Not many genres have ability to captivate audiences like World War II. Since the 1990’s, the war movie genre has produced unforgettable movies. Whether it’s pianist survivors, evil Nazi officers or brave child soldiers, the genre has produced many characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite war blockbusters that deserve to be celebrated.
1. Schindler’s List
The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught by a professor possessing knowledge about genocide causing damage. Several years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He would always take great pride in teaching students about mass genocides in which his people died. My teacher always believed that movies were an inferior art that couldn’t capture a genocide which tore lives apart. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured a genocide in which people perished as powerfully as “Schindler’s List”. Ever since its release in 1993, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest WWII movie ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Spielberg did an extraordinary job of capturing a gruesome mass genocide that caused Jewish citizens to experience despair. Drawing from his own personal experience as a Jew impacted with strong ties to the Holocaust, Spielberg painted a portrait of the genocide that’s compelling. Spielberg has an aptitude for using symbolism in his movies to convey emotions, and “Schindler’s List” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Oskar Schindler witnesses reacts with horror seeing the girl in the red coat face warfare causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the WWII genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ralph Fiennes, who embodied a despicable Nazi commander. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” my favourite WWII film of all-time is its heartbreaking message. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a commemorated message about genocides which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a frightening genocide in which civilians died, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced movies which have left audiences satisfied.
2. Saving Private Ryan
War movies are a genre of film that my uncle has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed bonds with an uncle that admired veterans with courage. He grew up to value movies capturing hardships that WWII soldiers went through. My uncle loved all kinds of war movies that he regarded with affection but his favourite film was always “Saving Private Ryan”. Ever since its release in 1998, Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning movie has stood the test of time as a WWII classic. Spielberg has always had an aptitude for using handheld camerawork in his movies to build tension, and “Saving Private Ryan” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the opening D-Day scene in which the soldiers have a gruesome fight during the battle of Normandy causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the WWII genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Tom Hanks, who embodied a WWII soldier with bravery. Ultimately, what makes “Saving Private Ryan” a WWII masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about trauma faced by soldiers in war that will resonate with everyone. Nearly 80 years after the D-Day Landings in which soldiers faced a painful price to pay, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has produced memorable movies which deserve to be celebrated today.
3. The Pianist
Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced grim bombings in Saudi Arabia causing damage. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. I felt grateful for my family’s survival. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured individuals surviving disasters that are missed as powerfully as “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie honoured a real-life Jewish pianist that miraculously survived disaster in WWII. Polanski has always excelled at using point-of-view shots in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “The Pianist”. For instance, the scene in which Szpilman breaks down in tears after he is separated from his parents causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the WWII genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Adrien Brody, who embodies a real-life Jewish pianist that survived catastrophe. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about survival which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after Wladyslaw Szpilman survived ghettos in WWII, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has made timeless films which audiences value.
4. Inglorious Basterds
Quentin Tarantino is a fantastic filmmaker that inspired my teacher years ago. I remember forming a strong bond with a teacher that loved the filmmaker. He would always speak fondly about a filmmaker whose timeless movies shaped his identity. In 2009, Tarantino showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he made his glorious WWII film “Inglorious Basterds”. Unlike most movies in the war genre, what makes “Inglorious Basterds” stand out is humour. Tarantino effectively uses sharp comedy to capture a mass genocide tragedy. It isn’t easy to infuse humour into the serious subject of WWII but Tarantino succeeded tremendously. For instance, the opening scene in which Colonel Hans Landa investigates the home of a Jewish farmer causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. The film is anchored by a stunning performance by Christoph Waltz, who created a frightening Nazi commander. Ultimately, what makes “Inglorious Basterds” a great WWII movie is its bravery. Tarantino took a huge risk by tackling the subject of warfare with comedy, but it paid off tremendously. A glorious depiction of a war that was inglorious, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has produced memorable movies audiences consider precious.
5. Dunkirk
The Battle of Dunkirk is a tragic war in history that shaped my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed a bond with a grandpa that adored wars causing damage. I remember my grandfather would tell me touching stories about warfare disaster. He would always praise the hard work soldiers put in to survive the Battle of Dunkirk. As someone treasuring a grandfather recounting stories about the Battle of Dunkirk, I adored “Dunkirk”. Released in 2017, Christopher Nolan’s movie offered a captivating depiction of the Battle of Dunkirk. Unlike most movies in the war genre, what makes “Dunkirk” stand out is its spectacle. Nolan has always had an aptitude for staging awe-inspiring action in his movies through practical effects, and “Dunkirk” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the opening scene in which soldiers face bombings causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. Ultimately, what makes “Dunkirk” a war masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about sacrifice which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years following the Battle of Dunkirk, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured timeless movies through hard work.
6. The Zone of Interest
Nazis are rarely portrayed with sympathy in WWII movies. The WWII genre has often depicted Nazis as evil villains without humanity. It’s rare to see Nazis in WWII movies whose struggles are easy to relate to. In a genre that has rarely depicted Nazis with interest, its worth praising “The Zone of Interest”. Released in 2023, Jonathan Glazer’s Oscar-winning movie offered a sympathetic portrait of Nazis. Glazer used silence to capture a German family living in a concentration camp undeterred by violence. Assisted by Sandra Huller who is extraordinary in the lead role, Glazer created one of the most thought-provoking films in the genre. A powerful portrait of hardships that German families in WWII had to face, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced memorable movies which audiences embrace.
7. Jojo Rabbit
Humor is a rare quality that’s seldom seen in WWII movies. Ever since Hitler’s downfall, there’s proven to be nothing funny about a genocide that’s painful to recall. Comedy is a risky way of depicting a mass genocide in history. In a genre where humour doesn’t always fit, it’s worth praising “Jojo Rabbit”. Released in 2019, Taika Waitit’s movie captured the Holocaust from a comedic perspective. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Jojo Rabbit” stand out is its sharp sense of humour. Waititi effectively uses sharp satire to capture a gruesome mass genocide which is dire. Assisted by Sam Rockwell who is excellent in the lead role, Waititi captured a genocide causing lives to spiral out of control. As strong as Jojo’s desire to please Hitler, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has produced movies which audiences treasure.
8. The Imitation Game
Few figures in WWII history have built a legacy as lasting as Alan Turing. During WWII, Turing was a mathematician that designed a machine winning the war. An awe-inspiring mathematician, Turing created a machine that prevented destruction. In 2014, Morten Tyldum celebrated the mathematician in his movie “The Imitation Game”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Imitation Game” stand out is its depiction of engineers. Tyldum used stunning flashbacks to honour a mathematician that made a historical contribution. Assisted by Benedict Cumberbatch who is superb in the lead role, Tuldum honoured Turing’s legacy. 90 years after Alan Turing designed a groundbreaking machine, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made memorable movies which deserve to be seen on the big-screen.
9. Downfall
Adolf Hitler is a powerful political leader that changed history forever. During WWII, Hitler organized a grim mass genocide that changed history. A frightening dictator, Hitler built a legacy which is enduring. In 2004, Oliver Hirschbiegel honoured the dictator that faced a downfall in his movie “Downfall”. Unlike most movies in the WWII genre, what makes “Downfall” stand out is its attention to detail. Hirschbiegel used breathtaking visuals to recreate the final days leading up to Hitler’s devastating downfall. Assisted by Bruno Ganz who is spectacular in the lead role, Hirschbiegel honoured a dictator that achieved power years ago. Nearly 90 years after Adolf Hitler faced a devastating downfall, it’s a dazzling reminder of a genre that has produced commemorated movies which enthral that are always easy for audiences to recall.
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10. Greyhound
When it comes to the most profound vessels used in WWII, it’s worth discussing the Greyhound. During WWII, the Greyhound was a ship that participated in warfare. A powerful vessel, the ship ensured that war victories were possible. In 2020, Aaron Schneider honoured the profound vessel in his movie “Greyhound”. Schneider used breathtaking sounds to recreate a ship. Assisted by Tom Hanks who is fantastic in the lead role, Schneider honoured a vessel in the Battle of the Atlantic. Although “Greyhound” falls short of the best WWII movies, it showcased the genre’s enduring appeal. Nearly 90 years following the Battle of the Atlantic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a genre producing iconic movies educating the public about historic wars which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve dreams of becoming a film critic.
The Film Buff 