10 War Movies That Get Better With Every Rewatch

The power war movies have on audiences is incredible. Few other genres in cinema are as iconic, successful, and acclaimed as war, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down soon. War movies have become a must-watch for cinema lovers since the early days of black and white. They’re a piece of the puzzle that has made the entertainment industry the thriving business it is today.

Cinema is full of iconic and beloved war movies, many of which get increasingly better with every rewatch. There is no shortage of influential war classics that have and continue to amaze audiences with their thrilling, emotional, and, at times, thought-provoking stories. From the intense modern epic Black Hawk Down to the black-and-white anti-war masterpiece All Quiet on the Western Front, these ten war movies below are pure classics that every buff of this genre can appreciate the more they see them.

10

‘Black Hawk Down’ (2001)

Directed by Ridley Scott

Black Hawk Down is a 2001 action war drama directed by Sir Ridley Scott, the master of redefining genres. Pulse-pounding excitement combined with historical accuracy make up this incredible two-hour and twenty-four-minute epic, which tells the true story of around 100 U.S. Army Rangers and Special Forces in their intense firefight during the Battle of Mogadishu.

Scott’s visual filmmaking, riveting action, and accurate attention to detail make Black Hawk Down an incredible watch to come back to. It’s mainly authentic to actual history, allowing viewers to get sucked into the true, shocking events that occurred. The acting is exceptional, and the cast includes some rather big names to keep audiences invested and rooting for their character’s survival. This modern classic never lets up with the action and drama, making it a constant rewatch now and again.

9

‘A Bridge Too Far’ (1977)

Directed by Richard Attenborough

One of the most iconic World War II epics is Sir Richard Attenborough’s 1977 film A Bridge Too Far, a gripping tale that stars many big names, including Michael Caine, Laurence Olivier, James Caan, and Sir Anthony Hopkins. A powerful, nearly three-hour-long story, it follows multiple perspectives of soldiers from different countries, Americans, British, Polish, and even Germans, during Operation Market-Garden, the bold, ambitious allied-led invasion into the Netherlands that failed.

A Bridge Too Far is one of those WWII classics that only gets better with age. It’s an intense, gripping, and jaw-dropping film that deserves the title of epic, as it wows with its many impressive moments. Combined with its flawless performances and respect for history, this is a beloved film that honestly gets more and more entertaining the more people see it.

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

From Stanley Kubrick, a fascinating filmmaker responsible for some of the most compelling movies of the 20th century, comes his take on the Vietnam War, Full Metal Jacket. A riveting, thought-provoking anti-war drama, it’s a powerful tale about the dehumanizing effects of war told through several U.S. marines, from boot camp training to the vicious street fights of Hue City.

Kubrick was a master of storytelling, and he was given time to shine, blowing audiences away with his intense, emotional film that truly feels timeless. The acting and writing are superb, and it features some of the most iconic lines and scenes in war movie history. Fans of this also love it because of its gripping first act and, of course, the legendary character Gny. Sgt. Hartman (R. Lee Ermey), whose intimidating presence and darkly comedic insults are one of the main reasons Full Metal Jacket has become such a rewatchable hit.

7

‘The Dirty Dozen’ (1967)

Directed by Robert Aldrich

For action, adventure, and thrills set during WWII, few are as iconic and riveting as Robert Aldrich’s 1967 classic The Dirty Dozen. Starring a talented cast, including Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, and Jim Brown, it follows a tough-as-nail U.S. Army Major as he’s tasked with training and leading a unit of convicted soldiers on a near-impossible mission behind German lines in the lead up to the invasion of Normandy.

While not having the most believable plot or being historically accurate, this is a fun, action-packed thrill ride featuring some of the most crowd-pleasing moments from World War Two movies. Its exciting characters, dialog, and battle sequences are enough to keep viewers invested from start to finish. Though its plot is ridiculous, it is a beloved must-watch for war fans as it delivers an unforgettable experience.

6

‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

If there is one war epic that has remained untouched by time, and continues to be praised and studied for its brilliance, it’s Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. Hailed as one of the greatest war movies of all time, this powerful tale is a two-hour and twenty-seven-minute masterpiece full of violence and psychological drama. It stars Martin Sheen as a U.S. Captain hell-bent on finding and eliminating a rogue Special Forces Colonel hiding out in the jungles of Vietnam.

Apocalypse Now is a film that needs multiple viewings to get its many thought-provoking themes. It has some of the most gripping acting in cinema history, courtesy of Sheen and the legendary Marlon Brando, whose chilling performance as the sadistic Col. Kurtz is a truly marvelous performance that gets more interesting and shows different meanings with every rewatch.

5

‘Platoon’ (1986)

Directed by Oliver Stone

From the great Oliver Stone comes his perfectly directed, Best Picture-winning masterpiece, Platoon, starring Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and Willem Dafoe. A shockingly realistic and frightening depiction of how war affects the average foot soldier, it’s a captivating story that follows a young U.S. private as he’s torn between the conflicting ideologies of two platoon sergeants while on patrol in Vietnam.

Praised as one of the most fascinating and intense Vietnam War movies ever made, Platoon is a true classic of the genre, backed up by Stone’s excellent directing and some powerful performances. Its focus on regular U.S. soldiers and their many differing perspectives on the war is a compelling component that makes this one worth multiple viewings to understand and appreciate all that went into the story.

4

‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ (1957)

Directed by David Lean

One of the greatest war masterpieces of all time, The Bridge on the River Kwai is also one of the most watchable. Released in 1957, it is a Best Picture-winning war epic directed by the late great David Lean and starring Alec Guinness in an Oscar-winning performance. It’s the iconic tale of a proud, captured British Colonel as he assists his Japanese captors in building a magnificent bridge over the Kwai River.

Despite coming out nearly seventy years ago, this stunning masterpiece still looks like it could have been made today. The Bridge on the River Kwai is a flawlessly acted, perfectly shot war classic that has become an essential film for most war fans. Its story is still riveting; even the explosive ending will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. It’s a fun, necessary film that never gets old.

3

‘Das Boot’ (1981)

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen

Looking for the best submarine warfare movie? Nothing tops Das Boot, the 1981 German masterpiece directed by the late Wolfgang Petersen. It’s one of the most tense, claustrophobic, and emotional war movies around, a thrilling epic about a German U-boat crew, with conflicting views of the war as they venture into dangerous waters during the battle of the Atlantic.

It can’t be understated how important Das Boot has become to the war genre. It’s an essential masterpiece that has fascinated audiences for decades since its release. Its popularity among war buffs has grown as they’ve come to appreciate and rewatch every incredible second of this enduring classic. Its moments and performances are still impressive today and show no signs of ever being forgotten.

2

‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Anyone who calls themselves a war movie buff has seen Saving Private Ryan more than once. Directed by the visionary Steven Spielberg, this heartbreaking but action-packed war drama is often considered one of the greatest WWII movies ever made. It stars Tom Hanks and the late Tom Sizemore as they lead a team of Army Rangers into war-torn France to find and evacuate a paratrooper who’s lost all his brothers in combat.

This has some of the most realistic and intense depictions of combat ever seen on screen. It’s gritty, bloody, and incredibly violent. It captures the true carnage of World War II and all its mayhem. From the iconic opening D-Day scene to the epic final battle, there is enough action here to more than satisfy the average viewer. But aside from the battles and violence, it’s also a gripping drama with truly magnificent performances, especially Hanks, whose role as the brave Capt. Miller is one of the most compelling of his career. Saving Private Ryan is an essential war classic that gets more exciting with rewatches and never fails to keep viewers invested.

1

‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ (1930)

Directed by Lewis Milestone

The greatest war movies are ones that never cease to amaze the audience. It’s best to describe the 1930 Best Picture-winning classic All Quiet on the Western Front, a heartwrenching WW1 drama directed by Lewis Milestone. It follows a young German soldier aspiring to become a war hero as he comes to realize the true horrors and futility of war on the western front.

It’s a film that needs to be seen by everyone. All Quiet on the Western Front tells a heartbreaking story with anti-war themes and messages that continue to be relevant today. It has a bit of everything to satisfy viewers, from its action scenes and powerful performances to the emotionally devastating ending that continues to have a lasting impact. This film truly gets better and better no matter how many times one sees it. It reigns today as one of the best war movies of all time.

NEXT: 10 War Movies That Are Good, Not Great