Military Action backdrop

Military Action movies

Combat missions and tactical operations: assaults, rescues, sieges, and coordinated teamwork under fire.

Sand Castle

1. Sand Castle

War Action Drama Modern Conflicts Military Action
6.3
20171h 53min

Overview

Set during the occupation of Iraq, a squad of U.S. soldiers try to protect a small village.

Themes

Trust under pressure, Resource scarcity, Duty under danger, Occupation strain, Civilian collaboration under fire, Local power dynamics

Available on

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

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

2. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Action Adventure Science Fiction Military Action Rescue Mission Adventure
7.8
20162h 13min

Overview

A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.

Themes

Against the odds, Space battle presence, Rebel solidarity, Space opera motifs, Alien language hints, Space travel ambitions

Available on

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

Overview

A special-ops team is dispatched to fight supernatural beings that have taken over a European city.

Themes

Survival under siege, Artificial life and humanity, Military tech ethics, Institutional decision making, Control of unknown power, Weaponization of science

Available on

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

USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage

4. USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage

Action War Military Action World War II
5.3
20162h 8min

Overview

The harrowing true story of the crew of the USS Indianapolis, who were stranded in the Philippine Sea for five days after delivering the atomic weapons that would eventually end WWII. As they awaited rescue, they endured extreme thirst, hunger, and relentless shark attacks.

Themes

Survival under threat, Leadership accountability, Duty under crisis, Five days survival, Media pressure and blame

Available on

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

Overview

When a massive, gilled monster emerges from the deep and tears through the city, the government scrambles to save its citizens. A rag-tag team of volunteers cuts through a web of red tape to uncover the monster's weakness and its mysterious ties to a foreign superpower. But time is not on their side - the greatest catastrophe to ever befall the world is about to evolve right before their very eyes.

Themes

Political incompetence, Bureaucratic inertia, Crisis escalation dynamics, Civilian evacuation ethics, International cooperation, Nuclear threat management

Available on

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

Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV

6. Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV

Animation Science Fiction Action Anime Epic Sci-Fi
6.7
20161h 55min

Overview

The magical kingdom of Lucis is home to the world’s last remaining Crystal, and the menacing empire of Niflheim is determined to steal it. King Regis of Lucis commands an elite force of soldiers called the Kingsglaive. Wielding their king’s magic, they fight to protect Lucis. As the overwhelming military might of the empire bears down, King Regis is faced with an impossible ultimatum – to marry his son, Prince Noctis to Princess Lunafreya of Tenebrae, captive of Niflheim, and surrender his lands to Niflheim rule. Although the king concedes, it becomes clear that the empire will stop at nothing to achieve their devious goals, with only the Kingsglaive standing between them and world domination.

Themes

Duty vs loyalty, Fractured alliances, Rebellion leadership dynamics, Imperial coercion and resilience, Peace compromised by force, Magical artifacts shape conflict

Available on

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

Kill Command

7. Kill Command

Action Horror Science Fiction Thriller Military Action
5.7
20161h 39min

Overview

Set in a near future, technology-reliant society that pits man against killing machines. Against this backdrop an elite army unit is helicoptered to a remote, off-the-grid island training facility. What starts out as a simple training exercise for Captain Bukes and his tight-knit unit, descends into a terrifying battle to the death, as the marines discover the island is overrun by an enemy that transcends the human concept of evil.

Themes

Technology ethics, Surveillance power, Isolation crisis, Adaptive threat response, Ai autonomy, Military automation

Available on

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

London Has Fallen

8. London Has Fallen

Action Thriller Military Action Political Thriller
5.9
20161h 39min

Overview

In London for the Prime Minister's funeral, Mike Banning discovers a plot to assassinate all the attending world leaders.

Themes

Betrayal and loyalty under pressure, Interagency coordination under stress, Institutional mistrust, Political violence escalation, National security under strain, Protective duty vs civilian safety

Available on

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

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

9. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

War Action History Drama Thriller
7.3
20162h 24min

Overview

An American Ambassador is killed during an attack at a U.S. compound in Libya as a security team struggles to make sense out of the chaos.

Themes

Contractor-led security, Outsourcing ethics, Interagency coordination tension, Diplomatic risk in crisis, Local militia influence, Civilian protection under threat

Available on

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

Hyena Road

10. Hyena Road

War Drama Thriller Action Military Action
6.5
20152h

Overview

Three different men, three different worlds, three different wars – all stand at the intersection of modern warfare – a murky world of fluid morality where all is not as it seems. A unique and dramatic look at the Canadian Army in Afghanistan.

Themes

Deception and betrayal, Fragile alliances under strain, Loyalties under pressure, Civilian risk and rescue, Moral ambiguity in combat, Duty vs family obligations

Available on

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