Summary- Dive into the strong films that depict survival, sacrifice, and the human cost of war are highlighted in this list of the top 7 World War II films. From Oppenheimer to Dunkirk and Come and See, each film examines history, human frailty, and unfiltered emotions.
Are you also a World War 2 movie enthusiast? Well, why shouldn’t you be after all these are the movies filled with thrilling emotions and a raw portrayal of the actual suffering. Here’s a list of the top 7 World War 2 movies that you can binge on this season. The emotional rides of these films will leave you questioning the existence of humans and the causes of war. We as humans just try to survive. No land is ours, and no land isn’t; this kind of deep insight-provoking movie has been added to this list. Now let’s start, shall we?
7. Dunkirk (2017)
How can we not add Dunkirk? It is based on the real-life event, Operation Dynamo, which took place from 1940. Unlike many war films, which roar victories upon another, this work focuses on retreat and existence. There is always another side to the story. Here in this film, we can see the situation that soldiers had to go through to complete this heroic mission. Many known faces starred as supporting characters; this should definitely be on the list for those who are looking for good world war 2 movies.
6. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Ever cried so hard that you didn’t realize the tissues were over? If not, then you should watch this, one of the most heart-wrenching world war 2 movies. The story revolves around a family struck by the cruelty of war. The loss of parents and the poor treatment from their own loved ones, the two siblings try to survive through all of it together. The film doesn’t focus on war and soldiers, but more on the family life of these two characters. The fragility of human life and what happens when the world around them is also shattering, just to earn bread for one time, we have to go through so much. This film projects an emotional depth only a true movie lover can catch through the screen.
5. Downfall (2004)
A true event-based film. This movie is about Adolf Hitler’s last remaining days, ranging from April to May 1945. The story is drawn from eyewitness accounts, especially the memoirs of Traudl Junge, Hitler’s personal secretary. She worked with him until the end. The main plot is of Adolf Hitler’s final days inside his Berlin bunker as the Third Reich collapses. This movie takes a thorough look into the life of Hitler, majorly the ending. It gives us a chance to live in that via depicting realistic storyline. This movie needs to be watched at least once, if you really like war themed movies which are also based on real life incidents.
4. Das Boot (1981)
This next war film in our epic world war 2 movies is about the journey of a crew during the conflict in the Atlantic. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, this movie is also one of the must-watch. It places viewers into a submarine where sailors face danger, stress, and psychological pain. The film shows the long patrols, the tense scenes of stalking enemy ships, and the chaos of attacks. Rather than glorifying conflicts and warfare, Das Boot shows the sad realities of survival, the bonds of brotherhood, and the uselessness of being in a fight, making it one of the most real and entertaining submarine films.
3. Come and See (1985)
Standing hard on track 3, a Soviet war movie is often called one of the most powerful anti-war films made. The story is distressing, following a young boy in Belarus who witnesses the unattainable horrors of the struggle and the cruelty inflicted on civilians. The film is unforgettable and devastating, portraying the suffering of humans and the gigantic affliction they continued. Rugged realism and frightening imagery in this film show the destruction and deep mental trauma of war, leaving viewers still long after the credits roll. Which is why this movie still falls under the top 3 in the list of World War 2 movies for many.
2. Casablanca (1942)
This movie is quite an ambivalent one among all the World War 2 movies. The two emotions, love and sacrifice. There might be a question, then why is this on the list? You are not wrong for this. This made it into the list because the story is of an American who runs a popular nightclub and tries to remain neutral during the war. His world is disturbed when his former lover, Ilsa Lund, enters his café with her husband one fine day. Her husband is a leader hunted by the Nazis. He is uncertain now as to what to do; either he should go with his lingering feelings for Ilsa or choose the moral choice of helping them escape.
Also Read: Top 5 Japanese TV Shows on Netflix That You Can’t Miss
1. Oppenheimer (2023)
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer could not be classified into a traditional war movie, but it is impossible to ignore the binding thread with World War II. The film tells the story of Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb”, whose work on the Manhattan Project has changed the path of history. By including a mixture of the weight of guilt, politics, and discovery, Oppenheimer shows how the war went beyond the front lines. The weapon that was born out of World War II, the movie forces us to reflect on the consequences of human aspirations.
Wrapping Up
With this collection, you get more than catching stories of fighting and existence. These World War 2 films capture the courage, heartbreak and humanity of a time that changed history. Living vicariously through characters in that era is an art in itself. All of the characters and the storyline, each detail are very wisely chosen. They are not only the unforgettable functions of cinema, but also reminiscent of the strength and fragility of the human soul in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Written by Kenbi Riba
