6.1
20141h 58min

Overview

Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, The Monuments Men is an action drama focusing on seven over-the-hill, out-of-shape museum directors, artists, architects, curators, and art historians who went to the front lines of WWII to rescue the world’s artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their rightful owners. With the art hidden behind enemy lines, how could these guys hope to succeed?

Themes

Shared labor across disciplines, Cultural heritage under threat, Duty in wartime, Power dynamics in occupation, Moral ambiguity of rescue, Restitution and ownership

Available on

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

Lore

9. Lore

Drama War Thriller Historical Drama World War II
7.1
20121h 49min

Overview

After being abandoned by their Nazi parents at the end of World War II, five German siblings embark on a harrowing journey across their war-torn country. Led by the eldest, 14 year-old Lore, the children are forced to confront their parents’ actions and the reality of a new world.

Themes

World war ii legacy, Sibling relationship pressure, Nazi memory burden, Mother daughter relationship tension, Children in wartime resilience, Displacement and family survival

Available on

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

Emperor

10. Emperor

Drama History War Historical Event World War II
6.5
20121h 45min

Overview

As the Japanese surrender at the end of WWII, Gen. Fellers is tasked with deciding if Emperor Hirohito will be hanged as a war criminal. Influencing his ruling is his quest to find Aya, an exchange student he met years earlier in the U.S.

Themes

War crimes accountability, Decisions under pressure, Ceremonial power vs governance, Duty under authority, Postwar reconstruction negotiations, Personal loyalty vs public duty

Available on

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