The Best War Movies on Prime Video Right Now (2024)

Embarking into the world of cinematic treasures on Prime Video, a captivating array of war films awaits, spanning stories of soldiers' camaraderie on the battlefield to the exceptional and genuine tests of human perseverance amidst adversity. These movies skillfully capture the fundamental essence of wartime narratives.

As characters navigate moral dilemmas and confront the dangerous realities of combat, their tales stand as a tribute to the unbreakable human spirit prevailing through the darkest moments.

Within this remarkable selection of war movies, the backdrop of conflict becomes a canvas for exploring enduring themes that transcend professions, providing diverse audiences an opportunity to engage with the intricacies of war. Here are the best war movies on Prime Video.

'Enemy Lines' (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 20% | IMDb: 4.6/10

Enemy Lines

Run Time

1 hr 32 min

Director

Anders Banke

Release Date

April 24, 2020

Actors

Ed Westwick, John Hannah, Tom Wisdom, Corey Johnson

Directed by Anders Banke and written by Michael Hamilton-Wright, Enemy Lines is a military action thriller set during World War II. The movie follows an American officer and a British commando squad as they attempt the daring rescue of a Polish scientist from the Nazis in 1943. Meanwhile, a Russian squad is also trying to find the scientist, creating a race against time between the two groups. The film stars Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl) and John Hannah (Four Weddings and a Funeral), with Ekaterina Vladimirova, Tom Wisdom, and more. Enemy Lines received a rather mixed reception from critics when it was first released in 2020, with the film being criticized for its historical inaccuracies. In all honesty, if you’re looking for an informative and period-precise war movie, this is not the film for you. However, once you look past those flaws, the film is actually quite an entertaining low-budget war movie with a solid screenplay and excellent performances by its leading cast members.

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'Max Manus: Man of War' (2008)

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 7.3/10

See Also

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Max Manus: Man of War

Run Time

1 hr 58 min

Director

Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg

Release Date

December 19, 2008

Actors

Aksel Hennie, Nicolai Cleve Broch, Agnes Kittelsen, Ken Duken, Petter Næss

Directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg and written by Thomas Nordseth-Tiller, Max Manus: Man of War follows the real-life story of Norwegian World War II resistance fighter Max Manus. Based on Manus’s own books and historical accounts, the film covers Manus’s life from the time of the Winter War against the Soviet Union to WWII, the Nazi occupation of Norway, and the eventual end of the war. The movie stars Aksel Hennie as Max Manus, appearing alongside Agnes Kittelsen, Nicolai Cleve Broch, and Petter Næss. Max Manus: Man of War received critical and public acclaim at the time of its release, with its Norwegian premiere being attended by the King of Norway, King Harald V. While the film takes some liberties with historical events, it is largely a true story and helped spark renewed interest into the real-life contributions of the Norwegian resistance during WWII. A well-crafted war story with fascinating characters and an engaging story, Max Manus: Man of War is a heartfelt homage to the real people who fought to end a meaningless war.

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'5 Days of War' (2011)

Rotten Tomatoes: 35% | IMDb: 5.5/10

Directed by Renny Harlin, 5 Days of War is an action film set during the Russo-Georgian War in 2008. The movie follows American war correspondent Thomas Anders (Rupert Friend), who travels to Georgia to investigate a brewing conflict with Russia-backed separatists. After finding himself caught in the crossfire during an air raid, Anders sets out to document the atrocities committed and get the footage out of the country. Besides Friend in the lead role, the film also stars Andy García, Val Kilmer, Richard Coyle, and Emmanuelle Chriqui, among others. 5 Days of War received largely negative reviews from critics and generated quite a bit of controversy. The film has been criticized for its one-sided narrative that very easily slips into propaganda. However, as an action film, 5 Days of War does offer some entertaining visual effects and a plot that’s well-paced and engaging, even if it does stumble a bit. The movie also has some good performances by its star-studded cast and presents a good look at the realities of war journalism — something that’s often overlooked in movies about military conflicts.

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'1944' (2015)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.0/10

1944

Run Time

1 hr 40 min

Director

Elmo Nüganen

Release Date

February 20, 2015

Actors

Kaspar Velberg, Kristjan Üksküla, Maiken Schmidt

1944 is a World War II drama by Estonian director Elmo Nüganen, who crafts a narrative that focuses on the distinct perspective of the Estonian citizens who were torn between the Soviet Union and the German Army, placing communities on opposing sides of the conflict. Despite being full of large, sweeping battle scenes that depict the horrors of war, the film narrows in on the internal struggles of the soldiers who are forced to kill their fellow Estonians for a cause they don’t really believe in. It’s a grounded and emotional journey that never glorifies war or creates an illusion of valor for these reluctant soldiers.

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'The Hornet's Nest' (2014)

Rotten Tomatoes: 72% | IMDb: 6.7/10

The Hornet's Nest

Run Time

1 hr 37 min

Director

David Salzberg, Christian Tureaud

See Also

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Release Date

May 9, 2014

Actors

Mike Boettcher, Carlos Boettcher

In a documentary set against a backdrop of conflict, Mike Boettcher (Dateline NBC), a fearless war correspondent, embarks on a perilous journey alongside his son Carlos, capturing the relentless pulse of battle in The Hornets Nest. Directors David Salzberg and Christian Tureaud immerse audiences in the raw intensity of their harrowing journey, depicting the resolute determination of those who reveal the stark realities of combat in Afghanistan.

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'Firebird' (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 58% | IMDb: 7.1/10

Firebird

Romance

Drama

Release Date

April 29, 2022

Director

Peeter Rebane

Cast

Margus Prangel , Tom Prior , Nicholas Woodeson , Jake-Thomas Henderson , Diana Pozharskaya , Oleg Zagorodnii

Runtime

107 minutes

Venturing into the realm of historical drama, director Peeter Rebane helms Firebird, a tale of love and courage. Tom Prior (Kingsman: The Secret Service) portrays Sergey, immersing himself in a captivating love triangle that unfolds between a male fighter pilot and his female counterpart. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, Firebird delves into the complexities of love, identity, and society.

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'Hyena Road' (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes: 57% | IMDb: 6.5/10

Hyena Road

Run Time

2 hr

Director

Paul Gross

Release Date

October 9, 2015

Actors

Rossif Sutherland, Paul Gross

In the realm of military drama, Hyena Road, directed by Paul Gross, takes us on a gripping journey. Ryan Sanders (Rossif Sutherland) is a soldier confronting the harsh realities of war from the perspective of a sniper whose decisions mean life or death. Sutherland's talent shines as he navigates the complexities of duty and brotherhood. Gross weaves a narrative that delves into the resilience of soldiers and the unbreakable bonds they forge amidst adversity.

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'T-34' (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 6.8/10

T-34

Run Time

2 hr 19 min

Director

Aleksey Sidorov

Release Date

January 1, 2019

Actors

Alexander Petrov, Vinzenz Kiefer, Viktor Dobronravov, Irina Starshenbaum, Anton Bogdanov

Under the guidance of director Alexey Sidorov, T-34 introduces Nikolay Ivushkin (Alexander Petrov), a fearless tank commander in World War II. Petrov delivers a captivating portrayal as he leads his crew against formidable odds in a weathered old tank. With the skilled young mechanic Vasiliy (Viktor Dobronravov) by his side, the film immerses audiences in a high-stakes battle for survival.

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'The Wall' (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes: 65% | IMDb: 6.2/10

The Wall

Drama

Thriller

War

Release Date

May 12, 2017

Director

Doug Liman

Cast

Aaron Taylor-Johnson , John Cena

Runtime

88 Minutes

In a war thriller helmed by director Doug Liman, Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as Sergeant Isaac, while John Cena, takes on Staff Sergeant Matthews. The suspense tightens as these soldiers find themselves pinned down by an unseen enemy. Laith Nakli's intense performance as Juba, whose chilling voice taunts them, adds to the gripping intensity.

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'The Imitation Game' (2014)

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 8.0/10

The Imitation Game

Biography

Drama

History

Thriller

War

Release Date

November 14, 2014

Director

Morten Tyldum

Cast

Benedict Cumberbatch , Keira Knightley , Mark Strong , Charles Dance , Matthew Goode , Allen Leech

Runtime

113 minutes

Directed by Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game is a historical war drama that recounts the real-life story of Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), an extraordinary mathematician and cryptanalyst during World War II. He’s recruited by the British intelligence agency to crack the German Enigma code – a nazi code. The film explores Turing’s ups and downs of being a brilliant war hero and an exposed gay man during a time when homosexuality was illegal. Overall, this film is a compelling depiction of one man’s remarkable achievements and impact on modern science and technology.

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