Battles That Shaped History: A Collection Of Powerful War Films

Diego Santillán
Diego SantillánOctober 2, 2025
War has been a pervasive aspect of human history, leaving deep scars and unforgettable stories in its wake. The cinema has long been a powerful medium for capturing the essence of war, from the brutality of battle to the emotional toll it takes on those involved. Through the lens of film, we can experience the intensity of combat, the camaraderie of soldiers, and the devastating consequences of conflict.

From ancient clashes to modern-day skirmishes, the theme of war has been explored in countless movies. Some films focus on the heroism and sacrifice of individuals, while others examine the broader strategic and political context of war. Whether set in the trenches of World War I, the beaches of Normandy, or the deserts of Afghanistan, these movies offer a unique perspective on the human cost of conflict.

The following collection of war films brings together some of the most compelling and thought-provoking movies on the subject. With a range of historical settings and cinematic styles, these films are sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers. From the gritty realism of Saving Private Ryan to the epic scope of Troy, each movie offers a distinct take on the complexities and horrors of war.

By exploring the complexities of war through film, we can gain a deeper understanding of the past and its ongoing impact on our world today. The movies in this collection are a testament to the power of cinema to educate, inspire, and challenge our assumptions about conflict and its consequences. Whether you're a history buff, a film enthusiast, or simply looking for a compelling story, these war movies are sure to captivate and move you.
Warfare
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Warfare

#1

A platoon of Navy SEALs embarks on a dangerous mission in Ramadi, Iraq, with the chaos and brotherhood of war retold through their memories of the event.

202595 min
WarAction
7.1
1035 votes
Fury
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Fury

#2

April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.

2014135 min
WarDramaAction
7.5
12502 votes
Guy Ritchie's The Covenant
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Guy Ritchie's The Covenant

#3

During the war in Afghanistan, a local interpreter risks his own life to carry an injured sergeant across miles of grueling terrain.

2023123 min
WarActionThriller
7.7
2890 votes
Troy
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Troy

#4

In year 1250 B.C. during the late Bronze age, two emerging nations begin to clash. Paris, the Trojan prince, convinces Helen, Queen of Sparta, to leave her husband Menelaus, and sail with him back to Troy. After Menelaus finds out that his wife was taken by the Trojans, he asks his brother Agamemnon to help him get her back. Agamemnon sees this as an opportunity for power. They set off with 1,000 ships holding 50,000 Greeks to Troy.

2004163 min
WarActionHistory
7.2
10623 votes
Hacksaw Ridge
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Hacksaw Ridge

#5

WWII American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa, refuses to kill people and becomes the first Conscientious Objector in American history to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

2016139 min
DramaHistoryWar
8.2
14336 votes
Schindler's List
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Schindler's List

#6

The true story of how businessman Oskar Schindler saved over a thousand Jewish lives from the Nazis while they worked as slaves in his factory during World War II.

1993195 min
DramaHistoryWar
8.6
16662 votes
Civil War
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Civil War

#7

In the near future, a group of war journalists attempt to survive while reporting the truth as the United States stands on the brink of civil war.

2024109 min
WarActionDrama
6.9
3827 votes
Saving Private Ryan
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Saving Private Ryan

#8

As U.S. troops storm the beaches of Normandy, three brothers lie dead on the battlefield, with a fourth trapped behind enemy lines. Ranger captain John Miller and seven men are tasked with penetrating German-held territory and bringing the boy home.

1998169 min
DramaHistoryWar
8.2
16501 votes
Napoleon
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Napoleon

#9

An epic that details the checkered rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine.

2023158 min
HistoryWarRomance
6.3
2860 votes
Sisu
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Sisu

#10

When an ex-soldier who discovers gold in the Lapland wilderness tries to take the loot into the city, German soldiers led by a brutal SS officer battle him.

202291 min
ActionWar
7.4
2443 votes
1917
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1917

#11

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers.

2019119 min
WarHistoryThriller
8.0
13004 votes
Inglourious Basterds
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Inglourious Basterds

#12

In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds, lead by Lt. Aldo Raine soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers.

2009153 min
DramaThrillerWar
8.2
23137 votes
The Zone of Interest
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The Zone of Interest

#13

The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.

2023105 min
DramaHistoryWar
7.0
2306 votes

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