'Hacksaw Ridge' and 4 Other Best Modern War Movies, Ranked by IMDb
From poignant tales of self-sacrifice to tense operations in hotspots, these films demonstrate that war drama is one of the most emotional topics in art.
War is not only large-scale battles and strategic operations, but also deep human dramas, spiritual trials, and moments of extraordinary courage.
Modern war cinema has evolved beyond merely depicting battle scenes – it now strives to reveal the inner world of characters and the resilience of humanity in the most inhumane conditions.
We have recalled five best war movies released in the new millennium that have received recognition from critics and viewers worldwide.
5. 'Civil War', 2024
IMDb Score: 7.0/10
The future of America is in turmoil. The union of Texas and California is in opposition to the federal government, and the country is torn apart by a new civil war.
Journalist Lee and her colleagues, Jessie and Joel, travel from New York to Washington, to interview the president before the capital falls. Their journey takes them through ruined cities, where allies and enemies constantly switch places.
In Civil War, Alex Garland shifts the focus from soldiers to journalists – witnesses and intermediaries who record the horrors but cannot intervene.
4. 'Warfare', 2025
IMDb Score: 7.2/10
Iraq, 2006. A team of SEALs occupies a civilian home. For the next few hours, they write down data in a notebook or look out the window while waiting for the enemy. Suddenly, the building is shelled, and the soldiers find themselves surrounded with no hope of imminent rescue.
Director Alex Garland met military expert Ray Mendoza on the set of Civil War. Garland was inspired by a real-life incident that happened to Mendoza in 2006 when his unit was surrounded, and the soldiers had to fight for their lives.
The film essentially takes place in one location. The characters chat for the first half hour, but when the battle begins, Warfare turns into an extremely realistic military horror.
3. 'All Quiet on the Western Front', 2022
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
Young Paul and his friends volunteered to join the German army during World War I. Inspired by patriotic speeches, they expected glory and feats.
But at the front, they encounter mud, cold, and constant shelling. Paul gradually loses his illusions and sees the war for what it is – an inhuman meat grinder.
All Quiet on the Western Front amazes with its realism, from the trench decorations to the epic battle scenes. The film not only shows suffering soldiers but also cold-blooded politicians for whom the fates of thousands are just numbers.
2. 'Hacksaw Ridge', 2016
IMDb Score: 8.1/10
Desmond Doss has sworn never to take up arms because of his religious beliefs. However, during World War II, he decided to go to the front – not to kill, but to save lives.
In the brutal battle of Okinawa Doss became a medic. Without firing a single shot, he pulled dozens of wounded soldiers from the battlefield.
In the drama based on Doss's real-life feat, director Mel Gibson emphasizes the topic of inner strength. Hacksaw Ridge is a rare war movie in which the main character does not shoot but becomes a symbol of courage.
1. '1917', 2019
IMDb Score: 8.2/10
It is 1917 during World War I, and British corporals Schofield and Blake have received an order that will determine the fate of hundreds of soldiers. They must deliver a message across enemy lines to prevent an attack. Otherwise, their friends will fall into a deadly trap.
For Blake, the task becomes personal – his brother is in the troop that must be saved. Minefields, destroyed villages, and the constant threat of death await the two men.
1917 is a movie that looks like it's shot in one continuous take. This technique makes watching the film a unique experience – viewers follow the journey in real time and experience the horror alongside the characters.
