In tough times, it may help to look to heroes, those who faced incredible odds, tremendous tragedy, and abject horror only to rally and fight back. What better place to find such stories than in war movies? This category of cinema takes audiences behind battle lines to offer up stories powerful and profound. Whether you’re looking for something exciting, heart-wrenching, or inspirational, we’ve got you covered.
Here are the top 10 war movies on Netflix streaming now.
1. Da 5 Bloods
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Spike Lee directs this riveting Vietnam War drama, which swings between past and present. Delroy Lindo, Norm Lewis, Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and the late Chadwick Boseman star as the titular quintet, who buries gold bars while serving overseas in the Army. Decades later, they return to Vietnam, not only for the treasure, but also to bring back the remains of one they lost. Along the way, they’ll run into shady characters, familial conflict, and explosive twists. Jonathan Majors, Mélanie Thierry, Paul Walter Hauser, and Jean Reno co-star in this critically heralded 2020 release.
How to watch: Netflix
2. The Patriot
Following Independence Day and Godzilla, action-auteur Roland Emmerich teamed with Braveheart‘s Mel Gibson for an American Revolutionary War epic. Gibson and Heath Ledger star as a father and son who join forces with the Continental Army to overthrow the merciless British, in particular a cruel colonel played by Jason Isaac. Loaded with sweeping battleground sequences, history-inspired heroics, and moving moments of melodrama, The Patriot packs a punch.
How to watch: Netflix
3. Platoon
Before he becoming a major Hollywood force, writer/director Oliver Stone was serving as an infantryman in the Vietnam War. His experiences there informed Platoon, which stars Charlie Sheen as a solider whose morality and sanity is tested by the ravages of battle. Featuring a crackerjack cast that includes Keith David, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe, and Tom Berenger, this 1986 drama proved a major turning point for Stone. Not only did it become a critically heralded box office hit, but also a four-time Academy Award winner, taking home two top honors: Best Director and Best Picture.
How to watch: Netflix
4. Glory
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Directed by Edward Zwick, this American Civil War drama centers on Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick), who led the Union Army’s first all-Black volunteer company. The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment nobly fought to end slavery’s chokehold by risking their lives in brutal battles. Upon the film’s release in 1989, critics praised Glory‘s incredible cast, which also included Morgan Freeman, Andre Braugher, and Denzel Washington, who won his first Oscar for his efforts.
How to watch: Netflix
5. War Horse
Steven Spielberg directs this big-hearted World War I drama, which imagines the globe-rattling event through the eyes of a thoroughbred named Joey. His journey begins on a humble English farm. However, when times get tough, the beloved horse is sold to the army. Ending up on far-flung battlefields, he makes friends and inspires. This sentimental approach to a war story impressed audiences and the 2012 Academy Awards, who honored War Horse with six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Jeremy Irvine, Peter Mullan, Emily Watson, Tom Hiddleston, and Benedict Cumberbatch co-star.
How to watch: Netflix
6. Enemy at the Gates
Writer/director Jean-Jacques Annaud’s World War II drama uses the Battle of Stalingrad as the backdrop of a sweeping romance. Jude Law stars as Vasily Zaitsev, a renowned Soviet sniper who has fallen hard for his comrade-in-arms Tania Chernova (Rachel Weisz). While their love gives him motivation to fight for the future, it might also be used against him, as a malicious German sniper (Ed Harris) targets his weak spot. Though the 2001 film has been criticized for the liberties it takes with history, fans have long appreciated the sizzle between its stars.
How to watch: Netflix
7. Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl
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Sharan Sharma directs this heartwarming biopic, which focuses on a glass-ceiling shattering heroine of the Kargil War of 1999. From a young age, Gunjan Saxena (Janhvi Kapoor) dreamed of flying the skies as a pilot, but the path for women in India to achieve this dream had not been fully charted. She faced doubters, derision, and blatant sexism as she climbed the ranks in the Air Force, finally making history as the first female officer of the Indian Air Force to fly in a combat zone. With earnest drama and a bouncy soundtrack, this 2020 Netflix original takes audiences through her inspirational story and into the battles between the Indian and Pakistani forces.
How to watch: Netflix
8. Beasts of No Nation
Based on the Uzodinma Iweala’s novel of the same name, this war drama explores the horrific plight of child soldiers. Abraham Attah stars as Agu, a young West African boy who is ripped away from his family and conscripted into the militia of a charismatic but demanding Commandant (Idris Elba). To survive, Agu must forge a path of violence and blood, machete first. Written, directed, and shot by Cary Joji Fukunaga, this riveting drama won praise for its powerful storytelling, while Elba scored a Golden Globe nod for his striking portrayal.
How to watch: Netflix
9. Outlaw King
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Chris Pine headlines this action-studded biopic about the 14th-century Scottish King who was the underdog in a war against the massive and mighty English forces. Directed by David Mackenzie, this epic drama ushers audiences back to Middle Ages warfare, where chainmail, heavy armor, and swords clashed. Critics lauded the humanity webbed throughout this war film and cheered Pine’s captivating portrayal of a legendary historical figure.
How to watch: Netflix
10. War Machine
Celebrated for his gritty dramas The Rover and Animal Kingdom, Australian writer-director David Michôd threw critics for a loop with his dark 2017 satire, based on Michael Hasting’s non-fiction book The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan. Brad Pitt stars as a bombastic general, charged with the rebuilding effort in Afghanistan. During his mission, he will face skepticism, scorn, and outright opposition from enemies, allies, and government officials. Funny and thought provoking, this curious comedy also boasts appearances by Anthony Michael Hall, Topher Grace, and LaKeith Stanfield.
How to watch: Netflix