It’s Memorial Day, folks, which means it’s time for some good old-fashioned war epics — you know the drill. Which movies are worth watching on this day of remembrance? Read on for our suggestions of the best war movies to watch on Memorial Day, ranked in no particular order.
Kelly’s Heroes (1970)
If you’re looking for something a little more lighthearted to start your day off with, check out the Clint Eastwood epic Kelly’s Heroes. Directed by Brian G. Hutton and featuring an all-star cast consisting of Donald Sutherland, Telly Savalas, and Don Rickles (among many others), this WWII adventure follows a ragtag American platoon going deep behind enemy lines to find gold. Packed with memorable characters, incredible action sequences, and terrific performances, Kelly’s Heroes is a true classic that should not be missed and one of the best war movies.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
The most obvious entry on this list, Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan, hits as hard today as it did in 1998. Expertly shot and beautifully acted, Private Ryan revolves around the search for Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), the lone survivor of a family of brothers. Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) leads the march, who must journey into German territory to find Ryan. Naturally, his platoon (Tom Sizemore, Vin Diesel, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Jeremy Davies, Adam Goldberg, and Giovanni Ribisi) are none too eager to put their lives on the line to save a single soul, resulting in a contemplative war film that questions the value of life. The film earned many accolades for its raw depiction of combat, specifically its opening D-Day sequence. Still, the final set piece revolving around a bridge is quite literally one for the ages.
Glory (1989)
Edward Zwick directs this astonishing true-life story about the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the United States’ first all-African-American regiment in the Civil War. Under the command of the very young Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick), the unit must learn to put aside their differences and work together to achieve the respect they seek. A realistic depiction of the Civil War, Glory is a heartfelt, inspiring motion picture, packed with amazing performances from Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington (who won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar), Cary Elwes, Andre Braugher, and Jihmi Kennedy, and a mesmerizing score by the late James Horner. Truly unforgettable.
Platoon (1986)
Oliver Stone’s powerful look at the Vietnam War is seen through the eyes of a young soldier (Charlie Sheen) under the command of two sergeants (Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger) with very different ideologies. Like Saving Private Ryan, Platoon doesn’t hold back in its depiction of war, drug abuse, and overall disregard for human life. An Oscar winner for Best Picture and Best Director, Platoon truly encapsulates Vietnam. It guides us through the horror experienced by soldiers and civilians on both sides of the bloody conflict.
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Another true-life tale, Black Hawk Down, depicts the events that transpired during a US Special Forces mission in Somalia circa 1993. In an attempt to destabilize the government, Task Force Ranger set out to capture Mohamed Farrah Aidid and wound up in an all-out battle against Somalia forces that claimed the lives of 18 Americans and hundreds of Somalians. Directed by Ridley Scott, Black Hawk Down is a difficult but effective viewing experience focusing on the camaraderie between soldiers (“No one gets left behind!”) and the terrifying realities of war. Starring Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Jason Isaacs, Orlando Bloom, and Tom Hardy, Black Hawk Down is one helluva experience and a fitting inclusion on our list of the best war movies.
Courage Under Fire (1996)
Another picture from director Edward Zwick, Courage Under Fire tells the tale of a lieutenant colonel (Denzel Washington) tasked with determining the validity of Medal of Honor recipient Karen Walden (Meg Ryan), who died saving her men during combat. Through a series of flashbacks, we slowly learn the truth about what transpired, resulting in an emotional, thoughtful war picture that explores the horrors of combat and the difficult decisions soldiers make while under duress. Co-starring Matt Damon, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Scott Glenn, Courage Under Fire is a vastly underrated weepy, expertly told, and beautifully filmed.
Dunkirk (2017)
Christopher Nolan’s intense war epic chronicles the evacuation of Dunkirk, during which British and French soldiers were miraculously saved from the German army. As typical, Nolan utilizes time as a plot device, bouncing from three storylines—the Mole, the Sea, and the Air—set at various moments throughout 24 hours. Nolan shies away from the blood and gore but ratchets the intensity, ensuring viewers remain glued to their seats. A set piece involving a sinking ship is terrifying, while the impressive aerial battles are realistically depicted but no less thrilling. Starring Tom Hardy, Fionn Whitehead, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, and Cillian Murphy, Dunkirk ranks among the best war movies ever made.
M*A*S*H (1970)
Robert Altman’s Academy Award-winning dark comedy about a medical unit making the most of their time in the Korean War. Boasting an all-star cast, namely Donald Sutherland, Tom Skerritt, Elliott Gould, Sally Kellerman, and Robert Duvall, M*A*S*H uses comedy to gloss over the horrors of this particular situation, allowing viewers to laugh all the while experiencing what life was like in the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. Then, if you’re really up to it, watch the popular TV series of the same name that ran from 1972 to 1983.
Band of Brothers (2001)
HBO’s original WWII miniseries (and still the best with all due respect to The Pacific and Masters of the Air), Band of Brothers follows Easy Company through the war, depicting events experienced by real-life heroes Major Richard “Dick” Winters (Damian Lewis), Captain Lewis Nixon (Ron Livingston), and Sergeant William “Wild Bill” Guarnere (Frank John Hughes), among countless others. Think of it as Saving Private Ryan, the TV series. Impressive in scope, Band of Brothers is the ultimate portrayal of WWII and the perfect way to spend your Memorial Day. Yeah, it’s not a movie, but it might as well be.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Finally, if you’re in the mood for an incredibly violent, bloody look at war, albeit with a spiritual message, check out Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge. This true-life tale follows Pfc. Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield) was a devout Christian soldier who refused to bear arms in combat. Naturally, he went on to earn the Medal of Honor after saving several of his military units from the dreaded Hacksaw Ridge during the Battle of Okinawa. As directed by the man who made The Passion of the Christ, Hacksaw Ridge pours on the blood and carnage. However, the madness has a point, as the grisly violence underscores Doss’ heroism in the face of terrible odds, which ends our list of the best war movies to watch on Memorial Day.
Honorable Mentions
- Top Gun: Maverick (2022): Not a war film, but a patriotic look at the U.S. Navy that fits nicely between pool parties and barbecues.
- The Longest Day (1962): Sprawling all-star epic explores the events leading up to the invasion of D-Day with utmost realism.
- Apocalypse Now (1979): Francis Ford Coppola’s classic Vietnam War picture contemplates the horrors of war.
- The Thin Red Line (1998): Terrence Malik directs this powerful war epic, which is more introspective in its approach but no less gripping.
