The six years of world battle that constituted World Conflict II remodeled the world politically, culturally, and technologically — and paved the way in which for among the most provocative, participating, and horrifying items of cinema ever created. These tales run the gamut, from celebrating the unsung heroes and people who died defending humanity, to traditionally recording the work of those that architected the atrocities.

The films and filmmakers featured on this listing make sure the tragedies and traumas of WWII won’t ever be forgotten. September 2025 marked the eightieth anniversary of the tip of the battle, so now could be the right alternative to acquaint your self with — or introduce your self to — among the finest World Conflict II movies of all time.

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The Greatest Years of Our Lives (1946)

Launched a yr after the tip of the struggle, The Greatest Years of Our Lives is an epic movie about three troopers who return dwelling and shortly notice their households are irrevocably modified. William Wyler's almost three-hour masterpiece was each well timed and timeless, with a wise script and a full vary of emotional depth. The film took dwelling seven Academy Awards, together with Greatest Image and an Honorary Oscar for actor Harold Russell for "bringing hope and braveness to his fellow veterans." —Robert English

The place to look at The Greatest Years of Our Lives: Amazon Prime Video

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The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Lengthy earlier than he was dueling Darth Vader in Star Wars, Sir Alec Guinness starred on this tour de drive WWII movie as Colonel Nicholson, a British POW who, together with his unit, is tasked with constructing a railway bridge throughout the river Kwai in occupied Burma whereas Allied forces plan to destroy it.

The movie is grand on each stage, delving into the grey areas of struggle with a bombastic last act that rivals motion scenes at the moment. Director David Lean is probably the king of Twentieth-century historic epics (Lawrence of Arabia, Physician Zhivago), however The Bridge on the River Kwai was his first foray into the style, one that may lay the groundwork for his legacy. —R.E.

The place to look at The Bridge on the River Kwai: Amazon Prime Video (to hire)

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Casablanca (1942)

Regardless of boasting among the finest quotes in all of cinematic historical past, Casablanca was simply certainly one of many movies churned out by the studio system within the early years of World Conflict II. However one thing in regards to the film's heart-wrenching love triangle, political and social relevance, and plush setting charmed viewers, propelling the mission to an surprising Greatest Image win, and a everlasting spot on virtually each "better of" listing.

Electrical energy rations had been widespread on the time of the film's launch, however fully pointless — the plain sparks between stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman needed to have been robust sufficient to generate energy for a small metropolis, on the very least. —Ilana Gordon

The place to look at Casablanca: HBO Max

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Come and See (1985)

Few movies have captured the horrific experiences of struggle as vividly and poetically as director Elim Kilmov's 1985 image. Come and See follows Flyora, a younger Belarusian boy who joins the Soviet resistance in opposition to German forces after discovering an previous rifle. Atrocities await the kid soldier at each flip, as he endures unimaginable struggling by way of a lens that's one way or the other each surreal and all too actual. Drawn from the private experiences of Kilmov and co-writer Ales Adamovich, Come and See is a really terrifying spectacle — and it's probably the most poignant anti-war movies ever made. —R.E.

The place to look at Come and See: Amazon Prime Video (to hire)

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Das Boot (1981)

Wolfgang Peterson's struggle epic (translated to The Boat) depicts the claustrophobic world of a German U-boat through the Battle of the Atlantic. The movie was shot in chronological order over the course of a yr to seize a pale, bearded crew hardened by months at sea that really feel like a lifetime. The end result brings beautiful realism to the fear and situations of naval warfare, with intense motion sequences and an important eye for element. Even at two-and-a-half hours, Das Boot is a relentless, emotional experience that grows grimmer by the minute. —R.E.

The place to look at Das Boot: Fubo

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Downfall (2004)

Downfall recounts the ultimate days of Adolf Hitler and his entourage of their fatalistic bunker because the Soviets shut in on Berlin. Bruno Ganz — who was initially hesitant to tackle the function — brings advanced depth to the Führer, a lot in order that the movie acquired backlash for humanizing certainly one of historical past's worst dictators. Nonetheless, it was launched to vital and monetary success, incomes a nomination for Greatest Overseas Language Movie on the Oscars.

Director Oliver Hirschbiegel relied on eyewitness accounts and historic information to make sure accuracy whereas tackling the unthinkable: exploring the various dimensions of a person whose evil is aware of no bounds. —R.E.

The place to look at Downfall: Amazon Prime Video

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Dunkirk (2017)

Christopher Nolan places on a structural grasp class in Dunkirk, one of many filmmaker’s shortest works so far. A World Conflict II epic that chronicles the British Military’s strategic evacuation of 1000’s of troopers from the Dunkirk seashores, the movie combines a number of views from these on the land, within the air, and at sea.

Primarily based on actual occasions from 1940 and communicated with restricted dialogue, Dunkirk shouldn’t be your typical Hollywood struggle story: There are not any Individuals concerned, the heroes retreat somewhat than prevail, and Harry Kinds is there. Nolan’s large-scale manufacturing was well-recognized by the Academy, taking dwelling three trophies in manufacturing classes and receiving eight nominations whole, together with Greatest Image, Greatest Director, and Greatest Cinematography. —I.G.

The place to look at Dunkirk: Amazon Prime Video (to hire)

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Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Studio Ghibli, the hallowed movie firm behind animated classics like My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Spirited Away (2001), and Howl's Transferring Fort (2004), is thought for its mystical creatures and fantastical worlds. However in 1988, writer-director Isao Takahata forged apart the feel-good components and created this heart-wrenching story of two siblings attempting to outlive in Japan as World Conflict II attracts to an in depth.

In a world the place animated films can generally be considered vapid items of youngsters's leisure, Grave of the Fireflies stays probably the most visually beautiful and emotionally transferring style movies of all time, regardless of your age. Be certain to convey tissues for this one. —R.E.

The place to look at Grave of the Fireflies: Netflix

The 24 best war movies streaming on Netflix The 20 best Civil War movies of all time, ranked 09 of 23

The Nice Escape (1963)

An epic World Conflict II traditional highlighting the resiliency of the human spirit, The Nice Escape is a 1963 journey movie directed by John Sturges and starring an ensemble forged led by Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, and James Garner. Loosely primarily based on the true story of a mass escape from a German POW camp — and crafted with many narrative concessions meant to appease American viewing audiences — the motion unfolds like a heist film as a gaggle of British troopers plots to free 250 males from detention at nice danger to their lives.

The movie was principally missed on the awards circuit, solely successful one Oscar for Greatest Movie Enhancing, however it was a success on the field workplace and with critics and stays probably the most enduring WWII movies to today. —I.G.

The place to look at The Nice Escape: Tubi

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The Imitation Sport (2014)

The Imitation Game proves that arithmetic could be simply as tense and fascinating as warfare. Primarily based on the e book by Andrew Hodges, the movie stars Benedict Cumberbatch because the ingenious Alan Turing, a British cryptographer who makes an attempt to crack German intelligence codes whereas coming to phrases together with his sexuality. The well-written script shines a lightweight on a lesser-known pocket of WWII historical past, and its stirring performing makes this era drama all of the extra memorable. Cumberbatch acquired his first Oscar nod working alongside a forged of British performing elite, together with Keira Knightley, Mark Robust, Rory Kinnear, and Charles Dance. —R.E.

The place to look at The Imitation Sport: Amazon Prime Video (to hire)

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Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Bloody shootouts, quippy dialogue, historic revisionism — it's trademark Quentin Tarantino at his finest. Inglourious Basterds follows a gaggle of Jewish US Troopers led by a fearless lieutenant as they plot to assassinate Nazi leaders whereas a French theater proprietor pursues her personal revenge. The 2-and-a-half hour runtime races by as we're handled to audacious, history-defying scenes and nail-biting confrontations.

The forged contains the likes of Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, and Melanie Laurent, however stealing the present is Christoph Waltz in his Oscar-winning efficiency as Colonel Hans Landa, who Tarantino referred to as the "finest character I've written and possibly the very best I ever will write." —R.E.

The place to look at Inglourious Basterds: Paramount+

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Jojo Rabbit (2019)

It's positively a daring selection for a director to painting Adolf Hitler as a playful imaginary buddy to a 10-year-old Nazi boy, however Taika Waititi managed to tug it off. Jojo Rabbit follows Jojo, performed by the lovely Roman Griffin Davis as a loyal Hitler Youth who finds out his less-than-ardent mom (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish lady of their partitions.

The Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) helmer passionately directs a narrative that's each hopeful and deeply tragic, placing kids on the forefront of a world present process dramatic change. With vibrant colours, advanced characters, and an upbeat soundtrack, Jojo Rabbit is an endlessly entertaining satire that you simply'll get pleasure from with each rewatch. —R.E.

The place to look at Jojo Rabbit: Amazon Prime Video (to hire)

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Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)

Clint Eastwood shot Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima concurrently, giving views on the battle of Iwo Jima from each the American and Japanese sides. The latter stands out because the superior of the 2 movies, because it did critically on the time, garnering 4 Oscar nominations. It's a sorrowful, intimate story reminding us that no matter which facet they had been combating on, on the struggle's heart, the troopers had been simply human beings. —R.E.

The place to look at Letters From Iwo Jima: Amazon Prime Video (to hire)

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Life Is Stunning (1998)

When Life Is Beautiful received Greatest Overseas Language Movie in 1999, writer-director Roberto Benigni famously climbed over stars and seats to simply accept the award in one of many all-time nice Oscars clips. His exuberance parallels that of the movie’s protagonist (additionally performed by Benigni), a Jewish-Italian father who invents an elaborate sport to guard his younger son from the horrors of the Holocaust.

Benigni excels as an actor and filmmaker, bringing Charlie Chaplin-esque humor to the confines of a focus camp. It’s a movie pushed by hope that leaves viewers with a smile (and tears) on their faces, reminding us that even within the worst moments, life can nonetheless be lovely. —R.E.

The place to look at Life Is Stunning: Amazon Prime Video (to hire)

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The Longest Day (1962)

Regardless that Saving Personal Ryan (1998) is probably the top of D-Day portrayed on the silver display, 1962's The Longest Day continues to be a crowning achievement. Primarily based on the nonfiction e book by Cornelius Ryan, the movie tells the occasions of the invasion from American, French, British, and German views. It additionally options an ensemble forged with among the largest names in Hollywood historical past, together with John Wayne, Sean Connery, Henry Fonda, and Richard Burton (and virtually starred former president Dwight D. Eisenhower as himself).

Whereas the movie falters within the distraction of among the well-known Hollywood gamers, the close-up fashion works nicely in depicting the historic occasions, the grand scale of the invasion, and an insightful image of everybody concerned on the fateful day. —R.E.

The place to look at The Longest Day: Amazon Prime Video (to hire)

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Mudbound (2017)

Two households are mired in poverty, every with a son who fought bravely in World Conflict II solely to return to the Mississippi Delta with nothing however PTSD to point out for his or her troubles. However the one distinction between the Jacksons and McAllans is the colour of their pores and skin. Dee Rees' Mudbound follows the 2 households as they combat their wars each overseas and throughout the dwelling, and uncover that trauma bonds deeper than blood. Jason Mitchell is outstanding as Ronsel Jackson, bringing emotional honesty to a struggle hero who, as a result of he’s Black, is handled like something however.

Additionally that includes an all-star ensemble that features Mary J. Blige, Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, and Garrett Hedlund, EW's critic writes that "Mudbound is rarely preachy, reductive, or undercut by its personal good intentions. Simply the other. It's a deeply felt American story informed with coronary heart and humanity." —I.G.

The place to look at Mudbound: Netflix

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Oppenheimer (2023)

Winner of seven Academy Awards together with Greatest Image, Christopher Nolan’s newest movie can also be his longest, however the film’s three-hour viewing time is put to good use. Nolan provides audiences two tales for the value of 1, combining the historical past of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the "father of the atomic bomb” and a hero of World Conflict II, with Oppenheimer’s later political woes, orchestrated by rivals intent on steering the nation’s post-war nuclear coverage.

Taking part in with cinematic gadgets like shade and viewpoint to floor audiences even because it flits throughout a long time and views, Oppenheimer is a film that calls for focus and a focus from its viewers. Crammed with a large ensemble forged of recognized actors enjoying actual historic figures, Oppenheimer doesn’t make physics enjoyable, however it does discover methods to elucidate the psychological and ethical journey that went into creating the world’s first atomic bomb. —I.G.

The place to look at Oppenheimer: Amazon Prime Video (to hire)

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The Pianist (2002)

The Pianist is a harrowing take a look at the destruction of Warsaw and the horrors of the Holocaust by way of the eyes of a Jewish musician. Sadly, the movie is shrouded within the persevering with controversy of its director, Roman Polanski. However that doesn't diminish the outstanding achievements of the remainder of the forged and the crew, particularly Adrien Brody, who, on the tender age of 29, continues to be the youngest actor to win the Greatest Actor award for taking part in the function with coronary heart, energy, and deep unhappiness. —R.E.

The place to look at The Pianist: Peacock

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Saving Personal Ryan (1998)

Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryanbrings viewers to the bottom stage of the Normandy invasion, full with intense bloodshed and unbelievable consideration to element. Starring Tom Hanks, Vin Diesel, and Matt Damon alongside a blinding ensemble forged, the movie follows one unit's heroic mission to convey a non-public dwelling after his three brothers perished in motion on D-Day.

It's nonetheless a shock that the movie misplaced the Greatest Image Oscar to Shakespeare in Love (although Spielberg did win for Greatest Directing), however the take a look at of time has seemed extra favorably on Saving Personal Ryan. —R.E.

The place to look at Saving Personal Ryan: Paramount+

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Schindler's Record (1993)

One other much-revered Spielberg-directed struggle movie, Schindler's List is without doubt one of the most intimate and affecting onscreen depictions of the Holocaust. Liam Neeson stars as Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who operates below the radar to save lots of his Jewish staff from Nazi persecution.

In a yr when he additionally launched Jurassic Park, Spielberg returns with a film that is still hopeful in one of many darkest corners of human historical past, paying tribute to the thousands and thousands who misplaced their lives and to those that survived. It's a tough film to look at, however it's one that everybody ought to expertise at the very least as soon as. —R.E.

The place to look at Schindler's Record: Amazon Prime Video (to hire)

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Son of Saul (2015)

A haunting Hungarian historic drama directed by László Nemes that unfolds in stoic sequences that really feel like a documentary, 2015’s Son of Saul is a Holocaust story that’s laborious to neglect. The movie stars actor Géza Röhrig in his function debut as Saul Ausländer, a Jewish focus camp prisoner compelled to work for the Nazis sorting by way of the belongings of fellow prisoners murdered within the gasoline chambers. After Saul finds his son among the many lifeless, he turns into obsessive about the mission to safe a Jewish burial for him. —I.G.

The place to look at Son of Saul: Amazon Prime Video (to hire)

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Sophie's Selection (1982)

The early-'80s psychological drama Sophie's Choice is infamous for being the car that received Meryl Streep her first Greatest Actress Oscar — her second Oscar win general — however the movie's narrative is much much less established. Tailored and directed by Alan J. Pakula from William Styron's 1979 novel, Sophie's Selection tells the story of Catholic, Polish Auschwitz survivor Sophie (Streep) who, after immigrating to America, engages in a tumultuous love affair with an American Jew named Nathan (Kevin Kline). Nathan and Sophie befriend Stingo (Peter MacNicol), an aspiring novelist who not too long ago moved to their New York Metropolis boarding home, however the connection between the three pals threatens to topple years of secrets and techniques that Sophie has labored laborious to obscure.

The titular scene is eternally haunting, however the remainder of the movie is simply as compelling, and at occasions, even stumbles into heartwarming territory, earlier than descending into insanity and distress. —I.G.

The place to look at Sophie's Selection: Peacock

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The Zone of Curiosity (2023)

Whereas many WWII films depict the horrors of the Holocaust, Jonathan Glazer's The Zone of Curiosity prompts viewers to train their thoughts's eye in what stays unseen. Loosely primarily based on Martin Amis' eponymous 2014 novel, the movie follows Auschwitz commander Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) and his spouse, Hedwig (Sandra Hüller, acclaimed for Anatomy of a Fall the identical yr), as they delight in domesticity simply past the partitions of the focus camp. Amid backyard events and pool days for the Höss household, a haunting soundscape of diegetic echoes — from gunfire to hair-raising screams — and faraway glimpses of brutality create an unsettling sensory expertise.

As lauded by EW's critic, The Zone of Curiosity is a "formalized and horrifying Holocaust movie" that serves as "a stark reminder of our complicity and the capability for excellent evil in essentially the most mundane of circumstances." —James Mercadante

The place to look at The Zone of Curiosity: Amazon Prime Video (to hire)