World War II was one of the most devastating and transformative events in human history. The war spanned six continents, involved over 30 countries, and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 70-85 million people, making it the deadliest conflict ever.
Given the war’s immense scale and impact, it’s no surprise that World War II has been the subject of countless films over the past eight decades. From gritty battlefield dramas to sweeping epics to intimate character studies, the best WW2 movies capture the heroism, tragedy, and sheer scope of this world-altering war.
Here are my picks for the 25 greatest World War II films of all time, ranked:
1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this epic war film follows a group of U.S. soldiers sent on a mission to rescue a paratrooper whose brothers have all been killed in action. The film’s opening D-Day sequence is considered one of the most realistic and harrowing depictions of war ever put on screen. Tom Hanks delivers a powerful performance as Captain John Miller, a man grappling with the weight of his duty. With its unflinching portrayal of combat and poignant reflections on sacrifice, Saving Private Ryan is a deeply moving tribute to the Greatest Generation.
2. Schindler’s List (1993)
Another Steven Spielberg masterpiece, Schindler’s List tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of over a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. Shot in stark black and white, the film is a haunting meditation on the depths of human cruelty and the power of individual courage in the face of evil. Liam Neeson delivers a career-defining performance as Schindler, a complex man whose motivations evolve from profit to moral imperative. A devastating and ultimately uplifting film that serves as a vital reminder to never forget.
3. The Thin Red Line (1998)
Terrence Malick’s poetic war epic follows a group of American soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. The film is less concerned with the mechanics of battle than with the inner lives of the men who fight it, exploring themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition. Malick’s dreamlike visuals and elliptical storytelling create a haunting, meditative experience that lingers long after the final frame. With an all-star ensemble cast that includes Sean Penn, Jim Caviezel, and Nick Nolte, The Thin Red Line is a singular achievement that redefines the possibilities of the war movie genre.
4. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
David Lean’s classic stars Alec Guinness as a British colonel who leads his men in building a bridge for their Japanese captors, believing that the project will help maintain his soldiers’ morale and dignity. The film is a complex exploration of the psychology of leadership, loyalty, and the blurred lines between enemy and ally in wartime. With its iconic whistling theme and sweeping cinematography, The Bridge on the River Kwai is a timeless epic that continues to resonate with audiences today.
5. Casablanca (1942)
While not strictly a war film, this romantic drama is set against the backdrop of World War II and has become synonymous with the era. Humphrey Bogart stars as Rick Blaine, an American expatriate in Morocco whose old flame Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) walks into his nightclub with her husband, a Czech resistance leader on the run from the Nazis. With its endlessly quotable dialogue, unforgettable performances, and one of the greatest love stories ever told, Casablanca is a film that only seems to improve with age.
6. The Great Escape (1963)
Based on a true story, this classic adventure film follows a group of Allied prisoners-of-war as they plan an ambitious escape from a German POW camp. Steve McQueen stars as the rebellious American Captain Virgil Hilts, whose motorcycle stunts have become iconic. With its stellar ensemble cast, thrilling action sequences, and stirring theme music, The Great Escape is the ultimate prison break movie and a rousing celebration of the indomitable human spirit.
7. Das Boot (1981)
Wolfgang Petersen’s gripping submarine thriller follows the crew of a German U-boat as they patrol the Atlantic during World War II. Shot with claustrophobic intensity, the film captures the tension, tedium, and terror of life beneath the waves. Jürgen Prochnow delivers a riveting performance as the U-boat captain, a man torn between his duty and his growing disillusionment with the war. Das Boot is a harrowing and deeply human portrait of men in combat that transcends national boundaries.
8. Patton (1970)
This epic biographical war film stars George C. Scott as the controversial American general George S. Patton, whose brilliant military mind and outsized personality made him both a hero and a liability. The film follows Patton’s campaigns in North Africa and Europe, showcasing his strategic genius and uncompromising leadership style. Scott’s towering performance captures the general’s charisma, ego, and deep-seated insecurities, creating a complex portrait of a man who saw himself as a warrior poet of destiny.
9. The Dirty Dozen (1967)
This classic men-on-a-mission movie follows a group of convicted felons who are offered a chance at redemption by undertaking a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. Led by the tough-as-nails Major Reisman (Lee Marvin), the “dirty dozen” must overcome their differences and work together to complete their objective. With its colorful cast of characters, explosive action, and anti-authoritarian attitude, The Dirty Dozen set the template for countless imitators and remains a hugely entertaining ride.
10. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Quentin Tarantino’s audacious revisionist war film follows a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds” as they embark on a mission of bloody retribution against the Nazis. The film interweaves multiple storylines, including a plot to assassinate Hitler at a Paris movie premiere, with Tarantino’s trademark wit, style, and ultraviolence. Christoph Waltz delivers an Oscar-winning performance as the charming but ruthless SS colonel Hans Landa, while Brad Pitt brings swagger and dark humor to his role as the Basterds’ leader, Lt. Aldo Raine. Bold, brash, and gleefully irreverent, Inglourious Basterds is a thrillingly audacious take on the war movie genre.
11. The Pianist (2002)
Roman Polanski’s deeply personal film tells the true story of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish pianist who survived the Holocaust by hiding in the ruins of Warsaw. Adrien Brody delivers a haunting, Oscar-winning performance as Szpilman, capturing the desperation, resilience, and quiet dignity of a man clinging to his humanity in the face of unimaginable horror. With its vivid depiction of the Warsaw Ghetto and its unflinching portrayal of the Nazi atrocities, The Pianist is a searing testament to the power of art and the indomitable human spirit.
12. Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
Clint Eastwood’s companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers tells the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of the Japanese soldiers who defended the island. The film follows the young recruits and their commanders as they prepare for the American invasion, facing impossible odds and grappling with the realities of war. With its humanizing portrayal of the enemy and its somber reflections on the costs of conflict, Letters from Iwo Jima is a moving and thought-provoking film that challenges traditional notions of heroism and patriotism.
13. The Guns of Navarone (1961)
This classic adventure film follows a team of Allied saboteurs as they attempt to destroy a pair of massive German guns that are preventing the evacuation of British troops from a Greek island. Gregory Peck leads an all-star cast as the mission’s leader, Captain Keith Mallory, with David Niven and Anthony Quinn providing memorable support. With its thrilling action sequences, exotic locations, and rousing score, The Guns of Navarone is a quintessential example of the “men on a mission” subgenre and a hugely entertaining wartime adventure.
14. Downfall (2004)
This German film offers a chilling portrait of Adolf Hitler’s final days in his Berlin bunker as the Soviet army closes in. Bruno Ganz delivers a mesmerizing performance as the increasingly unhinged Führer, capturing both his monstrous ego and his all-too-human frailties. The film also explores the fanatical loyalty of Hitler’s inner circle, even as their world crumbles around them. Unflinching in its depiction of the Nazi regime’s final collapse, Downfall is a haunting and deeply unsettling film that offers a unique perspective on one of history’s darkest chapters.
15. The Longest Day (1962)
This epic war film chronicles the D-Day landings from multiple perspectives, including American, British, French, and German. With an all-star international cast that includes John Wayne, Richard Burton, and Sean Connery, the film offers a sweeping and immersive recreation of the Normandy invasion. From the tense buildup to the chaotic beach landings and the hard-fought battles inland, The Longest Day captures the scale and complexity of one of the most pivotal moments in World War II history.
16. Enemy at the Gates (2001)
Set during the Battle of Stalingrad, this film follows a Russian sniper named Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law) as he engages in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a German sharpshooter. The film explores the brutal realities of urban warfare and the psychological toll of combat, as well as the propaganda machine that turned Zaitsev into a national hero. With its gritty cinematography, intense action sequences, and strong performances from Law and Ed Harris as the German sniper, Enemy at the Gates is a gripping and visceral war movie that brings the Eastern Front to vivid life.
17. The Imitation Game (2014)
This biographical drama tells the story of Alan Turing, the brilliant British mathematician who helped crack the German Enigma code during World War II. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a masterful performance as Turing, capturing his genius, eccentricities, and inner torment as a closeted gay man in a society that criminalized homosexuality. The film also explores Turing’s complex relationships with his fellow codebreakers and the moral dilemmas they faced in their top-secret work. The Imitation Game is a powerful and poignant tribute to an unsung war hero and a reminder of the human cost of intolerance.
18. Dunkirk (2017)
Christopher Nolan’s immersive war film tells the story of the Dunkirk evacuation from three perspectives: land, sea, and air. With minimal dialogue and a non-linear structure, the film plunges the viewer into the chaos and terror of the beach, the claustrophobia of a civilian boat, and the dizzying aerial dogfights. Nolan’s signature visual style and Hans Zimmer’s ticking-clock score create a sense of relentless tension and urgency, while the ensemble cast (including Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, and Harry Styles) delivers understated but powerful performances. Dunkirk is a stunning technical achievement that captures the essence of a defining moment in British history.
19. The Dirty Dozen (1967)
This classic men-on-a-mission movie follows a group of convicted felons who are offered a chance at redemption by undertaking a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. Led by the tough-as-nails Major Reisman (Lee Marvin), the “dirty dozen” must overcome their differences and work together to complete their objective. With its colorful cast of characters, explosive action, and anti-authoritarian attitude, The Dirty Dozen set the template for countless imitators and remains a hugely entertaining ride.
20. Stalag 17 (1953)
Set in a German POW camp during World War II, this darkly comic drama follows a group of American airmen as they try to root out a suspected informant in their midst. William Holden won an Oscar for his performance as the cynical, scheming Sefton, who becomes the prime suspect. Director Billy Wilder balances humor and suspense as he explores the dynamics of men under pressure and the moral ambiguities of survival. With its sharp dialogue, memorable characters, and surprise ending, Stalag 17 is a classic of the POW genre and a showcase for Wilder’s trademark wit and insight.
21. The Thin Red Line (1998)
Terrence Malick’s poetic war epic follows a group of American soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. The film is less concerned with the mechanics of battle than with the inner lives of the men who fight it, exploring themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition. Malick’s dreamlike visuals and elliptical storytelling create a haunting, meditative experience that lingers long after the final frame. With an all-star ensemble cast that includes Sean Penn, Jim Caviezel, and Nick Nolte, The Thin Red Line is a singular achievement that redefines the possibilities of the war movie genre.
22. Come and See (1985)
This harrowing Soviet film follows a young Belarusian boy named Flyora as he joins the partisans fighting against the Nazi occupation during World War II. Director Elem Klimov immerses the viewer in Flyora’s nightmarish journey, as he witnesses unspeakable atrocities and loses his innocence and sanity. With its surreal imagery, disorienting sound design, and unflinching depiction of the horrors of war, Come and See is a deeply disturbing and unforgettable film that serves as a searing indictment of the human capacity for evil.
23. The Great Escape (1963)
Based on a true story, this classic adventure film follows a group of Allied prisoners-of-war as they plan an ambitious escape from a German POW camp. Steve McQueen stars as the rebellious American Captain Virgil Hilts, whose motorcycle stunts have become iconic. With its stellar ensemble cast, thrilling action sequences, and stirring theme music, The Great Escape is the ultimate prison break movie and a rousing celebration of the indomitable human spirit.
24. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
This devastating anime film tells the story of two young siblings struggling to survive in Japan during the final months of World War II. As the war takes its toll on the country, Seita and his little sister Setsuko find themselves homeless and starving, their innocence and humanity slowly stripped away. With its haunting animation, poetic visuals, and emotionally wrenching story, Grave of the Fireflies is a powerful and heartbreaking anti-war statement that captures the human cost of conflict through the eyes of children.
25. The Cranes Are Flying (1957)
This landmark Soviet film follows a young couple, Veronika and Boris, whose lives are torn apart by the outbreak of World War II. When Boris is drafted and sent to the front, Veronika must navigate the hardships and moral compromises of life on the home front. Director Mikhail Kalatozov’s innovative camera work and bold visual style create a sense of urgency and emotional intensity, while Tatiana Samoilova’s luminous performance as Veronika captures the resilience and tragedy of a generation. The Cranes Are Flying is a masterpiece of Soviet cinema that offers a deeply human perspective on the impact of war.
These 25 films represent the best of the World War II movie genre, offering a diverse range of perspectives, styles, and stories. From epic battles to intimate character studies, from harrowing dramas to thrilling adventures, these movies capture the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who lived through one of the darkest chapters in human history. They serve as powerful reminders of the horrors of war and the enduring human spirit that can triumph even in the face of unimaginable adversity.
