Diksha Sundriyal
Ever since humans evolved to the point where they realized that they could have territories and since the inception of the idea of civilization, there have always been wars. Take any century or any decade, and you’ll find that in some part of the world, there were always two armies killing each other. The war against terrorism, the war against communism, the war against the Nazis, the war against foreign forces, the war against the country on the other side of the hill — no matter how big or small, there has always been a reason for humans to indulge themselves in the bloodbath that never ends well for anyone. And yet, despite the misery of such times, we manage to make stories that inspire strength, heroism, and perseverance, and some of the best in genre are available on Hulu right now.
10. K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, ‘K-19: The Widowmaker’ takes place at the height of the Cold War. The film follows Captain Alexi Vostrikov (Harrison Ford), who is ordered, no matter the cost, to take the Soviet Union’s newly launched submarine, K-19 (of the Project 658 class, Soviet Union’s first generation of nuclear submarines), on a patrol. Unfortunately, problems arise within the sub, which may lead to a core meltdown and detonate the nuclear missiles, killing all on board in an instant.
It is up to Vostrikov to decide if he should follow the orders given to him or do what it takes to protect the lives of his men onboard. A gripping military drama that brilliantly dramatizes real events, the film perhaps laid the blueprint for Bigelow for her next venture, ‘The Hurt Locker,’ which earned her the Oscar for Best Director (she became the first woman to win the award). You can watch ‘K-19: The Widowmaker’ here.
9. One Shot (2021)
Directed by James Nunn, ‘One Shot’ follows a Navy SEALs squad that is tasked with retrieving a prisoner from a CIA black site for interrogation regarding a potential terrorist attack. The squad is led by Lieutenant Jake Harris and CIA analyst Zoe Anderson, who find it tough to convince site manager Jack Yorke to let them take the detainee. Soon, all of them find themselves targeted by insurgents and have to protect not only themselves but also the prisoner. The film stars Scott Adkins, Ashley Greene Khoury, Ryan Phillippe, and Emmanuel Imani. You can watch ‘One Shot’ here.
8. WarHunt (2022)
Directed by Mauro Borrelli, ‘WarHunt’ combines war and fantasy horror. The movie stars Mickey Rourke, Robert Knepper, Aglaya Tarasova, and Jackson Rathbone. It is set during World War II, the movie tells the story of Major Johnson and his squad, who spot the crash of an American military cargo plane from their spot in Germany’s Black Forest. Upon making their way towards the wreckage to recover the intel and see if they can find any survivors, they come across something sinister that seems to be hunting them individually. To find out what that is, you can watch the movie right here.
7. Black Site (2022)
‘Black Site’ is directed by Sophia Banks and stars Michelle Monaghan, Pallavi Sharda, Jai Courtney, and Jason Clarke. In the movie, we meet CIA Agent Abby Trent and her team, who manage a high-security military facility that holds the world’s most dangerous criminals. The team’s latest catch is a guy codenamed Hatchet, who is known for his gruesome killing methods. Unfortunately, he escapes from his holding cell, targeting and killing the guards as well as releasing the other inmates. It is only a matter of time before he gets his hands on Abby, and thus, she has to find a way to stop him. The catch is that she has one hour, after which the security protocol, activated by Hatchet, will alert the higher authorities, who will then send a drone to wipe out the entire facility along with those within it. You can stream ‘Black Site’ here and find out what fate awaits Abby and her team.
6. Kandahar (2023)
‘Kandahar’ follows CIA operative Tom Harris and his Afghan translator Mohammed Doud as they head to Kandahar, their extraction point, after Tom’s cover is blown. With the Taliban, the Iranians, and even Pakistan’s intelligence wing ISI after them, they must lay low while making their way towards extraction. With espionage and geopolitics as undercurrents, ‘Kandahar’ is a gripping drama that does a good job of balancing action and tension in the face of time that’s running out. Starring Gerard Butler as Tom Harris and Navid Negahban as Mohammad Doud, the movie is directed by Ric Roman Waugh. You can watch it here.
5. Hot Shots! (1991)
Directed by Jim Abrahams, this ‘Top Gun’ spoof stars Charlie Sheen as Topper Harley, a US Navy aviator suffering from mental health issues. However, he agrees to be a part of a secret mission by his commander Block, who intends to use him as a pawn in the mission that is planned to fail. This will allow Block to replace the Navy’s planes with new ones that will bring him personal profit. Whether Topper can dig up the truth and save the lives of his co-pilot/friends is what we find out in this cult comedy that takes a dig at not only ‘Top Gun’ but also many other films, including ‘Superman,’ ‘Rocky,’ ‘9½ Weeks,’ ‘Dances with Wolves,’ and ‘Gone with the Wind.’ The movie co-stars Valeria Golino, Kevin Dunn, Lloyd Bridges, Cary Elwes, and Jon Cryer. You can watch ‘Hot Shots!’ here.
4. Pearl Harbor (2001)
Starring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsale, Michael Bay’s military war drama ‘Pearl Harbor’ tells a romantic story set against the backdrop of the Japanese Forces’ attack on the titular region in Honolulu, Hawaii, during World War II. When Rafe McCawley is presumed dead in the battle, his lover Evelyn Johnson is in ruins. This is when Danny Walker, Rafe’s best friend, offers support, and they fall for each other. Then, to everyone’s surprise, Rafe returns, and matters only worsen between our three leads. With war calling them, can the two buddies set aside their issues and serve their country? And will Evelyn be able to live with the guilt that she has unknowingly brought upon herself? A signature Michael-Bay drama packed with action and emotion, ‘Pearl Harbor’ is a go-to movie for cinephiles to enjoy cinema. You, too, can enjoy it right here.
3. The Kill Team (2019)
A dark take on vigilante justice, Dan Krauss’s ‘The Kill Team’ focuses on Private Andrew Briggman (Nat Wolff), who is conflicted between his services as a US soldier and his morality as a human. His rogue unit, AKA the Kill Team, under the command of Staff Sergeant Deeks (Alexander Skarsgård), is ordered to murder innocent Afghan civilians. Based on the documentary of the same name by Krauss, the film is a hard-hitting military drama that fades the line between right and wrong in a visceral manner, showcasing the inexplicable nature of war. You can watch it here.
2. 3 Days in Malay (2023)
Based on the events of the Guadalcanal Campaign, AKA Operation Watchtower (1942-1943: World War II), the Thai war drama is directed by Louis Mandylor. The campaign was the first major attack by the Allied Powers against Japan. The film showcases a three-day battle between a group of U.S. Marines and hordes of Japanese soldiers at a Malay airfield. Without any hope for support, the handful of Marines, led by Ex-Marine John Caputo (Mandylor), are forced to protect the civilians inside the airfield and defend it on their own. Brutal and entertaining, ‘3 Days in Malay’ does a commendable job as a military drama. Alongside Mandylor, we have Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Peter Dobson, and Donald Cerrone. You can watch the film here.
1. The Arctic Convoy (2023)
‘The Arctic Convoy’ is a Norwegian military movie directed by Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken and starring Tobias Santelmann, Jon Ranes, Adam Lundgren, Preben Hodneland, and Anders Baasmo. It follows a convoy tasked with delivering weapons and supplies to a Norwegian outpost for the Allied Forces in 1942 (World War II). However, they must go through enemy waters in order to deliver. How the 35 civilian merchant ships defend themselves against heavy German fire both from above and below is what we find out in this immensely gripping drama underscored by war strategies, moral conflicts, and sentiments. As stunning visually as it is story-wise, ‘The Arctic Convoy’ is inspired by real events and can be streamed right here.
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