20 Best War Movies on Netflix 2026
From 1917 to Lawrence of Arabia, explore war films on Netflix with action, history, and drama picks that help you choose your next watch fast.
If you’re searching for the best war movies on Netflix, this list gives you a strong mix of historic campaigns, tense missions, and character-driven stories. You’ll find standout picks like 1917, Lawrence of Arabia, The Deer Hunter, and American Sniper, alongside newer titles such as The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Nuremberg. The selection also covers different tones, from action-heavy stories like Anthropoid and The Guns of Navarone to more reflective dramas like Mudbound and Irena’s Vow. Whether you want World War I, World War II, Vietnam, Iraq, or a wartime story with a different angle, there’s plenty here to browse.
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01
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
action · comedy · war
The British military recruits a small group of highly skilled soldiers to strike against German forces behind enemy lines during World War II.
Why watch: If you want a lighter wartime pick with action and comedy mixed in, this one fits well. Its World War II mission setup should appeal if you like stories about behind-enemy-lines operations.
Directed by Guy RitchieCast Henry Cavill, Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Eiza González, Babs OlusanmokunNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
02
Nuremberg
biography · drama · history · thriller · war
In postwar Germany, an American psychiatrist must determine whether Nazi prisoners are fit to go on trial for war crimes, and finds himself in a complex battle of intellect and ethics with Hermann Göring, Hitler's right-hand man.
Why watch: If you prefer wartime stories built around moral conflict and courtroom-style tension, this could be a strong fit. The biography, drama, history, thriller, and war mix points to a more serious, idea-driven watch.
Directed by James VanderbiltCast Rami Malek, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, Leo Woodall, John SlatteryNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
03
Lawrence of Arabia
Won 7 Oscars Best Picture (1963) · 10 nominations
adventure · biography · drama · war
During World War I, English officer Thomas Edward 'T.E.' Lawrence sets out to unite and lead the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes to fight the Turks.
Why watch: If you enjoy large-scale historical dramas with an adventure edge, this is an easy recommendation. Its World War I setting and biography focus make it a classic choice for viewers who like expansive war epics.
Directed by David LeanCast Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Omar SharifNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
04
Anthropoid
action · drama · history · romance · thriller · war
In December 1941, Czech soldiers Jozef Gabčík and Jan Kubiš parachute into their occupied homeland to assassinate Nazi officer Reinhard Heydrich.
Why watch: If you like espionage-style wartime stories based on a real mission, this one should grab you. The action, thriller, and history blend suggests a tense, mission-focused watch.
Directed by Sean EllisCast Jamie Dornan, Cillian Murphy, Brian Caspe, Karel Hermanek Jr., Sára ArnsteinováNetflixTubiMore details on IMDb → -
05
Seven Years in Tibet
adventure · biography · drama · history · war
Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer journeys to the Himalayas without his family to head an expedition in 1939. But when World War II breaks out, the arrogant Harrer falls into Allied forces' hands as a prisoner of war. He escapes with a fellow detainee and makes his way to Lhasa, Tibet, where he meets the 14-year-old Dalai Lama, whose friendship ultimately transforms his outlook on life.
Why watch: If you want a war story that also leans into adventure and personal transformation, this is a good option. It may appeal most to viewers who like historical dramas with a broader journey beyond combat.
Directed by Jean-Jacques AnnaudCast Brad Pitt, David Thewlis, BD Wong, Mako, Danny DenzongpaNetflixMore details on IMDb →
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06
The Deer Hunter
Won 5 Oscars Best Picture (1979) · 9 nominations
drama · war
Three steelworkers enlist in the army and are sent to Vietnam, one leaving behind a rushed marriage, the others a shared love. What they encounter during the war changes their lives forever.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to character-first war dramas, this is worth a look. Its focus on soldiers before, during, and after Vietnam suits viewers who want an emotional, reflective story.
Directed by Michael CiminoCast Robert De Niro, John Cazale, John Savage, Christopher Walken, Meryl StreepNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
07
Under the Shadow
Won 1 BAFTA Film Award 2 nominations
drama · fantasy · horror · thriller · war
After Shideh's building is hit by a missile during the Iran-Iraq War, a superstitious neighbor suggests that the missile was cursed and might be carrying malevolent Middle-Eastern spirits. She becomes convinced a supernatural force within the building is attempting to possess her daughter Dorsa, and she has no choice but to confront these forces if she is to save her daughter and herself.
Why watch: If you like war settings combined with horror and thriller elements, this stands out from the rest. It’s a good pick for anyone open to a more unusual, unsettling take on wartime stress.
Directed by Babak AnvariCast Narges Rashidi, Mia Sinclair Jenness, Arash Marandi, Bobby Naderi, Ray HaratianNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
08
American Sniper
Won 1 Oscar Best Picture (2015) · 6 nominations
action & adventure · drama · war & military
U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle takes his sole mission—protect his comrades—to heart and becomes one of the most lethal snipers in American history. His pinpoint accuracy not only saves countless lives but also makes him a prime target of insurgents. Despite grave danger and his struggle to be a good husband and father to his family back in the States, Kyle serves four tours of duty in Iraq. However, when he finally returns home, he finds that he cannot leave the war behind.
Why watch: If you want a modern military drama centered on duty and personal strain, this is an obvious candidate. Its action and war-and-military labels make it a fit for viewers who want a contemporary combat story.
Directed by Clint EastwoodCast Bradley Cooper, Kyle Gallner, Cole Konis, Ben Reed, Elise RobertsonNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
09
Pearl Harbor
Won 1 Oscar 4 nominations
action · drama · romance · war
The lifelong friendship between Rafe McCawley and Danny Walker is put to the ultimate test when the two ace fighter pilots become entangled in a love triangle with beautiful Naval nurse Evelyn Johnson. But the rivalry between the friends-turned-foes is immediately put on hold when they find themselves at the center of Japan's devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Why watch: If you enjoy war dramas that also include romance and personal conflict, this one may be a match. The Pearl Harbor setting gives it a historical backdrop with broader relationship drama.
Directed by Michael BayCast Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, William Lee Scott, Greg ZolaNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
10
Jarhead
biography · drama · war
Jarhead is a film about a US Marine Anthony Swofford’s experience in the Gulf War. After putting up with an arduous boot camp, Swofford and his unit are sent to the Persian Gulf where they are eager to fight, but are forced to stay back from the action. Swofford struggles with the possibility of his girlfriend cheating on him, and as his mental state deteriorates, his desire to kill increases.
Why watch: If you prefer war films that focus on the mental toll of service, this is a strong choice. Its biography and drama elements point to a grounded, inward-looking Gulf War story.
Directed by Sam MendesCast Jake Gyllenhaal, Scott MacDonald, Peter Sarsgaard, Jamie Foxx, Ming LoNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
11
1917
Won 3 Oscars 10 nominations
action · drama · war
At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers.
Why watch: If you like tense, mission-based World War I stories, this should be high on your list. The action and drama mix suggests a fast-moving but emotional wartime journey.
Directed by Sam MendesCast Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays, Colin Firth, Pip CarterNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
12
Irena's Vow
biography · drama · war
Through the eyes of a strong-willed woman comes the remarkable story of Irena Gut, and the triumphs of the human spirit over devastating tragedy, as she risked her life to save a generation of Jews from the atrocities of the Holocaust.
Why watch: If you want a Holocaust-era war drama centered on courage and sacrifice, this is a meaningful pick. Its biography and drama labels make it a good fit for viewers who want a human-focused story.
Directed by Louise ArchambaultCast Sophie Nélisse, Dougray Scott, Andrzej Seweryn, Maciej Nawrocki, Eliza RycembelNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
13
Sisu: Road to Revenge
action · thriller · war
Returning to the house where his family was brutally murdered during the war, "the man who refuses to die" dismantles it, loads it on a truck, and is determined to rebuild it somewhere safe in their honor. When the commander who killed his family comes back hellbent on finishing the job, a relentless, eye-popping cross-country chase ensues.
Why watch: If you’re after action-heavy wartime material with a revenge angle, this should stand out. The thriller and war combination points to a relentless chase story.
Directed by Jalmari HelanderCast Jorma Tommila, Stephen Lang, Richard Brake, Tommi Korpela, Kaspar VelbergNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
14
The Guns of Navarone
Won 1 Oscar Best Picture (1962) · 7 nominations
action · adventure · drama · war
A team of allied saboteurs are assigned an impossible mission: infiltrate an impregnable Nazi-held island and destroy the two enormous long-range field guns that prevent the rescue of 2,000 trapped British soldiers.
Why watch: If you enjoy classic sabotage missions and impossible odds, this is a strong old-school choice. Its action-adventure setup and Nazi-held island premise make it ideal for fans of strategic wartime plots.
Directed by J. Lee ThompsonCast Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn, Stanley Baker, Anthony QuayleNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
15
The Huntsman: Winter's War
action · adventure · drama · fantasy · romance · war
As two evil sisters prepare to conquer the land, two renegades—Eric the Huntsman, who aided Snow White in defeating Ravenna in Snowwhite and the Huntsman, and his forbidden lover, Sara—set out to stop them.
Why watch: If you like fantasy blended with war and romance, this one offers a different kind of pick. It suits viewers who want something outside the usual historical battle format.
Directed by Cedric Nicolas-TroyanCast Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Jessica Chastain, Emily Blunt, Nick FrostNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
16
Tears of the Sun
action & adventure · drama · mystery & thriller · war & military
Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters and his elite squadron of tactical specialists are forced to choose between their duty and their humanity, between following orders by ignoring the conflict that surrounds them, or finding the courage to follow their conscience and protect a group of innocent refugees. When the democratic government of Nigeria collapses and the country is taken over by a ruthless military dictator, Waters, a fiercely loyal and hardened veteran is dispatched on a routine mission to retrieve a Doctors Without Borders physician.
Why watch: If you want a war movie that balances combat choices with moral pressure, this could work well. The action, mystery, and thriller mix suggests a serious mission with ethical stakes.
Directed by Antoine FuquaCast Bruce Willis, Monica Bellucci, Cole Hauser, Eamonn Walker, Johnny MessnerNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
17
Golda
1 Oscar nomination
biography · drama · history · war
Focuses on the intensely dramatic and high-stakes responsibilities and decisions that Golda Meir, also known as the 'Iron Lady of Israel,' faced during the Yom Kippur War.
Why watch: If you’re interested in wartime history led by a political figure, this is a fitting pick. Its biography, history, and war labels suggest a dialogue-heavy, decision-driven drama.
Directed by Guy NattivCast Helen Mirren, Zed Josef, Henry Goodman, Olivia Brody, Emma DaviesNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
18
Mudbound
4 Oscar nominations Best Supporting Actress (2018)
drama · war
In the post–World War II South, two families are pitted against a barbaric social hierarchy and an unrelenting landscape as they simultaneously fight the battle at home and the battle abroad.
Why watch: If you like postwar dramas that connect conflict overseas with conflict at home, this is a strong option. The drama and war pairing should appeal to viewers who want social tension as well as military context.
Directed by Dee ReesCast Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, Mary J. Blige, Rob Morgan, Jason MitchellNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
19
Narvik: Hitler's First Defeat
drama · history · war
April, 1940. The eyes of the world are on Narvik, a small town in northern Norway, a source of the iron ore needed for Hitler's war machine. Through two months of fierce winter warfare, the German leader is dealt with his first defeat.
Why watch: If you prefer historical war stories set in Europe, this one offers a focused slice of World War II history. The drama and history blend makes it a good choice for viewers who like grounded regional warfare stories.
Directed by Erik SkjoldbjærgCast Kristine Hartgen, Carl Martin Eggesbø, Christoph Gelfert Mathiesen, Henrik Mestad, Mathilde Holtedahl CuhraNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
20
The Choral
drama · history · music · romance · war
As World War I rages on, Dr. Henry Guthrie takes over a British choral society that's lost most of its men to the army. The community soon discovers that the best response to the chaos of war is to make beautiful music together.
Why watch: If you want a wartime film with a more hopeful, community-centered angle, this is an interesting pick. Its drama, history, music, romance, and war mix makes it stand out for viewers who want something gentler than the usual battle film.
Directed by Nicholas HytnerCast Taylor Uttley, Oliver Briscombe, Amara Okereke, Blake Bentham, Liz SimmonsNetflixMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This roundup is built to help you narrow down a war-film watchlist fast, whether you’re in the mood for a classic, a modern thriller, or a drama with a historical setting. You can bookmark this page and come back when you want a new pick, because it’s updated regularly as titles change. If you’re deciding between a few options, use the notes below to match each film to the kind of war story you want most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any new war movies based on true stories?
The newest picks on this list are Nuremberg (2025), Sisu: Road to Revenge (2025) and The Choral (2025), all streaming on Netflix.
What are the top 10 war movies on Netflix?
Our top 10 right now: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024), Nuremberg (2025), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Anthropoid (2016), Seven Years in Tibet (1997), The Deer Hunter (1978), Under the Shadow (2016), American Sniper (2014), Pearl Harbor (2001) and Jarhead (2005), all streaming on Netflix.
Do I need a Netflix subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Netflix. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these war movies ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the war titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.