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WeirdThe 20 Best War Movies On Netflix
By Jade Budowski
@jadebudowski
Published
July 25, 2017, 9:00 p.m. ET
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Historical classics, technology-fueled new hits, and Netflix originals are among these critically-acclaimed war movies.
Photos: Everett Collection, NETFLIX ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps
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Lessons of Darkness
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Werner Herzog's hellish depiction of the Kuwaitian oil fields engulfed in flames is absolutely harrowing, especially thanks to the fact that he provides little explanation via narration or interviews - it's all about the imagery. There's a beauty and terror to this documentary, a depiction of the aftermath of the Gulf War that has to be seen to be believed.
[Stream Lessons of Darkness]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Werner Herzog's hellish depiction of the Kuwaitian oil fields engulfed in flames is absolutely harrowing, especially thanks to the fact that he provides little explanation via narration or interviews - it's all about the imagery. There's a beauty and terror to this documentary, a depiction of the aftermath of the Gulf War that has to be seen to be believed.
[Stream Lessons of Darkness]
Photo: Netflix
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Kilo Two Bravo
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Set in 2006 in Kajaki Dam, Afghanistan, this incredible drama follows three soldiers as they set off to engage the Taliban and encounter a deadly, unpredictable mine field on their journey. Suspenseful, moving, and frankly disturbing, this portrait of the horrors of war is unlike anything you've ever seen.
[Stream Kilo Two Bravo]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Set in 2006 in Kajaki Dam, Afghanistan, this incredible drama follows three soldiers as they set off to engage the Taliban and encounter a deadly, unpredictable mine field on their journey. Suspenseful, moving, and frankly disturbing, this portrait of the horrors of war is unlike anything you've ever seen.
[Stream Kilo Two Bravo]
Photo: Netflix
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Schindler's List
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Steven Spielberg's stunning telling of Oskar Schindler's efforts to save refugees from the Nazis during the Holocaust is one of the most riveting films ever made. Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Raph Fiennes, and a stellar ensemble cast, this gut-wrenching black and white film is necessary viewing.
[Stream Schindler's List]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Steven Spielberg's stunning telling of Oskar Schindler's efforts to save refugees from the Nazis during the Holocaust is one of the most riveting films ever made. Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Raph Fiennes, and a stellar ensemble cast, this gut-wrenching black and white film is necessary viewing.
[Stream Schindler's List]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Full Metal Jacket
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
This iconic war film from Stanley Kubrick examines the effects of the military mentality and war as a whole on Vietnam-era Marines, and its quotable lines and unforgettable performances have inspired countless other works and parodies. This tight, disciplined, honest look at the way war seeps into the collective conscience of its participants is a classic.
[Stream Full Metal Jacket]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
This iconic war film from Stanley Kubrick examines the effects of the military mentality and war as a whole on Vietnam-era Marines, and its quotable lines and unforgettable performances have inspired countless other works and parodies. This tight, disciplined, honest look at the way war seeps into the collective conscience of its participants is a classic.
[Stream Full Metal Jacket]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Last Days in Vietnam
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
The last weeks of the Vietnam War were ravaged with chaos and panic, and this documentary does not shy away from the scary truths that came to light during those final days. As frantic South Vietnamese citizens try to escape, American soldiers are faced with the ultimate dilemma: follow White House orders and only evacuate U.S. citizens, or help save as many South Vietnamese lives as possible - and risk treason.
[Stream Last Days in Vietnam]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
The last weeks of the Vietnam War were ravaged with chaos and panic, and this documentary does not shy away from the scary truths that came to light during those final days. As frantic South Vietnamese citizens try to escape, American soldiers are faced with the ultimate dilemma: follow White House orders and only evacuate U.S. citizens, or help save as many South Vietnamese lives as possible - and risk treason.
[Stream Last Days in Vietnam]
Photo: Netflix
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Patton
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
This war epic features a performance by George C. Scott that earned him an Academy Award - but he refused to accept it. The biographical film depicts the career of controversial American general George S. Patton during World War II and the way his temper and unorthodox methods led to his downfall.
[Stream Patton]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
This war epic features a performance by George C. Scott that earned him an Academy Award - but he refused to accept it. The biographical film depicts the career of controversial American general George S. Patton during World War II and the way his temper and unorthodox methods led to his downfall.
[Stream Patton]
Photo: Netflix
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Downfall
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
While the genre is chock full of World War II films depicting the horrors of Adolf Hitler's actions, this incredible drama shows a different side of what happened as Hitler lived out his final days in a Berlin bunker. His final secretary, Tradul Junge, reveals Hitler's slow slip into insanity, and the results are absolutely thrilling.
[Stream Downfall]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
While the genre is chock full of World War II films depicting the horrors of Adolf Hitler's actions, this incredible drama shows a different side of what happened as Hitler lived out his final days in a Berlin bunker. His final secretary, Tradul Junge, reveals Hitler's slow slip into insanity, and the results are absolutely thrilling.
[Stream Downfall]
Photo: Netflix
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The Longest Day
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
This classic war epic famously combined the efforts of multiple famed directors and the biggest names of the time (John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Richard Burton, and Sean Connery among them). The film intricately depicts Normandy on D-Day in World War II and the five invasion points that were part of the operation.
[Stream The Longest Day]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
This classic war epic famously combined the efforts of multiple famed directors and the biggest names of the time (John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Richard Burton, and Sean Connery among them). The film intricately depicts Normandy on D-Day in World War II and the five invasion points that were part of the operation.
[Stream The Longest Day]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Beasts of No Nation
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Cary Fukunaga's riveting drama follows Agu, a child soldier fighting in a civil war in a fictional West African country. He fears the men around him and tries to make sense of his war-ravaged world as he's forced into a life of death and violence. Equally devastating and fascinating, the film also stars Idris Elba as the menacing commander.
[Stream Beasts of No Nation]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Cary Fukunaga's riveting drama follows Agu, a child soldier fighting in a civil war in a fictional West African country. He fears the men around him and tries to make sense of his war-ravaged world as he's forced into a life of death and violence. Equally devastating and fascinating, the film also stars Idris Elba as the menacing commander.
[Stream Beasts of No Nation]
Photo: Everett Collection
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A War (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
This Danish film follows a Commander Claus M. Pedersen and a group of soldiers stationed in an Afghan province who are caught in a heavy crossfire. Forced to make a call in a tough situation, Claus acts in a way that evidently goes on to haunt him and his family back home.
[Stream A War]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
This Danish film follows a Commander Claus M. Pedersen and a group of soldiers stationed in an Afghan province who are caught in a heavy crossfire. Forced to make a call in a tough situation, Claus acts in a way that evidently goes on to haunt him and his family back home.
[Stream A War]
Photo: Netflix
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Inglourious Basterds
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Quentin Tarantino's sweeping, wild imagining of Nazi-occupied France during World War II is bloody, frightening, and occasionally funny, and it's no surprise that this 2 and 1/2 hour film packs the punch it does. Starring Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, and Christoph Waltz in a career-making role, Inglourious Basterds is truly Tarantino at his extravagant best.
[Stream Inglourious Basterds]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Quentin Tarantino's sweeping, wild imagining of Nazi-occupied France during World War II is bloody, frightening, and occasionally funny, and it's no surprise that this 2 and 1/2 hour film packs the punch it does. Starring Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, and Christoph Waltz in a career-making role, Inglourious Basterds is truly Tarantino at his extravagant best.
[Stream Inglourious Basterds]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Flame & Citron
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
Another stunning drama out of Denmark, Flame & Citron tells the story of two fighters taking up arms in the Holger Danske World War II resistance group. While things go according to plan for a while, it all starts to unravel when it becomes apparent a traitor is in their midst, private scores have come into play, and capture is imminent.
[Stream Flame & Citron]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
Another stunning drama out of Denmark, Flame & Citron tells the story of two fighters taking up arms in the Holger Danske World War II resistance group. While things go according to plan for a while, it all starts to unravel when it becomes apparent a traitor is in their midst, private scores have come into play, and capture is imminent.
[Stream Flame & Citron]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Tell Spring Not to Come This Year
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
This moving documentary puts viewers in the shoes of one unit in the Afghan National Army as they endure their first year of deployment without any NATO support. It's an intimate, unique glimpse into a side of the story rarely told, and it's fascinating to hear things from the side of the Afghans fighting the Afghanistan war.
[Stream Tell Spring Not to Come This Year]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
This moving documentary puts viewers in the shoes of one unit in the Afghan National Army as they endure their first year of deployment without any NATO support. It's an intimate, unique glimpse into a side of the story rarely told, and it's fascinating to hear things from the side of the Afghans fighting the Afghanistan war.
[Stream Tell Spring Not to Come This Year]
Photo: Netflix
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Atonement
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are star-crossed lovers Cecilia and Robbie in this breathtaking war film from Joe Wright. When young Briony (Saoirse Ronan) makes an unfounded accusation, the implications of her claims affect Robbie's life and his romance with Cecilia forever.
[Stream Atonement]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are star-crossed lovers Cecilia and Robbie in this breathtaking war film from Joe Wright. When young Briony (Saoirse Ronan) makes an unfounded accusation, the implications of her claims affect Robbie's life and his romance with Cecilia forever.
[Stream Atonement]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Tropic Thunder
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
"What do YOU mean, 'you people'?" This uproarious action comedy starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., and a shocking turn from Tom Cruise is ever-quotable and completely bonkers (even if it is slightly #problematic). This subversive satire chronicles the endeavor of Tugg Speedman (Stiller) to produce the most expensive war movie ever made alongside Hollywood's other biggest stars (Downey Jr. and Black). When the fights in the jungle they're filming in become real, however, the actors must become soldiers - or face a gruesome fate.
[Stream Tropic Thunder]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
"What do YOU mean, 'you people'?" This uproarious action comedy starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., and a shocking turn from Tom Cruise is ever-quotable and completely bonkers (even if it is slightly #problematic). This subversive satire chronicles the endeavor of Tugg Speedman (Stiller) to produce the most expensive war movie ever made alongside Hollywood's other biggest stars (Downey Jr. and Black). When the fights in the jungle they're filming in become real, however, the actors must become soldiers - or face a gruesome fate.
[Stream Tropic Thunder]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Spectral
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
This Netflix Original follows an engineer as he teams up with an elite Special Ops force to stop a supernatural forces tearing through a war-ravaged European city. This high-stakes, action-driven flick evokes the feeling of genre classics and provides a series of new thrills for the streaming audience era.
[Stream Spectral]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
This Netflix Original follows an engineer as he teams up with an elite Special Ops force to stop a supernatural forces tearing through a war-ravaged European city. This high-stakes, action-driven flick evokes the feeling of genre classics and provides a series of new thrills for the streaming audience era.
[Stream Spectral]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Fort Bliss
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Michelle Monaghan gives one of her best performances yet as a decorated U.S. Army medic and single mother who returns home and fights to start rebuilding a relationship with her young son. A necessary, emotional look at what happens to some after they've left the war behind, this unique film is moving on many levels.
[Stream Fort Bliss]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Michelle Monaghan gives one of her best performances yet as a decorated U.S. Army medic and single mother who returns home and fights to start rebuilding a relationship with her young son. A necessary, emotional look at what happens to some after they've left the war behind, this unique film is moving on many levels.
[Stream Fort Bliss]
Photo: Netflix
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The Way Back
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
Starring Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess, Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan, and more, this epic adventure film follows a band of soldiers who escape from a World War II labor camp and embark on a 4,000 mile journey to the freedom that awaits them in India. Despite all obstacles, they learn to band together through every dilemma under the sun and fight for the lives they so desperately want.
[Stream The Way Back]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
Starring Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess, Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan, and more, this epic adventure film follows a band of soldiers who escape from a World War II labor camp and embark on a 4,000 mile journey to the freedom that awaits them in India. Despite all obstacles, they learn to band together through every dilemma under the sun and fight for the lives they so desperately want.
[Stream The Way Back]
Photo: Netflix
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Suite Française
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
Set during the early years of World War II and the Nazi occupation of France, this romantic war drama follows star-crossed lovers Lucile (Michelle Williams), a French villager, and German soldier Bruno von Falk (Matthias Schoenarts). While Lucile initially tries to resist her interest in Bruno because her husband is a prisoner of war, the close quarters soon lead them into a powerful romance as they cope with the ongoing devastation of the war.
[Stream Suite Française]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
Set during the early years of World War II and the Nazi occupation of France, this romantic war drama follows star-crossed lovers Lucile (Michelle Williams), a French villager, and German soldier Bruno von Falk (Matthias Schoenarts). While Lucile initially tries to resist her interest in Bruno because her husband is a prisoner of war, the close quarters soon lead them into a powerful romance as they cope with the ongoing devastation of the war.
[Stream Suite Française]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Good Kill
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
A war movie for a more modern audience, Good Kill centers on a drone pilot who begins to question the ethics behind what his job really is after he realizes he may be doing more harm than good. Starring Ethan Hawke, January Jones, and Zoe Kravitz, this harrowing film is both thought-provoking and eerily relevant.
[Stream Good Kill]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
A war movie for a more modern audience, Good Kill centers on a drone pilot who begins to question the ethics behind what his job really is after he realizes he may be doing more harm than good. Starring Ethan Hawke, January Jones, and Zoe Kravitz, this harrowing film is both thought-provoking and eerily relevant.
[Stream Good Kill]
Photo: Everett Collection
