40 Best war movies on Amazon Prime Video

Everyone loves a good war movie, as it invokes all kinds of emotions and conflicts within us, as we watch the story progress further and take the form of a big and brutal war with its own experiences and consequences. We often think about the wartimes, and it makes us wonder about our own choices as a world and society. These are the movies that will deal with all those emotions and perspectives in great detail with their artistic story design and approach to the subject.

These movies are set in different time periods of the Cold War, the civil war, the Vietnam War and even big wars like World War 2. So now that we have covered the basics, let’s get into the list of 40 Best war movies on Amazon Prime Video.

Dunkirk (2017)

Dunkirk is a war film that was released in the year 2017. The plot of the movie is set in World War 2 during the year 1940. It was the battle of France when allied soldiers went to Dunkirk. There was a young soldier by the name of Tommy Jensen who was a British private. He was the only one who survived the German ambush. He went to the beach where he found thousands of soldiers who are all waiting to get evacuated.

They tried to get on a ship, but they were ordered not to get on it. Later, the dive bomber destroyed the ship. Dunkirk is a movie which is all about survival in this situation where enemy troops are closing on your location, and you are surrounded by enemies on all sides while playing being trapped on a beach.

The Courier (2020)

The courier is a spy war movie which deals with the adventures of the spy world in an era of war. This movie is about a businessman By the name of Greville Wynne. This is one of those Cold War movies on Amazon Prime that is based on a true story where our main hero is trying to end the Cuban missile crisis with the help of a Russian source. The Russian source is a high-ranking Russian official by the name of Oleg Penkovsky.

This Russian officer gets his hands on secret nuclear documents, and he is convinced that the information that he had is telling him about a possible nuclear war with the United States of America. This is where he chooses to defect and get in contact with the CIA in order to defuse the tension between the two countries. The CIA is working alongside the MI6 on this issue. Both agencies decided that an outsider who has not worked in the CIA or MI6 is best suited to deal with the situation. This is where our Hero comes in to play his part as the movie proceeds further.

Windtalkers (2002)

Windtalkers is a 2002 released movie which is best in the setting of World War 2.

In this movie, it is shown that the Navajo language was used as chords for the communication between the army troops. So Navajo people were recruited only for this purpose so that they could talk in codes. 

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

This is another movie from the World War 2 settings. Private James Ryan has lost his 3 brothers in the war, and other soldiers are coming to save his life. These soldiers search for him in dangerous territories surrounded by enemies. They also countered the German forces in this movie and dealt with the moral choices brought by their actions. This movie is very well known for its realistic war action sequences and cinematography.

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The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

It’s one of the classic war movies on Amazon Prime that is set during the times of World War 2. This movie deals with the perspectives between the British prisoners and their Japanese captors. These British prisoners have the task of making a bridge, and Colonel Nicholson takes this task with great obsession. He wants to complete the task of building this bridge perfectly. This is a psychological drama and war movie that was very well received by the audience.

Pearl Harbor (2001)

Pearl Harbor is without any doubt one of the best navy war movies on Amazon Prime Video that follows the life of two best friends. This is a historical war drama that took place on December 7, 1941, when a naval base was attacked at Pearl Harbor, United States. Rafe and Danny are the two pilots in the US Army Air Corps, they both go in different directions as Rafe goes to fight with the British against the Germans.

This movie has romance as well as brutal battle scenes. This movie was not an instant success as it has some mixed reviews after its release, but slowly it got popular on the internet and became a classic war movie.

Platoon (1986)

This movie follows the experiences of a soldier, Chris Taylor, in the times of the Vietnam War. I guess that makes it one of the best Vietnam War movies on Amazon Prime Video in this list. This movie deals with many internal dynamics within the army as well as the outside factors faced by them, including the harsh climatic conditions of the jungle itself. Furthermore, they also face enemy fire in these conditions. This is another worthy film which deserves to be on the list of Best war movies on Amazon Prime Video.

Hamburger Hill (1987)

When it comes to Amazon Prime war movies, this is another good movie to consider. It is a Vietnam War movie with a bunch of soldiers who are fighting to capture a hill in the A Shau Valley. This movie deals with the extreme combat conditions of the Vietnam War and its effects on the soldiers when they are trying to complete their mission. This mission is not easy as they face extreme conditions and a lot of resistance from their enemy soldiers.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Captain Benjamin L. Willard is the main lead in this movie, who is going after a rogue soldier, Colonel Kurtz. This story is set in the times of the Vietnam War, where Colonel Kurtz has made his own little kingdom deep in the forest. Good additions are hard to find, but this is definitely an addition to our list of Best war movies on Amazon Prime Video. This movie deals with the psychological and moral aspects of the war, where our main leader Willard faces many challenges during his journey.

Allied (2016)

Allied movie is set during World War 2 and follows the life of Canadian intelligence officer Max Vatan and French Resistance Fighter Marianne Beausejour. They both fall and love, but later discovers that one of them may be working for the enemy. It’s a mystery drama thriller based on the struggle of the main leads and the war situations rising in their world.

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Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Any list of Good war movies on Amazon Prime can’t be concluded without adding this amazing piece of art. Full Metal Jacket movie follows the life of Marine Corps recruits when they are going through their basic training and when they are sent to the real conflict of the Vietnam War. These recruits go through harsh conditions because of their drill instructor, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. This movie deals with their survival story through these tough conditions.

The Hurt Locker (2008)

It is one of the best Iraq war movies on Amazon Prime that shows the life of American soldiers during their Iraq postings. The story follows the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team as they go through the day-to-day battle of defusing bombs in the dangerous places of Iraq. While they are trying to defuse the bombs along with the situations, they are in constant danger from the surroundings.

We Were Soldiers (2002)

This movie follows the battle of La Drang fought between the American and North Vietnamese armies in November 1965. But that fact alone is not the only reason for it to be included in the list of Best war movies on Amazon Prime Video. It’s actually the hardships and struggles that come with it, the kind of emotions it invokes in all of us. Colonel Hal Moore and his battalion have to face intense resistance and battle from their enemy counterparts in the extreme conditions of the jungle.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

A bunch of Jewish American soldiers are going to Nazi-occupied France to eliminate the German enemy soldiers in this movie. This movie also follows the life of a woman whose family has been killed, and now she is seeking justice and revenge for the death of her family. This movie shows many violent scenes, crafted very well by the makers of this movie.

Schindler’s List (1993)

This is amongst the true war movies on Amazon Prime. It’s a story that follows the life of Oskar Schindler, who was a German businessman. He becomes aware of the horrors that have been perpetrated by the Nazis and try to help the Jews during the time of the Holocaust. He was able to save more than 1000 Jews who were working for him in his factory. This is an award-winning movie that has easily made it into the list of Best war movies on Amazon Prime Video.

The Pianist (2002)

The Pianist follows the life of a Polish Jew by the name of Władysław Szpolman. This movie is set during the times of Poland’s Nazi occupation. He is trying to survive by hiding from the Nazi forces. He tries his best to hold on to the one thing he loves the most even in this tragic situation, his love for music.

War Horse (2011)

This is one of those world war movies on Amazon Prime that you just can’t miss if you love war movies. War Horse is set during the time of World War 1 and covers the life story of a man named Albert and his horse Joey. This movie deals with the departure of the horse as he is sent to the front lines.

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

This movie is set in the times of World War 2 during the battle of Iwo Jima and tells the story from the Japanese soldier’s perspective. This movie follows them as they prepare for a war to come, and further follows these soldiers when they go into a war. It also deals with the feelings like honour and pride.

Band of Brothers (2001)

This is another World War 2 mini-movie which follows the life of a group of soldiers. They are the 101st Airborne Division, known as Easy Company. This movie showed their experiences and emotional states when they’re fighting battles on the front lines. They participate in several dangerous battles in Europe, which also includes the D-Day invasion.

Braveheart (1995)

This movie is easily among the best action war movies on Amazon Prime Video. It tells the story of William Wallace from the 13th century. He is a Scottish warrior in this movie who is leading a rebellion against the English. He unites the Scottish clans and fights against the English army. None of the movies in this article is ranked in any particular order, but if I had to make a list of 10 top war movies on Amazon Prime, then this movie would have been definitely on it.

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)

This movie is based on a true story where an American diplomatic compound was attacked in Benghazi, Libya during the year 2012. Six Security operators stood in their place and defended the compound and the people within it. This story covers those six security operators.

Fury (2014)

Fury follows the story of a tank crew in the midst of World War II. Don Wardaddy is leading this tank crew and is responsible for their safety and well-being. In the final months of the war, this tank crew is roaming in the German areas on the orders of their higher-ups. They deal with many problems as they find themselves in hard-to-deal-with situations and environments.

Courage Under Fire (1996)

This movie follows the story of Colonel Nathaniel Serling during the times of the Gulf War. He is struggling with his own demons and the choices he made during this time of war, while also investigating the mysterious death of a helicopter pilot.

Flags of Our Fathers (2006)

Set during World War 2 and the battle of Iwo Jima, this movie follows the life of brave soldiers who fought in it. This also includes the six men who raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi. This list was absolutely incomplete without including a movie that is easily one of the best World War 2 movies on Amazon Prime Video.

The Great Escape (1963)

This movie covers the true story of the prisoners who are stuck in a German army POW (Prisoners of war) camp during the times of World War 2. It shows their planning and execution of those plans in order to escape alive from the camp they were imprisoned inside.

The Deer Hunter (1978)

The Deer Hunter is a movie based on the story of a group of friends from Pennsylvania. They are drafted into the then-ongoing war in Vietnam. This movie deals with their own survival and journey through the war. Let’s just say, this movie was a great success as it also receives many awards, including five Oscars.

Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

This movie is shown from the perspective of a radio DJ stationed in Vietnam. He instantly becomes a hit with his comedic radio show among the soldiers and locals. He is also dealing with this war as well as his personal struggles like the job challenges. This is all happening during the Vietnam War.

Patton (1970)

As the name suggests, this movie follows the life of General George Patton, who was very controversial and very successful during World War 2. This movie follows him throughout his journey from his early days, to his life as a cadet at west point, to then finally handling the command during World War 2.

Eye in the Sky (2015)

Eye in the sky covers the story of a group of individuals who are conducting drone strikes in Kenya. This group is dealing with the moral and practical implications of the strike. This is a thought-provoking and must-watch movie on our list.

The Longest Day (1962)

The Longest Day is a movie based on the history book “The Longest Day” written by Cornelius Ryan. This movie is unique as it showed the Allied forces and the side of the Germans. This was a very well-received movie.

Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

This is a movie which both American and Japanese studios produced. This movie was also very well-praised for its historical accuracy. Furthermore, this movie has also won two Academy Awards.

A Bridge Too Far (1977)

A Bridge too far is a movie that is based on a book of the same name. The book was written by Cornelius Ryan. This movie focuses on a military operation that took place in the Netherlands.

The Thin Red Line (1998)

Based on the novel The Thin Red Line by James Jones, this movie covers the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War 2. This movie follows a soldier as he is struggling very hard to survive the horrors of war and the combat itself.

The King’s Choice (2016)

It is a 2016 movie that talks about the invasion of Norway by Germany. King Haakon VII is the one is faced with the difficult choice of fighting or not fighting against the Nazis. He made a difficult choice to resist the invasion and had to go into exile.

Glory (1989)

Glory is among the best civil war movies on Amazon Prime. It covers the story of the first African American units in the Union army. This story took place during the American Civil War. Colonel Robert Show is a white officer who is tasked to lead this infantry regiment where he is not sure of anything at first but later realizes that his fellow soldiers are also fighting for their freedom and rights.

The Battle of the Bulge (1965)

It was a major German offensive campaign during World War 2 which was named the Battle of the Bulge. It happened during the time of December 1944 and January 1945. This film shows the response of the allied forces. The main lead in this movie is General Anthony McAuliffe.

Lincoln (2012)

This is a movie about American President Abraham Lincoln and his efforts to end slavery. He passed the 13th amendment to the constitution in order to permanently abolish slavery in his country. This movie is set during the final days of the American Civil War.

Red Cliff (2008)

This is a Chinese war movie which shows the battle of Red Cliff. This was a major event in Chinese history. All these events shown in this movie occurred in 208 AD when the three kingdoms ruled the Chinese empire.

A Midnight Clear (1992)

A Midnight Clear is a story of soldiers who fought in World War 2. They are tasked with missions inside the Ardennes forest. The film follows Will Knot who is leading these soldiers in the battle.

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

Directed by Robert Aldrich, this movie is based in the end stages of World War 2 during the year 1944. Major John Reisman is leading a bunch of convicts to attack the heavily guarded German headquarters in France.

FAQs (Frequently asked questions)

So this was the list of our 40 Best war movies on Amazon Prime Video. If this list covers your favourite movies, then tell us which one was it. But if this list does not include that movie, then please let us know the name of the movie that we missed on our list. Also, if you liked reading this article, then you can show your appreciation by sharing it with your friends and family.