The 8 Greatest War Movies on Prime Video, Ranked

War movies have inspired and educated audiences for decades. From its origin as wartime propaganda in the 20th century, the genre has evolved to incorporate multiple subgenres and perspectives and has produced some of the greatest films of all time. It’s no surprise that the streaming service Prime Video is home to a huge collection of war films. However, considering the sheer scale of the streamer’s catalog, it can be difficult to zero in on the truly great ones. That’s why we’ve done the work for you, creating a handpicked guide to the best the service has to offer. Read on to discover our ranked list of the greatest war movies you can stream right now on Prime Video, including both landmark classics and more modern hits.

Looking for more great war stories? Be sure to check out our lists of the best R-rated war movies on Prime Video, the best war movies on Prime Video in general, and the greatest war movies with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score across streaming platforms.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Prime Video.

8

‘In This Corner of the World’ (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.8/10

Co-written and directed by Sunao Katabuchi, In This Corner of the World is a Japanese anime war drama produced by MAPPA and based on Fumiyo Kōno’s eponymous manga. Set in Hiroshima and Kure roughly 10 years before and after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the film follows Suzu, a spirited young woman who is married off to a man she barely knows, exploring how she adjusts to her new life during the Pacific War and the aftermath of the bombing. The film’s voice cast includes Rena Nōnen, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Natsuki Inaba, Minori Omi, and more.

In This Corner of the World premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, receiving highly positive reviews from critics. The film was also successful at the Japanese box office, debuting at number 10. A grounded and heartbreaking movie about everyday life during the Pacific War, In This Corner of the World is a compelling anti-war story presented through beautiful writing and animation. The film earned several accolades, winning three Japan Academy Prizes, including Best Animated Film.

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7

‘Shadow’ (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.0/10

Directed by Zhang Yimou, Shadow is a Chinese wuxia war film. The movie follows the schemes of a brilliant general who attempts to defeat a rival kingdom with the help of his wife and a look-alike. The film stars Deng Chao as the general, Commander Ziyu, and his titular “shadow,” leading a cast that also includes Sun Li, Zheng Kai, Wang Qianyuan, Hu Jun, Wang Jingchun, Guan Xiaotong, and Leo Wu.

Shadow premiered at the 2018 Venice International Film Festival and was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival the same year. A beautifully crafted action war drama, the movie has received universal acclaim from critics and audiences for its cinematography, performances, set design, and choreography. The film has earned several accolades as well, including four Saturn Award nominations and four Golden Horse Award wins out of 12 nominations. It’s a visually stunning and thematically rich film that’s perfect for fans of classic Chinese dramas and inventive action films.

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6

‘Downfall’ (2004)

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 8.2/10

A German-Austrian-Italian co-production, Downfall is an Academy Award-nominated historical war drama directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel and written and produced by Bernd Eichinger. The film explores the final days of Adolf Hitler during the Battle of Berlin, when Nazi Germany was on the brink of total defeat, through the eyes of Hitler’s personal secretary, Traudl Junge. The film stars Alexandra Maria Lara as Junge and Bruno Ganzas Hitler, with Corinna Harfouch, Ulrich Matthes, Juliane Köhler, Heino Ferch, Christian Berkel, Alexander Held, and more playing key roles.

Inspired by eyewitness accounts and historical sources, Downfall was both highly successful and controversial at the time of its release. The film premiered at the 2004 Toronto Film Festival to universal acclaim, garnering praise for its performances, direction, writing, and production. However, the film was criticized by audiences for humanizing Hitler and other members of the Third Reich. The ethics of such a depiction may be an endless source of debate, but the film itself is an undeniable masterpiece.

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5

‘Hacksaw Ridge’ (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 8.1/10

Directed by Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge is a biographical World War II film written by Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan. Inspired by the 2004 documentary The Conscientious Objector, the film stars Andrew Garfield as Desmond Doss, an American combat medic who became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor, following the story of his life and service. The movie also features Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, and Vince Vaughn in supporting roles.

Hacksaw Ridge had its world premiere at the 2016 Venice International Film Festival, receiving highly positive reviews from critics. Subsequently released in theaters, the film proved a commercial hit as well, grossing over $180 million worldwide. An epic war drama that focuses on a truly inspiring real-life figure, the film has been praised by critics and audiences alike for its direction and performances, especially that of Andrew Garfield in the lead role. The movie earned numerous accolades as well, including two Academy Awards out of six nominations, and was named one of the top 10 films of 2016 by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute.

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4

‘Platoon’ (1986)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 8.1/10

A 1986 Vietnam War movie, Platoon was written and directed by Oliver Stone and is the first part of a trilogy that also includes 1989’s Born on the Fourth of July and 1993’s Heaven & Earth. Inspired by the director’s personal experiences from the war, the film follows a young soldier (played by Charlie Sheen) who finds himself and his platoon torn between the conflicting philosophies of two senior officers (Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe). The film’s supporting ensemble also includes Keith David, Kevin Dillon, John C. McGinley, Forest Whitaker, and Johnny Depp.

The first Vietnam War movie made by an actual veteran of the conflict, Platoon is widely regarded as a landmark moment in Hollywood history and American culture in general. The film premiered in December 1986 to a positive critical and commercial reception, with its sobering narrative serving as an important counterpoint to the pro-military films that lionize US soldiers fighting in Vietnam. It’s a grounded and realistic film that seeks to illustrate the terrible human cost of war and the internal conflicts faced by soldiers. The movie went on to become the third highest-grossing domestic film of 1986, won four Academy Awards, and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2019.

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3

‘Patton’ (1970)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.9/10

Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and written by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North, Patton is a biographical World War II film about U.S. General George S. Patton. George C. Scott stars as the general, and the movie explores his military successes and personal failings through a layered and nuanced narrative. Besides Scott, the film also features Karl Malden, David Bauer, Edward Binns, John Doucette, Michael Strong, Peter Barkworth, and more in supporting roles.

First released in 1970, Patton was a critical and commercial success in its day, earning widespread praise for George C. Scott’s near-perfect performance as the titular general. The movie went on to win seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. An unarguable cultural landmark, Patton is an honest portrait of its larger-than-life subject that brings out his humanity without shying away from his flaws. Easily one of the greatest American war movies of all time, the film has been preserved in both the United States National Film Registry and the Academy Film Archive.

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2

‘The Hurt Locker’ (2008)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.5/10

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker is a war action thriller film set during the Iraq War and inspired by Boal’s personal experiences as a freelance journalist embedded with a bomb squad. The movie follows an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team as they deal with insurgent attacks and personality clashes, as well as their psychological reactions to combat stress. The film stars Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Christian Camargo, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, and Guy Pearce.

The Hurt Locker had its world premiere at the 2008 Venice International Film Festival, receiving widespread critical acclaim for its directing, performances, writing, and production. While some veterans have criticized the film for its inaccuracies, it’s still an undeniably well-made movie with layered characterizations and tense action sequences. The film earned numerous accolades, including six Academy Awards out of nine nominations. Most notably, it is the first Best Picture winner directed by a woman, and in 2020, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

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1

‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 8.6/10

Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat, Saving Private Ryan is an epic war film set during World War II that was inspired by the books of Stephen E. Ambrose, as well as accounts of multiple real-life soldiers. The movie follows a group of soldiers in Normandy, France, as they attempt to locate the titular Private Ryan and bring him home safely after the tragic deaths of his three brothers. The film’s cast is led by Tom Hanksand Matt Damon, with Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Jeremy Davies, Vin Diesel, and more in supporting roles.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest war movies of all time, Saving Private Ryan premiered in July 1998 to critical and commercial success. The film went on to become the second-highest-grossing movie of the year and won several awards, including five Academy Awards and two Golden Globes. Presenting an inspiring story through a highly detailed and realistic production, Saving Private Ryan has been an inspiration to practically every war film made since its release. In 2014, the movie was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, cementing its status as a cultural landmark.

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