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.

Youth

1. Youth

Drama History War
7.0
20172h 16min

Overview

A group of performing art troupe members each face their own trials and tribulations in Chengdu; from escaping a family scandal to dealing with unrequited love, each experiences rejection that shapes their lives.


Journey's End

2. Journey's End

War Drama Action World War I Psychological Drama
6.7
20171h 48min

Overview

Set in a dugout in Aisne in 1918, a group of British officers, led by the mentally disintegrating young officer Stanhope, variously await their fate.

Themes

Dugout isolation under stress, Trenches camaraderie under threat, No man's land danger, German spring offensive threat, No man's land memory, Dugout dinners routine

Available on

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

Cyborgs

3. Cyborgs

War Action Drama
7.5
20171h 52min

Overview

‘The Cyborgs’ is re-telling the recent history of Ukraine – the legendary fight for Donetsk Airport in 2014 during Russian invasion. The freedom fighters from various divisions of Ukrainian army and volunteer battalions took a 242-days stand against the Russian backed militants until the complete destruction of the airport’s terminal.


The Breadwinner

4. The Breadwinner

Animation War Drama Family Family Animation
7.7
20171h 34min

Overview

A headstrong young girl in Afghanistan, ruled by the Taliban, disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family.

Themes

Arranged marriage pressures, Family obligations under strain, Gendered survival under oppression, Poverty under war, Disguise for agency, Education as power amid conflict

Available on

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

Of Fathers and Sons

5. Of Fathers and Sons

Documentary War
7.3
20171h 39min

Overview

Talal Derki returns to his homeland where he gains the trust of a radical Islamist family, sharing their daily life for over two years. His camera focuses on Osama and his younger brother Ayman, providing an extremely rare insight into what it means to grow up in an Islamic Caliphate.


The Chinese Widow

6. The Chinese Widow

Drama Romance History War
6.3
20171h 37min

Overview

It’s 1941 and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor has destroyed America’s morale. The US President Franklin D. Roosevelt then decides to risk it all by bombing Tokyo and raise more hope for his citizens. After completing its mission, a unit of the US Air Force is forced to make an emergency landing in China. Its commander Jack Turner (Emilie Hirsch) barely survives but gets rescued by Ying (Crystal Liu), a local widow who will stop at nothing to hide him from the Japanese occupant.


Ayla: The Daughter of War

7. Ayla: The Daughter of War

Drama War History Historical Drama 19th Century Wars
8.2
20172h 4min

Overview

In 1950, amidst the ravages of the Korean War, Sergeant Süleyman stumbles upon a a half-frozen little girl, with no parents and no help in sight and he risks his own life to save her, smuggling her into his army base and out of harm’s way.

Themes

Foster care dynamics, Secrecy and risk, Bonding across barriers, Duty versus compassion, Protection under war, Survival under upheaval

Available on

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

Unknown Soldier

8. Unknown Soldier

War Drama World War II Historical Drama
7.7
20172h 59min

Overview

The film follows Finnish army machine gun company in Continuation War against Soviet Union, 1941–1944. Based on Väinö Linna's best selling novel Tuntematon Sotilas (The Unknown Soldier) and the novel's uncensored version, Sotaromaani (A War Novel).

Themes

Frontline resilience under siege, Casualties and reinforcements, Trench warfare endurance, Duty under relentless pressure, Civilian interactions in occupied spaces, Defense strategies at river crossings

Available on

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

Thank You for Your Service

9. Thank You for Your Service

Drama War Psychological Drama Modern Conflicts
6.6
20171h 49min

Overview

A group of U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq struggle to integrate back into family and civilian life, while living with the memory of a war that threatens to destroy them long after they've left the battlefield.

Themes

Postwar adjustment pressures, Ptsd and memory disruption, Civilian reintegration challenges, Access to veterans health services, Impact on family life, Veteran camaraderie and support networks

Available on

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

See You Up There

10. See You Up There

Drama Crime War Historical Drama World War I
7.4
20171h 53min

Overview

In November 1918, a few days before the Armistice, when Lieutenant Pradelle orders a senseless attack, he causes a useless disaster; but his outrageous act also binds the lives of two soldiers who have nothing more in common than the battlefield: Édouard saves Albert, although at a high cost. They become companions in misfortune who will attempt to survive in a changing world. Pradelle, in his own way, does the same.

Themes

Comradeship under stress, War profiteering, Bereaved manipulation, Postwar deceit, Hero worship dynamics, Memory commodification

Available on

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