Almost everyone can agree that war is a bad thing, but at the same time, it is such an interesting subject despite the despair surrounding it. This intrigue shows its form in many ways, mainly through the media, like movies, where some of the most popular war stories take place, such as Apocalypse Now and Saving Private Ryan. However, there are just as many incredible war shows, ready to watch whenever.

While there are hundreds of war TV shows, most of the greatest and most influential come from the United States of America, which should be no surprise. That is why this list will rank the greatest American-produced war shows of all time based on writing, directing, acting, originality, influence, importance, depiction of war, and overall quality. This list will only feature American-produced shows, meaning titles like Vikings and Rome will not be present.

10

‘Turn: Washington’s Spies’ (2014–2017)

Image via AMC

There have been a lot of wars throughout history, and while most of this list features battles from the First World War onward, there are a couple of more historic battles. Set during the Revolutionary War under the command of George Washington, Turn: Washington’s Spies chronicles the real-life events of the Culper Ring, detailing America’s first spy network.

Turn: Washington’s Spies is one of the most unique shows on this list, not only because it follows the Revolutionary War, but also because it highlights a fascinating and underutilized point in the history of America’s first spy network. There may not be a lot of action, but the intrigue comes through the tension of intelligence gathering, betrayal, and sociological maneuvering.

9

‘Catch-22’ (2019)

Image via Hulu

A lot of war stories and TV shows are based on books, such as Catch-22, inspired by the 1961 novel of the same name by Joseph Heller. Captain John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott) is a U.S. Air Force bombardier in the Second World War who wants to be grounded due to insanity. However, a rule states that any soldier wanting to avoid combat is sane, meaning he is forced to fly.

There have been a couple of adaptations of the novel before, but the show can build on the suspense with each episode, making it one of the best versions. With Kafkaesque storytelling, Catch-22 is a remarkable war TV show that highlights the maddening state of military bureaucracy and war logic. Through satire and sharp dialogue, Catch-22 becomes one of the best modern war series.

8

‘Masters of the Air’ (2024)

Image via Apple TV

Everyone loves a dogfight here and there, but unfortunately, air force shows are rare to come by, which is why fans should appreciate Masters of the Air. The 100th bomb group is an American Air Force unit that continues their daily raids on the Nazis.

The reason there aren’t many Air Force TV shows is that it is incredibly difficult for them to translate to screen without spending a lot of money on visual or practical effects. However, Masters of the Air pushes aerial combat to its limits, creating a gorgeous TV series that also captures the claustrophobia, freezing temperatures, and attrition of sky warfare. In the end, Masters of the Air is more about a psychological battle than a physical one.

7

‘China Beach’ (1988–1991)

Image via ABC

War isn’t just about guns, explosions, and what happens on the front lines, even if that is mainly what TV series depict. Taking place during the Vietnam War in Da Nang, China Beach follows the female nurses and staff who make up an evacuation hospital and USO entertainment center.

China Beach takes the focus away from the infantry and delivers an emotionally complex tale about second-hand grief and trauma, depicting the lives of the women during the Vietnam War. This critically acclaimed war show was praised for its distinct take on the war and the underrepresented women who played a major part in it, truly being a unique war drama more people should watch.

6

‘The Pacific’ (2010)

Image via HBO

The Pacific is the spiritual successor of a renowned war show that will appear later on this list. Based on the real-life struggles of three U.S. soldiers, this series documents their struggle to survive. The trio of Marines endures an island-hopping campaign in the Pacific theater during the Second World War, only trying to make it out alive.

As opposed to a triumphant march towards victory, The Pacific is a grueling journey for survival. Boasting deep psychological trauma and bleak storytelling, every episode is hard to watch, yet viewers can’t take their eyes away. The battle isn’t just on the battlefield, but The Pacific also explores the dehumanization of the soldiers and the difficulty of reintegrating into normal life again, proving to be one of the best World War II shows.

5

‘Combat!’ (1962–1967)

Image via ABC

This list features a handful of shows from a bunch of different time periods, but the oldest is Combat! This procedural war drama is about infantrymen on the European front after D-Day during the Second World War. Even after the major attacks, these soldiers travel across France for survival, battling it out until the hopeful end of the war.

As the oldest show on this list, Combat has done a fantastic job of remaining influential and engaging, proving it is a timeless war TV show. For its time, Combat was groundbreaking, being one of the first shows to cover the Second World War, and it does it with extreme authenticity. It is more of a character-driven series about survival and the psychological toll, which isn’t novel now, but it was for the time.

4

‘Generation Kill’ (2008)

Image via HBO

The Wire is one of the greatest TV shows of all time, and its creators returned to deliver a standout war show based on a book by a Rolling Stones reporter, Generation Kill. Written through the eyes of the reporter, it chronicles the first 40 days of the Iraq War in 2003. Following the US Marine Corps 1st Battalion, it details their invasion and the war culture among the soldiers.

Sometimes, war shows glorify the tragedy; others make a point to actively protest it, and Generation Kill does neither, instead focusing on making it realistic, leaving the audience to take away their own thoughts. Without making a stance, it simply lets viewers experience the profane culture of soldiers. Generation Kill is authentic and immersive, trusting viewers’ intelligence by making everything as realistic as possible, even the disconnect between elite soldiers and the incompetence of their officers.

3

‘Shōgun’ (2024–Present)

As mentioned earlier, war comes in many shapes and sizes, and even though this list features American-produced shows, that doesn’t mean all of them are about the country. Shōgun is a recent war show set during 17th-century Japan when an English sailor reaches the country. He rises from a prisoner to an ally to aid in the political warfare between warring clans, leading to the iconic Battle of Sekigahara.

While not about the American military, Shōgun is an American-produced war drama that instantly became a modern classic. The heart of this story is its characters, each with their own goals, motivations, and dynamics, all of which are used in the grand political chess match between factions. Shōgun is a stunning war series that delivers its intrigue through character development, mystery, and political mind games instead of massive battles.

2

‘M*A*S*H’ (1972–1983)

Image via CBS

War isn’t funny, but there are plenty of satirical comedies that cover the topic, including one of the best war TV shows of all time, M*A*S*H. Set during the Korean War, this series is about the medical staff and doctors of a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, following them as they journey across the country, saving patients while having fun as they do it.

M*A*S*H is a rare type of show that is both dramatically tragic and hilarious, proving war can be used for comedy if handled with nuance. The M*A*S*H finale is still the most-watched episode in American TV history, proving its legacy goes beyond simply being a war show. Not only is it a great American war series, but M*A*S*H is also one of the greatest American sitcoms of all time.

1

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

Image via HBO

This list features a lot of excellent war series, proving America is home to the best of the genre, but when it comes to the greatest, the answer is obvious: Band of Brothers. This prestigious miniseries follows Easy Company during the Second World War, chronicling their history from their very first training session all the way to the end of the war.

No war series gives fans a better look at the battle and the personal state of the soldiers like Band of Brothers, which gives an intimate view of the life of a soldier during the war. The ground-level cinematography makes things even more immersive, yet harder to watch. Band of Brothers is a technical and narrative achievement that brutally and accurately depicts the war in all respects, and with some of the best episodes in TV history, it proves to be a landmark of American television.

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Band of Brothers

Release Date

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2001 – 2001

Network

HBO

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Directors

David Frankel, David Nutter, Mikael Salomon, Phil Alden Robinson, Richard Loncraine, Tom Hanks

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• 
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  Donnie Wahlberg

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  C. Carwood Lipton

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A month has passed since one of Prime Video’s best fantasy series returned with a new installment, and it continues to dominate streaming. The series was highly praised for its characters, animation, and the way each new season increased the stakes, and with the final season currently in production, it’s no surprise that fans are still tuning in to this show.

The title in question is The Legend of Vox Machina, an animated series based on Critical Role‘s first campaign, which was livestreamed between 2015 and 2017. The show follows a group of heroes called Vox Machina — Vex’ahlia (Laura Bailey), Vax’ildan (Liam O’Brien), Percival de Rolo (Taliesin Jaffe), Pike Trickfoot (Ashley Johnson), Keyleth (Marisha Ray), Scanlan Shorthalt (Sam Riegel), and Grog Strongjaw (Travis Willingham). Season 4 introduces a new big bad, The Whispered One, and follows his ascension to godhood. It’s up to our heroes, who’ve split up for a year after the events of Season 3, to get back together and stop him and his cult followers.

The Legend of Vox Machina continues to find a place on the streaming charts, now at #10 on Prime Video’s Top 10 TV shows in the United States, just below The Summer I Turned Pretty. Upon its release last month, Season 4 earned a perfect 100% score on the Tomatometer and 90% on the Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes, proving the series continues to impress both audiences and critics.

What Else To Watch if You Like ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’

The Legend of Vox Machina has confirmed that Season 5 is in the works and will be the show’s final season. So, while waiting for the final installment to arrive, there are other shows worth watching that should suit your fancy. One recommendation is The Mighty Nein, another Prime Video animated series based on Critical Role’s livestreams, this time adapting their second campaign, which aired between 2018 and 2021. The show follows a new team of heroes, The Mighty Nein, and takes place about 20 years after the events of Campaign One. Just like The Legend of Vox Machina, The Mighty Nein also received a perfect critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Another high fantasy anime worth watching is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Based on the manga of the same name, the series follows the elven mage Frieren (Atsumi Tanezaki/Mallorie Rodak) as she embarks on a new journey years after her party defeated the Demon King and brought peace to the world. She is joined by Fern (Kana Ichinose/Jill Harris) and Stark (Kana Ichinose/Jill Harris) — a mage and warrior who were former apprentices of her old team members — as they embark on a long trip to Aureole, a place said to be where souls reside. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has aired its first two seasons, with Season 3 set to premiere in October 2027.

Seasons 1 to 4 of The Legend of Vox Machina are available to stream on Prime Video. Follow Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

January 27, 2022

Network

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Prime Video

Showrunner

Brandon Auman

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Directors

Young Heller, Eugene Lee, Alicia Chan

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Writers

Eugene Son, Travis Willingham, Chris Wyatt, Kevin Burke, Suzanne Keilly, Mae Catt, Todd Casey, Ashly Burch, May Chan, Marc Bernardin

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By Brian Myers
| Published 29 seconds ago

Harrison Ford might be best known for Indiana Jones and Han Solo, but the veteran actor has turned in plenty of unforgettable performances outside of those iconic roles. The 2000 thriller What Lies Beneath is one of the best examples, proving Ford could deliver a massive box office hit without cracking a whip or saving the galaxy. More than two decades later, it remains one of the most suspenseful thrillers of its era, and you can stream it without a Netflix subscription.

And Empty Nest And New Neighbors

What Lies Beneath begins with Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Norman Spencer (Harrison Ford), a seemingly happy married couple who have just sent Claire’s daughter off to college. Now an empty nester married to a busy scientist/professor, a bored and listless Claire comes off as lonely and maybe a little desperate for attention.

When new neighbors Mary (Miranda Otto) and Warren Feur (James Remar) move in next door in their lakeside Vermont neighborhood, Claire becomes convinced that Warren is abusive and has killed off his young wife.

A Ghostly Presence Lurking

After Claire notices that Mary has disappeared without a trace, she begins to experience odd things that she believes are supernatural in origin in and around her house.

At one point, she sees the face of a woman submerged under the water of the lake. Other occurrences include a framed photo being knocked over from its place on her husband’s desk, the image of a woman in her bathroom mirror, and the message “You know” written on her steamed-up mirror.

In Need Of A Sanity Check

Of course, Norman behaves just like any other science type and tries to convince Claire that she’s either imagining things or perhaps beginning to suffer a nervous breakdown.

The latter is amplified when, after a confrontation with Warren at a university party, Claire sees Mary in the flesh and realizes that her suspicions were way off base. But what happens soon after in What Lies Beneath makes Claire question her sanity even more.

What Lies Beneath takes audiences on several rides throughout its 130-minute run time. While at first you’re sure that you’re seeing a film reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock‘s Rear Window, the film pivots and changes direction entirely.

And just when you’re sure of the inner workings of Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford’s characters, the storyline fills in a lot more of the backstory of their relationship, changing the plot in the most chilling of ways.

Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer are both at the top of their game in What Lies Beneath, and it’s fascinating to watch their chemistry evolve as each new piece of the puzzle falls into place. Ford’s gradual transformation as long-buried secrets come to light is handled masterfully, while Pfeiffer convincingly evolves from a meek and lonely housewife into a woman fighting for her survival.

As of this writing, you can stream What Lies Beneath for free with ads on Pluto TV. The title can also be rented or purchased on-demand through YouTube, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video.

Horror fans have been absolutely obsessed with Obsession since its May 2026 release. Curry Barker‘s film, which cost less than $1 million to make, has earned a staggering $400 million worldwide and counting, more than living up to the hype surrounding its release. But Obsession isn’t the only horror movie this year to produce something unique and fascinating on a shoestring budget.

Earlier in 2026, A24‘s Undertone received a lot of buzz due to its intriguing premise — the host of a paranormal podcast finds that she may be haunted by an entity that emerged from an audio file. While it had a similar small budget that it more than earned back, Undertone didn’t reach the same great heights that Obsession did at the box office.

But viewers are discovering it on HBO Max, where it’s currently the number two most popular film. If you’re interested in this hidden gem tale of demons and podcasts, you can stream it now. Just make sure you’re wearing headphones or have the sound up to truly lose yourself in the terror.

What Is ‘Undertone’ About?

Image via A24

The best horror movies don’t need to reinvent the wheel. These days, what stands out is a new twist on the familiar. In a Violent Nature took the predictability of a Friday the 13th-type slasher and put viewers in the perspective of the killer. Obsession took the classic Monkey’s Paw story and tweaked the rules.

Similarly, on paper, Undertone is yet another movie where the protagonist is in a dark house at night and begins to hear strange noises. While this idea has recently has been effective in films such as Paranormal Activity, The Night House, and Skinamarink, Undertone takes what has already been done and adds its own fresh — and audio-intensive — spin.

Writer and director Ian Tuason delivers a bare-bones plot focused on Evy (Nina Kiri), a young Catholic woman caring for her dying mother, who now lives, unconscious, in Evy’s home. Thankfully, she has a distraction, even if it doesn’t take her out of her house: her job hosting a supernatural podcast called The Undertone. But she and her co-host, Justin (Adam DiMarco), have their lives turned upside down when Justin is sent a series of bizarre audio clips. As he plays them, the strange recordings turn violent and hint at the demonic. Soon, whatever sinister thing haunts the recordings starts to manifest itself in the dark rooms of Evy’s house.

‘Undertone’ Works Because of Its Unique Approach

Tuason’s release is one of the best horror films of 2026, and its success led to the first time feature film director landing the job of helming Paranormal Activity 8 next year. Undertone did well, even if it was not an Obsession-level hit, with both critics and audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 74% Tomatometer score, and Collider raved about it in our review. At the box office, Undertone made $21 million worldwide — impressive considering it cost a mere $500,000 to make, though a drop in the bucket compared to what Obsession accomplished.

Undertone impressively uses its limitations as strengths. It was made on the cheap without looking the worse for it. Tuason saved a ton of money by filming Undertone in his real-life childhood home in Toronto. It’s where we stay for the entire movie, which becomes more suffocating with every passing minute. But this move doesn’t work solely for budgetary reasons — a slick, glossy Hollywood version of this story with big sets wouldn’t have been effective. In fact, the low budget adds a touch of realness needed for such an over-the-top plot.

The film also sets its sights solely on Evy. Outside some shots of her mother and the sound of Justin’s voice, Evie is the only (human) presence in the film. This pulls us into her loneliness, which turns unbearable when the entity emerges. Tuason builds the tension with what we don’t see in the darkness surrounding Evy. This bare-bones style is actually great at moving the plot forward and pulling us in to Evy’s fear and isolation as she realizes that she and her mother may not be alone.

With such a small set, it is sometimes as if we were watching a one-person play — so it’s not always what we see that hooks the viewer. Instead, the sound of the building horror is what makes Undertone so unnerving. In a silent home, the simplest creak can be a sign of something unimaginable approaching. And once Evy’s headphones go on, and she immerses herself in the ten creepy audio clips she and Justin have been sent, you’ll be afraid to breathe, not wanting to miss anything. The sound design found in the audio files, such as an eerie repetitive nursery rhyme, create a terrifying experience which must be witnessed with your full attention. It’s not a movie you can watch while on your phone or distracted; it demands full use of both your eyes and ears.

Undertone is a devastating slow burn. It’s all about getting under the viewer’s skin with creeping dread. It uses the “less is more” philosophy, getting the most out of negative space, and forces us to imagine what the horror looks like based on what we hear. Undertone is a movie unlike you’ve ever seen, or heard, before.

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undertone

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Release Date

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March 13, 2026

Runtime

94 minutes

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Director

Ian Tuason

Writers

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Ian Tuason

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Cast

• 
• 

  Kristen Holden-Ried

  Justin

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Roommates, a grieving family is speaking out after finding themselves at the center of yet another heartbreaking online situation. As they continue navigating an unimaginable loss, they are urging the public to be mindful of what they share online. The family is asking for consideration and respect as they grieve. What started as a video making the rounds online quickly caught the attention of many. But according to Nolan Xavier Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, it isn’t what it appears to be.

RELATED: Ben Crump Says Nolan Xavier Wells Was A Strong Swimmer While Noting Texts Appear To Have Been Deleted From His Phone (VIDEO)

Family Denounces Alleged AI Video Circulating Online

On Wednesday, Christine Wonsley took to her Facebook account to address an alleged AI-generated video circulating about her son, Nolan Xavier Wells, and the mystery surrounding his death. In her post, she made it clear that neither she nor anyone working closely with her family created or approved the video. She also called on the public to respect their privacy during this difficult time.

In her caption, Wonsley wrote, “🚨THIS VIDEO WAS NOT CREATED BY ME OR ANYONE WORKING CLOSELY WITH MY HUSBAND AND I. This is AI generated. For God’s sake please respect our privacy. Please REPORT THIS VIDEO!” Her statement comes as AI-generated content continues to spread rapidly across social media, raising concerns about misinformation and the emotional toll it can have on families already coping with tragedy.

Click here to see the AI-generated video that she is referencing.

Family Shares Important GoFundMe Update

Wonsley also appeared to provide supporters with another update on Thursday, this time regarding the GoFundMe created for Nolan Wells. In a post shared online, she revealed that she has officially taken over management of the fundraiser. She said the decision came following guidance from her legal team. “🚨 GoFund Me Update: I have taken over the GoFund Me account for my son Nolan Wells at the recommendation of my legal. Please share this so there are no issues or misunderstandings. I’m still in the process of updating the account fully,” she wrote, asking supporters to spread the message to help avoid any confusion as the page continues to be updated.

The fundraiser was initially launched by a family friend, as The Shade Room previously reported.

Questions Continue Surrounding Nolan Xavier Wells’ Death

Questions surrounding Nolan Xavier Wells’ death continue. As previously reported, his body was discovered on Horn Island following a days-long search. According to WLOX, a park ranger found the body around 8:45 a.m. on Monday, July 6—two days after the 18-year-old was reported missing during a Fourth of July trip. Although the body was not immediately identified, Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter reportedly confirmed it matched Wells’ description. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the condition of his body. However, it appears they believe no foul play was involved in his death.

Meanwhile, social media users have continued to speculate about the circumstances leading up to Wells’ disappearance. Additionally, photos circulated online appearing to show him with a group of white young men during the trip. At this time, it appears no arrests have been made in connection with the case.

RELATED: Family Of Nolan Xavier Wells Retains Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump As Investigation Into His Death Continues (UPDATE)

By TeeJay Small
| Published 1 hour ago

As digital purchases are being stripped from consumers, and the media streaming landscape becomes increasingly expensive and tenuous to keep up with, physical media has never seemed so appealing. Hardcore film and TV fans have been spreading the word across the world regarding their desire for more Criterion collection releases, 4K upscales, and special featurettes that can’t be found anywhere except in the loving embrace of a bright, shiny disc. Now, fans of the classic crime drama The Sopranos can finally rejoice, as the series is getting its first-ever 4K remaster.

Flying Off Shelves Faster Than Gabagool At A New Jersey Deli

The Sopranos 4k remaster is set to release on December 8, containing all 86 episodes spread out across 28 discs. It’s already available for pre-order through Amazon, Walmart, and Gruv, with a whopping $149.99 price tag. The box set is a limited edition release though, so Sopranos ultra-fans should be sure to grab their copy before a bunch of them get taken out the side door and loaded onto a truck by a couple of mobsters in tracksuits.

Whether you’re just starting a physical media collection, or you’re looking to add a crown jewel to your already impressive stash, this Sopranos set appears to have everything you’ll need. A suite of bonus features from previous DVD releases will come packaged in every order, along with brand new commentary and documentary pieces following series creator David Chase.

The rumor mill is also suggesting that a famous scene between Tony Soprano (the late James Gandolfini) and his mother Livia (Nancy Marchand) has been digitally altered from its original release. For those who don’t recall, Marchand passed away between filming season two and season three of the hit HBO series. As a result, her final scene utilizes some super early deepfake technology, along with a few sound bites from previous episodes and unused takes. The scene was meant to be a caring sendoff for the esteemed character actress, but it has aged poorly, leaving new fans confused. If the rumored change is real, that will mark one of the only digital alterations of the original footage, save for the 4K upscaling.

For now, there’s no way of knowing if we’ll ever get the 4K remaster on HBO Max or other streaming outlets. The streamer is one of the few that’s actually capable of offering 4K to their subscribers, so long as you have an appropriate television setup. Either way, it would surely be nice to have all 86 episodes of The Sopranos on hand, just in case you need to barter with your local union representative, or you need a blunt object to put a couple of unforeseen problems to bed in a pinch. Just remember to put your universal remote back on the docking station when you’re done binge-watching.