If you’re looking for drama, action and emotion, all rolled up into one, there’s no need for superheroes or made-up crimes. The past provides plenty of inspiration, as you’ll see with the following movies.
War is a force that shapes history, and the stories embedded within can teach us much about both our past and future. This list of the top 10 best war movies to watch right now will give you a history lesson and a pump of adrenaline, all in one.
Keep an eye on this list as it is updated with the latest and greatest war movies so you can be sure you’re in the loop. From Troy to Jarhead, this list will help movie fans stay up to date on the most popular war-packed movies available.
Watch Guide Methodology: Using proprietary viewership data, DIRECTV Insider curates lists of the most popular TV shows and movies being watched by real people, in real time, to help you pick the best trending content to watch across networks. Our rolling data collection also allows readers to see how a trending show’s ranking has changed week over week.
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TOP 10 WAR MOVIES TO WATCH
Let’s get started. Here are the trending war movies that TV-watchers are enjoying right now, with all the information you need to check them out for yourself.
1. ‘Troy’
↑ 43 vs. Prior Week
Immerse yourself in the epic world of ancient Greece with the stunning 2004 war film Troy. This cinematic masterpiece boasts a star-studded cast, with Brad Pitt delivering a raw, captivating performance as the legendary warrior Achilles. The film presents a gripping tale of love, honor and deceit woven into the chaotic tapestry of war that ensues when the Trojan prince Paris elopes with Helen of Sparta. With enthralling battle sequences and riveting character arcs, Troy reveals the glory and the bitterness of power, illuminating the heroism and folly that walks on the thin line of destiny and desire.
2. ‘Fury’
↔ vs. Prior Week
Propelling you right into the heart of war, Fury is an unflinchingly intense portrayal of the final days of World War II. Academy Award-nominee Brad Pitt superbly portrays battle-hardened Army sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier, who, along with his five-man tank crew, embarks on a deadly mission behind enemy lines.
Despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned, and even with a cloak of uncertainty surrounding their inexperienced newcomer, they courageously strive to deal a fatal strike to Nazi Germany. This gripping war drama offers a disturbing and sobering snapshot of the human side of warfare.
3. ‘The Woman King’
↔ vs. Prior Week
Dive into the 1800s and into the African kingdom of Dahomey in The Woman King, where an all-female warrior battalion fiercely safeguards their land. Their leader, the indomitable General Nanisca, played by the talented Viola Davis, shapes an upcoming generation of warriors to continue their longstanding heritage.
As Nanisca prepares the young warriors, an unprecedented foreign threat emerges, hell-bent on destabilizing their harmonious way of life. With a potent blend of history, gender empowerment, and breathtaking battle scenes, The Woman King will hold you utterly captive until its final dramatic scene.
4. ’13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi’
↔ vs. Prior Week
Immerse yourself in the high-stakes world of covert operations with 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi. This gripping film, starring John Krasinski as Jack Silva, chronicles the intense, dangerous and true story of six elite ex-military operators tasked with defending the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.
When the compound is suddenly attacked, these brave men are thrown into a firefight against overwhelming odds, highlighting their determination, bravery and sacrifice. Packed with adrenaline-fueled action sequences, 13 Hours is both a dramatic and heart-wrenching tribute to real-life heroes’ valor and resilience.
5. ‘Hacksaw Ridge’
↑ 2 vs. Prior Week
Hacksaw Ridge is a riveting retelling of a true story that tests the boundaries of courage. Andrew Garfield delivers a sensational performance as Pfc. Desmond T. Doss, a man who defied military norms by refusing to bear arms during WWII.
Despite the ostracization by his fellow soldiers for his pacifist stance, Doss emerges as an unlikely hero on the battlefront. As the fierce Battle of Okinawa rages, Doss risks his life to save 75 men, armed with nothing but bravery, selflessness and compassion. Witness a hero who stood his ground, proving that strength is not just about the firepower, but the fire within.
6. ‘Zero Dark Thirty’
↑ 2 vs. Prior Week
Zero Dark Thirty is a gripping account of the decade-long manhunt for the world’s most wanted man: al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The film stars Jessica Chastain as Maya, a committed CIA operative whose determination and resolve become the driving force of this high-stakes mission. This riveting mix of fact, speculation and intense yet patient investigation results in an electrifying climax. Zero Dark Thirty doesn’t just show us the logistics of the operation. It explores the dedication and sacrifice of those who made it happen, offering an in-depth study of determination versus obsession.
7. ‘Pearl Harbor’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Set amidst the backdrop of one of the most tragic events in American history, Pearl Harbor reconstructs the fateful day that changed the world forever. Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett portray two best friends, Rafe and Danny, U.S. pilots whose lives and mutual love interest, a dedicated nurse played by Kate Beckinsale, become entangled as the specter of war looms. This epic tale of love, heroism and sacrifice delves into the personal narratives overshadowed by the catastrophic event. The film upsets expectations with its humanistic portrayal of characters adrift in the tides of war, leaving audiences with a profound empathetic connection to history.
8. ‘American Sniper’
↑ 35 vs. Prior Week
American Sniper tells the tale of the most lethal sniper in American history, Chris Kyle, a role brought to unforgettable life by Bradley Cooper. Documenting his four tours in Iraq, this intense war drama invites the audience into the harsh realities of war, taking us up-close into the life, risks and mental turmoil that such service members endure. Cooper’s heartbreaking portrayal of a man torn between his duty to his comrades and his duty to his family strikes a human chord amidst the chaos of war. Searing, raw and profoundly affecting, American Sniper pays a worthy tribute to its real-life hero and his extraordinary courage.
9. ‘We Were Soldiers’
↑ 8 vs. Prior Week
We Were Soldiers is a gripping and emotional exploration into the horrors and heroism of war. The movie brings to life the first major engagement of the American phase of the Vietnam War, seen through the eyes of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore.
The film doesn’t shy away from depicting the true cost of war, resulting in a truly heart-wrenching, yet inspiring, narrative. Showcasing bravery, self-sacrifice and the indomitable strength of the human spirit, We Were Soldiers is a landmark war film you won’t forget.
10. ‘Jarhead’
↑ 25 vs. Prior Week
Delve into the gritty world of the Marine Corps in the late 1980s with Jarhead, a gripping 2005 film that pulls no punches. Jake Gyllenhaal beautifully captures the essence of Anthony Swofford, an eager recruit who enters boot camp under a brutal drill instructor, only to find himself training as a sniper under the stern watch of Staff Sgt. Sykes (Jamie Foxx) just before the onset of the Gulf War.
Swofford and his spotter, Alan Troy (Peter Sarsgaard), are tossed into the deep end once the United States enters the conflict. They grapple daily with the volatile realities of war and home, striving to retain their sanity. This brutally honest film gives a haunting yet real depiction of military life during wartime.
And there you have it: the top 10 war movies to stream at home. Stay tuned for updates to come so you can keep up with the best content available right now.
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