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The 24 best war movies streaming on Netflix

From harrowing recreations of world wars to sobering modern-day documentaries, Netflix has all manner of war films.

The 24 best war movies streaming on Netflix

From harrowing recreations of world wars to sobering modern-day documentaries, Netflix has all manner of war films.

By Kevin Jacobsen,

Robert English,

and Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

EW's editorial guidelines

on November 1, 2025 7:47 a.m. ET

Felix Kammerer as Paul BĂ€umer in 'All Quiet on the Western Front'; Delroy Lindo as Paul in 'Da 5 Bloods'; George MacKay as Lance Corporal Schofield in '1917'

Felix Kammerer as Paul BĂ€umer in 'All Quiet on the Western Front'; Delroy Lindo as Paul in 'Da 5 Bloods'; George MacKay as Lance Corporal Schofield in '1917'. Credit:

Netflix; David Lee/Netflix; Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

There has been a rich tradition of war movies since the silent days of the silver screen. Films in this genre can captivate our senses with sweeping battlefields and graphic depictions of combat, enlightening us with tales of triumph — and the worst humanity has to offer.

Modern films are especially able to bring the visceral imagery of century-old wars to life, such as in Oscar winners like *1917* (2019) and *All Quiet on the Western Front* (2022). Others use war to tell more expansive human stories and play in multiple genres, like *Da 5 Bloods* (2020).

Here are **’s recommendations for the best war movies streaming on Netflix right now.

George MacKay as Lance Corporal Schofield and Benedict Cumberbatch as Colonel Mackenzie in '1917'

George MacKay as Lance Corporal Schofield and Benedict Cumberbatch as Colonel Mackenzie in '1917'.

Francois Duhamel/Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

In *1917*, director Sam Mendes fully engages the audience in the harrowing journey of a pair of British soldiers during World War I. Tasked with communicating an important message to a commander in person, lance corporals Will Schofield (George MacKay) and Tom Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) navigate the chaos of the trenches and an onslaught of enemy fire.

Roger Deakins won an Oscar for his masterful cinematography, with long, unbroken takes, which, as **’s critic writes, “effectively drops the viewer into the center of the story and compels them to stay there, fully immersed in every muddy step, hunger pang, and rifle click.” —*Kevin Jacobsen*

Where to watch *1917*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Sam Mendes

**Cast:** George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

Albrecht Schuch as Stanislaus Katczinsky and Felix Kammerer as Paul BĂ€umer in 'All Quiet on the Western Front'

Albrecht Schuch as Stanislaus Katczinsky and Felix Kammerer as Paul BĂ€umer in 'All Quiet on the Western Front'. Netflix

The classic novel *All Quiet on the Western Front* has been adapted to film twice before, but this version by director Edward Berger is the first in the book’s native German. Newcomer Felix Kammerer plays Paul BĂ€umer, a young German soldier who eagerly signs up to fight in World War I but gradually loses his innocence upon experiencing the hellishness of trench warfare.

Unlike the book and its previous adaptations, this version includes a storyline featuring the officials involved in ending the war. With stunning visuals and an ominous Oscar-winning score, EW’s critic observes that *All Quiet on the Western Front* is “​​an antiwar drama that transcends the bombast of propaganda mostly just because it's so artfully and indelibly made.” —*K.J.*

Where to watch *All Quiet on the Western Front*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Edward Berger

**Cast:** Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Daniel BrĂŒhl

Beasts of No Nation (2015)

Idris Elba as Commandant and Abraham Attah as Agu in 'Beasts of No Nation'

Idris Elba as Commandant and Abraham Attah as Agu in 'Beasts of No Nation'.

Shawn Greene/Bleecker Street Media/Everett

It’s the film that started the Netflix original movie storm. *Beasts of No Nation*, directed by Cary Fukunaga, follows Abu (Abraham Attah), a child soldier fighting in a civil war in an unnamed African country. Idris Elba costars as the Commandant, a despotic leader who preys on Abu.

The movie gained the spotlight after many major theaters boycotted it over the rise of VOD, a fight of the past now. The cast is phenomenal, especially Elba, who terrifies and takes away the humanity of Abu. Despite the positive critical reception, *Beasts *earned no Academy Award nominations but remains a must-see. —*Robert English*

Where to watch *Beasts of No Nation*: Netflix

**Director:** Cary Fukunaga

**Cast:** Idris Elba, Kurt Egyiawan, Jude Akuwudike, Emmanuel "King King" Nii Adom Quaye, Abraham Attah

The Bombardment (2023)

Alex HĂžgh Andersen as Frederik in 'The Bombardment'

Alex HĂžgh Andersen as Frederik in 'The Bombardment'.

The Danish film *The Bombardment *— also known as* The Shadow in My Eye *— is based on true events. During World War II, the Royal Air Force (RAF) agreed to bomb a Gestapo headquarters located in Copenhagen. But when an accident leads to a local school also being mistaken for a target, the fates of Danish resistance fighters, children, and nuns collide.

The subject matter is challenging and director Ole Bornedal handles it gracefully, shooting his film beautifully, and treating his story’s heroes and victims with respect. His contribution represents yet another important piece in the puzzle of World War II — a haunting film immortalizing a little-known story whose subjects deserve to be remembered. *—Ilana Gordon*

Where to watch *The Bombardment*: Netflix

**Director: **Ole Bornedal

**Cast: **Alex HĂžgh Andersen, Fanny Bornedal

Da 5 Bloods (2020)

Delroy Lindo as Paul, Jonathan Majors as David, and Clarke Peters as Otis in 'Da 5 Bloods'

Delroy Lindo as Paul, Jonathan Majors as David, and Clarke Peters as Otis in 'Da 5 Bloods'.

David Lee/Netflix

Spike Lee has already proven himself as a legend of the big screen, so it’s no surprise that his tribute to Vietnam War veterans was another hit for the Oscar winner. *Da 5 Bloods* weaves the present and past as four vets return to Vietnam to seek the remains of their fallen squad leader (Chadwick Boseman in one of his final film roles) and their buried treasure.

The film manages to juggle two themes: the emotional toll on the soldiers and a conversation about race in the 1970s and America’s role in the war. The result is stunning, with EW’s critic calling the director “a filmmaker who remains in total control of his once-in-a-generation gifts and utilizes them to synthesize story and history into something new.” —*R.E.*

Where to watch *Da 5 Bloods*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Spike Lee

**Cast:** Chadwick Boseman, Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr.

The Forgotten Battle (2021)

Jamie Flatters as William Sinclair and Tom Felton as Tony Turner in 'The Forgotten Battle'

Jamie Flatters as William Sinclair and Tom Felton as Tony Turner in 'The Forgotten Battle;'.

Netflix/Courtesy Everett

Described as the “Dutch version of Dunkirk,” *The Forgotten Battle* is a 2020 war drama directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. Set in 1944 and centered around the Battle of the Scheldt during World War II, the movie follows a soldier in the Germany army (Gjis Blom), a Brtiish glider pilot (Jamie Flatters), and a Dutch woman (Susan Radder) who ends up fighting in the resistance.

When these three disparate characters find themselves on a collision course, their actions will have an impactful effect on the worldwide conflict. Based on a true story and shot primarily in Dutch and English with some German, the film tells a little known war story in a terse, thrilling, and character-driven style. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Forgotten Battle*: Netflix**

**Director: ** Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

**Cast: **Gijs Blom, Jamie Flatters, Susan Radder, Tom Felton

The 20 best Civil War movies of all time, ranked

Civil War Movies

The 23 best World War II movies of all time

Tom Hanks as Captain Miller in 'Saving Private Ryan'; Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine and Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund in 'Casablanca'; Kenneth Branagh as Commander Bolton in 'Dunkirk'

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Andrew Garfield as Desmond T. Doss in 'Hacksaw Ridge'

Andrew Garfield as Desmond T. Doss in 'Hacksaw Ridge'. Mark Rogers

*Hacksaw Ridge* is a gripping war film whose protagonist is ironically a pacifist. Based on the true story of Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist who served as a combat medic during World War II and consciously refused to use a weapon, the film delves into his belief system leading up to and during the war, and his struggle to stay devoted to his cause.

Andrew Garfield earned an Oscar nomination for his earnest performance as Doss, and the film, while a smidge too sentimental in the home front first half, is riveting in its battle-heavy second. “The latter — a bone-rattling shock-and-awe of blasted limbs and spilled intestines,” EW’s critic writes, “is infinitely more affecting than the former.” *—K.J.*

Where to watch *Hacksaw Ridge*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director: **Mel Gibson

**Cast:** Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Vince Vaughn, Richard Pyros

The Hurt Locker (2008)

Jeremy Renner as Staff Sergeant William James in 'The Hurt Locker'

Jeremy Renner as Staff Sergeant William James in 'The Hurt Locker'. Summit Entertainment

When your job requires you to disable bombs in the heat of battle, you suit up for work each day like it might be your last. In the second year of the Iraq War, Staff Sergeant James (Jeremy Renner) arrives to fill a vacancy in the Bravo Company, but finds that his unwillingness to communicate his plans and gonzo method of defusing bombs doesn't always jive with the rest of his company — especially Sergeant J. T. Sanborn (Anthony Mackie).

From former reporter and screenwriter Mark Boal (*Zero Dark Thirty*) and director Kathryn Bigelow, whose work on this film made her the first woman to walk away with the Best Director Oscar, *The Hurt Locker* is realistic, intense, and action-packed, chronicling the many effects war has on the people who fight it. As EW's critic at the time says, "This ain't no war videogame, no flashy, cinematic art piece; there's nothing virtual about this reality." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Hurt Locker*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A

**Director:** Kathryn Bigelow

**Cast: **Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Evangeline Lilly, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Guy Pearce

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Brad Pitt at Lt. Aldo Raine (right) in 'Inglourious Basterds'

Brad Pitt at Lt. Aldo Raine (right) in 'Inglourious Basterds'. Francois Duhamel/TWC

Quentin Tarantino’s take on a World War II action film, *Inglourious Basterds*, presents an alternate version of the conflict as told through two parallel plots to assassinate Hitler. The first assassination is planned by the “Basterds,” a unit of Jewish American soldiers led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) who are known for their legendary Nazi killing abilities. The second plot is architected by Shosanna (MĂ©lanie Laurent), a Jewish woman living undercover in France after surviving an encounter with SS Officer Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz), a.k.a. "the Jew Hunter."

The action is brutal and bloody, the dialogue is filled with that signature Quentin quip, and the ensemble cast is lousy with standouts. Waltz is chief among them, and his performance of the genteel and charismatic Nazi psychopath rightfully earned him the Best Supporting Oscar trophy at that year’s Academy Awards. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Inglourious Basterds*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Quentin Tarantino

**Cast: **Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Michael Fassbender, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, Daniel BrĂŒhl, Til Schweiger, MĂ©lanie Laurent

Jarhead (2005)

Jake Gyllenhaal as Anthony Swofford in 'Jarhead'

Jake Gyllenhaal as Anthony Swofford in 'Jarhead'.

Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Adapted from Anthony Swofford’s 2003 memoir, *Jarhead* is a movie about the mundanity of modern warfare. Swofford, played here by Jake Gyllenhaal, is a Marine sniper who is deployed to the Arabian Peninsula as part of Operation Desert Shield. Desperate for action, he and his unit are sidelined waiting for their assignment, forced to stew in their frustration, fear, and boredom.

Far from glorifying the battlefield, *Jarhead* paints the Marine experience as one of tedium and anxiety, loneliness and machismo-one-upmanship. Gyllenhaal is excellent as the battle-starved Swofford, and director Sam Mendes manages to make a compelling war movie with almost no action. EW’s critic writes, “*Jarhead* is an existential docudrama: cool and funny, vivid and remote at the same time.”* —I.G.*

Where to watch *Jarhead*: Netflix

**Director: **Sam Mendes

**Cast: **Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Lucas Black, Jamie Foxx

The King (2019)

Timothée Chalamet as Hal/Henry V in 'The King'

Timothée Chalamet as Hal/Henry V in 'The King'.

William Shakespeare’s plays *Henry IV* and *Henry V* take the backseat for a new look at the wartorn and political landscape of Henry V’s rise to power. TimothĂ©e Chalamet stars as the young king, bowl-cut and all, as he navigates the fight for the crown across feudal England and France. Chalamet and costar Robert Pattinson are the film’s standouts, with eccentric looks and passionate monologues.

The action is gritty, “a series of grand battleground set pieces,” EW’s critic cites, recalling images of *Game of Thrones*’ Battle of the Bastards. And according to Chalamet, these war scenes and duels are suffocating and intense, “properly messy and dangerous.” —*R.E.*

Where to watch *The King*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** David MichĂŽd

**Cast:** Timothée Chalamet, Robert Pattinson, Joel Edgerton, Lily-Rose Depp, Ben Mendelsohn, Sean Harris

Mosul (2019)

Suhail Dabbach as Jasem in 'Mosul'

Suhail Dabbach as Jasem in 'Mosul'.

Jose Haro/Netflix/Everett

Set in war-torn Mosul, this Arabic-language war movie centers on the skirmishes fought between an Iraqi SWAT team and ISIS insurgents during the 2016 Battle of Mosul. After 21-year-old police officer Kawa survives an ISIS attack, he agrees to accompany a SWAT team on their quest to free Mosul from militants. As Kawa navigates the ravaged city and fights alongside the other officers, he struggles to find answers to his questions about the purposes of the SWAT team’s secret mission. **

Inspired by a 2017 article about the battle within Iraq to destroy ISIS, *Mosul *premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2019, and received positive feedback for offering a new perspective on the violence in the region. Nuanced and thoughtful in spite of the violence, the film ends with a surprisingly heartwarming twist. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Mosul*: Netflix

**Director: **Matthew Michael Carnahan

**Cast: **Suhail Dabbach, Adam Bessa, Is'Haq Elias

Munich — The Edge of War (2021)

Jeremy Irons as Neville Chamberlain in 'Munich — The Edge of War'

Jeremy Irons as Neville Chamberlain in 'Munich — The Edge of War'. Everett Collection

*Munich — The Edge of War* is a fictional accounting of a pivotal historical period. Based on Robert Harris’ bestselling novel, the film follows two old college friends — Hugh Legat, a British civil servant, and Paul von Hartmann, a German diplomat — as they find themselves drawn into the center of Europe’s political powder keg.

A good, old-fashioned spy story with deep stakes, the film examines Neville Chamberlain’s (Jeremy Irons) role in the time leading up to World War II in a new light. A historical thriller that is sure to captivate, you won’t regret devoting two hours of your time to *Munich — The Edge of War.* *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Munich — The Edge of War*: Netflix

**Director: **Christian Schwochow

**Cast: **George MacKay, Jannis Niewöhner, Jeremy Irons, Sandra HĂŒller, Liv Lisa Fries, August Diehl, Jessica Brown Findlay

Narvik (2023)

Torfinn Nag as Colonel Konrad Sundlo and Holger Handtke as German General Eduard Dietl in 'Narvik'

Torfinn Nag as Colonel Konrad Sundlo and Holger Handtke as German General Eduard Dietl in 'Narvik'.

Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

Seven months after World War II began, a small town in Norway found itself in Hitler’s crosshairs. Narvik was rich in the iron ore the German army required for its many wartime needs, and for 62 days in the spring of 1940, the Norwegians and Allied forces attempted to repel a German invasion.

A little-known Norwegian historical film that gives a human face to the Battles of Narvik, *Narvik *follows Corporal Gunnar Tofte, his wife Ingrid, and their son Ole as the three struggle to survive the German attack. The movie presents a fascinating look at the ethical negotiations required by both soldiers and civilians during war, and the performances and cinematography are especially excellent. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Narvik*: Netflix

**Director: **Erik Skjoldbjaerg

**Cast: **Kristine Hartgen, Carl Martin EggesbĂž, Cristoph Gelfert Mathiesen, Henrik Mestad

Number 24 (2024)

Philip Helgar as Edvard Tallaksen in 'Number 24'

Philip Helgar as Edvard Tallaksen in 'Number 24'.

There’s no better representative of Norway’s World War II resistance movement than Gunnar Fridtjof Thurmann Sþnsteby — or “Agent No. 24” as he is known to the Gestapo agents hunting him. The recipient of Norway’s highest military decoration, Gunnar’s story as a leader in Norway’s fight to sabotage their German occupiers is told across parallel timelines.

In the present, Gunnar (Erik Hivju) is Norway’s greatest war hero, asked to give a presentation to school children about his activities during the war. The film then flashes back to his time as a 25-year-old (played by Sjur Vatne Brean) deciding to join the resistance. Director John Andreas Andersen toggles between these two realities, using a question and answer session with his student audience to unlock the secret drawer of memories that Gunnar struggles to keep shut tight. A terse war thriller and tribute to one of Norway’s bravest and most successful resistance fighters, *Number 24 *is must-see reminder of what it looks like to fight fascism at all ages. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Number 24*: Netflix

**Director: **John Andreas Andersen

**Cast: **Sjur Vatne Brean, Erik Hivju, Philip Helgar, Magnus Dugdale

Operation Mincemeat (2022)

Colin Firth as Ewen Montagu in 'Operation Mincemeat'

Colin Firth as Ewen Montagu in 'Operation Mincemeat'. Giles Keyte/See-Saw Films/Netflix

What do you get when you combine two former Mr. Darcys and a war drama? You get *Operation Mincemeat* starring Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen, based on real events that took place during World War II. **

Without giving too much away, imagine what it would look like if James Bond writer Ian Fleming helped the British Army to pass misinformation to the Nazis intended to convey a plan to invade Greece. Add in a love triangle and some high-stakes wartime strategy, and you have a story so absurdly engaging, it’s hard to remember that it’s true. Featuring excellent performances from both Firth and Macfadyen, *Operation Mincemeat* is well-written and self-aware enough to find humor within the horrors of war. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Operation Mincemeat*: Netflix

**Director: **John Madden

**Cast: **Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald, Penelope Wilton, Johnny Flynn, Jason Isaacs

Outlaw King (2018)

Chris Pine as Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick in 'Outlaw King'

Chris Pine as Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick in 'Outlaw King'.

David Eustace/Netfix

This medieval war drama transports us back to the early 1300s in Scotland, where Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine) gradually ascends to King of Scots. Hoping to free Scotland from England’s tyranny, he leads his country in battle against the English army.

While not groundbreaking in its approach, *Outlaw King* is a reliably bloody (and muddy) epic full of heavy skirmishes. Director David Mackenzie “films it beautifully in the natural light of candles, torches, and overcast skies,” writes EW’s critic, “and there’s a solidness to the old-fashioned conventions of his storytelling.” —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Outlaw King*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B+

**Director:** David Mackenzie

**Cast:** Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence Pugh, Billy Howle, Sam Spruell, Tony Curran, Callan Mulvey, James Cosmo, Stephen Dillane

The Patriot (2000)

Mel Gibson as Benjamin Martin in 'The Patriot'

Mel Gibson as Benjamin Martin in 'The Patriot'.

Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

The screenwriter behind *Saving Private Ryan* and the director behind *Independence Day* team up for *The Patriot*, an epic action film set during the Revolutionary War. Mel Gibson stars as a former war hero forced back onto the battlefield and into *Taken *mode after one of his sons (played by Heath Ledger) is captured by the British.

A singularly turn-of-the-century blockbuster, *The Patriot* is ultranationalistic, eschewing historical realities in favor of extended battle sequences and heavy production value. However, EW’s critic at the time writes that the movie’s “second hour, in which father and son come to know each other as men through word and deed, carries far more weight than any way cool shot of a cannonball carrying off a soldier’s head.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Patriot*: Netflix

**Director: **Roland Emmerich

**Cast: **Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs

The Siege of Jadotville (2017)

Conor MacNeill as Radio Operator and Jamie Dornan as Patrick Quinlan in 'The Siege of Jadotville'

Conor MacNeill as Radio Operator and Jamie Dornan as Patrick Quinlan in 'The Siege of Jadotville'.

Karen Ballard/Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

World history since 1945 has created several opportunities for crises to transform into World War III, and one of those incidents took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the early ‘60s. A true story you’ve probably never heard, *The Siege of Jadotville* follows an Irish company led by Cmdr. Pat Quinlan (Jamie Dornan) deployed to keep the peace in the region after the execution of the Congolese Prime Minister portends civil war.

When a U.N. attack against the capitol prompts retaliation against the Irish forces, Quinlan and his men are forced to repel the attackers, but find themselves outnumbered and without reinforcements. A scrappy war drama adapted from the 2005 nonfiction book *The Siege at Jadotville: The Irish Army's Forgotten Battle*, *Siege *is an interesting and gripping look inside a little-known skirmish that could have gone global. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Siege of Jadotville*: Netflix

**Director: ** Richie Smyth

**Cast: **Jamie Dornan, Mark Strong, Mikael Persbrandt, Jason O'Mara, Danny Sapani, Michael McElhatton, Guillaume Canet

The Six Triple Eight (2024)

Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derriecott King in 'The Six Triple Eight'

Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derriecott King in 'The Six Triple Eight'.

Laura Radford/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy Netflix

One of World War II’s lesser-known stories is the heroic tale of the Six Triple Eight. During the conflict, the 6888 was the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve overseas. Their mission was to improve morale by establishing a functional postal service capable of delivering three years' worth of backlogged mail to troops and their loved ones.

Tyler Perry adapts and directs the true story of the Central Postal Directory Battalion into a dramatic and inspirational war movie. Kerry Washington stars as Maj. Charity Adams, the unflinching leader who battles racism and low expectations to do her duty and do right by her fellow soldiers. Hailed as Perry’s most ambitious cinematic feature to date, *The Six Triple Eight *is an empowering film, told from a perspective not often seen in World War II movies. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Six Triple Eight*: Netflix

**Director: **Tyler Perry

**Cast: **Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston, Oprah Winfrey

Thank You for Your Service (2017)

Beulah Koale as Tausolo Aieti and Miles Teller as Adam Schumann in 'Thank You for Your Service'

Beulah Koale as Tausolo Aieti and Miles Teller as Adam Schumann in 'Thank You for Your Service'.

Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

There are many excellent movies about the Iraq War, but *Thank You for Your Service* doesn’t focus on the conflict. An adaptation of a non-fiction book about veterans returning from service and reintegrating into society, the film investigates the role PTSD and broken bureaucratic systems play in soldiers' lives after discharge.

Miles Teller stars as Sgt. Adam Schumann, a husband and father of two who is struggling to process his trauma and guilt. EW’s critic writes that the movie is “successful at capturing the Iraq War’s effects on American lives,” and praises Teller’s performance, stating that “in many ways Adam is still just a boy in man’s clothes.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Thank You for Your Service*: Netflix

**Director: **Jason Hall

**Cast: **Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Joe Cole, Amy Schumer, Beulah Koale, Scott Haze

Unbroken (2014)

Miyavi as Wantanabe (center) in 'Unbroken'

Miyavi as Wantanabe (center) in 'Unbroken'.

Universal Pictures

*Unbroken* chronicles the real-life story of Olympic distance runner Louis Zamperini and his harrowing survival during World War II. Zamperini was on a search-and-rescue mission in 1943 when his plane experienced engine failure and crashed in the ocean, leaving him stranded at sea with two crewmates for weeks. Japanese sailors captured him and he subsequently was made a prisoner of war.

Jack O'Connell gives a hypnotic performance as Zamperini and director Angelina Jolie’s production is handsomely mounted, netting Oscar nominations for its cinematography and sound. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Unbroken*: Netflix

**Director:** Angelina Jolie

**Cast:** Jack O'Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Miyavi, Garrett Hedlund, Finn Wittrock

War Machine (2017)

Brad Pitt as Glen McMahon in 'War Machine'

Brad Pitt as Glen McMahon in 'War Machine'. Francois Duhamel/Netflix

A satirical war comedy that EW’s critic calls a “smart, sharp spitball of a film,” *War Machine *spoofs the United States’ conflict in Afghanistan. Loosely inspired by a 2010 article profiling the military leader responsible for commanding America’s forces in the region, *War Machine *stars Brad Pitt as a fictitious character named Gen. Glen McMahon who has been personally assigned by President Obama to lead America’s war efforts.

McMahon believes the war can be won, but struggles to get the troops he needs to complete the task. Pitt leads an accomplished cast of comedic and character actors, and while the film’s satire doesn’t always accomplish its goal, the performances make up for the movie’s uneven moments. —*I.G.*

Where to watch *War Machine*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: ** David MichĂŽd

**Cast: **Brad Pitt, Anthony Michael Hall, Anthony Hayes, Topher Grace, Will Poulter, Tilda Swinton, Ben Kingsley**

The White Helmets (2016)

Syrian Civil Defence volunteers, known as White Helmets, in 'The White Helmets'

Syrian Civil Defence volunteers, known as White Helmets, in 'The White Helmets'.

This sobering documentary short film centers on the efforts of Syrian Civil Defence volunteers to save innocent civilians in the country’s ongoing civil war. Known as the White Helmets, these everyday heroes risk their lives to get victims of missile strikes and bombings to safety.

Following three men from the organization, the film provides a gripping on-the-ground account as they train in Turkey and venture into unpredictable territory in Syria. As one of the volunteers states in the film — which won the 2017 Oscar for Best Documentary Short: “In the White Helmets we have a motto: To save a life is to save all of humanity.” —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The White Helmets*: Netflix

**Director:** Orlando von Einsiedel

**Cast:** Khalid Farah, Mohammed Farah, Abu Omar, Raed Saleh

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Movies”

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