Almost a century after the Second World War took millions of lives and forever changed the geopolitical face of the planet, cinema still tries to capture the emotion and devastation from the era so that none are forgotten. Writers and directors have taken script and camera to recreate battlefields and bring historical leaders to modern eyes through some of the best WW2 movies.

They have reimagined the hardships of daily life, the horrors of the concentration camps, and the tragically short lives of so many soldiers who never made it home. In eight decades of film, there are some of the best World War 2 movies to ever grace the silver screen in homage to the victors and victims of World War II.

25 'Enemy at the Gates' (2001)

Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud

Based on William Craig’s 1973 book of the same name, Enemy at the Gates recounts the events surrounding the Battle of Stalingrad. Set during the winter of 1942-1943, the war drama emphasizes a sniper’s duel between Russian sniper Vassili Zaytsev and German Major Erwin König, after Vassili takes out Nazi soldiers one by one and König is ordered to kill Vasily to restore Hitler’s honor. It is essentially a film about two individuals who are put in a situation where they can only use their intelligence and skills to kill each other.

Enemy at the Gates bears Jean-Jacques Annaud’s distinctive storytelling style and is atmospheric and thrilling in depicting a war setting. However, it has been critiqued for historical relevance in parts. Despite its flaws, the war film stands on its characters and their portrayals, especially that of Jude Law as the real-life Vasily Zaitsev, and Ed Harris’ convincing portrayal of the toughened Erwin König remains unforgettable. — Maddie P

24 'Sophie's Choice' (1982)

Directed by Alan J. Pakula

Set after the war in 1947, Stingo (Peter MacNicol) meets Sophie (Meryl Streep), a Polish immigrant living with her husband Nathan (Kevin Kline) in the apartment above him. Sophie's Choice follows the two as the protagonist tells her story of survival in Nazi-occupied Europe. Her choice, of which of her children will be killed in an Auschwitz gas chamber, has taken a severe psychological toll that she cannot heal from.

Streep's award-winning performance depicts the trauma facing Holocaust survivors and the life-or-death decisions made to survive. Sophie’s Choice posits those decisions to an audience 40 years, and more removed from the horrors of the war and asked, if faced with the same circumstances, if they would do the same.

23 'Dunkirk' (2017)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk transports viewers to the beaches of the titular location, where the messy evacuation of the British and Allied soldiers is taking place. Separated into three different settings – land, sea, and air – the film follows the characters' struggle to survive on the beach, on a boat, and in a fighter plane.

Nolan's ambitious WWII movie uses little dialogue, relying instead on cinematography and suspense to propel the story forward. Audiences are purposely made to feel disoriented, shocked, and confused, just like the film's characters. While these techniques don't always pay off, there are enough stunning moments throughout that make the dizzying movie worth watching.

22 'Letters from Iwo Jima' & 'Flags of Our Fathers' (2006)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood's couplet of war films details the Battle of Iwo Jima from the American and Japanese perspectives in two companion pieces. Flags of Our Fathers is told from the American point of view and follows the siege of Iwo Jima and eventual victory by American forces, focusing on those marines who raised an American flag in an iconic moment in history memorialized several times over. Letters from Iwo Jima, in turn, follow the desperate attempts by Japanese forces to hold their ground amidst both calls to retreat and their orders; to succeed or die trying.

While both were filmed and produced by American production houses, Letters from Iwo Jima stands out from many Hollywood films for being scripted in Japanese and casting Japanese actors for a rare strike of authenticity. The couplet shows the heroes and victims of both sides and is one of many pyrrhic victories for the American military.

21 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019)

Directed by Taika Waititi

Directed by Taika Waititi, Jojo Rabbit is a satirical film with a wholly unique perspective of the events of WWII. Set during the final years of the war in Germany, the film follows ten-year-old Jojo Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis), who is a dedicated member of the Hitler Youth. His beliefs are challenged when he learns that his mom (played by Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl in their house.

The thought-provoking film is full of dark humor, which it uses to comment on war and prejudice. Carefully toeing the line between comedy and tragedy, Jojo Rabbit is an unconventional movie that successfully raises crucial questions about innocence, the horrors of war, and empathy.

20 ‘Empire of the Sun’ (1987)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

The epic coming-of-age drama based on J. G. Ballard's semi-autobiographical 1984 novel of the same name follows the story of a young British boy separated from his family during WWII. Empire of the Sun focuses on James "Jim" Graham/ Jamie, who goes from living an upper-class British life in Shanghai to becoming a prisoner of war at an internment camp during the Japanese invasion of China, where he struggles to survive and attempts to rebuild his former life. A teenage Christian Bale stars as the protagonist, Jamie, in one of his most unforgettable performances, which earned him critical acclaim.

A war film that many consider to be Steven Spielberg's most profound work, Empire of the Sun is truly a memorable war movie featuring a young protagonist. The Academy Award-nominated and BAFTA-winning war film boasts Spielberg’s distinguished cinematography and visual poetry that emphasizes the child-eye view of war. — Maddie P

19 'The Sound of Music' (1965)

Directed by Robert Wise

At the onset of the annexation of Austria in 1938, The Sound of Music stars Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plummer as Georg von Trapp. The award-winning musical follows Maria, the new governess of the von Trapp family. Bringing adventure and excitement into the lives of the seven children otherwise raised with militaristic strictness, The Sound of Music is a classic love story against the backdrop of looming catastrophe.

The film is mainly detached from the war itself until the von Trapps are forced to flee Austria overnight to escape Georg’s commission with the German Navy. In a solemn and empowering show of quiet protest, the family sings “Edelweiss,” a song about the Austrian national flower, at the Salzburg Festival before Brownshirts try to take them in.

18 'The Great Escape' (1963)

Directed by John Sturges

A heavily fictionalized depiction of the bravery and strength of prisoners of war, The Great Escape follows British POW’s real-life escape from camp Stalag Luft III in Germany. The film chronicles the teamwork and commitment of dozens of POWs' ingenious attempts to keep the camp’s guards unaware of escape tunnels being dug beneath their feet. Praised also for its score and its stunts, including Steve McQueen's iconic motorcycle jump.

Much more of an action romp than a brutal snapshot of war, The Great Escape stays true to a few historical accuracies in the number and nationalities of those involved. It doesn’t shy away from the casualties sacrificed so the real-life soldiers could make it to freedom. It's also just an epic adventure film that relies on McQueen's star power from start to finish.

17 'Downfall' (2004)

Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel

A German-Austrian-Italian cooperative, Downfall depicts the final weeks of WWII in Germany from Adolf Hitler’s point of view. The film’s director, Oliver Hirschbiegel, and the production team sought to be as realistic and historically accurate as possible to ensure that this piece of history would not be forgotten.

Downfall does not make a one-note caricature of Hitler and the movie is based on real events as recounted by primary and secondary sources who were with him during his final days, such as Inside Hitler's Bunker: The Last Days of the Third Reich by historian Joachim Fest and Until the Final Hour by Hitler's secretary Traudl Junge. Hitler goes from a seemingly immutable historical figure to a three-dimensional, flesh-and-blood person. This decision is still met with controversy. Critically, Downfall is a poignant retrospective that closes the gap between the "monster" anyone could succumb to being.

16 'The Thin Red Line' (1998)

Directed by Terrence Malick

Telling a fictionalized version of the Battle of Mount Austen, which took place during the Second World War, The Thin Red Line follows C Company, a group of soldiers led by Captain John Gaff (John Cusack), and their grueling campaign against the Japanese forces. Amidst the chaos of battle, the characters confront their own fears, doubts, and moral dilemmas. The thoughtful Private Witt (Jim Caviezel), for instance, finds solace in the beauty of nature despite the brutality around them. Sergeant Welsh (Sean Penn), a hardened veteran, talks about how he has lost his faith in what it means to fight the war.

The Thin Red Line marked Terrence Malick's return to the industry after a 20-year-long break, and what a comeback it was. One of Terrence Malick's best movies, it's an incredibly introspective war film that sees its brave soldiers as vulnerable individuals who deal with the horrors around them in their own unique ways. Its murky message is lost in its own messiness, which seems appropriate for the complicated story anyway.

15 'The Guns of Navarone' (1961)

Directed by J. Lee Thompson

Among war classics, J. Lee Thompson’s The Guns of Navarone remains an all-time favorite and a well-acclaimed film. Based on Alistair MacLean’s eponymous 1957 novel, this action-adventure war film follows a unit of elite Allied commandos who are assigned the impossible task of destroying powerful German cannons by breaking into an unimpregnable fortress on a Greek Island in the Aegean Sea.

A critically acclaimed film, The Guns of Navarone earned an Academy Award for its special effects, among seven nominations, including Best Director for Lee Thompson, who delivers a great war story, packed with a lot of dramatic but vivid action set pieces. Additionally, the film’s weighty cast starring Gregory Peck, David Niven, and Anthony Quinn, excellent photography, music, and visual effects make this film one of the best in the genre. — Maddie P

14 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009)

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

A WWII revenge fantasy unlike any other, director Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds is centered on a group of Jewish-American soldiers led by Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), who plan to wreak havoc among the very top Nazi officials. Alongside their storyline is Shosanna Dreyfus' (Mélanie Laurent) own murderous plot, as the French-Jewish cinema owner wants payback for a war crime against her family.

Tarantino fans need no introduction to this film, and it showcases the director's most famous trademarks. From sharp dialogue and unexpected twists to dark humor and over-the-top violence, Inglourious Basterds has it all. For fans of darkly comedic revisionist movies done right, the 2009 film is a must-see.

13 'The Human Condition' Film Series (1959–1961)

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi

Director Masaki Kobayashi's sprawling epic, The Human Condition, is made up of three war films, which all follow the life and experiences of the protagonist and pacifist, Kaji (Tatsuya Nakadai). Kaji has become disillusioned and questions common practices in World War II-era Japan, but soon becomes involved in the very atrocities he despises.

The criminally underrated movie trilogy chronicles the protagonist's heartbreaking transformation from being an idealistic socialist into a jaded survivor. The Human Condition is a powerful film series that delves into the human cost of war in a sweeping and insightful way, highlighting the horrific loss individuals endured during the war on both an intimate and grand scale.

12 'Das Boot' (1981)

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen

A widely acclaimed classic directed by Wolfgang Petersen, Das Boot is among the best submarine movies ever made. Delving into the deep and suffocating setting that is the inside of a German U-boat during the Second World War, the 1981 movie portrays the dangerous mission a crew of sailors goes on under the leadership of Captain Lehmann-Willenbrock (Jürgen Prochnow).

Known for its realistic portrayal of life inside a U-boat, the film uses meticulous attention to detail to accurately capture the routines, dangers, and rollercoasters of emotions the sailors go through before a perilous mission. The psychological impact of the gargantuan task on the characters is amplified by their confined setting, which leads to some truly intense exchanges throughout the film.

11 'Oppenheimer' (2023)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Easily among director Christopher Nolan's best works, Oppenheimer became a global phenomenon when it premiered alongside an unlikely partner film, Barbie. Cillian Murphy stars as the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer in the 2023 epic biographical movie, which chronicles how the "father of the atomic bomb" led the Manhattan Project during World War II. This top-secret project would eventually result in the creation of nuclear weapons.

The award-winning blockbuster gives audiences a glimpse of the deeply personal story of a complicated man whose pursuit of scientific discovery led to the deaths of thousands of civilians. It's a different kind of WW2 film that's been hailed as an instant classic thanks to Nolan's brilliant direction, bringing Oppenheimer's story to the big screen in an epic way.

10 'Casablanca' (1942)

Directed by Michael Curtiz

A film actually produced during the war, Casablanca, offers a unique and poignant perspective. With a multinational cast, many of whom were refugees from the fighting in Europe, actors were able to bring their real-life struggles and experiences to the script in a story that endures as one of the best films of all time (with one of the best last lines in cinematic history).

Set in the eponymous city in Northern Africa, Casablanca follows Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) as he comes into the possession of letters of transit, offering invaluable safe passage for refugees trying to escape the war. When his estranged lover Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), and her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), enter his bar seeking safe passage, Blaine sees the two to freedom and their brief love affair to rest.

9 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas' (2008)

Directed by Mark Herman

Based on John Boyne’s eponymous 2006 novel, the Holocaust historical drama is set in Nazi-occupied Poland and explores a forbidden friendship between two children who, oblivious to the realities of war, face startling and unexpected consequences. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas focuses on Bruno (Asa Butterfield), the son Nazi commander Ralf (David Thewlis), who meets Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), a Jewish boy of his age living in a concentration camp near his home.

The grim war film is touching and arresting in its portrayal of the harsh realities of war. And still, it drives comfort in the innocence of its characters. Though heavily critiqued by scholars, The Boy in Striped Pajamas earned a widely positive reception among fans and critics for its affecting narrative. Not to mention, the award-worthy performances by Thewlis and Vera Farmiga as his parents and the heartwarming chemistry between Butterfield’s Bruno and Scanlon’s Shmuel. — Maddie P

8 'The Pianist' (2002)

Directed by Roman Polanski

Based on the memoirs of Władysław Szpilman and directed by Roman Polanski, The Pianist tells the bleak tale of one man's survival during the Holocaust. Szpilman (played by Adrien Brody) is a Jewish pianist, who watches the community he loves deteriorate as the war chugs along. Once an acclaimed Polish musician, he's reduced to hiding in the wreckage of the increasingly unfamiliar city as he loses one close friend and family member after another.

Brody's career-defining performance brings the terrible true story to life in this emotionally draining and renowned WWII film. The protagonist's haunting experiences are a testament to hope against all odds, but also a necessary reminder of the loss, suffering, and horrors people had to endure during the Holocaust.

7 'Pan's Labyrinth' (2006)

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

What can be easily called one of Guillermo del Toro’s best creations, this dark fantasy war film takes a very innovative approach to the genre. Set in the summer of 1944 in Spain, during the Francoist regime, Pan’s Labyrinth tells the story of the ten-year-old Ofelia who moves with her mother to her stepfather, Captain Vidal’s house, where at night she is visited by a fairy who takes Ofelia to meet a faun. Ofelia finds herself inside a mysterious and abandoned labyrinth where she must perform three tasks that would prove she is a princess.

The film runs on parallel narratives, intertwining the real world where the tyrannical Vidal is hunting the Spanish Maquis resistance and Ofelia’s mother becomes increasingly ill, with Ofelia’s mythical worlds where she is royalty and interacts with mysterious creatures who become main characters of her story. Pan’s Labyrinth is a gorgeously designed and poetic tale that feels like Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland for adults, where the narrative balances the comforting fantasy with the grim realities of life. — Maddie P

6 'Grave of the Fireflies' (1988)

Directed by Isao Takahata

Studio Ghibli’s renowned somber war film follows siblings Seita and Setsuko in the final months of the war in Japan, struggling, and ultimately failing, to survive starvation and frequent American air raids. The film gets its name from the needless and accidental deaths of a jar of fireflies the siblings had caught and released in their shelter, starved of sustenance alongside the people of Japan.

Grave of the Fireflies makes no silver lining familiar in Western animation. The Ghibli movie is one of the best depictions of the era for its visceral realism and the cost of war beyond those conscripted and enlisted in the armies that fight them. Viewers should be warned that it's a tear-jerking animated movie that doesn't hold back its depiction of the human cost of war.