Even though Memorial Day weekend signals the unofficial start of summer in the U.S., many seem to forget what this holiday is all about. Indeed, Memorial Day is an American federal holiday that honors U.S. military personnel who lost their lives in wartime. Yet while many celebrate the three-day weekend with a BBQ, beach outing, or even a retail discount, others observe the true meaning of what was originally Decoration Day. In other words, you can visit memorials and monuments dedicated to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Moreover, you may learn more about American military history through books, online research, or watching a war movie.
Even though only a few war movies are in theaters, you can watch one via streaming or premium channels. Of course, one of these current “war” movies is pure non-fiction, while “Irena’s Vow” is not in wide release.
My Favorite American War Movies
Here are my personal favorite American war movies from the last 80 years. I’ve chosen to focus on this period, which unfortunately means I’ve had to leave out all-time favorites like Gone with the Wind and Casablanca. I’ve also excluded sci-fi films like Star Wars, War of the Worlds, or the current release, “Civil War.” Given the wealth of outstanding war films, it’s challenging to narrow down the list, but I hope you find my choices interesting and perhaps even discover a new favorite.
Many of you will no doubt disagree with some or all of my picks. On the other hand, please bear in mind that these are MY favorites. Before I get to the list, I want to let you know that not all these films are historically accurate or true stories. Nevertheless, each is worthy of inclusion in my Top 10. While many don’t like war movies, this film genre does give you a sense of what it was like during wartime. With this in mind, you can watch one or more of these over the 2024 Memorial Day weekend.
(credit: Rotten Tomatoes/YouTube)
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Based upon actual events during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, “Black Hawk Down” isn’t entirely accurate in a historical sense. However, director Ridley Scott makes you feel that you are right in on the action. In fact, this war film won two Oscars for its sheer realism, for Best Sound and Best Film Editing. Featuring an ensemble cast, it stars Josh Harnett, Eric Bana and Ewan McGregor. The director of blockbusters like “Alien” and “Gladiator,” Ridley Scott, also made “GI Jane,” a fictional movie about the Navy Seals.
(credit: TheMoviePark/You Tube)
Courage Under Fire (1996)
In an earlier list of my favorite American war movies, “Courage Under Fire” wasn’t on the list. Yet, after reexamining this terrific flick starring Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington, it should have been. Besides, for once, the military hero is Army Captain Karen Walden, a female portrayed by Ryan. What’s more, this is one of the best movies about the Persian Gulf War. Sure, there were others, like “Jarhead” and “Three Kings.” But I’m sure you’ll agree that the fictional character Captain Karen Walden is deserving of the Medal of Honor. The film, directed by Edward Zwick, also stars Lou Diamond Phillips, Michael Moriarty, and Matt Damon.
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(Warner Bros. Entertainment/YouTube)
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Another favorite of mine set during the Vietnam War is this epic war movie by renowned director Stanley Kubrick. What made “Full Metal Jacket” especially interesting to me was its depiction of a U.S. Marine boot camp. Having experienced a U.S. Army boot camp myself, I can say that the drill sergeant played by R. Lee Ermey is as accurate as you can get. That’s largely due to the fact that he was a real Marine Corps drill sergeant during the mid-60s. Also starring Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, and Vincent D’Onofrio, “Full Metal Jacket was Kubrick’s last film while still alive.
Related: Classic Movies to Ease Your Wanderlust
Glory (1989)
Although not entirely accurate, “Glory” is unquestionably my favorite war movie about the American Civil War. What is true is that Captain Robert Gould Shaw led an all-African American regiment from Massachusetts. On the other hand, there was no flogging of troops, and not all of these troops were slaves. Instead, a good portion of the 54th regiment were freed men who lived in Northern states. Nevertheless, the battle scenes are brutal and seem quite real, particularly the Battle of Antiem. One of the year’s best films, “Glory,” won three Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for a young Denzel Washington.
(Lionsgate Movies/YouTube)
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Despite being based on the true story of U.S. Army medic Desmond Doss, “Hacksaw Ridge” doesn’t seem real. However, there are several accounts that support the notion that this conscientious objector rescued 75 soldiers. What’s more, Doss did this without carrying a gun and in just 12 hours. PFC Doss was largely able to do this by lowering men down a rope at Hacksaw Ridge on Okinawa. Despite being wounded four times, he survived and subsequently was awarded the Medal of Honor. Directed by Mel Gibson and starring Andrew Garfield, “Hacksaw Ridge” is my favorite war movie of the 21st century.
(credit: Amazon MGM Studios/YouTube)
Platoon (1986)
One of the best films of 1986, “Platoon” is notable for several reasons. For one, it was the first Hollywood film that was written and directed by a Vietnam veteran. Secondly, this war movie was inspired by the experiences of director Oliver Stone, who served two years in Vietnam. Despite some inaccuracies in a historical context, “Platoon” was widely praised and was the third highest-grossing movie of 1986. On top of that, it won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film stars Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, and Willem Dafoe, who is remembered for the most tragic and unforgettable scene.
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Saving Private Ryan (1998)
If I were to write a short list of my favorite American war movies, “Saving Private Ryan” would be on it. An epic war film starring Tom Hanks and Matt Damon, this is perhaps cinema’s best effort in depicting D-Day. In fact, no other movie really comes close to portraying what it was like to land on the beaches of Normandy in 1944. Despite not exactly being a true story, this epic film by Stephen Spielberg is inspired by the Niland brothers, who served during World War II. The movie also depicts a true U.S. Army policy known as the “sole survivor.” “Saving Private Ryan” should have won Best Picture of the year but lost out to mostly forgettable Shakespeare in Love.
Visiting Normandy in 2024
Of all my favorite American war movies, a visit to the beaches of Normandy is probably the most popular. What’s more, this year marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which began June 6, 1955. On this occasion, there are several tours available from the United States. This includes tours from Beaches of Normandy Tours, the National WWII Museum, and Road Scholar.
Sgt. York (1941)
The oldest film in this list of my favorite American war movies is “Sgt. York.” However, this black-and-white film starring Gary Cooper as Alvin York is well worth your consideration. In fact, it was the highest-grossing film of 1941 and largely based on a true story. In case you’re unfamiliar with Alvin York, he was a conscientious objector against participating in World War I. Nevertheless, he was drafted and sent to serve in the 82nd Infantry in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in France. Perhaps the most famous American war hero of WWI, Sgt. York is credited for capturing over 132 German soldiers.
(credit: StudioCanal UK/YouTube)
The Deer Hunter (1978 )
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1978, this is among my favorite war movies. Set during the Vietnam War, it’s a fictional account of a group of Slavic-American friends from Western Pennsylvania. However, scenes from “The Deer Hunter” truly give you an impression of just how brutal this war may have been. In fact, one of its important scenes is among the most gut-wrenching ever presented in American movie history. Despite its controversial content, you may wonder why Robert DeNiro didn’t win the Best Actor Award. As it is, his co-star Christopher Walken won the Best Supporting Actor Award, as did Michael Cimino for Best Director.
The Guns of Navarone (1961)
For most of you, “The Guns of Navarone” may be well before your time. Although it might be outdated for some and purely fictional, it’s a thrilling World War II movie. Furthermore, it was one of the best war movies of that era and also included “Bridge on the River Kwai” and “The Longest Day.” While it’s not a true story, the events of the movie are based on the war campaign on the Italian Dodecanese islands. During these battles in 1943, Americans were not among the Allied resistance against Germany. Similarly, British soldiers are largely portrayed in the movie, although British actor David Niven is an American character.
Bonus Pick: Paths of Glory (1957)
Of these favorite war movies, “Paths of Glory” is probably the least recognizable to you. Set in France during World War I, it’s one of director Stanley Kubrick’s earliest films, and it’s in black and white. Despite the possibility that black-and-white films might not be appealing, “Paths of Glory” is among the best of all time. Although this may be true, this classic starring Kirk Douglas is an anti-war movie. That’s not to mention that it’s more about members of the French army than American soldiers.
More War Movie Recommendations (Not All American)
1917 (2019)
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) and (2022)
American Sniper (2014)
An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
Apocalypse Now (1979)
Atonement (2007)
Battle of the Bulge (1965)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Casualties of War (1989)
Catch 22 (1970)
Cold Mountain (2003)
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Darkest Hour (2017)
Das Boot (1981)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Dunkirk (2017)
Empire of the Sun (1987)
Fail Safe (1964)
Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
From Here to Eternity (1953)
Fury (2014)
G.I. Jane (1997)
Go For Broke (1951)
Good Morning Vietnam (1987)
Greyhound (2020)
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant (2023)
Inglorious Basterds (2009)
Jarhead (2005)
Jo Jo Rabbit (2019)
Judgement at Nuremberg (1961)
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
Lincoln (2012)
M.A.S.H. (1970)
Midway (1976) and (2019)
Mr. Roberts (1955)
Operation Mincemeat (2021)
Patton (1970)
Pearl Harbor (2001)
Pork Chop Hill (1959)
Private Benjamin (1980)
Run Silent, Run Deep (1958)
Schindler’s List (1993)
Stalag 17 (1953)
The Alamo (1960)
The Big Red One (1980)
The Boys in Company C (1978)
The Dirty Dozen (1967)
The Great Escape (1963)
The Green Berets (1968)
The Horse Soldiers (1959)
The Hurt Locker (1980)
The Imitation Game (2014)
The Longest Day (1962)
The Patriot (2000)
The Pianist (2002)
The Sand Pebbles (1966)
The Tuskegee Airmen (1995)
The Zone of Interest (2023)
Thin Red Line (1998)
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Valkyrie (2008)
War Horse (2011)
We Were Soldiers (2002)
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
I am sure I left out a particular favorite of others. That may be because I intentionally left a few out simply because it wasn’t one of my own favorites. But as you can see, Hollywood has come out with some outstanding pictures over these years. If you have the time, please let me know what other war movies you might include.
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About the Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University and is a member of the Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW). Randy is a U.S. Army veteran and served stateside and overseas in Germany.