Entertainment
20 Greatest War Movie Masterpieces of All Time, Ranked
War movies have a long-lasting effect on audiences. Cinema would not be the same without this iconic filmmaking style, as it’s one of the most acclaimed genres ever. With masterpieces that are timeless and memorable and have even reached the heights of winning Best Picture, the war genre is and will always be a go-to for anyone looking for a profound movie-watching experience.
Today, there’s no shortage of masterpieces in this genre. For over a hundred years, war movies have been at the forefront of entertainment and influencing our modern pop culture. There’s a list of war films from the last century, ranging from black-and-white classics to epic modern thrillers, that are considered some of the most legendary in the genre’s history. They’ve gripped us from beginning to end, made us excited or broken our hearts, and left us thinking. These are the 20 greatest war movie masterpieces.
20
‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)
The wildly talented mind behind The Shape of Water and The Devil’s Backbone, Guillermo del Toro, delivers his 2006 visionary war film Pan’s Labyrinth. A dark fantasy drama set during the brutal fascist Franco regime in 1940s Spain, it tells of an imaginative little girl, Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), as she goes on a remarkable journey through the mysterious fairy tale world of Pan’s Labyrinth to escape her oppressive home life and her sadistic military stepfather, Captain Vidal (Sergio Lopez).
It’s told with striking visuals, imaginative storytelling, and unique performances, all to make Pan’s Labyrinth a war film unlike any other. Its message is also powerful and complex, as it’s one of defiance, as we follow Ofelia using her imagination to stand up against Vidal and everything his regime stands for. Sergio Lopez particularly gives one of the most riveting villain performances in a war movie ever, as he perfectly captures the evil oppression of this time period. Overall, it’s a fantastical tale that feels truly inspiring.
19
‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2006)
Quentin Tarantino rose to the heights of filmmaking royalty in the 21st century, thanks in part to his remarkable, one-of-a-kind storytelling talents. One of his masterpieces, most people these days consider to be one of his greatest, is 2009’s Inglourious Basterds, a WWII action film that certainly doesn’t skimp out on the violence. Starring Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz in an Oscar-winning supporting performance, it’s about a team of elite U.S. Army infiltrators as they go into occupied France to kill as many Nazi officers as possible.
Inglourious Basterds is a wild, bloody thrill ride full of riveting performances, Oscar-winning dialogue, and competent direction from Tarantino, who turns this film into one of his most revered masterpieces ever. It also holds nothing back, delivering a pulse-pounding and shockingly gory action story with intense shootouts and explicit violence that might be too much for some viewers. Honestly, it’s jam-packed with thrilling fun and is worth watching, especially for any WWII enthusiasts.
18
‘The Thin Red Line’ (1998)
After a 20-year hiatus, American visionary director Terrence Malick returned to the director’s chair to deliver one of the war genre’s most profound and reflective masterpieces. Released in 1998, The Thin Red Line is his grand contribution to war, a deep, incredibly emotional, and visually perfect drama set during WWII. Featuring an A-List cast of stars, including Nick Nolte, Jim Caviezel, and Adrien Brody, it follows several U. S. marines as they become deeply affected by the brutality of war while fighting during the Battle of Guadalcanal.
The Thin Red Line is told with the same philosophical storytelling and visceral, raw emotional performances that Malick’s films usually come with, but here, it elevates this war story into something truly profound. It looks absolutely timeless with its cinematography, and the locations used here perfectly capture the look and feel of the actual Guadalcanal battle. This film will move and completely grip viewers, prompting them to look inward and gain a different perspective on this truly devastating war.
17
‘Dunkirk’ (2017)
Innovative modern filmmaker Sir Christopher Nolan had a helping hand in keeping the war genre highly acclaimed in the 21st century. If 2017’s Dunkirk is anything to show, it’s that he’s one of the greatest talents this genre has ever seen. Set during the chaotic evacuation of Dunkirk, France, during the early months of WWII, it follows British soldiers and airmen as they desperately try to survive this brutal retreat.
Dunkirk is a visually stellar masterpiece, complete with Nolan’s penchant for going all out and making sure what audiences are seeing on screen was actually filmed in front of a camera. This actually goes out of its way to have as few CGI effects as possible, and there are actual explosions, plane stunts, and even a ship deliberately being sunk, all done for real to make the film look as believable as possible. As a result, this is one of the most visually striking war masterpieces of our current century.
16
‘Das Boot’ (1981)
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There is no film that better represents the raw survival and brutal living conditions of submariners than the late Wolfgang Petersen‘s Das Boot. Hailed as one of the most frighteningly realistic war movies ever, it tells a unique perspective of WWII that isn’t often depicted, as it follows a German U-boat crew as most of them become disillusioned and tired of the war while serving on a dangerous patrol in the North Atlantic.
It’s Peterson’s sharp direction coupled with the emotional energy of the performances, not to mention the cramped, claustrophobic submarine setting, that’s made Das Boot one of the most timeless and intense war movies in history. Even now, this still leaves a deep impact on viewers, as its anti-war message is compelling, and its action is certainly pulse-pounding. Truly, there’s nothing else quite like this thrilling experience.
15
‘Patton’ (1970)
Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, Patton is a 1970 biographical World War II drama detailing the life of one of the most controversial but capable U.S. military commanders in history, George S. Patton. George C. Scott gives an Oscar-winning performance as General Patton, following this legendary figure during his time during some of the most important battles of the war, from his march through North Africa to his army rolling into the Battle of the Bulge in Europe.
It’s a grand epic full of remarkable acting, gorgeous cinematography, and brilliant storytelling. Scott perfectly embodies this unique commander and how his bold methods made him such an unconventional but effective leader. Granted, its three-hour-long runtime might dissuade a few from watching it, but it’s a near-perfect masterpiece that looks incredible, has a stellar lead actor, and has a respect for history.
The 20th century’s most iconic filmmaker, Stanley Kubrick, has delved into the war genre a few times, and each time created an enduring masterpiece. Wanting to do his own take on the Vietnam War, he released Full Metal Jacket in 1987. This fan favorite anti-war genre has since become legendary in cinema for its powerfully gripping story and memorable dialogue. It follows several U. S. marines from their grueling training in boot camp to their fierce fighting in the streets of Hue City during the Tet Offensive.
It’s all told with Kubrick’s perfectionist style and his incredible attention to detail. There’s hardly any flaw to this war masterpiece, as it’s perfectly acted, written, and, of course, features Kubrick’s capable direction. Full Metal Jacket takes viewers into the intense world of the average American foot-soldier during this costly war, showing how dehumanizing its effects were and how the government stripped them of their identities to model them into killing machines.
13
‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ (1957)
From Academy Award-winning director David Lean comes one of the most celebrated war classics, 1957’s The Bridge on the River Kwai. This Best Picture winner has steadily grown in popularity among war and especially WWII movie buffs, over the years for its gripping action and thrilling adventure feel. Sir Alec Guinness truly shone in his Oscar-winning role as a stubborn POW colonel who fought for the rights and pride of his fellow workers while assisting his Japanese oppressors in building a massive bridge over the Kwai River.
In terms of scale and production values, this masterpiece has others beat, as The Bridge on the River Kwai really lives up to its epic status. Despite its noticeable age, it’s visually flawless, and the camerawork and gorgeous cinematography help make it seem like it could have easily been made today. It is an absolutely timeless thrill ride that every war movie fan has to experience.
12
‘The Deer Hunter’ (1978)
Michael Cimino‘s Best Picture-winning Vietnam drama The Deer Hunter shows the devastating, heartbreaking psychological effects of war ever brought to the silver screen. A film guaranteed to leave you stunned by the very end, it tells the tragic story of three blue-collar small-town friends whose lives are horribly changed forever after serving in Vietnam.
It doesn’t sugarcoat or hold anything back on why conflicts, and especially the Vietnam War, have had untold damaging effects on people, both physically and mentally. The performances from the A-list cast are nothing short of incredible, as they all do phenomenal jobs. But it’s Christopher Walken‘s portrayal of the emotionally ruined Nick that was the biggest highlight, even earning him an Academy Award. With some of the best acting and most profoundly emotional moments, The Deer Hunter is a hard-to-watch but necessary war film.
11
‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (1962)
Arguably the most perfectly made war movie of all time, David Lean’s groundbreaking 1962 masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia is a grand tale that is timelessly thrilling. Telling the unbelievable true story of famed archeologist, explorer, and soldier T. E. Lawrence (played by Peter O’Toole), it follows this legendary figure as he helps lead the Arab kingdom to victory against the Ottoman Empire during World War I.
While it’s a heavily dramatized account of the real-life story, this epic still offers a remarkable piece of exciting history. It’s all told with riveting acting and Lean’s incredible direction. Of course, there’s no mentioning this film without gushing over the flawless cinematography, which has since aged incredibly well, making the film truly the most timeless in history.