This article explores the world of warfare movies on big screens and why viewers still go for re-watches even after viewing the same multiple times before. War films aren’t just a depiction of reality conflict or a visionary one, moreover, these films are the perfect blend of courage, emotion & human spirit, whether on borders or within the country. War films, apart from delivering an action-packed 3 hours of entertainment, also provide a lens through which we can explore history, heroism, and the devastating cost of battle. Hence, war movies are not only a narrative of conflict to entertain but also a reality depiction of individuals, institutions & price they have to pay to bring back peace to the nation. If you are also fond of war movies, here is a list of some of the best war movies ever made and what makes them unforgettable.
Best War Films of all time –
1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
“One person. A thousand obstacles. And no room for failure”:- Saving Private Ryan, a film centered on Captain John Miller, who leads a troop of US army soldiers on a mission to locate and get James Francis Ryan back home, to lessen the grief of his mother, whose three sons have already been killed in combat.
Language: English
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
IMDb ratings:- 8.6/10
Where to watch:- Amazon Prime
2. Platoon (1986)
“The first casualty of war is innocence”: Platoon, a portrayal of a soldier’s fight for survival, becomes a battle for his soul. Trapped between two sergeants with clashing viewpoints over war, he must navigate a war that’s as much within as it is around him.
Language: English
Directed By: Oliver Stone
IMDb ratings:- 8.1/10
Where to watch:- Amazon Prime
3. Shershaah (2021)
“His dream was to serve; his fate was to be remembered”:- Shershaah a narrative focusing on a young man Vikram Batra who aspires to be a soldier and ended up becoming the one, later he climbs the military ranks and contributes to India’s victory in the Kargil war, sacrificing his own life.
Language: Hindi
Directed By: Vishnuvardhan
IMDb ratings:- 8.3/10
Where to watch:- Amazon Prime
4. Border (1997)
Border is a Hindi Language epic war movie directed by Ramesh Sippi. It’s a story about Longewala, where 120 Indian army forces safeguard the post whole night, facing several obstacles until they receive assistance from the Indian Air Force the next morning. It stars Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Sunil Shetty, and Akshaye Khanna.
Language: Hindi
Directed By: JP Dutta
IMDb ratings:- 7.9/10
Where to watch:- YouTube, Amazon Prime
5. The Hurt Locker (2008)
Every war has its legends. This is the story of one who fought more with heart than armor. The cinematic exploration of a bomb disposal team in the Iraq War, focusing on a soldier, Sergeant William James, who takes various threatening risks while defusing explosives.
Language: English
Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow
IMDb ratings:- 7.5/10
Where to watch:- Amazon Prime
6. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
“Behind every battle won lies a war within”: A journey to the tough training of U.S. Marines, which later follows up with brutal fighting in the Vietnam War, also exploring how war impacts soldiers mentally and physically.
Language: English
Directed By: Stanley Kubrick
IMDb ratings:- 8.2/10
Where to watch:- Amazon Prime, YouTube
7 Apocalypse Now (1979)
“It’s not a war story, it’s their story”: Apocalypse Now is an epic about the distraction the war caused and its long-lasting impact on people’s minds when a US army officer, who was sent on a mission to detect and kill a rogue colonel during the Vietnam War.
Language: English
Directed By: Francis Ford Coppola
IMDb ratings:- 8.4/10
Where to watch:- YouTube, Amazon Prime
8.Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019)
”They trained for this moment. No backup. No second chances. Just one strike to protect a nation’s pride:- ” Based on the true events, URI is the real story of Indian surgical strikes on Pakistan, where Major Vihaan Singh Shergill leads the Indian Army operation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It follows Indian soldiers as they carry out a covert strike in retaliation for a terrorist attack.
Language: Hindi
Directed By: Aditya Dhar
IMDb ratings:- 8.2/10
Where to watch:- Zee5
9. 1917 (2019)
“Two officers. One mission” :- A film centered around two British Officers who were sent on a mission to deliver a message in 1917, which could save hundreds of lives, and all obstacles they have to overcome throughout the journey.
Language: English
Directed By: Sam Mandes
IMDb ratings:- 8.2/10
Where to watch:- Netflix
10.The Thin Red Line (1998)
” When duty calls, bravery answers”:- The thin red line is a visual narrative that revolves around a troop of soldiers who were thrust into an unexpected battle of Guadalcanal, and as the war progresses, they lose each other but still fight to win the battle.
Language: English
Directed By: Terrence Malick
IMDb ratings:- 7.6/10
Where to watch: Disney+
11. Ghazi (2017)
“When the ocean becomes your battlefield and your lifeline”:- The Ghazi Attack, portrays the Indo-Pak war of 1971, where the Indian Submarine Crew prevent a secret attack worked out by the Pakistani Submarine “Ghazi”, depicting the narrative of courage and patriotism of the Indian naval force.
Language: Hindi
Directed By: Sankalp Reddy
IMDb ratings:- 7.5/10
Where to watch:- Netflix, Amazon Prime
12. Dunkirk (2017)
“When escape seems impossible, courage becomes the only weapon”:- Dunkirk a story revolving around the rescue of thousands of Allied soldiers trapped by Germany during the battle of France, depicting the struggle of survival and evacuation of British and France troops from Dunkirk beach.
Language: English
Directed By: Christopher Nolan
IMDb ratings:- 7.8/10
Where to watch:- Amazon Prime, YouTube
13. Schindler’s List (1993)
“When the boardroom turns up into a battleground”:- Schindler’s List a film set up in a Krakow, Poland is a portrayal of a German businessman, who safeguards his Jewish workforce from Nazi forces attack,1939.
Language: English
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
IMDb ratings:- 9/10
Where to watch:- Amazon Prime, Zee 5
14.LOC: Kargil (2003)
“In the field of battle, where fear fades and patriotism shines brightest, these soldiers embodies the very spirit of courage”:- LOC Kargil, a depiction of how strongly Indian army defends the country after Pakistan’s arm forces with deceit and strategy occupies areas of line of control in Kashmir in 1999, which were administered by India. The movie also films the casualties and difficulties a soldier and his family have to go through, and how the war impacts their lives even more.
Language: Hindi
Directed By: J.P. Dutta
IMDb ratings:- 5.4/10
Where to watch:- Amazon Prime, YouTube
15. Paths of Glory ( 1957)
“Sometimes the real battle is fighting for what’s right:- ” Paths Of Glory tells the story of a brave French officer in World War I who stands up to his superiors after his soldiers are unfairly blamed for a failed attack. It’s a powerful look at injustice, courage, and the cost of war.
Language: English
Directed By: Stanley Kubrick
IMDb ratings:- 8.4/10
Where to watch:- Amazon Prime
Your turn!
Which is your favourite war movies of all time? Let us know in the comments section.
