Unfortunately, if you want to browse for a war movie to watch, the Prime Video app (for smart TVs and phones) isn’t going to be much help. It doesn’t offer “War” as a genre to browse through, so war films are lumped into the “Action/Adventure” genre, which is crowded with titles. The app’s search function isn’t very user-friendly, as a search for “war movies” includes many unrelated titles, so finding a good film may be difficult. We’ve scoured Prime Video and found the best war films on the platform, which feature combat or the effects of war on soldiers.
Updated on July 14th, 2024, by Patricia Scheer-Erb:This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
18Captain Miller (2024)
A great alternative to traditional Western war films,Captain Milleris a Tamil-language film with a ton of thematic significance. It tells the story of a young man from a poor Indian village who dreams of joining the army during the 1930s when the nation was still under the British Raj. Analeesan, or “Eesa,” is at odds with his brother, who wants to lead a revolution. He later joins the army, where he believes he will earn respect after all the indignity and oppression he and others of a low-caste birth were subjected to. Instead, he’s forced to question his allegiances after being ordered to shoot non-violent protesters seeking to challenge British rule.
A Meditation on Discrimination
A powerful story told through violence and uncomfortable narratives that expose the pernicious nature of colonialism, the film’s antagonists are brilliantly punctuated by the parallel social atrocities brought about by India’s infamous caste system. By exploring how dehumanizing it could also be for people to be sorted and treated according to a class structure,Captain Millerprovides a fascinating look atthe ills of discrimination. With a terrific performance from Tamilian actor, singer, and producer, Dhanush, the film is now slated for a trilogy revolving around the famous character.
17The Courier (2020)
The Courier
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In a world full of subterfuge and distrust, friendship and loyalty always take a backseat to human survival. Set against the backdrop of the MI6 spy world during the ’60s,The Courierfollows Benedict Cumberbatch as a British businessman who’s recruitedby intelligence servicesto extract a message from a Russian spy. As the two men fence their way to a position of comfort and understanding, the nature of their friendship is constantly under the scanner due to their respective patriotic allegiances.
A Superb Performance by Cumberbatch
A moody thriller that’s told intelligently,The Courieris one of Cumberbatch’s best performances to date, told at a quick pace and without many narrative holes. Reminiscent ofBridge of Spies, The Courieris tactful and frugal in its use of intensity, giving the story a more human and relatable angle to it.
16Cold War (2018)
Arguably one of the best recent war films of our times,Cold Warrevolves around a musical couple that’s been torn apart in the aftermath of the war in Poland. Pawel Pawlikowski’s film captures the intersecting points between art, capitalism, and love, rendering a heartwarming tale of human perseverance in the process.
A Sterling Film That Was Rightly Acclaimed
Having premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival to rave reviews from audiences and critics alike,Cold Warwent on to garner three Academy Award nominations along with a lot of praise for Lukasz Zal’s sumptuous black and white cinematography. If you’re in the mood for a film that’s visually pleasing yet tethered to the emotion of love and loss, giveCold Wara watch.
15Shershaah (2021)
Shershaahdepicts the real-life heroics of an Indian Army Officer, Vikram Batra, who sacrificed his life for India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war. Along with Batra’s on-field heroics,Shershaahalso throws light on his personal life, charting his relationship with his fiancé before he was killed during the battle.
An Unconventionally Endearing Film
Unlike many Bollywood movies that are mediocre and mindless,Shershaahdoesplay on the conventional tropesof the genre but also has a redeeming sense of endearment to it. Director Vishnuvardhan manages to carve out the softness of the officer’s personality, giving the film a well-rounded nature and making it emotional and entertaining in the same measure.
14Platoon (1986)
Written and directed by Oliver Stone,Platoontells the story of Chris Taylor. As a young man, slightly naive and rather bored with life as he knows it, he signs up to join the army and fight in Vietnam. His expectations are crushed quickly when he realizes that he doesn’t share the same experience as the other soldiers and that there is a fine line between good and bad as well as legal and illegal. In reality, Taylor is not only fighting for his own survival against the enemy but is also stuck in conflict within his own team.
A Captivating Movie About Cruelty and Camaraderie
Platoonoffers a cinematic glimpse into real-life events amid the horrors of war. The film conveys an authentic portrayal of combat, including some of the most traumatizing moments of Stone’s own time as a soldier, and holds an immense amount of power, as it has the potential to be eye-opening regarding the reality of war. Without losing itself in unnecessary metaphors or over-the-top depictions,Platoonsuccessfully carries a message of camaraderie, humiliation, and cruelty, which stands true to the Vietnam War.
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13Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant (2023)
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant
Guy Ritchie has earned a stellar reputation as a director for his signature style and gritty films, andGuy Ritchie’s The Covenantis no exception. It’s a brilliant film that tackles one of the most underrated roles played by so many brave people during the war in Afghanistan. It starred Jake Gyllenhaal and a wonderful Dar Salim as his military interpreter.
They Went Above and Beyond For Their Duty
The film showcased the amazing bond that many soldiers formed with their Afghan interpretersduring the war. The interpreters became unsung heroes as they went above and beyond their duty, and as depicted in the film, often risked their own lives to protect their American counterparts. Filled with all the pulsating action and superb tension of a Guy Ritchie film, this one had a poignant story of courage driving it too.
12The Wall (2017)
InThe Wall, two U.S. soldiers are sent on a straight-forward mission, which, against their belief, quickly turns into a dangerous challenge. Sniper Shane Matthews and his spotter Allen Isaac look into a construction site in order to ensure that the area is safe. While they successfully complete a 22-hour over-watch session, the two are suddenly caught in a life-threatening cat-and-mouse game, fighting to survive even though their situation seems dire. Without any chance of contacting someone for help or even having much-needed water, hope slowly fades away.
A Deadly Cat and Mouse Game
The Wallproves that sometimes not much is needed to create a captivating movie. Immensely narrowing down the number of characters and relying on one location significantly adds to the tension that is built up throughout the film. There is a palpable sense of discomfort and a feeling of danger, easily drawing in the viewers and making them hope for a good outcome.
11Shock and Awe (2018)
Shock and Awecenters around a group of journalists who begin to question the ethics behind the invasion of Iraq in the wake of thewar on terror. Courageously taking on a deeply divisive political topic, the film explored the rationale used by the government to justify the invasion and the intelligence that sparked the now infamous hunt for weapons of mass destruction and the eventual fall of Saddam Hussein.
A War Movie that Goes Beyond the Front Lines
As the absorbing movie,Shock and Aweproved, great war films don’t always have to take place on the front lines of the conflicts they portray to tell effective stories about them. The film features an amazing ensemble cast that includes Woody Harrelson, James Marsden, Tommy Lee Jones, Jessica Biel, and Milla Jovovich.
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10Last Flag Flying (2017)
Last Flag Flyingsees three friends who served together in Vietnam reunite thirty years later. Although Larry “Doc” Shepherd, Sal Nealon, and the Rev. Richard Mueller are happy to see each other again, the reunion is brought about by a tragic reason, as the men have to bury Larry’s son after he is killed in Iraq while serving as a young marine. Deciding against an Arlington burial, the trio share a sad and poignant trip as they transport the body to New Hampshire while reminiscing and reconnecting along the way.
Brought Together by an Amazing Cast
Starring Bryan Cranston, Laurence Fishburne, and Steve Carell, the film was wonderfully cast as the veteran actors showed why each of them is so well-respected and acclaimed. Stringing together portraits of grief, amid themes of patriotism, family, service, and well-timed humor between them, it made for a moving picture taut with an underlying melancholy of just how devastating war can be for those involved and their loved ones. Directed bythe brilliant Richard Linklater, the film served as another amazing addition to his remarkable repertoire of projects.
9A Farewell to Arms (1932)
Gary Cooper solidified his movie star status withA Farewell to Arms, the Oscar-winningadaptation of the classic Ernest Hemingway novel. Cooper plays Frederic, an American ambulance driver in Italy during World War I, who sparks a torrid love affair with a British nurse (Helen Hayes). Besides the romance, the classic war movie covers Frederic’s thoughts on war, its purpose, and its consequences.
Hemingway Disagreed with Its Romantic Angles
Cooper is excellent in the lead, although Hemingway (who later became friends with Cooper) disliked the film’s focus on romantic themes.A Farewell to Armswas nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won two, for Best Cinematography and Best Sound.
