While war is brutal and bloody, it has the ability to reveal truths about humanity that lie uncovered in times of peace. The nuances and complexities of war stories make them stand out on the big screen, captivating audiences across generations.
With all-star casts and moving storylines, here are some of the top five military movies in cinematic history—just in time for the next movie night.
1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
When three brothers die in combat, a unique mission is launched to save the surviving fourth brother and prevent his death from destroying the family beyond repair. Led by Captain John Miller (played by Tom Hanks), a team of seven soldiers must brave enemy lines to save the titular Private Ryan from near-certain death on the beaches of Normandy.
Based loosely on a true story, Saving Private Ryan follows multiple storylines and questions the complex ethics of war as seven lives are risked for the chance to save a single one.
2. Apocalypse Now (1979)
Apocalypse Now follows one Vietnam War officer as he is given an unexpected mission: to find and kill a rogue Special Forces Colonel who is convincing locals that he’s actually a god.
Shot in an allegorical style with intense imagery, Apocalypse Now captures the saddening pointlessness of the Vietnam War. With an all-star cast that includes Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando, this movie has held its place as one of the quintessential military movies for decades.
3. The Thin Red Line (1998)
Jim Caviezel plays a U.S. private who goes AWOL during the harsh battles of WWII, only to be caught and forced to rejoin the ranks against the Imperial Japanese Army.
Moving away from the intense action scenes of most military movies, The Thin Red Line focuses on the emotional side of American soldiers as they grapple with their brutal actions against unfamiliar enemies.
4. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Full Metal Jacket follows one soldier on his journey through boot camp and the subsequent Tet Offensive. Emotionally heavy, Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece singles out the mental turmoil soldiers face before ever seeing a battlefield that effectively turns them into killing machines. This film’s layered and poetic approach to the intensity of the Vietnam War set it apart from the rest.
5. Platoon (1986)
Starring Charlie Sheen and Willem Dafoe, Platoon is based on director Oliver Stone’s personal experience in Vietnam.
One young soldier (played by Charlie Sheen) arrives in Vietnam with the intention of finding glory. However, he quickly finds the line between good and bad blurring as he and his partner find themselves at odds over how each one treats the locals. As much a psychological thriller as it is a military movie, Platoon explores a human mind pushed to its limit.
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This article was originally published on USMilitary.org and has been shared with permission.
Many good movies, but no mention of TWELVE O’CLOCK HIGH [1949 film]. It gets my vote & is a must see.
Any takes on good morning vietnam with robin williams
One of the best Military Movies I’ve seen was We Were Soldiers 1st Cav..in first Air Attack In Vietnam 🇻🇳
Yep
I can’t believe that Apocalypse Now is on this list! As a Vietnam veteran I can say with some authority that this movie did more to hurt returning veterans than any news cast ever did. It did more to depict us as depraved and insane killers than any other war movie in the history of movies
Vaughn you are absolutely correct . It was a piece of crap story. Hardly believable. I was ashamed of that movie. For what its worth my choice is Platoon. That movie mirrored my time in the Nam .
Cpl. Peter L. Fino Jr . USMC
1967 to 1968
The Dirty Dozen, Patton, Midway, Peal Habor & The Green Berets are my picks.
I nominate “Bridge over the River Kwai “.
Yep
These are good action movies but just movies.Dont think they are real.
Is this comment from one that did not serve ?
Patton
Wasn’t General Patto0n the one that thought the Sherman tank was the best when he knew the Germans had way better ones.I talked to a former Tiger-2 commander years ago and he thought it ws a crime to send anyone to combat with such a pathetic thank as the Sherman.
Has no one seen PATTON?!?!?!?
I also do not like the 5 selected. Definitly D-Day should be there, NO Marlon Brando, please. Where is a John Wayne or Clint Eastwood movie. ?? Pearl Harbor should be there too. MAYBE also MIDWAY and Run Silent Run Deep. THESE ARE MILITARY MOVIES, NOT DRAMAS.
I don’t think saving private Ryan should be in the top 5 We lost how many men just to save one. I am a Vietnam Veteran and I don’t believe that the loss of to save one is right.
We were solders beats them all!!!!
Excellent movie.
I agree
I can’t believe it isn’t in the top five.
I agree!
How about TO HELL AND BACK with Audy Murphy
Amen brother, true as it ever gets
What about “Tora,Tora,Tora and The Longest Day, the battle of Midway, and chosin! Not enough liberal agenda? There is also the all star cast of “The Green Berets”!!! My picks would be “The battle of Midway”, “The Longest Day” and “The green Berets”!!! Then maybe “The Chosin Reservoir”! All but the Green Berets was a pivotal turning point in the wars!
What about USS Indianapolis? Also
Midway was excellent as well as
Pearl Harbor.
What about “We were soldiers”? Based on a tru story.
It was written by a man who was there. And he insisted the movie be made the way it was
What about Korea and WWII? Pork Chop Hill, Guadalcanal Diary, Bataan.
What about We Were Soldiers?????
2 and 3 , I haven’t seen, so I can’t comment on. But 1 and 5 are great movies. But Hacksaw Ridge was a great movie.
I would not consider 3 of the 5 as good military movies..At least you have 2 good ones in your list, Platoon and saving Pvt Ryan, Where is the Longest Day, and Fury, for example?