While you’re stuck at home in yet another year plagued by, well… a plague, you might want to brush up on your military knowledge. An easy way to do that is through movies! Whether you’re streaming or catching the latest showing on TV, you’re going to want to tune in to one of these – the best military movies you can watch this year.
Another Year, Another Set of the Best Military Movies
Okay, so maybe movies aren’t the best way to brush up on your military knowledge. But at the very least, they give you Vets an opportunity to make fun of any historical inaccuracies Hollywood has reproduced! Let’s look at the best military movies you’re gonna want to check out – in no particular order.
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Best Military Movies on Netflix
Many would argue that the best military movies on Netflix are the most iconic, like The Patriot. However, we’d be remiss if we didn’t introduce you to even more worthwhile offerings that can quickly make it into almost anyone’s list of the best military movies on Netflix.
1. To Be of Service
2019
1h 27m
TV-MA
To Be of Service is a documentary that follows Veterans who have recently returned home from war as they get paired with service dogs who change their lives. This is a real and emotional documentary that highlights the struggles – and successes – of new Vets as they try to acclimate to life after war.
2. The Outpost
2020
2h 3m
R
The Outpost is a dark and violent film about U.S. soldiers going up against the odds as they fight the Taliban in the Battle of Kamdesh. Scott Eastwood and Orlando Bloom give an incredibly exciting performance in this feature based on a true story.
3. Sand Castle
2017
1h 53m
TV-MA
Sand Castle is a star-studded movie set after the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. Henry Cavill, Nicholas Hoult, Logan Marshall-Green, and more are all part of a platoon sent on a wildly dangerous mission in the middle of a hostile Iraqi village.
4. Da 5 Bloods
2020
2h 35m
R
The late Chadwick Boseman features in Da 5 Bloods, a film set in a post-Vietnam-War world. Four Vietnam Vets return to Vietnam and make a shocking discovery. This unique and exciting offering is a gritty piece from director Spike Lee, who has been critically acclaimed for his 2018 film BlacKkKlansman.
5. The Photographer of Mauthausen
2018
1h 50m
TV-MA
The Photographer of Mauthausen is not a film you’ll soon forget, as it takes place in Nazi Germany during the height of the Holocaust. It follows the story of a Catalan prisoner who smuggles photo negatives of the atrocities of the Holocaust so that others can see the true horrors of the camps. This is a spine-chilling, suspenseful film based on true events – making it all the more horrifying.
Military Movies on Amazon Prime
When it comes to military movies on Amazon Prime, there’s no shortage of offerings. You can explore classic favorites like Saving Private Ryan and I Am Legend, or you can experience one of the newer offerings of other top war movies on Prime.
6. Once a Marine
2020
1h 9m
Unrated
Once a Marine is a documentary following the stories of Marine combat Vets after the War in Afghanistan. They recount candid tales of what they experienced, discuss the mental toll that combat continues to take on them, and talk about how they are re-adjusting to civilian life post-war.
7. Midway
2019
2h 18m
PG-13
Six months after the devastating attacks at Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway took place in World War II’s Pacific Theater. Midway tells the unique stories of many WWII soldiers and leaders to piece together a larger picture of this intense historic battle.
8. American Renegades
2018
1h 45m
PG-13
This offering is pure American fun, with big tanks, guns aplenty, and no shortage of action and witty quips. It follows a group of Navy SEALs as they try to hijack millions of dollars in drowned Nazi gold. If you want an exciting, don’t-have-to-think-about-it-too-much watch, American Renegades is a great pick.
Military Movies on Hulu
Hulu wouldn’t necessarily be our first pick for the best military movies, but they do offer a few options that you’ll want to tune into. The plus side is that you can get a Hulu military discount through Exchange! So no matter what military movies on Hulu suit your fancy, you can watch them for a lower price.
9. Legion of Brothers
2017
1h 19m
TV-14
Legion of Brothers is a documentary that tells the story of what took place directly after the 9/11 attacks on American soil. Less than 100 troops were secretly sent in to put a stop to the Taliban’s terror, and this documentary covers some of their stories and struggles.
10. The Hornet’s Nest
2014
1h 37m
R
The Hornet’s Nest is another documentary, this time following U.S. troops in real time during nine days of combat in war-torn Afghanistan. Two journalists were on this scene recording everything, so this is as raw and real as it gets.
11. Hacksaw Ridge
2016
2h 19m
R
This biographical film stars once-Spiderman Andrew Garfield in the true (with some notable historical changes) story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who refuses to bear arms in the war due to his religious beliefs and past troubles. Even in the height of battle, he never fires a gun. Doss’s story, outlined in Hacksaw Ridge, is one of bravery and true heroism. If you like military movies in the slightest, this is one you absolutely cannot miss. We’d consider this among the best military movies ever.
Hacksaw Ridge is only available with Hulu’s HBO Max add-on.
Upcoming Military Movies
We’re just getting started with 2022. That means we have a ton of releases ahead of us. Upcoming titles like Munich: The Edge of War, Dog (which promises to be one of the best military comedy movies of late), Top Gun: Maverick, and Elvis seem to be exciting military-themed offerings for 2022. We’re sure that some of these will make it into next year’s best military movies list, but we’ll just have to wait and see!
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