15 Best War Movies on Paramount+ to Watch Right Now (2024)

With nearly a thousand films in its library, Paramount+ may not offer as much content as streaming services like Netflix or Prime Video, but they offer significant quality over quantity, with some of the biggest box office hits of recent years and critically acclaimed films. That quality applies to its war movie offerings as well.

The following are the best war films currently available on the Paramount+ service. We've included films in which war and combat are prominent themes and not just action films that feature gunplay. These films also explore a soldier's experiences in war, a perspective that separates the genre from traditional action.

Updated on June 19, 2024, by Soniya Hinduja: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.

15 Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

R

Release Date

March 4, 2016

Director

Glenn Ficarra , John Requa

Cast

Tina Fey , Margot Robbie , Martin Freeman , Alfred Molina , Christopher Abbott , Billy Bob Thornton

Main Genre

Comedy

Based on a memoir written by Kim Barker, titled The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot puts a creative spin on the otherwise depressing war genre. It follows an American journalist named Kim Baker, who takes up a short assignment as a war correspondent in Afghanistan. Despite the turmoil of war, she braves challenges, covers the ongoing conflict, develops friendships with peers, and ends up staying in Afghanistan for years.

Humorous Take on Front Line Battle

Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, this biographical war comedy captures the chaos and confusion of America’s longest war through the personal toll of reporting the same. Tina Fey inhabits the lead role of Kim with immense wit and heart, exploring feminist themes of finding purpose in a man’s world. Enjoyable for its humor and praised for nailing the docu-drama style of storytelling, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is life-affirming and a tad melancholic.

14 Battle of Little Bighorn (2020)

Battle of Little Bighorn is a documentary that attempts to tell the true story of the titular battle, the events that conspired, and the impact it left on generations. We follow Lieutenant Colonel George Custer, who led the attack against Chief Sitting Bull’s massive encampment. But what was meant to be an ambush turns into a three-day-long skirmish as Custer’s companies are outnumbered. Casualties mount and Custer’s Last Stand becomes history’s most infamous massacre.

Immersive Look Into History

Expertly directed by Molly Hermann, the movie brings fresh authenticity to the iconic battle and its small-unit actions, serving as an accurate summary for those who are not familiar with the incident. Filmed on-site, it places viewers right in the middle of the battle and the gunshots. Its urgent pacing, exploration of culture, tactile cinematography, and outstanding performances make it a great watch. Also worth noting is the fact that the documentary is both accurate and respectful of history.

13 Allied (2016)

Allied

R

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Release Date

November 17, 2016

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Cast

Brad Pitt , Vincent Ebrahim , Xavier De Guillebon , Marion Cotillard , Camille Cottin , Michael McKell

Main Genre

Thriller

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Runtime

121

Writers

Steven Knight

Set in the year 1942, against the backdrop of Casablanca in Morocco, Allied follows a Canadian spy and a French Resistance fighter, who pose as husband and wife on a deadly mission. Despite agreeing that things would always remain professional between them, Max and Marianne grow close and eventually fall in love. When the stakes escalate and their loyalties are put to test, they must choose between love and duty amidst the chilling hours of conspiracy where one wrong step means death.

When Hearts and Nations Collide

Allied is a brilliant war movie that flopped at the box office. It was still a hit with fans and critics, who praised the costume design and cinematography. Under the sublime direction of Robert Zemeckis, the movie builds intrigue around WWII and the moral compromises made by the individuals involved. Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard share a smoldering chemistry, their duties laced with passion. Masterfully paced, intense, and packed with action, Allied is a rumination of nationality, war, betrayal, and how much we’re willing to sacrifice for love.

12 The African Queen (1952)

The African Queen

G

Release Date

January 7, 1952

Director

John Huston

Cast

Humphrey Bogart , Katharine Hepburn , Robert Morley , Peter Bull , Theodore Bikel , Walter Gotell

Main Genre

Adventure

A classic wartime drama directed by John Huston, The African Queen stars Humphrey Bogart as a tough-as-nails captain of a steamer and Katherine Hepburn as the sister of a British missionary. With war having broken out between Germany and Britain and her brother dead, Charlie helps Rose escape in his steamboat. Despite clashing personalities and different backgrounds, the two form an unlikely bond. War finds them isolated, and their only way out is to attack the Germans.

An Epic Tale of Romance and Survival

It goes without saying that Bogart and Hepburn deliver remarkable performances and make the movie an immediate classic. Their electric chemistry was infused with adventure, suspense, black comedy, and a steamy romance. Bogart even won his only Best Actor Oscar for the role. Critics also praised The African Queen for its visceral photography, portrayal of the tiny life raft, and intimate storytelling, quoting that the movie “remains thrilling, funny, and effortlessly absorbing even after more than half a century.”

11 The Battle of Normandy: 85 Days in Hell (2019)

A comprehensive docu-drama that offers a glimpse into the three-month Battle of Normandy like never before, this film captures the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in 1994. Viewers are taken on a step-by-step journey – from D-Day beaches and bloody battles to liberated towns. The combat itself sees U.S., British, and Canadian soldiers engaging in an intense battle. The violence shown is brutal but also accurate.

Brings Normandy To Life Again

The Battle of Normandy: 85 Days in Hell brings to screen the largest invasion in history, one that helped turn the tide of war. It is directed by Guilain Depardieu, who depicts a deluge of bullets and parachute drops, as well as a gritty on-the-ground perspective for the audiences to feel the exact heat of battle in their eyes, hearts, and ears. Respectful to all who suffered on Normandy’s hell-like plains, the documentary portrays every town and the cost of its freedom with care. The archival footage, narration, and overall format are great.

10 Tropic Thunder (2008)

Tropic Thunder

Action

Comedy

Release Date

August 9, 2008

Director

Ben Stiller

Cast

Jeff Kahn , Robert Downey Jr. , Anthony Ruivivar , Jack Black , Jay Baruchel , Brandon T. Jackson

Tropic Thunder, starring and directed by Ben Stiller, is one of the most remarkable comedy films of the 21st century. It follows an ambitious director who is making a war film based on the memoirs of a Vietnam War veteran, 'Four Leaf' Tayback, but the production is falling behind the schedule despite the film featuring an ensemble of A-list prima-donna actors: Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), and Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.).

In a desperate situation, the filmmaker drops the cast in a Vietnamese forest, hoping to find some realism, but they are unaware that the area is controlled by a heroin-producing gang that is also heavily armed. Are these actors capable of making it out of there alive?

A Comedy that Will Truly Shock You

Tropic Thunder is a brilliantly written comedic war film that gets better on subsequent viewing. With modern comedy growing increasingly stale, this film offers something unique. Furthermore, despite boasting a dream cast consisting of Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, and Ben Stiller, the writing and directing aspects of the film are what makes it so remarkable, it's well worth a watch.

9 Braveheart (1995)

Braveheart

Biography

Drama

History

Release Date

May 24, 1995

Director

Mel Gibson

Cast

Mel Gibson , Sophie Marceau , Patrick McGoohan , Angus Macfadyen , james robinson , Sean Lawlor , Sandy Nelson , James Cosmo

Braveheart is an epic historical drama film starring and directed by Mel Gibson, who portrays Sir William Wallace, a Scottish warrior who led a rebellion against King Edward I of England in the 13th century. After losing a loved one to English soldiers, Wallace rallies Scottish warriors to liberate their homeland from Edward I's tyranny. Despite being oppressed by the massive English army, the mighty warrior puts everything on the line with the assistance of Robert the Bruce (Angus Macfadyen).

Iconic For a Reason

Braveheart is one of the greatest war films of all time, bolstered by being based on historical events. Sure, it has shortcomings in terms of historical accuracy, but it's a rousing spectacle that induces sophisticated emotional swirls throughout its three-hour runtime. Aside from boasting a stellar ensemble such as Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, and Angus Macfadyen, the film also has incredible character development, epic battle sequences, and provides a visually stunning experience.

8 Flags of Our Fathers (2006)

Flags of Our Fathers

Drama

Documentary

History

War

Release Date

October 18, 2006

Director

Clint Eastwood

Cast

Ryan Phillippe , Jesse Bradford , Adam Beach , John Benjamin Hickey , John Slattery , Barry Pepper

Flags of Our Fathers is a poignant film helmed by Academy Award Winner Clint Eastwood. During World War II, the American government discovered that most of its war treasury was empty due to the public's distrust of their forces. To raise finances for the war, the government brings three survivors of Iwa Jima and introduces them as war heroes despite their initial defeat. Will these honorable soldiers play along with the government's lies as they rise to new levels of fame and status after the war?

Tension and Emotions Run High

Oftentimes, when you fictionalize a tale about historical wars, you run the risk of inaccuracy and subsequently dishonoring the memories of these warriors. However, Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers portrays the concept in such a way that viewers are left to judge their actions, making it extremely intriguing. Moreover, it is difficult to find fault with any of Clint Eastwood's films and Flags of Our Fathers, which is packed with drama and action, is no exception.

7 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)

13 Hours

R

Release Date

January 14, 2016

Director

Michael Bay

Cast

John Krasinski , James Badge Dale , Pablo Schreiber , David Denman , Dominic Fumusa , Max Martini

Main Genre

Drama

Michael Bay is well known for his over-the-top action films and the Transformers franchise, but in 2016, he went in a different direction, telling the true story of heroism in the War on Terror. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi depicts the terror attack on an American consulate in Libya on Sep. 11, 2012. The film focuses on the small group of CIA military operators who protect U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and his staff from Islamic extremists who attempt to infiltrate their compound on one harrowing night.

The film stars John Krasinski as CIA contractor Jack Silva, a role far different from his role as Jim in the sitcom The Office, and it proved he was capable of being a serious leading actor in film. James Badge Dale (24, The Departed, 1923), Pablo Schreiber, and David Denman all co-star as the operators fighting with him, in a film that stands apart from Michael Bay's usual blockbusters.

Intense and Immersive

The bombastic action style that has become a Michael Bay trademark is still here, but there is an underlying emotional gravity and urgency. Outstanding performances by the cast highlight the real-life heroism and sacrifice of those involved. Movie critic Dan Buffa called the film "a truly visceral experience," adding "When you left the theater, you felt a piece of shrapnel sticking out of your heart."

6 Devotion (2022)

Devotion

PG-13

Action

Drama

War

Release Date

November 23, 2022

Director

J.D. Dillard

Cast

Jonathan Majors , Glen Powell , Christina Jackson , Thomas Sadoski , Daren Kagasoff , Joe Jonas

Read Our Review

Devotion flew under the radar of many moviegoers during its theatrical run in November 2022. The film is based on the true story of Ensign Jesse Brown, the first African-American Navy pilot. Set during the start of the Korean War, the film follows Brown (played by Marvel actor Jonathan Majors) as he is paired with Lt. Tom Hudner (Top Gun: Maverick star Glen Powell) as his wingman. Two very different people became close friends, and the outbreak of war tested their friendship in ways they didn't foresee.

A Rarer Korean War Movie

Devotion takes place during the Korean War, a conflict rarely depicted in Hollywood or covered in history books. That alone makes the film a unique viewing experience, and the added layer of racial inequality gives the film emotional gravity, thanks to an excellent performance by Majors. The flight sequences are superb, with an authentic feel and strong camera work.

5 Gladiator (2000)

Gladiator

R

Action

Adventure

Documentary

Drama

Release Date

May 1, 2000

Director

Ridley Scott

Cast

Russell Crowe , Joaquin Phoenix , Connie Nielsen , Oliver Reed , Richard Harris , Derek Jacobi

Set in 180 A.D., Gladiator tells the story of a Roman general (Russell Crowe) who is betrayed by the Emperor's son (Joaquin Phoenix) and sets out on a path of revenge as a powerful gladiator. As he attempts to restore justice to Rome, he finds allies in a fellow gladiator (Djimon Hounsou) and the Emperor's daughter (Connie Nielsen). The film is filled with incredible action scenes, including the film's opening battle, featuring hundreds of warriors in the forests of Germany.

A Genre-Defining Classic

Ridley Scott crafts yet another genre masterpiece. Russell Crowe was never better in a career-defining, Oscar-winning role as a general who became a slave, and then became a gladiator who defied an empire. A mix of old-school Hollywood epic and gritty historical adventure, Gladiator won five Oscars, including Best Picture. Crowe took home the Best Actor Oscar, and as good as he is, he was matched by Best Supporting Actor nominee Phoenix, who plays the Emperor's power-hungry son Commodus. Hans Zimmer's iconic music is still one of the most memorable scores ever written.

4 Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Saving Private Ryan

R

Action

Documentary

Drama

History

War

Release Date

July 24, 1998

Director

Steven Spielberg

Cast

Tom Hanks , Tom Sizemore , Edward Burns , Barry Pepper , Adam Goldberg , Vin Diesel

Steven Spielberg's World War II masterpiece Saving Private Ryan opens with a harrowing sequence, recreating the Normandy landings on D-Day. A group of soldiers, led by Capt. Miller (Tom Hanks), sets out on a mission to bring a mother's last surviving son home from the war. The task is not easy, as the son, Pvt. James Ryan (Matt Damon) is lost behind enemy lines, with the Germans bearing down on them. More than two decades after its release, the film is still a towering cinematic achievement.

A Legendary Installment in Spielberg's Body of Work

By 1998, Spielberg's directing style had matured somewhat from his 1980s blockbusters, but Saving Private Ryan still features his signature tent-pole sequences. Here, however, his directing hand was more nuanced, and the action sequences display the harsh realities of war and its cost. Tom Hanks gives an iconic performance, and the rest of the cast is fantastic. The final scene can still bring viewers to tears, and it is a travesty that the film lost the Best Picture Oscar to Shakespeare in Love.

3 Top Gun (1986)

Top Gun

PG

Action

Drama

Romance

War

Release Date

May 16, 1986

Director

Tony Scott

Cast

Tom Cruise , Kelly McGillis , Val Kilmer , Anthony Edwards , Tom Skerritt , Michael Ironside

Set at the Navy's fighter pilot school in California, Top Gun blended outstanding pre-CGI visuals with a rousing underdog story. Navy pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) and wingmate Nicholas "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) are chosen to attend the Navy's Fighter Weapons School, a.k.a. "Top Gun." A training accident sends Maverick on a personal spiral, just as an international incident puts him on a path to a showdown against an enemy country piloting Russian MiG fighters.

Empty Blockbuster, Propaganda, or Art? You Decide

Top Gun may be considered summer blockbuster fluff to some film snobs, but Tony Scott's film was more than the best Air Force recruitment film ever made. It captured the mood of a nation finding its place on the world stage once more, and willing to use its military might to do so. Tom Cruise captured the confidence and hopefulness of the Reagan era, and regardless of the clichés, Top Gun is a heck of a lot of fun.

2 Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Top Gun: Maverick

PG-13

Action

Drama

Release Date

May 27, 2022

Director

Joseph Kosinski

Cast

Jennifer Connelly , Tom Cruise , Monica Barbaro , Jon Hamm , Ed Harris , Val Kilmer

Read Our Review

Top Gun: Maverick was Hollywood's first runaway blockbuster to emerge from Hollywood after the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's the rare sequel that's actually better than the original film. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, now a training pilot, is called back into service to train a new generation of Navy pilots for a dangerous mission. Things get complicated, however, when he learns one of the pilots is the son of his former wingman, Goose.

An Epic Comeback

Even though it follows many of the same beats as the original film, Top Gun: Maverick manages to feel fresh by addressing its age. The brash co*ckiness that defined Maverick in the first film is still there, but there is now an undercurrent of both age-crafted wisdom and regret. Val Kilmer's appearance is bittersweet, and Cruise proves that he's more than a persona. Top Gun: Maverick dared to make movies fun again, and it succeeded.

1 We Were Soldiers (2002)

We Were Soldiers (2002)

R

Action

Drama

History

Release Date

March 1, 2002

Director

Randall Wallace

Cast

Mel Gibson , Madeleine Stowe , Greg Kinnear , Sam Elliott , Chris Klein , Keri Russell

Runtime

2h 18m

Based on the true story of the first major battle of the Vietnam War, We Were Soldiers follows Lt. Col. Hal Moore (Mel Gibson) and 400 American soldiers, who find themselves pinned down by thousands of Viet Cong soldiers in the Ia Drang Valley in 1965. As the troops fight for their lives in the "Valley of Death," their families back home begin to receive word of their desperate situation.

An Epic Tale of Emotion and Combat

Mel Gibson reunited with Randall Wallace, who wrote his Oscar-winning masterwork Braveheart, and together, the two crafted one of the best Vietnam epics ever made. The supporting cast is superb, with Sam Elliott, Greg Kinnear, and Barry Pepper also appearing. The battle scenes focus less on gunplay, and more on the human element. It gives the film much more emotional gravity, and a richer viewing experience overall, in what could have been a pedestrian war film.