10 Must-Watch World War II Movies, Ranked

World War II movies have often captivated viewers by portraying this pivotal moment in history. Movies about this war have often captured the heart-pounding drama of the war, and the courage displayed by so many who lived through it. The best movies about World War II capture the humanity of those who experienced it first-hand. These movies capture the human stakes that were at play throughout the war.

Some movies, like Das Boot, highlight universal truths about war while highlighting the unique moral conflicts that were at play during World War II. Other movies, like The Bridge on the River Kwai, emphasize the harsh realities of World War II, and how there were those who tried unsuccessfully to strip humanity away from others. The most essential movies about World War II pose difficult questions about this period in history and meditate on how this war changed the world.

10 'Downfall' (2004)

Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel

Adolf Hitler wears glasses and looks down intently at something in Downfall — Image via Constantin Film

Downfall follows the final days of Adolf Hitler's (Bruno Ganz) life and regime. The story is mainly told through the perspective of Hitler's secretary, Traudl Junge (Alexandra Maria Lara). Downfall features Hitler's increasing paranoia as he refuses to accept his imminent defeat. The movie also chronicles the continued failure of those around Hitler and their inability to salvage anything about their predicament. Throughout the movie, Hitler's ineffective leadership is shown to be incredibly destructive to the last days of the war.

Downfall is an essential movie to watch to understand World War II because it paints Hitler as an unhinged man who was never capable of anything resembling leadership. The movie is essential to understanding what an ordinary little man Hitler was throughout his time as leader. Downfall succeeds in showcasing how cowardly the vast majority of those around Hitler were, which is an important perspective for anyone interested in World War II.

9 'Letters from Iwo Jima' (2006)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Letters From Iwo Jima, Ken Watanabe — Image via Warner Bros.

Letters from Iwo Jima follows the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of Japanese soldiers. This movie is paired with Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers, which follows the American perspective of the same battle. In particular, Letters from Iwo Jima follows Private Saigo (Kazunari Ninomiya), who is conscripted into the Japanese armed forces. The story also chronicles the story of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe).

Letters from Iwo Jima provides an important perspective on World War II and shows how ineffective leadership hindered the Japanese war effort. Relatedly, the movie emphasizes how the lack of cohesion among the upper echelons of the Japanese military tricked down to ordinary soldiers. Letters from Iwo Jima is a mediation on how the Japanese war effort was doomed from the start, since they dehumanized those they considered their enemies, as well as their own troops.

8 'Grave of the Fireflies' (1988)

Directed by Isao Takahata

Seita (right) clings to Setsuko's back (left) as their home erupts into flames behind them — Image via Toho

Grave of the Fireflies follows the story of two siblings, Seita (Tsutomu Tatsumi) and Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi) whose lives are thrown into chaos following the destruction of Kobe by American forces in World War II. After Seita and Setsuko seek refuge with an aunt, they are subsequently abandoned and left to fend for themselves amid the destruction. Grave of the Fireflies follows their heartbreaking journey to try and survive against impossible odds.

What makes Grave of the Fireflies such an essential movie about World War II is the fact that it centers the civilian experience. The movie highlights how destructive war is to those who are the most innocent. Grave of the Fireflies is a devastating commentary on the fact that society's most vulnerable so often pay the price in wartime. The movie is an unflinching look at the realities that civilians face in war and how little society does to protect them.

7 'Son of Saul' (2015)

Directed by László Nemes

Géza R?hrig with a rag covering his mouth in Son of Saul — Image via Mozinet

Son of Saul follows the story of Saul Ausl?nder (Géza R?hrig), who was imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II. He is a member of the Sonderkommandos, a group of concentration camp prisoners tasked with, among other things, creating the remains of their fellow prisoners. Son of Saul chronicles Saul's daily struggle to survive in the face of unspeakable horror. The movie is a meditation on the horrors that victims of the Nazis faced.

Son of Saul is an essential movie about World War II because it highlights the horrors of the Nazi regime. The movie highlights exactly what World War II was about. As time has passed, and World War II becomes more of an abstract concept, movies like Son of Saul are important reminders of the dangers of Nazi ideology and where it inevitably leads. This movie is also an essential movie about World War II because it presents an unvarnished and authentic story about the Holocaust.

Son of Saul

Run Time: 107 minutes

6 'Das Boot' (1981)

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen

A man inside a sub yelling in Das Boot (1981) — Image via Neue Constantin Film

Das Boot follows a German U-boat crew during World War II. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Lothar-Günther Buchheim, which was based on his own experiences during the war. Das Boot specifically spotlights the Battle of the Atlantic and how uniquely dangerous submarine warfare is. The story is also a profound reflection on the monotony of war, as well as the moral questions many people ask when they are in the middle of the chaos.

What makes Das Boot such an important movie about World War II is that it highlights the fact that many German service members, in particular, questioned their own role in the war. More broadly, the movie captures the daily grind of war and how it so often bears little resemblance to propaganda that paints war as something glorious. While Das Boot captures universal war experiences, it highlights the particular predicament those fighting World War II found themselves in.

5 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' (1957)

Directed by David Lean

Sessue-Hayakawa-Bridge-on-the-River-Kwai — Sessue Hayakawa in "The Bridge on the River Kwai". Image Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.

The Bridge on the River Kwai is loosely based on real events that took place during World War II. The story follows a group of British prisoners of war who were made to aid in the construction of the Burma Railway. The Bridge on the River Kwai spotlights the experiences of those held prisoner by Japanese forces. As a whole, the movie showcases the horrifying conditions that many prisoners of war had to face.

The Bridge on the River Kwai is an essential movie about World War II because it highlights the brutality that many prisoners of war faced. The movie is a meditation on the courage that those who found themselves in this situation needed to find within themselves to survive. The Bridge on the River Kwai emphasizes the fact that it took immense courage to survive imprisonment, and the high price that was paid by the Allied forces to ultimately win the war.

4 'The Great Escape' (1963)

Directed by John Sturges

Steve McQueen with a baseball glove in The Great Escape — Image via United Artists

The Great Escape is another movie loosely based on true events. The story follows a group of predominantly American soldiers who are imprisoned by the Germans during World War II. In reality, it was a group of British prisoners of war who launched this daring escape. The Great Escape stars Steve McQueen as Captain Virgil Hilts, who is considered a leader among his fellow prisoners. This movie is a heist story at its core, set against the backdrop of World War II.

What makes The Great Escape such an essential watch for those who love movies about World War II is that it captures the courage of those who lived through it. The movie is exciting and dramatic, and captures the action of the war. The Great Escape balances this by honestly reflecting on the fact that these were real human beings who faced these conditions, and had to fight against seemingly impossible odds to hold onto their humanity.

3 'Come and See' (1985)

Directed by Elem Klimov

Flyora looking directly at the camera in Come and See — Image via Sovexportfilm

Come and See is a Ukranian war drama that chronicles the invasion of Byelorussia by German forces during World War II. The movie specifically focuses on the story of a teenager named Flyora (Aleksei Kravchenko). Flyora witnesses the violence of the invasion first hand, and fights to stay alive. Come and See is an unflinching look at the brutality of the war that was fought on the Eastern Front, particularly from the civilian perspective.

Come and See is an essential movie about World War II because it removes anything resembling glory from the story. As time has gone on, and there are fewer people alive who experienced this war first hand, it is essential for the world to remember the destruction that war involves. Come and See is a reminder of how the devastation of war extends far beyond the physical fighting and can leave permanent scars on anyone who experiences it.

2 'Casablanca' (1942)

Directed by Michael Curtiz

Rick next to Ilsa looking outside a window in 'Casablanca'. — Image via Warner Bros.

Casablanca is a classic love story that follows Rick (Humphrey Boggart), an American in Morocco during World War II. When Rick's former girlfriend Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) re-appears in his life, he must choose between his own feelings for her and helping her husband Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a Czechoslovak resistance fighter. Throughout Casablanca, Rick confronts his deeply-held cynicism which is in conflict with his desire to do right by Ilsa.

Casablanca is an essential movie about World War II because it provides a unique perspective on the human cost of the war. The movie balances drama and humor, which is used by the characters to cope with their oppressive existence under Nazi rule. Casablanca is also a unique time capsule of World War II, since it was released during the war, and featured several actors who had fled the conflict themselves in real life.

1 'Saving Private Ryan' (1998)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

The heroes of 'Saving Private Ryan' in the streets of a ravaged Ramelle. — Image via DreamWorks Pictures

Saving Private Private Ryan is a classic American war drama about the heroism of a group of soldiers sent on a seemingly impossible mission. The story revolves around the search for Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), whose brothers have all been killed in action. Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) is tasked with leading a group of soldiers to find Ryan after he is listed as missing in action. The movie follows this group of misfits as they come together to achieve a common goal.

What makes Saving Private Ryan an essential movie about World War II is that it captures the American perspective of the war so effectively. The movie is a reflection on the fact that American society holds up those who fought in World War II as heroes who demonstrated extraordinary courage under fire. Saving Private Ryan is also a meditation on the immense sacrifices that were required of those who served.

NEXT: The 10 Most Forgettable Blockbusters of the 2010s, Ranked