10 Best Hidden-Gem War Movies, Ranked

War films have always been a significant source of entertainment. This genre encompasses various themes and attracts a wide range of audience members. War films typically explore concepts such as heroism, transformative human experiences, and the recreation of real historical events.

A common thread that unites nearly all war films is the exploration of human nature. Most war films feature a mismatched group of soldiers coming together with the hope of surviving their ordeal. While there are many outstanding war films, some of the best often go unnoticed. There are a few hidden-gem war films that stand out, and some of these are even better than the more widely recognized titles.

10

Tigerland Demonstrates Different Character Beliefs on War as They Fight in Vietnam

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%

Tigerland follows a platoon of U.S. Army recruits training for upcoming combat in the Vietnam War. In 1971, the recruits were stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana, a fort that replicates many notions of the jungle warfare that soldiers were already facing overseas. As the soldiers band together in the tough training, they reflect on the worries of being deployed, knowing how controversial the war continues to grow.

Tigerland was Joel Schumacher’s underrated war film that followed three years after the release of Batman & Robin. The film gracefully dives into the psychological side of boot camp and training for war while still showcasing strong performances by all the cast members. Tigerland was a critical success, but didn’t get a wide release or significant box-office returns, making it a perfect film to kick off this list.

9

The Siege of Jadotville Tells the Story of the Lesser Known Congo Crisis

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 64%

The Siege of Jadotville follows the A Company of the 35th Battalion, a 156-member Irish UN battalion surrounded by Katangese forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During the Congo Crisis in 1961, the Irish forces fought against the Katangese, a group of soldiers that included mercenaries among their ranks. As the A Company tried their best to fight back in a war where they were outnumbered, their position in Jadotville was captured.

​​​​​The Siege of Jadotville displays the epic war themes of bravery, desperation, and combat tactics, all while telling a lesser-known true story. While the film received some critical acclaim, it didn’t get the same exposure as other war movies, leaving it underappreciated. While The Siege of Jadotville has seemed to slip through the cracks, it’s easily accessible on Netflix’s streaming platform.

8

Mosul Follows One Soldier’s Journey in the Nineveh SWAT Team as They Take Down ISIS

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

Mosul tells the story of a young Iraqi police officer who joins the Nineveh SWAT Team after seeing his uncle murdered by ISIS. Kawa, seeking revenge for the death of his uncle, joins a team of fellow local police officers, all of whom have experienced casualties and loss because of ISIS. As they dive right into defense, they are quickly met with challenges and urban warfare on the streets they hope to liberate.

Mosul explores the personal cost of war while displaying the desperation that comes with those trying to liberate their city from ISIS. It features authentic and impressive action sequences, all of which were recreations of real events that the soldiers faced. Mosul took on a unique form of depicting the Battle of Mosul by showcasing the brutality of war over Hollywood war movie tropes.

7

A Hidden Life Shows the Consequences of Refusing To Fight for the Nazis

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%

A Hidden Life follows the true story of Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer and devout Catholic who defied Nazi rule and refused to fight for them in WWII. Franz not only faced death threats from the Nazis, but he faced immense pressure from those within his town. However, Franz’s family supported his decision all the way, despite the consequences that unfolded because of it.

A Hidden Life is a perfect return to form for acclaimed director Terrence Malick. The nature of good and evil is flawlessly explored with a true story, and it is depicted with Malick’s notable cinematography throughout. The film explores the importance of faith, conscience, morality, and the meaning of sacrifice when choices must be made in the face of opposition. ​​​​​A Hidden Life is the perfect hidden-gem war film because it explores the internalized effects of war.

6

Cross of Iron Shows the Conflict Between Two Officers on Opposite Sides of WWII

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%

Cross of Iron follows two leaders as their forces clash on the Eastern Front in WWII. Rolf Steiner is a hardened German sergeant who focuses more on his men and survival than on his achievements in the war. Captain Stransky, a Prussian officer driven by success, is quite the opposite of Steiner, striving for success regardless of the casualties. These two high-ranking officers come toe to toe with one another as their views on the war are starkly different.

Cross of Iron is adapted from the novel “The Willing Flesh” by Willi Heinrich, which conveys the brutality of war. The film was praised for its realism of the Eastern Front and its exploration of the dehumanizing effects of war. Cross of Iron gracefully explores the futility and foolishness of violence, often fueled by a warped mindset in war.

5

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp Brilliantly Satirizes The British Army

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp follows the rise of British officer Clive Wynne-Candy, starting with his service in the Boer War and continuing onto World War II. Candy, a chivalrous veteran of a different time, clashes with the modernization of war. By the time the Second World War comes about, Candy is older and out of touch with a world he was once perfect for. The film presents Candy’s story in non-chronological order, paralleling moments from his past to his ever-changing future.

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp challenged traditional British war movie storytelling, which upset leaders like Winston Churchill. This was mostly caused by the film’s portrayal of some German soldiers, which humanized them. Churchill even sought to have the film banned, but was unsuccessful. While the film was initially underappreciated, it experienced a rediscovery period in the 1980s and 1990s, making it perfect for this spot on the list.

4

The Outpost Follows a Small Unit of American Soldiers as They Fight a Larger Taliban Force

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

The Outpost tells the true story of a small unit of U.S. soldiers at Combat Outpost Keating, in a valley between the mountains in Afghanistan, who take on an attack from a large Taliban force. The Battle of Kamdesh raged on for almost 12 hours with over 300 Taliban fighters bombarding the outpost. While the U.S. forces were outnumbered, they stayed resilient against the coordinated attack by the oppressive force.

The Outpost was an adaptation of Jake Tapper’s book, “The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor,” which offered a realistic telling for audiences. The film did the same, giving audiences authentic recreations of the intense battle scenes faced during The Battle of Kamdesh. The Outpost wasn’t a blockbuster, nor did it gain widespread recognition, but it’s a must-watch for any fan of war movies based on true events.

3

The Burmese Harp Follows a Japanese Soldier Who Becomes a Monk After WWII

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

The Burmese Harp follows Mizushima, a harp-playing soldier, on a journey of understanding his inner self after experiencing the horrors of war. After a failed mission, Mizushima takes on the identity of a monk. As he hides from his past, he embraces what was initially a disguise and focuses on his solace and purpose in life. Mizushima is scarred by the brutality of the war and losing his comrades, so he dedicates his life to honoring the dead by burying them with dignity.

The Burmese Harp is the perfect anti-war Japanese film, showcasing the fallout and horrors that came with WWII. The film received great critical accolades and was noted for showing beauty in the face of devastation. While The Burmese Harp was known to an extent, it is not as well-known as other, more mainstream WWII films.

2

The Steel Helmet Follows One Sergeant and a Korean Orphan’s Survival in the Korean War

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

The Steel Helmet follows a hardened sergeant named Zack who narrowly survives a North Korean ambush that wipes out his entire platoon. Zack is rescued by a young Korean orphan named Short Round, who tags along with Zack until they reach friendly territory. As they embark on their journey, Zack meets a black medic and another infantry unit led by Lt. Driscoll, whom he doesn’t like very much.

As time passes, Zack slowly understands the other infantry and accepts that they’re all just trying to survive. The Steel Helmet is one of the first war movies made about the Korean War. The film was ahead of its time and depicted the rough and realistic notions of war, even with its minimal budget. It is another classic war film that received critical acclaim but not enough recognition beyond that.

1

The Big Red One Is One of the Most Underrated Historically Accurate War Films

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

The Big Red One is a semi-autobiographical film about Samuel Fuller, the director of the film. The film follows a unit of the U.S. infantry, led by their seasoned sergeant, as they embark on many major battles of WWII. The infantry is involved in Operation Torch in North Africa, Kasserine Pass, the invasion of Sicily, D-Day, the Ardennes Forest, and the liberation of a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia.

The Big Red One is an underrated and flawless war film from beginning to end. It highlights the psychological horrors that the soldiers faced during WWII. The film also keeps the audience connected with the soldiers, making the emotional impact of the war feel personal. The Big Red One is often compared to the grittiness of Saving Private Ryan, but with less mainstream exposure, making it the perfect contender for the top spot on this list.