War movies are about so much more than blood and gore. These films explore the darkest and most indomitable parts of human nature through the realities of conflict and the profound effect that it has on every person whose life it touches.
Netflix might not have the most extensive collection of war movies, but there are plenty of titles on this list that you won’t want to miss.
Unfortunately, not all of these films are available in all regions. When you’re traveling abroad, you might not be able to access the titles you would at home. There’s no need to panic! Simply download CyberGhost VPN and connect to a server to watch the best war movies on Netflix like you would back home.
Quick Guide: How to Watch Netflix with CyberGhost VPN
Stream safely without having to battle long load times and buffering.
- Sign up to CyberGhost VPN and download the app to your streaming device.
- Connect to a streaming-optimized server for Netflix.
- Choose a movie and watch as the action unfolds.
The 10 Best War Movies on Netflix
1. 1917 (2019)
Loosely based on a true story, 1917 follows two British Lance Corporals who undertake a danger-fraught journey to deliver a message that will prevent the death of 1,600 soldiers, among whom is a brother of one of the protagonists.
Filmed and edited to look like one continuous shot, 1917 transports viewers to the heart of World War I’s theaters of battle, with their trenches and tunnels, as Lance Corporals Blake and Schofield race against the clock to save their fellow servicemen.
2. Beasts of No Nation (2015)
Beasts of No Nation is a Netflix Original based on Nigerian-American author Uzodinma Iweala’s novel of the same name. This action-packed war movie centers on a child escaping from a civil war in an unspecified African country.
The movie follows Agu, a young boy who’s recruited as a child soldier after being separated from his family as the result of an ongoing civil war. Featuring Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation is an emotional rollercoaster that’ll leave you teared up.
3. Blood & Gold (2023)
Set in a small German village just before the end of 1945, Blood & Gold is a macabre action comedy. The Netflix Original tells the story of two unlikely allies – Heinrich and Elsa – who unite to fight for justice against the Nazis following Elsa’s rescue of Heinrich after his attempted execution by the SS.
This Tarantino-esque film unveils the limits to which people will go to protect themselves and their families when they can no longer accept living under enduring violence and brutality. It’s an explosive watch and one of the best world war movies on Netflix at the moment.
4. The King (2019)
The King is a great watch for anyone interested in the military successes of King Henry V’s army over France, which set England up as one of the strongest military powers in Europe for centuries to follow.
Starring Timothée Chalamet and Robert Pattinson, The King is a period war drama that depicts Henry V’s evolution from a lascivious young prince to one of the greatest warriors that England has ever seen.
5. The Resistance Banker (2018)
This Dutch film uncovers the true story of Walraven van Hall, one of two banker brothers who decide to use their financial contacts to help fund the Dutch resistance against the Nazis in 1944.
The Resistance Banker lacks the usual action-packed battle scenes shown in most war movies, but that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of heart-pounding moments. You’re sure to be on the edge of your seat as the Van Hall brothers’ plan to pull tens of millions of guilders out of the Dutch Central Bank in clear sight of the Nazis unfolds.
6. Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Da 5 Bloods follows five aging Vietnam War veterans who return to the country to recover gold bars they buried during the conflict. However, their mission isn’t so straightforward and plenty of twists await.
Directed by Spike Lee and starring Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and the late Chadwick Boseman, this Netflix Original delivers plenty of drama and history in its 156-minute runtime.
7. War Dogs (2016)
Jonah Hill and Miles Teller play two young men who win a $300 million Pentagon contract to supply ammunition to the Afghan Army. With this cast, you should know that this flick will be filled with plenty of laughs.
War Dogs is based on the true story of Efraim Diveroli and David Packouz, who also make a brief appearance in the movie. It’s a humorous look into the world of war and how harsh realities that are out of sight can easily be kept out of mind.
8. War Machine (2017)
Bringing a bit more levity to the list of war movies on Netflix, War Machine is yet another Netflix Original based on real events. In this satirical comedy, four-star General Glen McMahon (Brad Pitt) is tasked with figuring out how to best end the war in Afghanistan.
While the task is seemingly straightforward, at least to McMahon, it quickly becomes apparent that the politics of war and the musings of the media can make things a whole lot less simple than they first appear.
9. First They Killed My Father (2017)
Directed by Angelina Jolie, First They Killed My Father is based on the life story and eponymous memoir of Loung Ung, a human rights activist who grew up in Khmer Rouge-rule Cambodia. While the movie doesn’t capture all the real horrors of the Khmer Rouge era, Jolie’s gripping storytelling makes this movie well worth your time.
After Loung’s family is forced into labor camps and military service, she is recruited to become a child soldier during this dark phase of Cambodia’s history. The film serves as testament to the indomitable spirit of its main character and the enduring power of familial bonds.
10. All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
Based on a semi-autobiographical book of the same name by German World War I veteran Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front portrays terrifying experiences that the men who were seen to be behind enemy lines had to endure.
This take alone would make it worthy of a spot on the list of best world war movies on Netflix, but the gritty cinematography and outstanding acting bring a realness to this well-explored narrative that make it truly stand out.
Why Watch Netflix with a VPN?
There’s loads of great battle action movies to watch on Netflix, but many of them are only available in select countries or regions. That might be due to licensing and rights agreements, or because the genre isn’t popular with viewers in that area.
These restrictions can be a hassle when you’re traveling abroad and you can’t access the same titles you would back home – unless you have a VPN. When you’re on holiday in a far flung destination, you can use a VPN to change your virtual location and access your usual Netflix library.
A VPN is also useful for helping you stay safe when you’re streaming on the go on public Wi-Fi. VPN encryption protects your data and prevents anyone who tries to intercept it from seeing what you’re doing online, so you can watch whatever you like without the worry of being monitored.
This encryption comes in handy when you’re watching on a restricted network, too. It can help you unblock streaming on networks where it’s been disallowed (like those at work or school). What’s more, encryption can help you avoid content-based ISP throttling so you can stream smoothly with no buffering.
Why CyberGhost Is the Best VPN for Netflix
Not all VPNs work with Netflix, but CyberGhost VPN does. We have streaming-optimized servers for Netflix in countries where the top war movies are featured. These servers are tested regularly to ensure that they work with the platform and you can access it securely without being served the Netflix proxy error message.
There’s no need to worry that you’ll be bothered by long load times or buffering, either. CyberGhost VPN has a massive network of super-fast servers, including 10-Gbps servers in busy locations, and gives you unlimited bandwidth. This means you can enjoy endless streaming in HD wherever you are in the world.
With native CyberGhost VPN apps for Windows and macOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Android TV, you can stream on your favorite device with ease. Plus, 1 CyberGhost subscription allows you to use the VPN on up to 7 devices at the same time.
We provide 24/7 customer support via email and live chat, so we’re always on hand to help, no matter what time zone you’re in. Try CyberGhost VPN risk-free with our 45-day money-back guarantee.
Can I use a VPN to access a different country’s content library?
Some streaming fans may connect to a VPN server in a different country in order to access different content on a certain streaming platform. While we don’t snoop on our users’ online activity, this is against our terms of service and is not acceptable.
Rest assured that CyberGhost VPN never logs your browsing data and your activity is always private, but you should always comply with all relevant terms and applicable law, including copyright.
FAQ
Red Notice is the number 1 best movie on Netflix. The most-watched movies on the platform change from week to week, but this action comedy starring Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, and Gal Gadot holds the all-time top spot on the streaming platform.
Many of the best war movies on Netflix are based on true stories. All Quiet on the Western Front, The King, The Resistance Banker, First They Killed My Father, and War Dogs are all great titles – at least loosely – based on real life events.
War Machine is a Netflix movie about an army general. It stars Brad Pitt as General Glen McMahon, a fictionalized version of General Stanley McChrystal, and offers a satirical look at the US military’s involvement in Afghanistan.
Full Metal Jacket, which is streaming on Netflix in Australia and Belgium, features one of the most memorable drill sergeants in cinema history. The film, directed by Stanley Kubrick, follows Marine recruits during their training under the harsh and abusive Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, portrayed by R. Lee Ermey.
Saving Private Ryan is a movie about a soldier saving soldiers. Directed by Steven Spielberg, it follows a group of US soldiers who are tasked with finding and bringing home Private James Ryan, whose brothers have been killed in action during World War II. It’s currently available on Netflix in Japan and South Korea.
Sand Castle is a Netflix movie based on the Iraq War. It tells the story of a young soldier tasked with repairing a water system in a dangerous village in a bid to highlight the challenges and realities faced by troops during the conflict.
There are hundreds of hidden collections on Netflix that you can access with secret codes. This is especially useful if you have niche viewing preferences, like war movies or zombie horror films.
CyberGhost VPN works well with Netflix. We have streaming-optimized servers for the platform in popular locations, so you can access Netflix without running into the VPN error message. Plus, our super-fast servers minimize the risk that you’ll have to sit through buffering when watching in HD.
Searching for “war movies” on Netflix will lead you to a selection of films and series related to military conflict. You can also use specific keywords like “World War II,” “Iraq War,” or “military drama” to narrow down the results and discover more specific war-themed content.
There’s a wide range of war movies on Netflix. You can find everything from classics like Saving Private Ryan to award-winning releases like All Quiet on the Western Front, and even comedic war films like War Dogs.
Blood & Gold and The Resistance Banker are some of the best world war movies on Netflix about the end of WW2. Blood & Gold is a gorey dark comedy, while The Resistance Banker is an enthralling drama.
Many of the war movies on Netflix center around the Holocaust. Some titles to look out for include Schindler’s List, My Best Friend Anne Frank, The Pianist, and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.
All Quiet on the Western Front and 1917 are two movies on Netflix set during World War I, which began in 1914. Both depict the horrors of the trenches and tunnels that soldiers on both sides of the battle were forced to endure.
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