Whether Netflix, Amazon Prime or Apple TV is your preferred streaming platform of choice – there are an abundance of war films to choose from. From Quentin Tarantino’s award-winning Inglourious Basterds to the lastest war epic release Warfare, here are the best war films streaming right now.
Netflix
Inglorious Basterds
Quentin Tarantino’s beloved 2009 award-winning war film tells the story of an alternate history where two converging plots to assassinate Nazi Germany leadership at a cinema in Paris. The film’s star-studded cast includes Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Michael Fassbender, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, Daniel Brühl, Til Schweiger and Mélanie Laurent. It is leaving the platform in mid June however, so watch it while you can.
The Six Triple Eight
A recent edition to the platform, The Six Triple Eight was released at the end of 2024 and it is based on a true story, following the 855 women who joined the Women’s Army Corps to resolve the three-year backlog of undelivered mail. Directed by Tyler Perry, it stars the likes of Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Sarah Jeffery, Oprah Winfrey, Gregg Sulkin, Susan Sarandon, Shanice Williams, Donna Biscoe and Dean Norris.
1917
This one-shot take stylised WWI film was released in 2019. It is produced and directed by Sam Mendes and is partially inspired by stories that Mendes’ paternal grandfather told him of the war. The film follows a pair of British soldiers, played by George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman, on their mission to deliver an important message to call off a doomed offensive attack in the aftermath of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich. Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch also star in the film.
All Quiet on the Western Front
This German film from 2022, follows Paul Bäumer, a young German soldier who enthusiastically signs up to fight in the First World War but gradually loses his innocence upon experiencing the harsh reality of trench warfare. Played by Felix Kammerer, the film is based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque, a German veteran of World War I. Directed by Edward Berger, it is a compelling and personal account that hones in on the psychological impact of warfare.
Apple TV
Greyhound
2020’s Greyhound, directed by Aaron Schneider and starring Tom Hanks, who also wrote the screenplay is based on a novel, The Good Shepherd, written by C. S. Forester in 1955. It follows a US Navy commander on his first assignment whereby he must command a multi-national escort destroyer group and defend an Allied convoy from U-boats during the Battle of the Atlantic. The film also stars Stephen Graham, Rob Morgan and Elisabeth Shue.
Blitz
Blitz was released in 2024 and was written, produced and directed by Steve McQueen. The film stars Saoirse Ronan and Elliott Heffernan, in his film debut, Paul Weller, Harris Dickinson and Stephen Graham. It follows nine-year old George, who is evacuated to the countryside by his mother, Rita, to escape the bombings in World War II London. But George has other ideas and decides to embark on a journey to return to his family as his mother searches for him.
Warfare
Warfare, which was released just last month, has been getting a great reception currently sits at the top spot for best war film right now on IMDb, above Inglorious Basterds. It was written and directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland and is based on the former’s experience serving in the Iraq War. The film follows a group of US Navy SEALs in real-time as they embark on a dangerous assignment through enemy territory.
Amazon
Hacksaw Ridge
Hacksaw Ridge is a 2017 film, directed by Mel Gibson. It’s based on a true story, adapted from Terry Benedict’s novel, The Conscientious Objector. It follows Andrew Garfield as Desmond Doss, who, after nearly killing his younger brother, has pledged not to touch a weapon but joins the forces as a combat medic. It’s an incredible story that earned Garfield an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, released in 2023, tells the story of John Kinley, a U.S. Army Green Beret Master Sergeant who has been sent home after surviving a Taliban attack, and his subsequent journey to rescue Ahmed, his Afghan interpreter, who John feels indebted to for saving his life. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim.
The Zone of Interest
Jonathan Glazer’s exploration of the book The Zone of Interest by Martin Amis, is a unique and bleak Nazi drama told from the perpetrator’s viewpoint. The story follows the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, played by Christian Friedel, and his wife, Hedwig, played by Sandra Hüller, as they aim to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden located next to the concentration camp. The chilling film features little or mundane dialogue uses sound and wide shots to convey the story that never goes beyond the wall that separates the garden from the camp.