18 Best War Movies on Prime Video to Watch Right Now (2024)

Netflix may have the most subscribers of any streaming video service, but in terms of content, Prime Video is king. Prime Video's streaming video service offers a library of over 9,700 movies, twice the number Netflix currently has on its platform. For fans of war films, that means hundreds of great films from the genre are available, including classics, modern blockbusters, and undiscovered gems.

Unfortunately, if you want to browse for a war movie to watch, the Prime Video app (for smart TVs and phones) isn't going to be much help. It doesn't offer "War" as a genre to browse through, so war films are lumped into the "Action/Adventure" genre, which is crowded with titles. The app's search function isn't very user-friendly, as a search for "war movies" includes many unrelated titles, so finding a good film may be difficult. We've scoured Prime Video and found the best war films on the platform, which feature combat or the effects of war on soldiers.

Updated on July 14th, 2024, by Patricia Scheer-Erb: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.

18 Captain Miller (2024)

A great alternative to traditional Western war films, Captain Miller is a Tamil-language film with a ton of thematic significance. It tells the story of a young man from a poor Indian village who dreams of joining the army during the 1930s when the nation was still under the British Raj. Analeesan, or "Eesa," is at odds with his brother, who wants to lead a revolution. He later joins the army, where he believes he will earn respect after all the indignity and oppression he and others of a low-caste birth were subjected to. Instead, he's forced to question his allegiances after being ordered to shoot non-violent protesters seeking to challenge British rule.

A Meditation on Discrimination

A powerful story told through violence and uncomfortable narratives that expose the pernicious nature of colonialism, the film's antagonists are brilliantly punctuated by the parallel social atrocities brought about by India's infamous caste system. By exploring how dehumanizing it could also be for people to be sorted and treated according to a class structure, Captain Miller provides a fascinating look at the ills of discrimination. With a terrific performance from Tamilian actor, singer, and producer, Dhanush, the film is now slated for a trilogy revolving around the famous character.

17 The Courier (2020)

The Courier

PG-13

Release Date

March 19, 2021

Director

Dominic Cooke

Cast

Benedict Cumberbatch , Jessie Buckley , Rachel Brosnahan , Merab Ninidze

Runtime

111 minutes

Main Genre

Drama

Writers

Tom O'Connor

Read Our Review

In a world full of subterfuge and distrust, friendship and loyalty always take a backseat to human survival. Set against the backdrop of the MI6 spy world during the '60s, The Courier follows Benedict Cumberbatch as a British businessman who’s recruited by intelligence services to extract a message from a Russian spy. As the two men fence their way to a position of comfort and understanding, the nature of their friendship is constantly under the scanner due to their respective patriotic allegiances.

A Superb Performance by Cumberbatch

A moody thriller that’s told intelligently, The Courier is one of Cumberbatch’s best performances to date, told at a quick pace and without many narrative holes. Reminiscent of Bridge of Spies, The Courier is tactful and frugal in its use of intensity, giving the story a more human and relatable angle to it.

16 Cold War (2018)

Cold War

R

Where to Watch

• stream
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Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

June 8, 2018

Director

Pawel Pawlikowski

Cast

Joanna Kulig , Tomasz Kot , Borys Szyc , Agata Kulesza , Cédric Kahn , Jeanne Balibar

Runtime

88 minutes

Main Genre

Drama

Writers

Pawel Pawlikowski , Janusz Glowacki , Piotr Borkowski

Arguably one of the best recent war films of our times, Cold War revolves around a musical couple that’s been torn apart in the aftermath of the war in Poland. Pawel Pawlikowski’s film captures the intersecting points between art, capitalism, and love, rendering a heartwarming tale of human perseverance in the process.

A Sterling Film That Was Rightly Acclaimed

Having premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival to rave reviews from audiences and critics alike, Cold War went on to garner three Academy Award nominations along with a lot of praise for Lukasz Zal’s sumptuous black and white cinematography. If you’re in the mood for a film that’s visually pleasing yet tethered to the emotion of love and loss, give Cold War a watch.

15 Shershaah (2021)

Shershaah depicts the real-life heroics of an Indian Army Officer, Vikram Batra, who sacrificed his life for India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war. Along with Batra’s on-field heroics, Shershaah also throws light on his personal life, charting his relationship with his fiancé before he was killed during the battle.

An Unconventionally Endearing Film

Unlike many Bollywood movies that are mediocre and mindless, Shershaah does play on the conventional tropes of the genre but also has a redeeming sense of endearment to it. Director Vishnuvardhan manages to carve out the softness of the officer’s personality, giving the film a well-rounded nature and making it emotional and entertaining in the same measure.

14 Platoon (1986)

Platoon

R

Action

Documentary

Drama

War

Where to Watch

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*Availability in US

Release Date

December 19, 1986

Director

Oliver Stone

Cast

Keith David , Forest Whitaker , Francesco Quinn , Kevin Dillon , John C. McGinley , Reggie Johnson

Written and directed by Oliver Stone, Platoon tells the story of Chris Taylor. As a young man, slightly naive and rather bored with life as he knows it, he signs up to join the army and fight in Vietnam. His expectations are crushed quickly when he realizes that he doesn’t share the same experience as the other soldiers and that there is a fine line between good and bad as well as legal and illegal. In reality, Taylor is not only fighting for his own survival against the enemy but is also stuck in conflict within his own team.

A Captivating Movie About Cruelty and Camaraderie

Platoon offers a cinematic glimpse into real-life events amid the horrors of war. The film conveys an authentic portrayal of combat, including some of the most traumatizing moments of Stone’s own time as a soldier, and holds an immense amount of power, as it has the potential to be eye-opening regarding the reality of war. Without losing itself in unnecessary metaphors or over-the-top depictions, Platoon successfully carries a message of camaraderie, humiliation, and cruelty, which stands true to the Vietnam War.

13 Guy Ritchie's The Covenant (2023)

Guy Ritchie's The Covenant

R

Where to Watch

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Release Date

April 21, 2023

Director

Guy Ritchie

Cast

Jake Gyllenhaal , Alexander Ludwig , Antony Starr , Jonny Lee Miller , Dar Salim , Emily Beecham

Runtime

2hr 3min

Main Genre

Action

Writers

Ivan Atkinson , Marn Davies , Guy Ritchie

Read Our Review

Guy Ritchie has earned a stellar reputation as a director for his signature style and gritty films, and Guy Ritchie's The Covenant is no exception. It's a brilliant film that tackles one of the most underrated roles played by so many brave people during the war in Afghanistan. It starred Jake Gyllenhaal and a wonderful Dar Salim as his military interpreter.

They Went Above and Beyond For Their Duty

The film showcased the amazing bond that many soldiers formed with their Afghan interpreters during the war. The interpreters became unsung heroes as they went above and beyond their duty, and as depicted in the film, often risked their own lives to protect their American counterparts. Filled with all the pulsating action and superb tension of a Guy Ritchie film, this one had a poignant story of courage driving it too.

12 The Wall (2017)

The Wall

R

Drama

See Also

15 Best War Movies On Amazon Prime Video

Thriller

War

Where to Watch

• stream
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Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

May 12, 2017

Director

Doug Liman

Cast

Aaron Taylor-Johnson , John Cena

Runtime

88 Minutes

Writers

Dwain Worrell

In The Wall, two U.S. soldiers are sent on a straight-forward mission, which, against their belief, quickly turns into a dangerous challenge. Sniper Shane Matthews and his spotter Allen Isaac look into a construction site in order to ensure that the area is safe. While they successfully complete a 22-hour over-watch session, the two are suddenly caught in a life-threatening cat-and-mouse game, fighting to survive even though their situation seems dire. Without any chance of contacting someone for help or even having much-needed water, hope slowly fades away.

A Deadly Cat and Mouse Game

The Wall proves that sometimes not much is needed to create a captivating movie. Immensely narrowing down the number of characters and relying on one location significantly adds to the tension that is built up throughout the film. There is a palpable sense of discomfort and a feeling of danger, easily drawing in the viewers and making them hope for a good outcome.

11 Shock and Awe (2018)

Shock and Awe centers around a group of journalists who begin to question the ethics behind the invasion of Iraq in the wake of the war on terror. Courageously taking on a deeply divisive political topic, the film explored the rationale used by the government to justify the invasion and the intelligence that sparked the now infamous hunt for weapons of mass destruction and the eventual fall of Saddam Hussein.

A War Movie that Goes Beyond the Front Lines

As the absorbing movie, Shock and Awe proved, great war films don't always have to take place on the front lines of the conflicts they portray to tell effective stories about them. The film features an amazing ensemble cast that includes Woody Harrelson, James Marsden, Tommy Lee Jones, Jessica Biel, and Milla Jovovich.

10 Last Flag Flying (2017)

Last Flag Flying sees three friends who served together in Vietnam reunite thirty years later. Although Larry "Doc" Shepherd, Sal Nealon, and the Rev. Richard Mueller are happy to see each other again, the reunion is brought about by a tragic reason, as the men have to bury Larry's son after he is killed in Iraq while serving as a young marine. Deciding against an Arlington burial, the trio share a sad and poignant trip as they transport the body to New Hampshire while reminiscing and reconnecting along the way.

Brought Together by an Amazing Cast

Starring Bryan Cranston, Laurence Fishburne, and Steve Carell, the film was wonderfully cast as the veteran actors showed why each of them is so well-respected and acclaimed. Stringing together portraits of grief, amid themes of patriotism, family, service, and well-timed humor between them, it made for a moving picture taut with an underlying melancholy of just how devastating war can be for those involved and their loved ones. Directed by the brilliant Richard Linklater, the film served as another amazing addition to his remarkable repertoire of projects.

9 A Farewell to Arms (1932)

Gary Cooper solidified his movie star status with A Farewell to Arms, the Oscar-winning adaptation of the classic Ernest Hemingway novel. Cooper plays Frederic, an American ambulance driver in Italy during World War I, who sparks a torrid love affair with a British nurse (Helen Hayes). Besides the romance, the classic war movie covers Frederic's thoughts on war, its purpose, and its consequences.

Hemingway Disagreed with Its Romantic Angles

Cooper is excellent in the lead, although Hemingway (who later became friends with Cooper) disliked the film's focus on romantic themes. A Farewell to Arms was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won two, for Best Cinematography and Best Sound.

8 The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

The Best Years of Our Lives, the Academy Award winner for Best Picture of 1946, follows three veterans coming home from World War II and explores how each adjusts to civilian life once again. Despite the film's lack of combat, war looms large in every scene, as each soldier struggles with their experiences. While many war films of the era glossed over the personal issues soldiers faced, this film addressed them head-on.

A Darling of the Academy Awards

The film won seven Oscars in all, including Best Actor for Fredric March, who played a soldier struggling with sobriety. Harold Russell won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, playing a Navy man who lost his hands in battle. In reality, Russell had lost his hands during an accident during a training exercise, and director William Wyler cast him after seeing his work in an Army training film. Russell also won an honorary Oscar for his inspirational role, giving "hope and courage" to other disabled veterans.

7 The Captain (2017)

The German film The Captain is set on the Axis side in the final days of World War II. It follows a deserter from the Third Reich who stumbles across a captain's uniform in an abandoned car and begins wearing it. He then begins bluffing his way through numerous tense situations with German officers to get away from the war front. Eventually, the privilege of authority goes to his head and corrupts him completely.

A Cautionary Tale Against Power

The film is a captivating look at how war can bring out the very worst in weak people, and is directed by German filmmaker Robert Schwentke, who would go on to helm Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins. The film scooped a ton of awards across Europe for its fearless portrayals.

6 Dick Winters: Hang Tough (2012)

If you've seen the landmark HBO series Band of Brothers, you're likely familiar with Maj. Dick Winters. He led the 101st Airborne Division's "Easy Company" and saw some of the biggest battles of World War II. Dick Winters: Hang Tough is a 2012 documentary about the war hero's life and exploits in Europe. It features interviews with both him and the surviving members of Easy Company.

Wonderfully Narrated by Damien Lewis

This excellent documentary is narrated by actor Damian Lewis, who portrayed Winters in Band of Brothers, which adds a nice, personal touch. The documentary serves as the perfect intersection between education and entertainment as it recounts one of the biggest battles of World War II with precise accuracy and thrilling entertainment.

5 The Lost Battalion (2001)

By 2001, former child star Ricky Schroder had made a successful transition to more adult roles, including a stretch on NYPD Blue. During that time, he also starred in The Lost Battalion. It told the true story of World War I of a 500-man battalion of American troops who held off thousands of German troops after being cut off from reinforcements.

Well Acclaimed Despite a Small Budget

Directed by Russell Mulcahy (Highlander), The Lost Battalion earned three Emmy nominations and a lot of critical praise making it one of the most underrated war films of recent times. Despite not having the budget given to most war films, The Lost Battalion more than makes up for it with its tight plot points and fast-paced narrative.

4 No Greater Love (2015)

No Greater Love is a sadly overwhelming documentary that follows an Army chaplain who reunites with his fellow soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division (known as the "No Slack") as they recount their experiences in the Afghanistan War against the Taliban.

A First-Hand Documentation of the Frontlines

A mix of combat footage (most recorded by the chaplain) and interviews, the film provides an insight into the conflict rarely seen. In one heart-wrenching scene, a medic recounts how he saved the life of a suicide bomber who had just killed his friend and injured him because he felt it inhuman to let him die. It's a profoundly affecting film.

3 The Somme (2005)

The Somme (also known as Line of Fire: The Somme) takes a documentary-like approach to the deadliest battle of World War I. In 1916, The Battle of the Somme was fought along the French River and ultimately involved three million troops during the months-long battle. 20,000 British troops died in a single day in one of the most terrifying statistics from the battle. Narrators read letters from soldiers detailing their experiences, and dramatic reenactments of the battle make for a compelling film.

Its Documentary Style Provided Greater Realism

The Somme's merit lies in its approach to filmmaking. The film's documentary-like approach gives it a completely realistic outlook making the events seem all the more realistic. A sad and haunting film, The Somme is a glaring testament to the brutality of war and the blatant disregard for human life that comes from it.

2 To End All Wars (2001)

To End All Wars

R

Release Date

September 2, 2001

Director

David L. Cunningham

Cast

Ciarán McMenamin , Robert Carlyle , Kiefer Sutherland , Mark Strong , Yugo Saso , Sakae Kimura

Runtime

108

Main Genre

Drama

Writers

Brian Godawa , Ernest Gordon

Based on the real-life story that inspired Bridge on the River Kwai, To End All Wars focuses on a part of the history the classic film did not. Rather than dramatize the bridge-building and the effort to blow it up, this 2001 drama focuses on the prison camp experiences of the imprisoned Allied soldiers, and the spiritual journey they take to cope with brutal conditions.

Full of Fantastic Actors

The film is packed with fantastic performances from some great actors, including Kiefer Sutherland, Robert Carlyle, and Mark Strong. Ciarán McMenamin is equally good in a film that packs an emotional punch. Prime Video offers the director's cut of the film, with over 20 minutes of footage not seen in theaters.

1 The Tomorrow War (2021)

The Tomorrow War

PG-13

Where to Watch

• stream
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*Availability in US

Release Date

July 2, 2021

Director

Chris McKay

Cast

​Chris Pratt2 , Yvonne Strahovski , J.K. Simmons , Betty Gilpin , Sam Richardson , Jasmine Mathews

Runtime

2hr 18min

Main Genre

Sci-Fi

Writers

Zach Dean

Read Our Review

In the future, humanity is on the brink of extinction from an alien invasion. In response, soldiers from that time come to the present to recruit more humans to fight the aliens, including former Green Beret Dan Forester (Pratt), who leads untrained civilians into combat. While there is a strong focus on the call of duty for humanity to fight for their future, the special effects are the draw in this entertaining film.

If You're Looking for a Fictional War

The Tomorrow War is one of Prime Video's big-budget original films, featuring A-lister Chris Pratt in the lead. The film is often loud, silly sci-fi, but alongside some excellent action sequences, it holds an interesting premise and a great, deeper story that reveals itself in stages to make it more engaging.

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