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 that once had knowledge concerning genocides causing damage. Several years ago, I was taught about genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents had died in ghettos. He would commonly take pride teaching class students about mass genocide in which his people died. My teacher always believed movies were inferior art that could never capture grim 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. It delivers a meaningful message about genocide that resonated with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a frightening genocide in which civilians died, it’s a commemorated reminder of a breathtaking genre that has manufactured movies which 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 absolutely 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 commonly value.
4. Darkest Hour
Winston Churchill is a great historical figure that inspired my mother. At an early age, I bonded with a mother had knowledge about a historical figure with courage. Fascinated with WWII, she grew up to value a historic figure making her dreams come true. In 2017, Joe Wright honoured the iconic prime minister during his darkest hour in his movie “Darkest Hour”. Wright used captivating montages capturing a prime minister that sought to rescue England from wars that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Winston Churchill delivers a speech to encourage followers facing a dilemma during the WWII era is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Gary Oldman, who embodied a legendary British prime minister seeking recognition. Ultimately, what makes “Darkest Hour” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most historical biopics, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with WWII history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after Winston Churchill became a prime minister changing history forever, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies capturing inspirational leaders that audiences treasure.
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 universal appeal. Unlike most war movies, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. 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 larger-than-life movies through hard groundbreaking 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 commonly embrace.
7. Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer is a legendary historical figure that changed the world forever. A physicist with lasting legacy, Oppenheimer designed an atomic bomb causing catastrophe. Oppenheimer’s bomb invention made him a controversial figure in history. In 2023, Christopher Nolan honoured the iconic inventor in his Oscar-winning movie “Oppenheimer”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Oppenheimer” stand out is its complex storytelling. Nolan deviates from the traditional three act structure of biopics telling the story in a unique non-linear style. Assisted by Cillian Murphy who is extraordinary in the lead role, Nolan honoured Oppenheimer’s legacy. 90 years after Oppenheimer designed an atomic bomb with consequences that were tragic, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has built a legacy which is undeniably iconic.
8. Inglorious Basterds
One of the criticisms levelled against the war movie genre is its predictability. The genre has often followed a safe formula recreating events from a past era. This has left little room for surprises. In a genre that has become inglorious, it’s worth praising “Inglorious Basterds”. Released in 2009, Quentin Tarantino’s movie offered a humorous take on the Holocaust. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Inglorious Basterds” stand out is its bravery. Tarantino takes a risky approach of reimagining serious historical events with comedy but it pays off tremendously. Assisted by Christoph Waltz who is spectacular, Tarantino captured genocide disaster. A glorious depiction of a mass genocide with consequences which were dangerous, it’s a grand reminder of a genre producing movies audiences consider precious.
9. The Brutalist
Stories of Jews are rarely told in historical movies. Hollywood has often ignored the plight of Jews that survived the Holocaust whose lives are misunderstood. In a genre where the stories of Jews are often dismissed, it’s worth praising “The Brutalist”. Released in 2024, Brady Corbet’s Oscar-winning movie depicted a Jewish architect surviving WWII. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Brutalist” stand out is its depiction of Jewish survivors. Corbet uses captivating non-linear storytelling capturing hardships that a Jewish architect in post WWII America is facing. Assisted by Adrien Brody who is extraordinary in the lead role, Corbet honoured Jews in history. A powerful portrait of Jews that survived WWII with issues, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has manufactured timeless movies earning rave tremendous reviews.
10. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Few movies ever made about dilemmas people faced in World War II are as beloved as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Since its release in 2008, Mark Sherman’s movie has become a classic. Sherman uses captivating visuals to capture the impact of mass genocide on children. Assisted by Asa Butterfield who is amazing in the lead role, Sherman created a portrait of genocide that’s compelling. However, the film’s depiction of genocide has aged poorly. It couldn’t capture realities children experienced in the genocide. Nevertheless, it remains a strong addition to the genre. 90 years after a frightening genocide that impacted WWII history, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured great movies about war which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking I value highly.
The Film Buff 
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