Summary

• War movies reveal hidden depths upon subsequent viewings, offering new insights and resonances with each rewatch.
• Acclaimed directors like Spielberg and Kubrick create timeless depictions of war that connect with audiences even after repeated viewings.
• Realism, powerful themes, and memorable characters make films like Platoon and Saving Private Ryan stand the test of time.

War movies have the power to educate and enthrall viewers with extraordinary depictions of battles and conflicts that can be rewatched repeatedly. The greatest war movies were packed with incredible characters, powerful thematic resonance, and a keen attention to detail that meant new things could be noticed upon each subsequent rewatch. The best war movies usually became even better when watched for a second, third, or even fourth time as the power of their narrative revealed further hidden depths to the story.

Incredibly acclaimed directors like Steven Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick have been responsible for some of the greatest depictions of war ever seen on screen that maintained their resonance even after repeated viewings. War films that valued accuracy, powerful battle sequences, and impressive technical prowess also gave audiences a reason to rewatch films even after knowing how the story would end. The most rewatchable war movies offered something new upon rewatching, and for this reason, they have stood the test of time and remained relevant.

15 Platoon (1986)

Directed by Oliver Stone

Platoon was a Vietnam War movie praised by experts for its realism as it was directly inspired by director Oliver Stone’s experiences in that conflict during the late 1960s. Partly made in response to John Wayne’s film The Green Berets, which was widely considered pro-American propaganda, Platoon sought to showcase the true face of war. With incredible attention to realism, Platoon was a hugely acclaimed and rewatchable film that connected with veterans and even won Best Picture.

14 All Quiet On The Western Front (1930)

Directed by Lewis Milestone

There’s a reason that audiences still speak about Lewis Milestone’s All Quiet on the Western Front nearly 100 years after it was first released. As a timeless depiction of the harrowing effects of war, this epic anti-war World War I story showcased the gruesome and morbid realities of conflict paired with an exceptional performance by Lew Ayres. While the 2022 adaptation of the original novel by Erich Maria Remarque was also intensely powerful, the 1930 version of All Quiet on the Western Front will always be the definitive depiction of this story that will be rewatched for centuries to come.

13 Paths Of Glory (1957)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

Actor Kirk Douglas’s greatest movie, Paths of Glory, was an astounding achievement that has remained incredibly effective in the decades since its release. Telling the powerful tale of a commanding French officer who must defend his soldiers against charges of cowardice after refusing to send them into a suicidal attack. The perceived anti-military stance of the film made Paths of Glory and director Stanley Kubrick controversial at the time, but it was also part of the reason it has maintained its rewatchable power for all these years.

12 Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick’s Vietnam War movie, Full Metal Jacket, was incredibly effective. It essentially felt like two different films, one dealing with soldiers in training and the other with them actually in the conflict zone. This juxtaposition between two aspects of warfare took viewers on a journey from the speculative aspects of conflict to the heart of active war zones. With incredible thematic depth, memorable characters, and iconic imagery, Full Metal Jacket was a powerful statement on war that can be watched time and time again.

11 1917 (2019)

Directed by Sam Mendes

Sam Mendes' World War I film 1917 was notable for its raw and unfiltered depiction of warfare but also for its technical achievements, as it was shot to look like one continuous take. This unique filmmaking technique made 1917 a highly immersive experience that made audiences feel like they literally following the soldiers through the conflict in real time. While 1917 could be rewatched for its emotional impact alone, viewers could also watch the movie on repeat just to be awed by its astounding technical spectacle.

10 Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)

Directed by Isao Takahata

While the harrowing effects of war may not have been the first thing that came to viewers' minds when they thought of the Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli, with Grave of the Fireflies, the studio produced one of the most heartbreaking World War II movies ever made. Featuring two siblings and war orphans in Kobe, Japan, in 1945, Grave of the Fireflies was a devastating depiction of the conflict from a Japanese point of view. A graphic and emotional film about how the most vulnerable in society were affected by war, Grave of the Fireflies was a classic of anti-war cinema.

9 Braveheart (1995)

Directed by Mel Gibson

As a depiction of the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England, Braveheart was an epic historical war movie that captured the eternal spirit of rebellion and resistance. Braveheart featured one of the greatest war movie battle speeches of all time as Mel Gibson as William Wallace ionately shouted, “They may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom.” Braveheart was an iconic film that stood the test of time and was endlessly rewatchable for its powerful action, intense battle sequences, and memorable movie quotes.

8 The Great Escape (1963)

Directed by John Sturges

With exceptional performances, memorable music, and an exciting narrative, The Great Escape was one of the most rewatchable war movies ever made. Starring Steve McQueen as Captain Virgil Hilts, a man who, along with his fellow POWs, was determined to escape from the German POW camp Stalag Luft III during the Second World War, The Great Escape was a gripping, slow-building story that has truly stood the test of time. Full of terror and tragedy but just as much togetherness and comradery between the prisoners, The Great Escape encapsulated the full spectrum of the POWs' difficult experiences.

7 The Deer Hunter (1978)

Directed by Michael Cimino

The Best Picture winner The Deer Hunter was a profoundly effective film, made even more impressive by the talent of its cast, which included Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep. As a harrowing portrayal of the Vietnam War and the traumatic effect it had on American veterans, The Deer Hunter was difficult viewing that made incredible use of its over three-hour runtime. With so much thematic depth and psychological intrigue, The Deer Hunter was a war movie with a lot to say, and its nuances revealed themselves even further upon rewatching.

6 Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

The alternative history film Inglourious Basterds was a thrilling viewing experience the first time around, as audiences were left dumbfounded after the plan to assassinate Adolf Hilter was shockingly achieved. This was a satisfying twist from director Quentin Tarantino that can be even further appreciated upon rewatching, as without the element of surprise, audiences can fully enjoy what a funny, well-crafted, and effective movie Inglourious Basterds was. A true highlight of a fantastic filmography, Inglourious Basterds toyed with the very idea of what a war movie could be.