7 Best War Shows for Non-War Fans, Ranked

War is a pretty popular genre, but as with every genre of media, it has its particular audience and doesn’t always resonate with everyone. And hey, that’s alright. War is a pretty intense genre, as it typically entails some brutal violence, and focuses more on the worst that humanity has to offer, showcasing our darkest moments throughout history as a species. It’s depressing, which is how it’s supposed to be, and not everyone likes that.

That said, there are some war-themed TV series that do a good job of appealing to a broader array of audiences, usually due to how they incorporate other genres like romance or drama into their narratives. Sometimes, they even go the extra mile and don’t feature any action at all. If you’re someone who doesn’t really like or appreciate the war genres, this list is for you, as these are the best war TV shows that are perfect watches for non-war fans.

7

‘Catch-22’ (2019)

Catch-22 does bear lots of hallmarks of the war genre. Yes, there is action, and yes, it is largely about military action, specifically about the Allied air forces during World War II. However, it does a lot of things differently than a typical war TV show would. For one, it’s not just about action and combat, but it’s primarily a black comedy, too, loaded with sarcasm and gallows humor. This is because it’s mostly about a bombardier who joins the air force, thinking it’ll be safer than being on the ground.

He is met with a rude awakening as he is sent on increasingly risky missions, and devises a plan to get himself honorably discharged. The problem is, he has to jump through a ridiculous set of hoops to do so. If you’re not so much a fan of violence, there’s still plenty that Catch-22 has to offer, especially in its deadpan deliveries and ironic punchlines, which paint a harrowing yet critical picture of military life at the time.

6

‘The Pillars of the Earth’ (2010)

The Pillars of the Earth is a miniseries set during The Anarchy, a period of violent civil war in England that took place in the early to mid-12th Century. While there’s no question that this was a tumultuous time in England, the show keeps things relatively tame, as it’s more of a drama series rather than being about tactics, action, or violence. The story primarily centers on a cathedral being built in the middle of this dangerous political climate, and all the politics that come with it.

Some pretty big names make appearances in this eight-part miniseries, who embody the historical characters perfectly. The war show is actually based on a novel, though the ending between the two varies greatly, which sparked some debate. Nevertheless, The Pillars of the Earth was a resounding success in the world of television, with the Medieval political drama depicting the mundanity of ordinary life during a conversely troubling time. Because of its more dramatic angle, it is an ideal choice for non-war fans.

5

‘Rome’ (2005–2007)

Rome honestly doesn’t get super war-like until the second season. There is a substantial bit of pretty graphic violence that does take place in the show, but this is pretty reflective of the nature of ancient times. Due to the time period, however, it means that the war is fought with swords and bows, not bombs and bullets. But this isn’t the only purpose of the show. A significant portion of it is dedicated to politics and drama, allowing for a substantial break between the gruesome action.

The war in question is Caesar’s Civil War, which brought about the end of Ancient Egypt in the First Century BCE. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like violence at all, it’s safe to say that this show isn’t completely for you. However, if you’re alright with it, but just aren’t a fan of the modern kind of war, this is still a show that you will enjoy, especially if you tend to prefer political intrigue, romance, and drama over combat.

4

‘The Last Kingdom’ (2015–2022)

Like Rome, The Last Kingdom includes some pretty brutal combat involving gore and bleak depictions of warfare, but it is set well over 1000 years ago, meaning the conflict between the Anglo-Saxons and the Viking raiders is limited to swords, spears, and bows. The first episode really makes sure to emphasize the combat, as it’s pretty much entirely focused on violence all the way through, likely in an effort to really hook people onto the series.

But if you can get beyond this first bit, the rest of the series, while still containing violence, also has a hefty amount of royal politics, romance, and drama, which play just as important a role as the actual fighting does. It becomes clear that the characters are the most essential aspect of this story, which makes it easy to fall in love with on a level that goes deeper than its visual style. In short, anyone who appreciates the nuance of a historical period drama will likely still love The Last Kingdom.

3

‘Barbarians’ (2020–2022)

Like the two previous entries, Barbarians does contain quite a bit of violence, much of which is very gory and hard to look at. But that isn’t the only thing that goes into this series. The show primarily functions as a historical drama, taking place during one of the early conflicts between the Roman Empire and the Germanic Tribes in the First Century. While some pretty large and intense battle sequences do take front and center, the show also makes sure to enable other aspects to shine.

There’s a lot of romance involved, for example, as well as drama, and of course, a political narrative on behalf of the Roman invaders. Plus, it being set over 2000 years ago means the more modern forms of combat that are usually portrayed in the war genre simply do not exist, so it feels pretty distinct from the genre. Though its run was short-lived, Barbarians was a resounding success for critics and audiences alike, many of whom weren’t exactly fans of the war genre, either.

2

‘The White Queen’ (2013)

The White Queen is another series that does technically belong to the war genre, though the conflict is more of a background presence rather than something seen up front. This miniseries is set during the Wars of the Roses, a period of civil war in England that occurred in the 15th Century, at the end of the Middle Ages. Rather than being about the feuding English armies, the spotlight turns instead to the women of these warring houses, who are at the heart of a series of political maneuvers meant to secure their victory.

Many of the characters are based on real people, and are primarily based on the politics of the English court, with princesses, queens, and nobles each pulling the strings from behind the scenes in order to get what they want. For those who aren’t a fan of violence or gore, The White Queen certainly delivers, as it functions as a political drama rather than an action-oriented series. Plus, it’s all about female empowerment, which it definitely earns points for.

1

‘M*A*S*H’ (1972–1983)

One of the major factors that turns a lot of people off the war genre is the fact that it’s just so depressing. This is because it has to be in order to fully paint a picture of what combat is really like. If you’re one of those people who isn’t really fond of seeing the negative side of the world, this last entry on the list has you covered. M*A*S*H definitely has its fair share of emotional moments, but for the most part, it’s a sitcom series, focusing on a team of medics at an American base during the Korean War.

M*A*S*H is one of the most influential and groundbreaking war TV shows of all time, as it brought some much-needed attention to one of history’s most forgotten conflicts, but did it in such a way that it stayed away from showing the uglier side of the conflict in full force. Silly moments and jokes abound in this show, directly contrasting with its bleak setting. In fact, it’s easy to forget that it’s primarily about conflict most of the time, which is why it’s an ideal series to watch if you aren’t a fan of the genre.