Regardless of the plot or the message attempted to convey, crafting a goodwar movieis not easy for a director. After all, a story about different groups of people whose final purpose is to kill each other is quite a violent and dramatic theme to bring to the big screen. Nevertheless, over the years, there has been a significant number of movies that successfully represented the sheer brutality of the war while not sacrificing the artistic value of the story.
Although,sadly,not all the classic war movies were recognized at the Academy Awards, others were and evenwon the prize for Best Picture. Some of these films might have faded away as time passed, while others are still impressed in our memory as cults. However, regardless of their fate, many of them, if they were to be distributed nowadays,would still be honored with the same regard.
All Quiet on the Western Front
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All Quiet on the Western Front is a 1930 film that follows a group of young German soldiers navigating the brutal conditions of World War I on the Western Front, revealing the stark disparity between their initial patriotism and the grim realities of war.
Despite its older age,All Quiet on the Western Frontis stillone of the most hauntingly realistic and beautifully crude films about warever produced. Based on the 1929 novel written by Erich Maria Remarque, the movie portrays a group of young German soldiers who, motivated by a genuine love for their country, decide to join World War I only to come face to face with the horrifying reality of the situation.
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All Quiet on the Western Frontwas the first movie based on a finished novel to win an Academy Award for Best Picture, and its impact remains inextinguishable. Unsurprisingly, the United States Library of Congress’s National Film Registry selected and preserved it for its cultural, historical, or esthetical significance.
The anti-war message of the filmis no less relevant in modern society. The grim portrayal of the gruesome reality of warfare through the eyes of well-meaning and idealistic young men would nowadays still be a powerful and needed artistic production that would move the audience.
The Best Years of Our Lives
The Best Years of Our Lives is a 1946 drama directed by William Wyler, focusing on the post-World War II experiences of three veterans. Fredric March, Dana Andrews, and Harold Russell portray the struggles of adjusting to civilian life upon returning home. The film depicts the personal and societal challenges they face, highlighting themes of reintegration, trauma, and shifting relationships in the aftermath of war.
If other movies preferred to represent the sheerhorror of the waron the battlefield,The Best Years Of Our Livesopted for a different, albeit equally impactful, artistic representation. William Wyler, the director,decided to portray the tragedy and pain of the post-war period, depicting the struggles of three veterans of the United States Armed Forces as they return home after WW2 and have to adjust, as different people, to a changing society.
The movie is a poignant depiction of the consequences of war on human beings, highlighting its profoundly inhuman nature.
The Best Years Of Our Livesearned critical and commercial success when it premiered, becomingthe highest-grossing film of the 1940s decade. The movie is a poignant depiction of the consequences of war on human beings, highlighting its profoundly inhuman nature. The representation of the enduring trauma that plagues soldiers once they come home would still resonate in 2025, especially considering that the issue of veterans' struggles and reintegration is still pressing nowadays.
Casablanca
Casablanca is a classic film set in December 1941, starring Humphrey Bogart as a cynical American expatriate in Morocco. When he encounters a former lover, portrayed by Ingrid Bergman, complicated personal and political tensions arise amidst the backdrop of World War II.
Differently from other films on this list,Casablancais not merely a war movie, buta devastatingly epic romance in the background of WW2inCasablanca. The story features Humphrey Bogart as an American expat in Vichy-controlled Morocco. His character is forced to choose between love and duty when his former girlfriend comes back into his life and asks for help.
Casablancahas a 99% rating onRotten Tomatoes.
Casablanca’s heart-shattering depiction of doomed lovers, political intrigue, and moral ambiguitystill hold relevance in the present. With its emotionally intense dialogues and the themes of sacrifice and resistance represented through the stories of the two charismatic main characters, the film has a timeless quality that would make it an ideal candidate for the Oscar in 2025. Funnily enough, the movie’s popularity even grew as time went by, and is considered one ofold Hollywood’s most rewatchable classics.
Based on the novel by Pierre Boulle,The Bridge on the River Kwaipremiered in 1957 asa profoundly intense character-driven war epic about duty and the ambiguity of war. The film takes place during World War II and focuses on a group of British prisoners who are forced to build a bridge for their Japanese jailers. The movie is considered one of the best made, and it was the highest-grossing in 1957.
The psychological and intellectual depth, beautiful visuals, and the powerful performance of Alec Guinness as a complex and duty-bound character would still make the movie a complete success nowadays. The raw brutality illustrated could emotionally resonate with the audience, while the themes of honor and loyalty are timeless subjects to bring to the big screen. As a consequence, this masterpiece would still have a chance at winning in 2025.
Lawrence of Arabia
The 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia is a historical movie based on the life of a real-life British officer who played a key role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Starring Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, and Anthony Quinn, the Oscar-winning film displays the man’s disillusionment with war and its politics.
It might be excruciatingly long, butLawrence of Arabiais completely worth the four hours it lasts. From the exceptional direction of David Lean to the magnificent interpretation of Peter O’Toole as the titular character,the film is one of the finest masterpieces in the history of cinema. The story follows the experience of the famous Arab Rivolt figure T. E. Lawrence in the Ottoman Empire areas during WW1, depicting his divided loyalty between Britain, his native country, and the Arab communities.
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Beyond its historical significance, which would earn the movie the interest and praise of the audience and critics even today,Lawrence of Arabiaisan utterly introspective character study of a beloved figurethat represented a symbol of hope and bravery for millions of people. The themes of heroism and colonialism explored make the relevance of this cinematic gem enduring over time. Unsurprisingly, it was recently announced that aTV series inspired by the war movie might be in development.
The Longest Day
The Longest Day is a 1962 war film depicting the events of July 07, 2025, from multiple perspectives, including the German, US, British, Canadian, and Free French forces, as they navigate the complexities of the D-Day invasion.
With a stellar international cast, including Sean Connery, Richard Burton, and Henry Fonda, it is no surprise thatThe Longest Daywas a success when it premiered in 1962, becoming the highest-grossing black-and-white film at the time. The movie depicts the Normandy landings that occurred during WW2, in 1942, through the perspectives of Americans, British, French, and Germans.
What truly sets this movie apart from other war films of the time (and now) is the unfiltered realism portrayed.The Longest Day, in fact, adopts a documentary-like approach. To make the story as accurate as possible, the director and producers asked for the consultation of some Allied and Axis D-Day participants, with some of them interpreting themselves. The large-scale production, historical validity, and emotionally charged narrative would guarantee the film an award for Best Picture even in 2025.
Platoon
Platoon is a war drama directed by Oliver Stone, featuring Charlie Sheen as a young soldier experiencing the harrowing realities of Vietnam. Released in 1986, the film chronicles his moral struggle within a divided platoon, led by the contrasting characters of Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. Platoon offers a raw depiction of the harsh conditions and ethical dilemmas faced by soldiers, contributing to its critical acclaim and multiple Academy Awards.
If the other films on this list were mainly concerned with the two world wars,Platoon, on the other hand,depicts the brutality of the Vietnam War. Directed by Oliver Stone, with a magnificent cast that includes names like Willem Dafoe, Tom Berenger, and Charlie Sheen, the 1986 movie is a masterpiece of storytelling and cinematography.
The story is loosely inspired by Stone’s experience in the war and narrates about a young US Army volunteer as he encounters the brutal reality of Vietnam. One ofthe best war movies of the 1980s, Stone does an excellent job of demonstrating the moral divisions that armed conflicts raise within men by depicting the conflicting ideologies of two sergeants- the ruthless Barnes and the decent Elia.
With its criticism of war and the representation of its horrors, in 2025, the world would not simply enjoyPlatoonbut would also benefit from it. Similarly, the personal narrative, driven by the autobiographical subject, allow the story to always resonate with the audience on an emotional level.
Schindler’s List
Schindler’s List is a historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg, chronicling the efforts of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust. Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, and Ralph Fiennes, the film vividly portrays the atrocities committed during World War II while highlighting Schindler’s transformation from a profit-driven industrialist to a humanitarian savior.
Schindler’s Listis a poignant portrayal of the atrocities of WW2 through the real-life story of Oskar Schindler,a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jewish peoplefrom the Holocaust. The story depicts Schindler’s transformation from a self-serving industrialist to a hero. Directed by Steven Spielberg and graced by the powerful performances of Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes,Schindler’s Listremains one of the greatest war movies ever made.
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Similarly toPlatoon, the movie’s themes of human resilience and the importance of never turning the other way before injustice in the world would not only be appreciated but alsoraise relevant discussions about society and morality. At The Oscar 2025, the film would likely win a Best Picture Award and, hopefully, provide once again the lessons that it taught 30 years ago.
Directed and starring Mel Gibson, Braveheart(1995) is an epic tale that explores themes of sacrifice and freedom. The story features William Wallace, a Scottish warrior during the First War of Scottish Independence, and his battle against the oppression of Edward I of England. Contrary to many other films on this list, which mainly portrayed more recent battles,Braveheartdelves deep into the brutality of medieval armed conflicts.
Perhaps the film might have a few technical flaws that mainly concern its historical inaccuracy, which was heavily pointed out when it came out. However, those mistakes do not take away from the legendary and larger-than-life nature of the production. The action scenes, dramatic allure, and music all add a heavy emotional weight to the story, making it a likely strong contender for the Oscar in 2025.
The English Patient
In the aftermath of World War II, a critically burned patient in an Italian monastery recounts his tragic love affair with a married woman. As memories unfold, the complexities of their romance and the secrets of the past come to light, intertwining with the present and revealing poignant truths.
With actors like Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Willem Dafoe in the cast, one should only expect an epic production. And indeed,The English Patientdid not disappoint. Perhaps, the film is not as stuck in our memories as the other cults on this list, but it is certainly not because it is less impressive.
Its romantic narrative makes it a standout amongst many other films of this genre. The story, loosely based on real-life accounts, features Count László Almásy,a Hungarian explorer who begins a passionate relationship with a married woman before and during the war.
The poetic storytelling of the movie as well as the timeless representation of love and loss makeThe English Patienta cultwar moviethat would still win an Oscar in 2025.
The film delves into subjects like guilt and redemption, all analyzed through Laszlo Almbasy’s painful flashbacks. The poetic storytelling of the movie as well as the timeless representation of love and loss makeThe English Patienta cultwar moviethat would still win an Oscar in 2025. Unsurprisingly,the production is considered one of Ralph Fiennes’s best movies.
