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.

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

1. Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

War Action Drama History Vietnam War
6.8
20191h 59min

Overview

Vietnam War, 1966. Australia and New Zealand send troops to support the United States and South Vietnamese in their fight against the communist North. Soldiers are very young men, recruits and volunteers who have never been involved in a combat. On August 18th, members of Delta Company will face the true horror of a ruthless battle among the trees of a rubber plantation called Long Tân. They are barely a hundred. The enemy is a human wave ready to destroy them.

Themes

Outnumbered defense under strain, War context endurance under pressure, Brotherhood forged in conflict, Youthful recruits exposed, Monsoon conditions shape tactics, Relief and withdrawal dynamics

Available on

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

Tolkien

2. Tolkien

War Drama Romance World War I Historical Drama
6.8
20191h 52min

Overview

England, early 20th century. The future writer and philologist John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) and three of his schoolmates create a strong bond between them as they share the same passion for literature and art, a true fellowship that strengthens as they grow up, but the outbreak of World War I threatens to shatter it.

Themes

Friendship under strain, Coming of age, Romance vs duty, Mentorship and authority, Class and education pressure, War disruption and loss

Available on

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

Kingdom

3. Kingdom

Action Adventure War History Fantasy
6.7
20192h 13min

Overview

Set in Qin Dynasty during the warring states period in ancient China. Shin was a war orphan. He has a dream of becoming a great general Shin has a fateful encounter with young King Eisei. King Eisei aims to unify all of China.


The Aftermath

4. The Aftermath

War Drama Romance World War II Historical Drama
6.4
20191h 48min

Overview

In the aftermath of World War II, a British colonel and his wife are assigned to live in Hamburg during the post-war reconstruction, but tensions arise with the German widower who lives with them.

Themes

Grief and memory, Forbidden romance, Postwar occupation tensions, Suspicion and distrust, Precarious domestic arrangements, Loyalty conflicts

Available on

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

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection

5. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection

Animation Science Fiction Crime Mystery War
7.3
20191h 52min

Overview

The story takes place several years after Lelouch's "Zero Requiem" plan. He gave up his life to save the world and protect the ones he loved. The day Lelouch vi Brittannia fell was the day this war-torn world found peace. Now, as his friends work to keep the peace, a terrorist attack could risk everything. Can the brilliant tactician outwit death and save them all? Or will Lelouch’s legacy fall here?


Saga of Tanya the Evil: The Movie

6. Saga of Tanya the Evil: The Movie

Animation Action War Fantasy
7.5
20191h 38min

Overview

The time is UC 1926. The Imperial Army's 203rd Air Mage Battalion led by Major Tanya Degurechaff has won the battle to the south against the Republic's stragglers. They expected to be given a vacation after returning victorious, but instead receive special orders from Staff HQ as soon as they get home. They are told that there were signs of a large-scale deployment near the Empire-Federation border. Faced with the prospect of a new major enemy, the desperate Empire fans the flame of war. Meanwhile, an international volunteer army spearheaded by the Commonwealth set foot in Federation territory. As they say, the enemy of an enemy is your friend. They suffer through misfortune purely out of national interest, and among them is a young girl. She is Warrant Officer Mary Sue, and she takes up arms hoping to bring the Empire, who killed her father, to justice.


The Keeper

7. The Keeper

Drama War History Biographical History Historical Drama
7.3
20181h 54min

Overview

The story of a man whose love for football, for England and for the love of his life, Margaret, saw him rise from Nazi 'villain' to British hero. Bert Trautmann, the German goalkeeper won over even his harshest opponents by winning the FA Cup Final for Manchester City in 1956 - playing on with a broken neck to secure victory.

Themes

Romance under social glare, Public prejudice testing loyalty, War as identity test, Injury shaping resilience, Sporting merit beyond past, Parental tragedy and resolve

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
The Roku Channel
Kanopy
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

A Private War

8. A Private War

Drama War Professional Drama Modern Conflicts
6.7
20181h 46min

Overview

One of the most celebrated war correspondents of our time, Marie Colvin is an utterly fearless and rebellious spirit, driven to the frontlines of conflicts across the globe to give voice to the voiceless.

Themes

Trauma and resilience, Risk and accountability, Press freedom under threat, Civilians under siege, Frontline journalism ethics, Voice to the voiceless

Available on

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

Overlord

9. Overlord

Horror War Science Fiction Monster Horror World War II
6.6
20181h 50min

Overview

France, June 1944. On the eve of D-Day, some American paratroopers fall behind enemy lines after their aircraft crashes while on a mission to destroy a radio tower in a small village near the beaches of Normandy. After reaching their target, the surviving paratroopers realise that, in addition to fighting the Nazi troops that patrol the village, they also must fight against something else.

Themes

Deception and coercion, Survival under occupation, Ethical costs of experimentation, Science as weapon, Mutant power consequences, Desegregation under fire

Available on

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

Paskal

10. Paskal

Action War Drama History Adventure
6.5
20181h 55min

Overview

The true events of Lieutenant Commander Arman Anwar of PASKAL, an elite unit in the Royal Malaysian Navy, and his team's mission to rescue the MV Bunga Laurel, a tanker which was hijacked by Somalian Pirates in 2011.