Top 30 Must-Watch Movies about the Army

Top 30 Must-Watch Movies about the Army

My fondness for military films stems from my background as an army veteran and movie enthusiast. The bravery and companionship of soldiers on the battlefield are depicted in such a cinematic manner. Hollywood has created some extraordinarily potent and poignant movies concerning the armed forces over the years. These films beautifully depict the realities of military life, ranging from gripping combat thrillers to thoughtful character studies. They put on display for us the blood, perspiration, and tears that come with nationalism. These will be my top five army-related movies that you should watch.

The genuineness, passion, and unapologetic portrayal of the hardships of war and military duty in these movies captivated me. These films demonstrate excellent storytelling through a military perspective, from the chaos of battle to dealing with the psychological and physical toll it takes. They have nuanced characters addressing morally challenging circumstances with no clear-cut solutions. These five army films provide a satisfying mix of action and a closer-up perspective on the sacrifices made by soldiers. So grab a snack and settle in as I rank the best cinematic representations of army life.

Below are thirty top movies about the army that everyone must watch:

1. The Thin Red Line (1998)

First on the list is the intense war drama The Thin Red Line which offers a contemplative look at the psychological effects of fighting. It takes place in the Second World War and centers on an Army Rangers company assigned to sneak into and seize Guadalcanal from the Japanese. The film is distinctive in that it features multiple characters’ philosophical voiceovers that highlight the fear, trauma, confusion, and moral quandaries that come with war. The Thin Red Line, directed by Terrence Malick and featuring powerful performances, is a haunting look at the minds of men in combat that lingers in your memory long after you see it.

2. Sand Castle (2017)

A young group of Army engineers provides a fresh perspective on the dangers of war in the compelling Netflix drama Sand Castle. Fixing a water pumping station in a remote village seems like a straightforward mission for the squad, and that’s exactly what happens in this 2003 Iraqi film. However, as the young soldiers struggle with the complexity of war and the arising ethical quandaries, the dangers of the post-invasion chaos quickly become evident. Sand Castle provides an understanding perspective on the difficulties soldiers encountered during a tumultuous period in Iraq and the internal turmoil it caused, all while showcasing excellent performances and intelligent storytelling.

3. We Were Soldiers (2002)

Based on real-life events about the Vietnam War, We Were Soldiers shows the horrors of combat up close. The movie follows Lt. Col. Hal Moore as he leads the Seventh Cavalry Regiment, which has just been formed, into the first significant engagement between North Vietnamese and American armed forces. Moore and his four hundred soldiers fought valiantly for three terrifying days to survive, outnumbered and surrounded. We Were Soldiers pays homage to the soldiers’ bravery and selflessness while capturing the mayhem and brutality of the Ia Drang conflict. This is one of the most realistically charged army movies ever made thanks to the strong performances and Mel Gibson’s visceral direction.

4. Glory (1989)

Glory, starring legends Denzel Washington and Matthew Broderick uses the perspective of the first Black voluntary infantry unit to fight in the Civil War to dramatize a significant period in Army history. The narrative, which follows Colonel Robert Gould Shaw as he leads the fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry through hardship and skepticism as tensions rise, is told from his point of view. Through dramatic battle scenes, the movie captures the bravery and valor shown by the armed unit while delving into themes of racism, discrimination, and inequality within the ranks.

5. The Outpost (2020)

A gripping action drama, The Outpost tells the authentic tale of the Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan. It centers on a detachment of troops assigned to the unsafe and isolated Combat Outpost Keating. An overwhelming force of four hundred fighters launched a coordinated assault on the fifty-three U.S. troops following months of regular attacks by Taliban insurgents. The Outpost is a disturbing portrayal of the brutal reality on the ground and the incredible bravery shown in the face of overwhelming odds, complete with graphic battle scenes and moving interviews with actual soldiers. It honors the comradery and sacrifice created during the conflict.

6. Fury (2014)

The grim reality of armor combat is revealed in the gritty, action-packed Second World War tank movie Fury. In the final days of the war in Germany in 1945, a beleaguered Sherman tank crew under the command of Don “Wardaddy” Collier (Brad Pitt) navigates the crumbling Nazi regime. The intense action and psychological thrills along their terrifying journey offer a genuine display of the stress, claustrophobia, and horrific violence that tank crews in combat have to deal with. Fury strikes an emotional chord that doesn’t go away, thanks to its striking visuals, compelling ensemble cast, and realistic depiction of the brutal carnage of war and the bravery displayed by the army.

7. Platoon (1986)

The brutal army drama Platoon, written and directed by Oliver Stone, is based on the author’s personal experiences serving in Vietnam. It centers on Charlie Sheen’s character, young infantryman Chris Taylor, as he experiences the harsh realities of combat in 1967 Vietnam and watches as the stresses of war gradually erode the morale of his fellow soldiers. Through terrifying battle scenes and thought-provoking voiceovers, Platoon delves deeply into the psychological and physical costs of war, with compelling performances from Sheen, Willem Dafoe, and Tom Berenger as warring sergeants. A terrifying masterpiece, it depicts the terrifying hell of the Vietnam War in a way that no other movie has.

8. 12 Strong (2018)

Here is the evidence that the United States Army is the toughest soldier on land. 12 Strong is a film that follows Captain Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth) and his elite team in the mountains of Afghanistan. It is based on the true story of the first Special Forces team deployed after 9/11. They fight the Taliban there and seize control of a vital city by integrating with fighters from the Northern Alliance. Through intense combat scenes, 12 Strong provides a close-up look at the unwavering courage and mental stamina required by Special Forces. The film is filled with themes of duty, trust, and the bonds of brotherhood forged in battle. The team’s navigation of intricate alliances offers an insightful viewpoint on the beginning of US involvement in Afghanistan.

9. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Mel Gibson’s film Hacksaw Ridge, which tells the inspirational true story of Army medic Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who refused to carry a weapon during World War II because of his religious convictions, is a moving portrait of the man. Doss is allowed to serve as a medic during the brutal Battle of Okinawa, where he saves the lives of over seventy-five wounded soldiers while under intense enemy fire, just after he almost faces court martial. The film, which is distinguished by Gibson’s trademark brutal battle sequences, offers a contemplative character study that explores unwavering religious beliefs and shows how nonviolent resistance can have a significant impact on even the most violent war environments.

10. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

When Steven Spielberg was involved in a film, everyone knew it would be a hit. Saving Private Ryan transports audiences to Second World War Normandy and its mayhem and sacrifices via the eyes of an Army Ranger captain (Tom Hanks) commanding a squad on a perilous mission. After making it through the terrifying D-Day landings, the unit’s mission is to locate Private Ryan, a paratrooper, and send him home after his three brothers are killed in action. One of the most realistic depictions of combat ever captured on camera is the visceral 27-minute opening Omaha Beach scene of the movie. The film Saving Private Ryan portrays the bravery, devotion, and psychological damage that soldiers experience during armed conflict.

11. Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo 1944)

An army film Thirty Seconds over Tokyo narrates the amazing true account of the Doolittle Raid, the United States’ first Second World War bombing retaliation strike against mainland of Japan. To raise American spirits following Pearl Harbor, it follows Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle as he organizes, leads, and trains a volunteer crew of Army Air Forces on an impossible mission across the Pacific. The film, which is notable for its amazing air battle scenes at the time, brilliantly depicts the daring of the raid, which saw 16 B-25 bombers launch from an aircraft carrier and strike Tokyo in a valiant display of skill and accuracy.

12. Da Five Bloods (2020)

Da 5 Bloods chronicles the journey of an elderly group of Vietnam veterans who return to the country decades after the war in search of the body of their fallen squad leader. They also intend to find the treasure that their platoon buried many years ago. Through open dialogue between the comrades, what follows is a sobering look at both the racism black soldiers in Vietnam faced and the lasting trauma of war. Da 5 Bloods explores unhealed wounds and highlights the erasure and sacrifices made by Black soldiers during an unpopular war, all while showcasing powerful performances and Spike Lee’s distinctive brand of resonant social commentary.

13. They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)

They Shall Not Grow Old, a remarkable footage that provides an immersive perspective on the Great War, is groundbreaking in its restoration techniques. While first-hand audio accounts from British soldiers reveal a profound intimacy, director Peter Jackson gives new life to the grainy, silent images. Their horrors, wit, and tales cut through the temporal gap between us and the past. The movie creates an intensely felt experience that shows World War I as it has never been seen before by fusing cutting-edge technology with narrative form.

14. The Charms at Midnight (1965)

This clever combination of multiple Shakespeare plays, directed and starring Orson Welles as Sir John Falstaff, tells the story of the intimate and humorous relationship between the legendary cowardly knight and young Prince Hal in medieval England. Falstaff, who is well-known for his humor and good times with Hal in seedy bars, unjustly finds himself in the thick of the bloody Battle of Shrewsbury, which pits Hal against rebel Henry Percy. The Chimes at Midnight, a film known for Welles’ brilliant Bard interpretation and laying the foundation for later Shakespeare mashups decades later, was shot with remarkable visual flair and a gritty, battlefield feel reminiscent of Laurence Olivier.

15. 1917 (2019)

The gripping tale of two young British soldiers assigned to a crucial mission to deliver a message that could prevent sixteen hundred men from falling into a deadly trap is told in 1917. With a ticking clock, Blake and Schofield must navigate no man’s land, bombed-out towns, and enemy territory. The film’s unusual structure, which makes it appear to be one continuous shot, puts viewers right into the action. 1917 depicts the terrifying reality of fighting in the trenches through the eyes of soldiers who show incredible bravery and sacrifice. It is full of sweeping action scenes and is constantly charged with a sense of life-or-death peril.

16. Paths of Glory (1957)

The legendary director Stanley Kubrick shows us the madness and immorality of war in his gripping war drama Paths of Glory. Amid World War I, Kirk Douglas plays a French colonel tasked with defending his men from accusations of cowardice after they turn down a suicide mission. Paths of Glory reveals the cunning political maneuvering and brutal betrayals that honorable soldiers endured from self-serving leaders during the war, and is distinguished by Kubrick’s trademark anti-war sentiment and painstaking filmmaking. The film conveys the utterly senseless and dehumanizing nature of war with a poignant ending and stark, black-and-white visuals that pack an emotional punch.

17. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Inglourious Basterds, a gripping revenge fantasy film, Quentin Tarantino puts his unique take on the Second World War history. The narratives of a young Jewish refugee, a French Jewish movie theater owner, and a ruthless group of Jewish-American soldiers hunting for Nazi blood are all woven together in this film. Under the merciless leadership of Lieutenant Aldo Raine, the “Basterds” unleash their distinct style of guerilla warfare in the heart of enemy territory. Inglourious Basterds is a completely original war story about Jewish retaliation against the Nazis in occupied France, blending dark humor, violence, and rewriting history in Tarantino’s signature style.

18. The Deer Hunter (1978)

The Deer Hunter is a chilling depiction of the psychological and physical harm caused by the Vietnam War. It centers on the friendship between Michael, Nick, and Steven as it follows a group of steelworkers from Pennsylvania from their small town to the horrors of combat in Vietnam. The men are forever altered after escaping the Viet Cong’s hold and torture, and they struggle to reintegrate into society while harboring intense guilt and painful memories of the conflict. The Deer Hunter, known for its well-known Russian roulette scenes, offers a somber glimpse at how trauma breaks soldiers’ bonds and puts them to the test.

19. Dunkirk (2017)

Director Christopher Nolan2017 the Second World War thriller Dunkirk tells the terrifying true story of the Allied troops’ escape from the French port city of Dunkirk as they were encircled by German forces. The film portrays the enormous scope and intensity of the rescue operation by showing the action from the air, sea, and land. Dunkirk immerses viewers in the horrors of war and the incredible courage needed to survive, painting a stark and human portrait of heroism in the face of disaster. It does this through thrilling aerial combat, the chaos of troops stranded on the beach under fire, and civilian sailors enduring U-boat attacks.

20. Full Metal Jacket (1987)

In his suspenseful war drama Full Metal Jacket, Stanley Kubrick follows a group of incoming Marines through Gunnery Sergeant Hartman’s torturous training camp, where he intimidates them into becoming ruthless killing machines. The story then moves to the Vietnam War, where the now-trained squad must deal with the chaotic brutality of guerilla warfare. This is after basic training. The film presents a frank assessment of the dehumanizing effects of the military apparatus, contrasting the brutal drill instructors at home with the carnage and death in Vietnam.

21. Apocalypse Now (1979)

The epic film Apocalypse Now, directed by Francis Ford Coppola delves into the madness of the Vietnam War when Army Captain Willard is dispatched on a covert mission to kill Kurtz, a renegade Green Beret colonel who has made a name for himself among the local tribesmen. Along the way upriver, Willard and his group witness the senseless violence, the smell of napalm, and the decaying human condition. The movie depicts war in all its crazy, upside-down logic, and it still manages to be a wholly original cinematic experience, culminating in a confrontation with the murderous Kurtz.

22. Courage Under Fire (1996)

In Edward Zwick’s riveting military drama, Courage Under Fire, Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington star together. Ryan plays a Medevac helicopter pilot who was killed in action during the Gulf War, and Washington plays an Army officer tasked with looking into the first woman to receive a Medal of Honor nomination. Washington needs to decide whether Ryan’s character genuinely merited this great honor given to only the most courageous acts of valor by assembling conflicting testimonies from other soldiers. A thoughtful examination of honor and truth in the furnace of war is presented in Courage Under Fire, which is supported by outstanding performances.

23. Overlord (1975)

The artistic portrayal of a young soldier’s journey from training to the Normandy beaches on D-Day is found in Stuart Cooper’s Overlord. The film uses archived wartime footage and vignettes to follow the bashful recruit Tom from his days of being drilled by strict instructors to the final moments before the Allied invasion. This portrays his transformation from a naive young man to a hardened warrior. We see the massive Allied war machine getting ready to unleash its full fury against the Germans as Tom waits for the mission to begin. Overlord offers a contemplative look into the psychological interior lives of soldiers that lie beneath the surface of battle.

24. Sergeant York (1941)

The stirring true story of World War I hero Alvin C. York (played by the Oscar-winning Gary Cooper), a devout pacifist from humble Tennessee who was drafted into the US Army, is told in Sergeant York. York, who is opposed to war due to his religious beliefs, develops into a skilled marksman to defend his comrades. In a crucial battle, he even takes down a German machine gun nest by himself. As his acts of bravery increase, York begins to reconcile his religious beliefs with combat, considering it a high moral obligation to keep others safe. In this thrilling war story, director Howard Hawks brilliantly captures York’s modest humanity and valiant actions on screen.

25. Black Hawk Down (2001)

The dramatic 1993 event in which a routine U.S. military mission in Somalia went wrong is dramatized in director Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down. When two Black Hawk helicopters are shot down over Mogadishu, trapping soldiers in a hostile city, what started as an attempt to capture a local warlord quickly devolves into chaos. Throughout a protracted night, American forces who are ill-prepared fight to survive in the streets that are crawling with militants. The violence of urban warfare, where vastly outnumbered soldiers face the mists of battle head-on, is graphically depicted in Black Hawk Down.

26. The Train (1964)

The Train, directed by Burt Lancaster, is a suspenseful thriller that takes place in the final days of the Nazi occupation of France in 1944. It tells the story of Railway Supervisor Labiche, who takes action when the Germans start packing priceless artwork onto a train to be sent back to Germany before the Allied liberation. The Frenchman tries to sabotage the operation by making a series of audacious raids on the moving locomotive, which leads to an intricate game of cat and mouse between Labiche and the fervently committed German Colonel Von Waldheim (Paul Scofield). John Frankenheimer directed The Train, one of the greatest World War II adventures ever made.

27. Jarhead (2005)

Based on the memoir by former Marine Anthony Swofford, Sam Mendes’ Gulf War drama Jarhead stars Jake Gyllenhaal. In the film, Swofford’s psychological instability worsens as he goes from his hard basic training to long months spent stationed in the Saudi desert, where he becomes bored to tears. Swofford is eager to complete his Marine Corps training and turn into the vicious “killing machine” he has been taught to be to have his first real combat experience. Between the bloody outbursts of combat, soldiers’ experiences of isolation and existential uncertainty are masterfully captured by Jarhead.

28. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (1962)

The renowned story by Ambrose Bierce about Peyton Farquhar, a Southern farmer who is going to be hanged by Union soldiers during the American Civil War, is adapted in this critically acclaimed short film by director Robert Enrico. Farquhar visualizes himself escaping the soldiers, plunging into the river below, and sprinting home to his wife as the rope falls from his neck. The narrative abruptly switches between this vision of escape and the terrible reality of Farquhar’s last moments at Owl Creek Bridge. When the boundaries between memories, dreams, and reality are blurred, viewers are left wondering about the nature of Farquhar’s experience, thanks to Enrico’s masterful use of time, pacing, and perspective.

29. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983)

The film Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence offers a profound and contemplative look at the horrors of war, set in a Japanese camp during World War II. Starring David Bowie the rebellious prison Officer Major Jack Celliers, who both fascinates and irritates Yonoi (musician Ryuichi Sakamoto), the strict commander of the camp. Both men are forced to confront their inner demons as Celliers’ disobedience stirs up unrest and strict military order clashes with humanitarian concerns. Profound performances from Bowie and the late Sakamoto propel director Nagisa Oshima’s eerie odyssey about the intricate bonds forged between enemies in harsh conditions.

30. The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)

The title character, Clive Wynne-Candy, played by Roger Livesey in Powell and Pressburger’s wartime drama, is a dedicated soldier full of youthful idealism who becomes a portly, outdated relic reluctantly retiring from the Home Guard during his military career, which spans the Boer War through World War II. Candy’s life unfolds backward as we follow his service first, leading to disillusionment with a modern world he cannot fully understand through an inventive reverse-chronological structure. A British classic that reflects deeply on aging in a society fixated on youth, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp was criticized upon its release for being out of touch with wartime sentiment.

These movies, which highlight important facets of military life, really speak to me as a veteran. These must-see army films provide an incisive and moving look through an authentic lens, covering everything from brutal battles to the relationships between soldiers. These compelling and poignant cinematic portrayals are excellent resources for learning about the realities of sacrifice and war.