Best 20th Century War Movies

The best war movies depicting action that took place in the 1900's. Includes movies about WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and other engagements.
The Top Ten
1 Saving Private Ryan

Great, inspiring, and realistic characters. Spielberg captures the European battlefield amazingly with fantastic performances from the likes of Tom Hanks. Moving and action-packed from start to finish, it definitely deserves its position at the top.

However, I feel The Thin Red Line deserves a higher position. Also a very moving film, it illustrates how man has changed our natural world with war.

A good story without a political agenda that illustrates the dilemma faced by good men confronted by evil wearing the mask of humanity.

2 Apocalypse Now

The most definitive war movie of all time. It is a classic, and to have Pearl Harbor on this list is obviously a disgrace.

A great movie which is very long and emotional! Stunningly brilliant and full of drama!

3 Lawrence of Arabia
4 Platoon

A great movie with an excellent storyline and plenty of gore. Not better than SPR but certainly tops Full Metal Jacket.

5 Come and See

This movie shows what war is and not some American propaganda that makes Russians or any other enemy look like idiots.

This movie exposes the true horrors of war and the atrocious war crimes the Nazi pigs committed.

6 Black Hawk Down

A brilliant war movie. It might not deserve number one, but bravo.

One of my favorite war movies of all time! So amazing...

Brilliantly made... One of my favorite war movies...

7 Full Metal Jacket
8 The Deer Hunter
9 Downfall

Realistic and emotional! Bruno Ganz gives a fantastic performance as Hitler!

10 The Bridge on the River Kwai
The Contenders
11 Threads

It's scary what nuclear war does.

12 We Were Soldiers

Based on a real battle, this film was considered 80% accurate by the UPI reporter who covered it. He co-wrote the book with the 1st Cav officer who led the troops and said it was 60% accurate. It had its schmaltzy moments and corny dialogue, but the war scenes and facts mentioned were right.

The guy who narrated the opening scenes involving the French in 1954 mispronounced the place, "Ia Drang Valley." It's actually pronounced like "Ya". The narrator of "Vietnam in HD" gets it right.

13 The Great Escape

The cast and the movie were one of the best POW-type movies ever. I could watch it over and over. What strength!

14 A Bridge Too Far
15 The Great Dictator
16 Paths of Glory

Great anti-war film showing some of the absurd things people will do in positions of authority.

17 Pearl Harbor

Great movie. It shows what was happening at that time of war. It makes you feel the pain and sadness as if you were there during the war. This is an absolutely lovely movie that you will enjoy. You will love it.

It should be in the top ten because it had everything all rolled into one: love, romance, action, comedy, and of course, the historical factor. Come on, it's a true war story.

Absolutely amazing. I went into this movie expecting something to just pass the time. And I ended up watching a masterpiece. Absolutely brilliant movie. Loved every minute of it.

18 From Here to Eternity
19 Patton
20 All Quiet on the Western Front
21 Das Boot
22 Tears of the Sun
23 The Longest Day

Great story about a great day. I've watched this in theaters, on tape, and now DVD. It's the best war movie ever on recounting a great event. Excellent book as well.

24 The Dogs of War
25 Three Kings
8Load More
PSearch List