Best War Movies of All Time

War movies have always been a major factor in the action movie genre. Whether based on true events or wars, or simply a fictional drama or action movie with a war theme, these recent and past movies about war have included some very profound and epic films.

Although the best war movies are usually included in the action movies genre, this sub-category of film stands alone with some of the best movies of all time. This list of war movies includes war films that have a predominately war-related theme, and they were and are compelling, iconic, accurate, inspirational, and impacting. It is impossible to say for certain that these are the best war movies of all time, but here is our list of the top 10 war movies based on entertainment value, historical significance, performance, and more.

In order to avoid impossible comparisons between significant movies of the past, like Gone With the Wind, and more recent war movies, this list focuses on the best war movies of the past few decades (1980s thru present).

10. Enemy at the Gates (WWII) – Few others might have the nerve to rank this 2001 movie as one of the top war movies of all time, but it is hard to argue with the depth of the story, and the talent in the cast. Jude Law stars as a World War II sniper that is so talented, he draws the eye of the enemies best marksmen (Ed Harris). Much of the action centers on the one-on-one battle to the death between these two, but there is an interesting love triangle that includes Rachel Weisz and Joseph Fiennes. This movie keeps you engaged to the climactic end.

9. Flags of Our Fathers (WWI)- Clint Eastwood proved his talent as a movie producer and director when he developed the epic movies Flags of Our Fathers (2006) and Letters from Iwo Jima. These war movies are unique in that they tell the same story about WWII, but from two different perspectives (American and Japanese). The plot is intriguing and the battles are impressive.

8. Born on the Fourth of July – This one of the more powerful drama-based war movies and it includes one of Tom Cruise’s most powerful performances this side of top gun. Plus, who can forget one of the best movie lines ever in a war film – “If you don’t love America, get the hell out!”

7. Full Metal Jacket (Vietnam) – Perhaps the best war movie that incorporates a comedic effect prevalently, Full Metal Jacket is iconic to many fans who like to laugh and watch people get shot up at the same time.

6. Glory (Civil) – This Matthew Broderick picture used to be one of the most recognized recent war movies. It still remains arguably the great war film centered on the Civil War. Broderick plays a compelling role as a principles-based officer who must lead a collection of men, who often don’t like each other (racial tension is high). An epic closing sequence is inspiring, emotional, and sad.

5. The Patriot (Revolutionary) – Mel Gibson may be controversial with his politics and views on certain people groups, but there is no doubting his ability to provide entertaining and epic war movies. Although we have a couple on our list, there are a couple other war films he made that could have easily been included. Set in the Revolutionary War, this movie is really a story about one man’s relentless pursuit of revenge against a British officer who mercilessly killed his son.

4. Good Morning Vietnam (Vietnam) – This entertaining war movie starring Robin Williams tells a great story and includes one of the all time classic movie lines – “Good Morning Vietnam!”

3. Saving Private Ryan (WWII) – Too many, this movie is the epitome of an epic war movie. It has very intense war sequences, offers an inside perspective on the relationships of men during the war, and it has plenty of action and drama, along with a great cast.

2. Schindler’s List (WWII) – Although World War II and the Nazi evolution is the backdrop of Schindler’s list, this Liam Neeson classic tells a very emotional and intense story about one man’s change of heart and his effort to save hundreds of Jews from certain death. This movie is extremely graphic in its depiction of the Holocaust, but this effectively contributes to the power of the film.

1. Braveheart (Scotland Revolutionary)- Arguably Mel Gibson’s best acting performance, Braveheart is an epic movie that delivers a compelling fictional account about one man (who history debates), William Wallace, who helped inspire Scotland as it fought for its freedom against Britain. The movie is loaded with several great battle scenes, compelling drama, revenge, romance, and more.

Others top war films considered: Defiance, Dances with Wolves, Cold Mountain, Letters from Iwo Jima, Pearl Harbor, Blackhawk Down,

No doubt there are great war movies left off this list. If you have others that you think are great or should have been honored, please add a comment and express yourself. Just realize that there is no right answer to naming the best sports movies of all time. These are simply ten movies about war that met the challenge based on the aforementioned criteria.

Best War Movies feature written by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

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