UPDATE: As of November 5, 2025, Netflix has unveiled the top military movies to stream right now. These gripping films offer a profound glimpse into the experiences of soldiers and the realities of war. Here’s what viewers should watch immediately.
1. Baghdad, 2004
This intense film directed by Kathryn Bigelow immerses viewers in the chaos of Iraq as an Army Bomb Squad navigates life-threatening missions. The film captures the tension and uncertainty faced by soldiers disarming Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Score: 5/5 IMDb Rating: 7.5/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 96% (critics) / 84% (audience) MPAA: Rated R
“You realize every time you suit up, it’s life or death. You roll the dice, and you deal with it.”
Awards: Won 6 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director.
2. Inglorious Basterds (2009)
Set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, this film features a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers on a mission to assassinate Nazi leaders. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, it combines thrilling action with dark humor.
Score: 4.5/5 IMDb Rating: 8.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 89% (critics) / 88% (audience) MPAA: Rated R
“Nazi ain’t got no humanity…they need to be destroyed.”
Awards: Won 1 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, Christoph Waltz.
3. 1917 (2019)
Filmed in a way that appears as one continuous shot, this World War I film follows two soldiers tasked with delivering a vital message to save 1,600 men from walking into a deadly trap. Its immersive storytelling is both thrilling and heart-wrenching.
Score: 4.5/5 IMDb Rating: 8.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 88% (critics) / 88% (audience) MPAA: Rated R
“There is only one way this ends, last man standing.”
Awards: Won 3 Oscars including Best Cinematography.
4. All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
This powerful adaptation of the classic novel follows a young German soldier as he faces the brutal realities of World War I. The film highlights the emotional toll of war, revealing the stark contrast between the glorified vision of military service and the horrors of battle.
Score: 5/5 IMDb Rating: 7.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 90% (critics) / 90% (audience) MPAA: Rated R
“My mother didn’t want me to go to war. I wanted to show them I could do it.”
Awards: Won 4 Oscars including Best Foreign Film.
5. Surviving Black Hawk Down (2025)
This documentary series delves into the infamous 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, providing firsthand accounts from U.S. soldiers and Somali civilians. It offers a raw and unfiltered look at the complexities of military engagement.
Score: 4.5/5 IMDb Rating: 7.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (critics) / 68% (audience) MPAA: Rated TV-Mature
“You can’t put humanity into war.”
Awards: Won 1 Golden Trailer Award for Best Documentary.
With so many gripping stories available, these films not only entertain but also evoke powerful emotions, making them essential viewing. What’s your favorite military movie? Share your thoughts!
