In 2024, Hollywood still churns outwarfilms regularly. Like the movies that came before them, the recent releases are mostly structured around heroes since such a dynamic tends to be a major draw. Korean War veteran Howard William Osterkamp once said, “All gave, some gave all,” and his remarks are remembered to date because they give an accurate battlefield picture. Events start with an army, a unit, or a group of civilians fighting for their lives. Later, one person (or a small team) stands out because of their gallantry and better decision-making.
A few other movies focus on villains, but they always remind audiences that the oppressed parties are the true heroes. They also cover the themes of perseverance, patriotism, friendship, sacrifice, family, and the effects of conflict on society. Most importantly, they make the viewer feel the horrors of war. So, which latest military-themed movies cover all these aspects better?
11Escape from Germany
Events inEscape from Germanybegin in late August 1939. In mainland Germany, missionaries are preaching Jesus to the masses. Everyone is repenting and chanting “Hosanna,” but the fun doesn’t last long. Soon, prophetic preacher Heber J. Grant spoils the party by advising all of God’s 20th-century disciples to pack up and leave because Hitler is about to attack Poland and start a war. Some remain skeptical, only for the preacher to be proven right in under two weeks.
Escape from Germany
Spirituality in a Time of War
There is something enchanting about war movies featuring characters trying to escape the chaos rather than extinguish it. Here, filmmaker T.C. Christensen grants adequate screen time to numerous characters. Still, audiences will particularly be impressed with Elder Siebold, who has been tasked with tracking down preachers who wandered off to remote villages, eager to place the bible in the hands of every citizen. With nothing close to a GPS or map to aid him, he relies on spiritual guidance. Tension, close calls, and desperation thus define the film.Stream onHoopla
10War Blade
Third-Reich generals loved bunkers, and inWar Blade, RAF Captain Robert Banks (Joseph Millson) is tasked with parachuting into Nazi-infested south-east France to rescue a French resistance leader being held in such an underground establishment. The mission is presumed easy because the resistance leader’s wife has provided all the intel, but Banks faces numerous challenges that were never included in the operational manual.
How to Make a Great WWII Movie on a Scanty Budget
WithWar Blade,director Nicholas Winter proves that you don’t need Spielberg or Nolan’s financial war chest to makea great World War II movie. The cinematography is stupendous, while the cast members seem to have all been picked from the underrated but very talented pool.
The story is nothing new, but the characters are unique and intriguing. There is a German nurse who loves handling guns more than syringes and a deaf sidekick who is good at sniffing out explosives. Thanks to the latter’s efforts, Captain Robert Banks avoids getting blown up before he completes the mission.Stream onPrime Video
9Land of Bad
Land of Badisn’t as B-movie-ish as its title might suggest. Headlined by Russel Crowe and two Hemsworths (Liam and Luke), the film packs in plenty of fast-paced action as it tells the story of a Delta Force team ambushed in an unnamed Asian country while attempting to rescue a CIA agent. As they fight for survival, the drone pilot, Captain Eddie “Reaper” Grimm, works around the clock to help them get out.
Land of Bad
Rich Banter and Gung-ho Protagonists
The action is fun both on the battlefield and off it, as everyone remains eager to take down the enemy. Sgt. Kinney (Liam Hemsworth) demonstrates unwavering resilience as he tries to dodge enemy forces in the jungle, while Reaper (Crowe) stays focused even when fellow officers at the drone command center wallow in leisure. In one iconic scene, Crowe’s character dumps vegetables at the grocery store checkout and races back to the base after learning that Kinney is in trouble, yet none of his colleagues are answering the phone. By the time it’s all over, everyone watching the movie will feel the need to take their job more seriously.Stream onNetflix
15 Great Made-for-TV War Movies
Made-for-TV war movies like By Dawn’s Early Light and Live from Baghdad are just as good as theatrical blockbusters.
Released earlier in the year,One Life,starring Anthony Hopkins, qualifies as one of theessential movies about the Holocaust. In it, London stockbroker Nicholas Winton heads Czechoslovakia for a business assignment. Upon seeing the poor living conditions of Jews who have fled from Germany and Austria, he takes a break from his blue chip and amortization routines and offers to transport the refugee children into England.
Fighting Bureaucracy
As a war film,One Lifeis more about overcoming bureaucracy than battlefield obstacles. Winton plans to transport the children illegally and match them with fitting foster parents, but as a government official tells him, “That takes time!” He shoots back with, “We don’t have time,” a sensible response because the Germans are closing in.
His facial expressions thus alternate between hope and despair throughout the movie. By the time the conclusion arrives, he manages to transport 669 children in 10 trains. The ninth train is stopped by the Nazis, and for the rest of his life, he remains regretful over those he failed to save rather than thankful for those he saved.Stream onParamount+
Acting chameleon Saoirse Ronandelivered a powerfully moving portrayal of a desperate parent in Steve McQueen’sBlitz, which takes place in London during World War II, where stubborn 9-year-old George embarks upon a perilous journey to be reunited with his beloved mother and grandfather after being sent to the English countryside during the Blitz. Ronan brilliantly appears as Rita, who frantically searches the city to find her son before he can be hurt in the vicious assaults.
During the London Blitz of World War II, a diverse group of Londoners navigates the chaos and destruction of the German bombardment. Their intertwined stories of survival, resilience, and camaraderie capture the spirit of a city under siege.
A Unique & Refreshing Look at World War II
Blitzmade its dazzling debut at the BFI London Film Festival, where it garnered widespread critical acclaim for its refreshing and unique take on the war genre as well as its haunting atmosphere, emotional storyline, and commendable historical accuracy. McQueen’s epic tale of survival will have audiences holding their collective breaths in suspense and terror as Ronan’s Rita hysterically searches for her young son, risking her life and limb to ensure her child’s safety.
The compelling picture not only depicts the brutality of war and the devastating carnage it leaves behind but also shines a light on the societal racism that ran ragged during the terrifying historical period while demonstrating how diverse the citizens of London were during World War II. McQueen’s masterful skills as a storyteller are front-and-center inBlitz,and it is yet another cinematic triumph for the revered filmmaker.Available on Apple TV+ on July 09, 2025
6The Zone of Interest
The Zone of Interestpaints a scary picture of the seemingly perfect life of Nazi higher-ups during WWII. The film introduces audiences to Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel, a commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp, who is living in a paradise-like home with his family just next to the camp. His house is surrounded by a river, a neat yard, and lush mountains.
The inside of the camp is never shown. Occasionally, screams are heard. The smoke from burning bodies is seen, too, yet Höss’ children live their life normally, oblivious to the horrors next door.
The Zone of Interest
The Power of Sound
A nibbling sense of terror diffuses through the entire film because of the sounds from the camp. The background cries, gunfire, and train sounds are heard after every few scenes, yet the Höss family goes about daily life, organizing picnics and parties. Rudolf’s wife considers the murder of Jews as a normal and necessary occurrence. “I could have my husband spread your ashes across the fields of Babice,” she says to the nanny once after noticing signs of disgruntlement.
Apart from the sound, the movie makes use of long continuous takes, showing how good life is for the Germans while fellow humans suffer across the wall. Consequently, the cinematography is also breathtaking. There are numerous shots of flowers, grass, water, and everything that would make an ideal paradise, except this is somewhere close to hell.Stream onMax
5Civil War
Civil Warpresents a dystopian future where the USA is literally the DSA (Divided States of America). A malevolent dictator in his third term as president is now ruling the land, but his divisive policies have triggered secessionist movements. As the chaos unfolds, a group of journalists travels from New York to Washington by road, hoping to interview POTUS before the rebels reach the capital and kick him out of power.
An Ugly Version of America
Audiences hoping to see something similar to many ofthe popular American Civil War movieswill be disappointed, becauseCivil Waris more about the politics and media coverage of war than the soldiers. Still, there are plenty of flying bullets and explosions. Overall, the film is more of a cautionary tale, serving as a warning of what might happen if Americans ever stop valuing their democracy. Is the movie a form of commentary on modern American politics? It’s debatable, but there are potential hints.Stream onMax
4White Bird
InWhite Bird,Sara, an elderly woman, tells her grandchild a harrowing tale about her days as a young Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied France. During WWI, a young Sara escapes being captured by Nazis after her classmate Julien hides her in the barn of their home. In the evenings, Julien teaches Sara everything he has been taught in school, and it doesn’t take long for a romance to brew between them.
White Bird
From the best-selling author of Wonder, the book that sparked a movement to “choose kind,” comes the inspirational next chapter. In White Bird, we follow Julian, who has struggled to belong ever since he was expelled from his former school. To transform his life, Julian’s grandmother (Helen Mirren) finally reveals to Julian her own story of courage —during her youth in Nazi-occupied France, a boy shelters her from mortal danger. Gillian Anderson co-stars in Marc Forster’s film White Bird.
Romance and Compassion
Like the teen novel it’s based on,White Birdnever complicates itself. It sticks to the basics of romance and war, hence qualifying as one of theessential romance World War II movies. It never digs too deep into Nazi operational structures, an approach that makes the movie enjoyable for general audiences. Additionally, it is an ideal movie for any parent hoping to instill discipline in their children, as it emphasizes the importance of kindness, compassion, and togetherness.Rent/Buy onPrime Video
3Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General
Kingdom 4continues the story of the fight for the control of Ancient China during the Warring States Period (476-221 BCE). The thunderous latest installment of the manga-to-live-action series combines swashbuckling and Machiavellian strategizing as it follows the warrior Kento Yamazaki’s exploits. His fight against the feared Cho forces proves harder than he expected, but he keeps pushing, eager to leave a lasting legacy.
Brutal and Fast-Paced
Action fans are guaranteed to enjoyKingdom 4as the movie never slows down. The kill count keeps increasing by the minute, yet the fighting never stops. Events spill from mountains to forests and deserts, creating room for the production team to flex their cinematography and expert VFX skills. One particular lengthy clash between the protagonist and the “God of War” is breathtaking. The only sad thing about the movie is that it stops at the 145-minute mark, leaving fans desperate for more.Currently unavailable for streaming
20 Common Tropes You’ll Find in War Movies
From bullets pinging off helmets to America always saving the day, the following war movie tropes just won’t go away.
2The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
There are numerous ways to kill a snake, and one of those involves denying it food. Such are the tactics employed in Guy Ritchie’sThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. The WWII film is a fictionalized account of Operation Postmaster: a British plan to board the Italian and German U-boats and steer them to Lagos, leaving the Axis Forces under-equipped.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a World War II film following a top-secret combat unit who were formed by Winston Churchill to hunt down Nazis. The film is directed by Guy Ritchie and based on the book The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: How Churchill’s Secret Warriors Set Europe Ablaze and Gave Birth to Modern Black Ops by Damien Lewis.
Marvelous Quips and a Strong Cast
With Henry Cavill andReacher’s Alan Ritchson in the cast, nothing goes wrong inThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Both men look like convincing a** kickers, and they do just that with the help of several other supporting cast members. While at it, they drop some marvelous one-liners. “It’s one thing taking over the world, but do they have to take over the kitchen too? It’s all sausage, cabbage and black bread,” one character says about the Nazis. “I’m not leaving until I have a barrel full of Nazi hearts,” another blurts out.Rent/Buy onPrime Video
