A handful of 21st-century war movies usually dominate the conversation: Black Hawk Down, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Dunkirk. However, these obviously only scratch the surface of what the genre has to offer. There are countless compelling, lesser-known war movies from the last quarter-century that are worth seeking out.

The titles on this list span a range of styles and tones, all offering something of value to the ever-increasing war genre, whether that’s realism, insightful social commentary, great acting, or simply tense action set pieces. The best of them are defined by psychological realism and intellectual honesty, making them worthy of far more attention than they get.

10

‘Kajaki’ (2014)

Image via Alchemy Releasing

“Don’t move. Don’t even breathe.” This one didn’t get that much attention (it made only $34,000 at the box office), but it’s very solid. Kajaki (aka Kilo Two Bravo) recounts a true story from the war in Afghanistan, focusing on a British Army patrol stationed near the Kajaki Dam in Helmand Province. When one soldier accidentally steps on a landmine, the mission shifts instantly from routine patrol to desperate survival exercise. Further attempts to help trigger additional mines, and the group becomes trapped. The terrain around them is lethal. Enemy movement could spell doom.

It’s a war movie confined to a single, white-knuckle location. There are no firefights, no strategic victories, and no ideological speeches. Instead, the film focuses on pain management, improvised problem-solving, and psychological strain. The camera stays close, emphasizing sweat, fear, and exhaustion. The actors (particularly David Elliot) all rise to the occasion with restrained, believable performances.

9

‘The Siege of Jadotville’ (2016)

Image via Netflix

“We are not here to die. We are here to hold.” The Siege of Jadotville is another war movie closely based on actual events. Specifically, it dramatizes the real-life 1961 standoff during the Congo Crisis, where a small Irish UN battalion (led by Jamie Dornan‘s Patrick Quinlan) found itself surrounded by vastly superior Katangese forces. Cut off from reinforcements and political support, the soldiers must defend their position through cohesion and desperate ingenuity, discipline, and tactical intelligence.

The movie has a classic siege narrative structure, but unusually sharp themes of bureaucratic neglect and institutional indifference. Ammunition dwindles, communications fail, and moral clarity becomes dangerously abstract. In contrast to the deceitful, politically higher-ups, the soldiers on the ground are real professionals: methodical, cautious, and deeply aware of their limitations. While the dialogue is occasionally a little stiff, the movie compensates with tense drama and nail-biting set pieces.

8

‘’71’ (2014)

Image via StudioCanal

“Just survive the night.” ’71 follows a young British soldier (Jack O’Connell) accidentally separated from his unit during riots in Belfast at the height of the Troubles. Stranded overnight in hostile territory, he must navigate a labyrinth of sectarian violence, paramilitary factions, and covert intelligence operations, all while trying to avoid capture or death. The plot functions like a chase film driven by confusion. The protagonist doesn’t understand the political landscape he’s trapped in, and neither does the audience, deliberately so.

War is sheer disorientation here. Alliances shift constantly, and danger comes from every direction. There are no clear villains, no comforting moral frameworks. Everyone is compromised, exhausted, and acting out of partial information. The eye of the storm is O’Connell’s strong lead performance. Those who only know him from his brilliant villain performances in Sinners and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple ought to check this movie out.

7

‘Lebanon’ (2009)

Image via Metrodome Distribution

“I can’t see anything.” Lebanon is set almost entirely inside a single Israeli tank during the 1982 Lebanon War. Within that pressure cooker, four inexperienced soldiers attempt to survive their first mission, as mechanical failures, miscommunication, and mounting panic turn a routine operation into a psychological nightmare. The movie places us up close to them in their vehicle. The audience sees the outside world only through the tank’s gun sight, reducing civilians, enemies, and destruction to fragmented, horrifying glimpses.

This approach renders the war as pure sensory overload. Sweat, noise, and terror dominate. Claustrophobia is the reigning mood, as the armored vehicle increasingly feels less like a refuge and more like a tomb. This approach won the film a lot of critical acclaim, including a Golden Lion award at the Venice International Film Festival. Nevertheless, Lebanon was somewhat controversial in Israel itself for its seemingly overly negative vision of military service.

6

‘Defiance’ (2008)

Image via Paramount Pictures

“We choose to live.” Drawing on real events, Defiance tells the story of Jewish brothers (played by Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber) who escape Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe and form a forest-based resistance community. They build shelters, secure food, and protect civilians while under constant threat. The narrative balances moments of action with long stretches of hardship, argument, and moral compromise. Leadership becomes a burden, not a reward, as the brothers must decide who to protect, who to exclude, and how much violence survival demands.

Defiance didn’t receive all that much attention on release, and reviews were fairly mixed, with some critics finding it a little heavy-handed and others calling out some historical inaccuracies. While it’s certainly not perfect, it’s definitely better than its detractors make out. Edward Zick‘s direction is clear and sturdy, and the performances by Craig and Schreiber do most of the heavy lifting.

5

‘The Keeping Room’ (2014)

Image via Drafthouse Films

“There are things worse than death.” The Keeping Room is set during the final days of the American Civil War, far from the battlefield and deep in its moral fallout. The story follows two Southern sisters (Brit Marling and Hailee Steinfeld) and a slave (Muna Otaru) left alone on a remote farm while the men are away fighting. When two rogue Union soldiers (Sam Worthington and Kyle Soller) arrive seeking shelter, the encounter quickly turns into a deadly standoff.

From here, the movie plays out as a tense chamber piece, stripping war down to its aftershocks. It treats armed conflict as something that corrodes from the edges inward, reaching even those who never pick up a weapon. In this, The Keeping Room seems to channel Don Siegel‘s classic film The Beguiled, but with a leaner, meaner, more violent edge. There are some narrative stumbles, to be sure, but the storytelling is economical, and the lead actresses are strong.

4

‘City of Life and Death’ (2009)

Image via High Fliers Films

“We are all human.” City of Life and Death depicts the Nanjing Massacre during the Second Sino-Japanese War, focusing on civilians, soldiers, and occupiers trapped inside a city descending into atrocity. This incident is widely regarded as among the most horrific episodes of World War II, which is truly saying something. Rather than centering a single hero, the plot interweaves multiple perspectives, including Chinese civilians and conflicted Japanese soldiers.

The narrative is episodic and relentless. Scenes of survival, brutality, and moral collapse accumulate rather than resolve, creating an overwhelming sense of historical weight. The black-and-white cinematography drains the images of spectacle, forcing attention onto faces, bodies, and acts of cruelty stripped of cinematic comfort. That said, no movie could do justice to the terrible truth of this chapter in history, though City of Life and Death makes a worthy attempt. This is important, serious filmmaking.

3

‘Black Book’ (2006)

Image via Metro Tartan Distribution

“War turns us all into liars.” Not to be confused with the hilarious British comedy series, Black Book is a powerful war thriller directed by Paul Verhoeven. It revolves around a Jewish singer (Carice van Houten) who survives a massacre and becomes involved with the Dutch resistance during World War II. Using her identity as both camouflage and weapon, she infiltrates Nazi ranks, navigating espionage, betrayal, and shifting loyalties as the war drags on. The character is well-written, compelling and real, and van Houten is terrific in the role.

The plot moves fluidly between thriller, melodrama, and moral inquiry. Alliances prove unstable, and the line between resistance and complicity blurs repeatedly. Even after liberation, the film refuses closure, showing how violence mutates rather than disappears. While occasionally a little melodramatic, Black Book remains fundamentally engaging throughout, never growing ponderous or becoming a dry history lesson.

2

‘U-571’ (2000)

“One mistake down here means we all die.” U-571 follows an American submarine crew tasked with capturing a German Enigma machine during World War II. When their mission goes catastrophically wrong, they find themselves trapped inside a damaged enemy submarine, hunted by German forces while struggling to stay alive underwater. Lieutenant Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey) attempts to salvage the terrible situation, racing to repair the vessel’s damage and ward off their enemies.

Paying major homage to Das Boot, the movie uses its submarine setting to compress time and space, making every error feel fatal. The plot emphasizes procedural tension: every decision affects oxygen levels, hull integrity, and crew survival. There is little room for sentiment, only calculation under pressure. While a few characters are a little underwritten and some critics quibbled with the historical accuracy, the sheer tension and suspense of U-571 will appeal to a certain kind of viewer.

1

‘Waltz with Bashir’ (2008)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

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“I don’t remember anything.” Waltz with Bashir is an animated documentary exploring a filmmaker’s attempt to recover suppressed memories from his time as a soldier during the 1982 Lebanon War. It’s a psychological investigation rather than a historical one. As he interviews former comrades, fragments of memory surface, revealing complicity, denial, and trauma connected to the Sabra and Shatila massacre. Recollections prove unreliable, shaped by fear and self-protection.

The aesthetics complement this approach perfectly. The bold and heavy animation allows subjective experience to take precedence over factual reconstruction, making trauma visible rather than abstract. It also helps soften the edges of certain scenes, making them digestible rather than simply overwhelming. This approach was bold, innovative, and visually striking, but it also stirred some controversy. Afterwards, director Ari Folman would go on to more narratively ambitious projects like The Congress and Where Is Anne Frank, but, in many ways, Waltz with Bashir remains his defining achievement.

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The very first villain that the crew of the USS Enterprise ever faced, in “The Man Trap,” the first episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, didn’t even appear to be one, but, at least to Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley), looked like his old flame Nancy Crater (Jeanne Bal), where Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Crewman Darnell (Michael Zaslow) see a slightly older Nancy and a completely different woman altogether, respectively. Only it turns out ol’ Nancy is actually a shapeshifting, vampiric creature, one who feeds off of the salt in living beings (and officially kicks off the disposable red-shirt trope).

Ever since, the Star Trek franchise has had more than its share of memorable villains: the Gorn, the Borg, and, of course, the legendary Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban). Q (John de Lancie), who plagued the crew of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation, is another, although he is more scoundrel than outright villain. But the franchise’s best, and most sinister, villain is from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Gul Dukat (Marc Alaimo). And it’s not even close.

‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Dukat Checks All the Boxes

Dukat is the primary antagonist of the series, appearing in both the first and last episodes, and in 35 out of 176 episodes in total. You simply don’t get mileage out of a villain like that, without falling into parody, unless the villain is imposing, charismatic, and, most importantly, unpredictable. And Dukat checks all the boxes, and more. He’s a large, imposing figure, devoid of color and free of any softness in his visage to speak of, commanding attention from those in the series and from the audience, through disarming charm and chilling terror alike.

Prior to the events of “Emissary,” the series’ first episode, Dukat, a Cardassian, held the title of Legate, akin to Admiral, and stood as the head of the tyrannical government that oversaw their occupation of the planet Bajor and commander of Terok Nor, a Cardassian space station hovering above Bajor. However, after the Bajorans forced the evacuation of Cardassian forces from Bajor, he is not only demoted to Gul (Captain), but cedes Tarok Nor to the Federation, who dub the station Deep Space Nine. Dukat takes the evacuation personally, not the first time challenges to his narcissism dictate his reactions — his obsessive need to change Sisko’s (Avery Brooks) disdain of him into respect is a perfect example.

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‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ Used Its Most Iconic Episode To Say Something Much Darker

This is one of the many reasons why it’s considered the best Trek spinoff.

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He’s blackmailed the crew of Deep Space Nine, attempting to use the impending self-destruction of the station to gain approval for a Cardassian garrison to be placed on board, a means of reestablishing a Cardassian military presence on the station, eventually allowing for him to regain control. While it didn’t work then, his alignment with the Dominion, and subsequent leadership of it, allowed Dukat to recapture Deep Space Nine, effectively starting the Dominion War, in “Call to Arms.” And, while possessed by a Pah-wraith, he kills beloved character Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) in “Tears of the Prophets,” and aims to kill his own daughter, Tora Ziyal (Cyia Batten) in “Indescretion.” Those acts alone earn Dukat the dubious honor of one of Star Trek‘s great villains.

‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Dukat Is Complex

It’s what sends him to the top of the list that cements Dukat’s status. While entirely self-serving, Dukat has often done “good” things, showing a depth of character that goes beyond the black hat, making him unpredictable and deeply nuanced. He allied himself with Sisko, going behind the back of the Cardassian Central Command to assist in finding the truth behind the bombing of a Cardassian transport, uncovering a conspiracy involving the Maquis and their leader, a rogue Federation officer, in “The Maquis.” He teams up with Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) to take out a Klingon ship that destroyed a Cardassian outpost, before going on a one-man attack against the Klingons. And, instead of killing his daughter, he spares her life, being overcome with affection, and takes her home despite her being a disgraced half-Cardassian/half-Bajoran, standing by his decision, despite it ultimately costing him everything he has.

Yet his most sinister and villainous trait is in believing himself to be a hero. This is revealed in Season 6’s “Waltz,” when Sisko and Dukat find themselves stranded together on a deserted planet. As they talk, he explains that, as leader of the occupying Cardassians on Bajor, he was benevolent and had nothing but goodwill for his people. Yes, Bajorans died under his tyranny, but not as many as under his predecessors, somehow justifying in his own twisted mind that it counts as kindness. He wants Sisko — again — to respect him, but Sisko calls him out for his hypocrisy. Dukat loses it, admitting that he was wrong and should have killed all the Bajorans, who lacked the respect to know how good they had it under him, not even erecting any statues in his honor to recognize his actions. A villain who can’t, or won’t, recognize he’s a villain is the mark of the truly chilling and sinister. As far as true villainy goes, there’s no keeping up with this Cardassian.

At this point, Ashanti and Nelly hold two titles: one of the internet’s favorite couples and the best spin-the-block duo in history. Fans flooded comment sections after videos surfaced of them performing at the Fanatics Super Bowl Party in San Francisco, California on Feb. 7. Love filled the air, the vibes were on a 1000, and their throwback hits were the icing on the cake.

RELATED: Hawt Mom Life! Ashanti Shares Glimpse Of Her & Nelly’s Baby Boy In 45th Birthday Recap Footage (VIDEO)

Love Was In The Air As Ashanti & Nelly Took Over The Fanatics Super Bowl Party

Ashanti and Nelly took it all the way back to 2008 when they hit the stage at the Fanatics Super Bowl Party. The husband and wife had the crowd lit as soon as they popped out to perform their hit ‘Body On Me.’ The parents were feeling the vibes too — dancing onstage and putting on a full show. Ashanti was fully in her element, even backing it up on her hubby at one point while he cheesed extra hard. Fans kept their eyes glued on their love fest, but other social media users couldn’t help but peep Travis Scott turning up behind the DJ booth — and honestly, we see why. Peep the video below.

Throwback Hits & Real Love Had Fans In Their Feelings

The Shade Room’s comment section was flooded with heart-eyes and fire emojis as fans crowned Ashanti and Nelly the ultimate spin-the-block champions. See some of the reactions below.

Instagram user @glammedbyree wrote, “My heart is literally smiling 😍” 

Instagram user @summysum wrote, “Greatest comeback love story 😍” 

While Instagram user @7lissanj2 wrote, “Ashanti and Nelly they so freaking cute 😍 their love growing stronger every single day just look at their chemistry.”

Then Instagram user @glamqueentalishakaye wrote, “Travis Scott is so me in the background 😂 this is STILL my song! Ashanti looks bomb AF per usual!! 🔥” 

Another Instagram user @dejaahbrielle wrote, “My inner child is so happy for Ashanti 🥰” 

Instagram user @imjustbeinghonest4 wrote, “These people haven’t stopped smiling since Nelly walked across that stage at the Versuz😂❤️🙏🏽” 

Then another Instagram user @danielle_nicolewinn wrote, “I’m cheesing so hard for them❤️❤️LOVE THIS!” 

Lastly, Instagram user @dammnrobert wrote, “The best spin the block in US history.” 

Nelly Set The Bar High With An Anniversary Surprise For Ashanti

The Haynes always have fans gushing over their love and romantic vibes, and that energy never lets up. Back in December 2025, Nelly had Ashanti — and the internet — living after he showed out for their second wedding anniversary. Ashanti posted a video on Instagram revealing that Nelly did his big one, decking out a room with roses, tall candles, and rose petals covering the floors. The rapper also came through wit ha huge bouquet topped with a “Happy Anniversary” sign. Ashanti looked shook, covering her mouth before pulling her hubby in for the biggest hug as she walked down the hallway. “Living in the moment all day yesterday (and night) 12/27/25 I love you babe!! @nelly.” To make it even cuter, their son Kareem popped up holding his mom’s hand right in the middle of the rose petals.

RELATED: Aww! AShanti Melts In Nelly’s Arms After His Romantic Wedding Anniversary Surprise (VIDEO) 

A collective wonder and intrigue with the universe and galaxy beyond our own has long been an obsession for humankind. Even before we began sending astronauts into space all those decades ago, our fascination with the stars has captivated even the earliest versions of our species. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that the mysticism and fixation of space has become such a source of inspiration for authors, filmmakers, and composers. In the late 1800s, H.G. Wells released one of the greatest pieces of science fiction when he penned the novel The War of the Worlds. The story behind the book was a simple but brilliant one as it followed the invasion of Earth by Martians who were not only smarter than humans, but also much more developed.

In the years that would follow, Wells’ work of fiction became a must-read for anyone remotely interested in the sci-fi genre. It also became a catalyst for chaos when, in 1938, Orson Welles read the book as an installment for CBS Radio Network’s The Mercury Theatre on the Air. The Citizen Kane director’s depiction of the terrifying tale was enough to send folks over the edge as many flew into a panic believing the events were happening in real time. Just a little over a decade later, Byron Haskin would unleash the first on-screen adaptation with the Gene Barry and Ann Robinson-led The War of the Worlds, which became the first of many feature-length productions based on Wells’ novel.

While so many of these adaptations are worth checking out, one of them will soon leave our world behind when it bows off Pluto TV at the beginning of next month. Over the next few weeks, we’d urge you to set some time aside and stream Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, which features Tom Cruise in a leading role. Putting a different spin on the original book, Spielberg’s take centers on Ray Ferrier (Cruise), a dockworker living in New York City, who is hoping to rebuild the strained relationship with his two kids after their mother drops them off for the weekend. Instead, an alien invasion rocks the planet to its core, with Ray immediately snapping into protection mode to ensure he and his children find their way to safety.

Who Else Starred in ‘War of the Worlds’?

With Cruise leading the charge in the nail-biting action flick, numerous other familiar faces gather to take on the extraterrestrial threat in War of the Worlds, including a very young Dakota Fanning in one of her earliest roles. Additionally, the ensemble includes Miranda Otto, Justin Chatwin, Tim Robbins, Lisa Ann Walter, Rick Gonzales, and more.

Head over to Pluto TV before March 1 to stream War of the Worlds completely free of charge.

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Release Date

June 29, 2005

Runtime

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116 Minutes

Writers

Josh Friedman, David Koepp, H.G. Wells

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The first look at season 4 of Sullivan’s Crossing hints at issues between Maggie and Cal after the arrival of her secret husband.

In a trailer released on Friday, February 6, Maggie (Morgan Kohan) says she was “finally in a good place” with Cal (Chad Michael Murray) before Liam (Marcus Rosner) arrived to Sullivan’s Crossing.

Maggie asks why Liam is there, to which he replies, “Can’t a husband pop in to check on his wife?”

Cal, meanwhile, questions why he didn’t know about Liam.

Related: Who Is Liam on ‘Sullivan’s Crossing’? Maggie’s Husband Reveal Explained

Sullivan’s Crossing took a surprising turn when Cal met Maggie’s secret husband — but who exactly is Liam? Season 3 of the hit series, which started streaming on Netflix in August 2025, initially hinted at Maggie’s (Morgan Kohan) ex when she mentioned Liam (Marcus Rosner) to Lola (Amalia Williamson) as a summer fling she had […]

“I would have thought you would have mentioned being married before,” he mentions before another scene has Maggie discussing how she’s “happy now” with Cal.

Based on the book series by Robyn Carr, Sullivan’s Crossing follows neurosurgeon Maggie after she moves back home to rural Nova Scotia to reconnect with her estranged father, Sully (Scott Patterson). The brief getaway turns into Maggie making plans for a future in Sullivan’s Crossing with love interest Cal.

Season 3 of the hit series, which started streaming on Netflix in August 2025, threw a wrench in Maggie and Cal’s relationship just as they were getting to a good place. After arguing about whether Maggie was taking things too slow, they made plans to move in together — just as a new guest named Liam checked into Sullivan’s Crossing.

Liam then approached Maggie and revealed he was her husband, which came as a surprise to both Cal and Us. Showrunner Roma Roth later teased what viewers could expect from the show moving forward after the shocking reveal.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that Sullivan’s Crossing is returning for a fourth season,” Roth said in a statement after the finale aired. “Seeing it resonate with a global audience and watching the ratings climb have been a dream come true. Season 4 will explore themes of change and transformation so you can expect a whole new set of exciting and emotional challenges for Maggie and Cal.”

Kohan also shared her reaction to the twist.

Related: Meet the Season 4 Cast of ‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ After Secret Husband Reveal

Season 4 of Sullivan’s Crossing will be picking up the pieces after Cal met Maggie’s secret husband — but who else is expected to appear? Based on the book series by Robyn Carr, Sullivan’s Crossing centers around neurosurgeon Maggie (Morgan Kohan) after she moves back home to rural Nova Scotia to reconnect with her estranged […]

“I remember hearing a little bit [about Liam early in season 3]. I didn’t know they were married,” Kohan told Swooon in July 2025. “There started to be talk when we filmed the scene with Lola and having summer flings. I knew that he was going to be coming into it, but I didn’t really know when or in what capacity. That cliffhanger was so much fun for me to read as well.”

Kohan acknowledged that Maggie’s trepidation about getting serious with Cal could have come from her past with Liam, adding, “I feel like it came up so last minute that I didn’t really have time to think about it, but I think it definitely would. It makes a lot more sense, for sure, for her to be more hesitant.”

The actress noted that she was just as in the dark about Liam’s role in season 4 as the audience.

“At the same time, I still don’t know the history, so who knows when we get to find out a bit more of that information, what he really means that he’s her husband and all that kind of stuff,” she continued. “I mean, there’s gonna have to be a few conversations had [between Maggie and Cal]. It’s going to be a trust thing to have to build up again because that is a pretty big thing to leave out.”

Sullivan’s Crossing is currently streaming on Netflix. Season 4 premieres on CTV and Crave Canada in spring 2026.