In their many forms, war movies have been a popular genre for as long as there have been movies. This is not surprising. Military movies are one of the most effective ways to tell stories about bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice. In the process of making these movies, filmmakers have explored the human condition under extreme circumstances and the effect that conflict has on those who are involved.
The history of warfare on film is littered with classics that range from the sobering to the silly, from hair-raising thrillers to action-packed epics. While not every great war movie is about World War II, there’s no denying that it has provided filmmakers with more than its share of subject matter. But other conflicts have been rich fodder for filmmakers, including Vietnam, Korea, the American Civil War, and the more recent warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The best war movies of all time reflect the horror, honor, and heroism of war as experienced by soldiers on the front lines, as well as those who await their return.
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