Shubhabrata Dutta
War movies have a universal appeal regardless of nationality, language, and culture. War is a curse upon humanity, and such films remind us of the pain and horror that it brings to people. However, several war movies are also made to display patriotism, convey other political messages, or showcase true stories. Though their stands on war may vary, one common thing in all war movies is their emotional appeal. Prime Video hosts an exceptional collection of war movies that move the audience as much as entertain them.
16. Pippa (2023)
Based on the life of Captain Balram Singh Mehta of India’s 45 Cavalry regiment, ‘Pippa’ is directed by Raja Krishna Menon. It showcases the Indo-Pakistani War, which was a part of the Bangladesh Liberation War and took place in East Pakistan from December 3 to December 16, 1971. Young Mehta, played by Ishaan Khatter, was in charge of the PT-76 tank named ‘Pippa’ which could float on water. How Mehta assumed command and took the regiment to victory in the Battle of Garibpur is shown in the film, along with other events from the war. This film is adapted from Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta’s war memoir, ‘The Burning Chaffees.’ You can stream it here.
15. Operation Red Sea (2018)
Directed by Dante Lam, this large-scale war drama is loosely based on the evacuation of more than 500 Chinese nationals from Yemen by the People’s Liberation Army (Chinese armed forces) during the 2015 Yemeni Civil War in 2015. The film follows the Jiaolong Unit 1, an elite navy unit that heads to Yewaire, a fictional Middle Eastern state, to evacuate 130 Chinese nationals in the aftermath of a coup by an extremist group. A true-to-form war movie filled with gunfights, explosions, dust, and chaos, ‘Operation Red Sea’ offers a gripping watch. The cast includes Zhang Yi, Huang Jingyu, Yin Fang, Du Jiang, Jiang Luxia, and Hai Qing. You can watch the movie here.
14. The Wall (2017)
Directed by Doug Liman, ‘The Wall’ stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John Cena and Laith Nakli. Set during the Iraq War, Cena and Taylor-Johnson play the role of a sniper and his spotter, respectively, in the U.S. Army. When the duo is sent to keep a watch on a construction site, followed by which they are to investigate it, they are shot at by an Iraqi sniper. The two now have to find out the position of the sniper while making sure that they don’t get spotted. This turns the whole story into a patience contest and a test of their sniper skills. If you are up for patience, too, you can stream the film here.
13. City of Ghosts (2017)
‘City of Ghosts’ takes us to the medieval hell created by ISIS in Raqqa, Syria, during the reign of the terrorist outfit. The docudrama follows the Syrian media activist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. The volunteer group was formed by some unknown citizen journalists. They risk their lives and families to document and report the ground-level devastation of their country.
The group members record every atrocity committed by the fanatics who used Raqqa as their de facto capital during the occupation. The reports from the group became the singular and solid evidence for the fact that the people of Raqqa never welcomed ISIS. Amid utter chaos and blackout, the group was the only reliable and credible source of information for the foreign media. ‘City of Ghosts‘ is directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Matthew Heineman. You can stream the movie here.
12. The Trench (1999)
‘The Trech’ is a haunting war film that perfectly captures the mood in a trench the evening before a massive war. We get to experience the scene through the eyes of Sgt. Telford Winter and his amazement at the restless young soldiers, who are too naive to comprehend the danger they are putting themselves in. He even notices how some overcompensate for their homesickness through patriotism while others leave everything up to fate only to enjoy a quiet evening in the company of alcohol and poetry. There is also an air of boredom around the company as they sit helpless, waiting for death and destruction to approach. You may stream ‘The Trench’ here.
11. Allies (2014)
Set in August 1944, the plot of ‘Allies’ centers around a plan in which the British and US armies must collaborate to shorten the war. Since neither party likes following orders from the other, the soldiers rebel once a US captain is asked to lead a team of British soldiers. As a result, the whole plan goes awry and is in danger of being deemed a failure. That is when British commando Sergeant Harry McBain and US Captain Gabriel Jackson decide to put their differences behind themselves and take on the danger for a chance at attaining peace. You may stream ‘Allies’ here.
10. Things to Come (1936)
‘Things to Come’ is a black-and-white sci-fi war film written by the legendary H.G. Wells. The film is set in 1940 against the backdrop of a fictional world war that has torn humanity apart. The war lasts for decades, and the world is split into several savage groups. In 1966, a deadly plague killed almost all the population that survived the war. Only a small number of people managed to escape the black death. The massive rebuilding of civilization follows, and an organization moves the remaining human population into the newly built underground cities. Humanity starts flourishing again, only to witness another violent rebellion against progress and technology. ‘Things to Come’ is directed by William Cameron Menzies and stars Raymond Massey, Ralph Richardson, and Cedric Hardwicke. You can stream the movie here.
9. Beneath Hill 60 (2010)
‘Beneath Hill 60’ revolves around Australian miner Oliver Woodward, who enlists in the army after his girlfriend’s father pressures him to do so. Once in the military, Woodward finds himself in Armentières, France, where he witnesses fellow soldiers dying in front of his own eyes. Although such a harrowing experience shakes him to the core, Woodward grows increasingly determined to fight for his country and even proves himself quite useful when it comes to explosives. As a result, he becomes part of an operation that plans to tunnel below the Messines Ridge to detonate explosives under a German bunker. Naturally, Woodward takes on his duty with a lot of enthusiasm, but with the Germans aware of the attack, it doesn’t take long for them to retaliate. You may watch the movie here.
8. The Tomorrow War (2021)
Starring Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, Betty Gilpin, and J. K. Simmons, ‘The Tomorrow War’ shows a war veteran drafted for a global war that takes place 30 years into the future against an enemy that is not human. With the existence of humanity at stake, he joins an army in this seemingly unending war, carrying the hopes of millions. Directed by Chris McKay, the movie is a good take on military sci-fi that pulls off the high stakes of warfare pretty nicely. You can stream ‘The Tomorrow War’ here.
7. Shershaah (2021)
‘Shershaah’ is a biopic directed by Vishnuvardhan and stars Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, and Shiv Pandit. It showcases the life of Indian army officer Captain Vikram Batra, a posthumous recipient of Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor. He received it for his acts of bravery during the Kargil War of 1999 that took place in Kashmir between India and Pakistan, wherein he was martyred. His actions were crucial and majorly contributed to the retreat of the Pakistani forces and India winning the war. Sidharth Malhotra plays Vikram Batra as well as his twin brother Vishal Batra, while Kiara Advani plays Vikram Batra’s girlfriend, Dimple Cheema. You can stream the movie here.
6. Midway (2019)
Roland Emmerich’s ‘Midway’ is set against the backdrop of the Battle of Midway (June 4-7, 1942; World War II). It focuses on the soldiers of the US Navy who put up a brave fight against the Japanese forces who launch a surprise attack, months after the events of Pearl Harbor. Starring Luke Evans, Patrick Wilson, Ed Skrein, and Aaron Eckhart, ‘Midway’ is a visual treat for military movie lovers and a passion project of Emmerich, something that is clearly felt in the depiction of the realistic naval battle. You can watch it here.
5. 1944 (2015)
Elmo Nüganen’s Estonian war drama ‘1944’ is set during World War II and focuses on the conflicted Estonians, who are squeezed between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. Some have been drafted into the German army, while others have been drafted into the Soviet Union army. Forced to fight their brothers without any hope of autonomy, the Estonians helplessly face a kill-or-be-killed situation. Poignant yet fascinating, ‘1944’ is a slice-of-war drama bound to turn you silent with its personal take on war. The film broke box office records in the country and was its official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars. You can watch it here.
4. Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant (2023)
Set in the war-torn Afghanistan, ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant,’ also known as ‘The Covenant,’ stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim. It explores the unusual friendship between U.S. Special Forces Master Sergeant John Kinley (Gyllenhaal) and his interpreter Ahmed Abdullah (Salim), who carries him on foot across the mountains and the woods to an American base in the aftermath of an attack on their team that has left Kinley severely wounded. After being brought back home to America, Kinley finds out that Abdullah and his family were forced to hide underground. He thus decides to go back, find them, and bring them to America safe and sound. The way Guy Ritchie upholds the deeply personal aspect while constantly reminding us of the state of war in the background is praise-worthy. You can watch the film here.
3. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)
‘13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi’ is a signature Michael Bay action film that recreates the events that took place at the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11, 2012. Based on Mitchell Zuckoff’s 2014 book ‘13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi,’ the film shows how six Global Response Staff (GRS) contractors defended the compound against hordes of Ansar al-Sharia militants.
Starring John Krasinski, James Badge Dale, Pablo Schreiber, and David Costabile, ‘13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi’ is a reminder of Bay’s ability to nail action sequences and give a solid plot its deserved execution. Captivating and gripping to its very end, the film can be streamed right here.
2. The Great Battle (2018)
Directed by Kim Kwang-sik, ‘The Great Battle’ showcases the siege of Ansi in the 7th century A.D. The battle between the Goguryeo forces of Korea, defending the Ansi fortress, led by commander Yang Manchun, and the invading Tang forces of China, led by Emperor Taizong, lasted 88 days (20 June 645 to 18 September 645). Despite having a smaller army, the Goguryeo forces put up a brave fight. The film stars Zo In-sung, Nam Joo-hyuk, Park Sung-woong, Bae Seong-woo, and Uhm Tae-goo. To find out which of the two military forces won, you can watch this epic historical action drama right here.
1. The Eight Hundred (2020)
Directed by Guan Hu, this brilliant military drama is set during the Second Sino-Japanese War (World War II) and showcases the Battle of Shanghai. We follow 800 Chinese (National Revolutionary Army (NRA)) soldiers who take the last stand for their motherland at the Sihang Warehouse as Japanese soldiers (Imperial Japanese Army), estimated 20,000 in number, approach. If you want a true-to-form representation of war and its atrocities, ‘The Eight Hundred’ is a worthy choice. The film stars Huang Zhizhong, Oho Ou, Wang Qianyuan, Jiang Wu, Zhang Yi, Du Chun and Vision Wei. You can watch it here.
Read More: Best War Movies on HBO Max
