Movies

All 22 War Movies That Won Best Picture at the Oscars, Ranked

All 22 War Movies That Won Best Picture at the Oscars, Ranked
Image credit: Legion-Media

Edwin Starr's 1970 hit song 'War' threw down a question that's hard to shake off: "War, what is it good for?"

Tackling the broad spectrum of what qualifies as a war movie, we find ourselves with a list of 22 Oscar winners that dip their toes into this genre – some dive headlong into the heart of battle, while others merely skim the surface, focusing on the human stories that unfold away from the frontlines.

With its brutal, unforgiving nature, war stands as a stark symbol of conflict, a clash of nations driven by motives that history often struggles to justify, painting a canvas that's more tragedy than triumph.

Yet, in the paradoxical world of cinema, war has found an unlikely ally in the Oscars, where the tales spun from its grim threads have captivated audiences and charmed the Academy, racking up Best Picture wins with a regularity that's hard to ignore.

This list doesn't just categorize; it's a reflection of the diverse ways filmmakers have grappled with the concept of war, turning a lens on a subject as old as civilization itself – and here they are, all 22, ranked and ready to revisit, showcasing how, in the realm of cinema at least, war has proven to be good for something after all.