1917 and Dunkirk are two well-liked war films that are regularly recommended, so I’ve put together a list of 10 similar military-centered movies that you must watch and appeal to the same genre. 1917 follows two British soldiers, Lance Corporal Schofield (George MacKay) and Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), during the First World War, as they traverse over enemy territory to deliver a message that could save 1,600 lives.
Dunkirk shows the events of the same name from the Second World War, as British and French forces evacuated from France. It shows three tales told from different perspectives, from the air, from the sea, and of course, from the beach of Dunkirk itself.
10 Movies like 1917 and Dunkirk
Fury (2014)
Fury follows Don “Wardaddy” Collier (Brad Pitt) as he leads a five-man Sherman tank crew on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and stuck with an inexperienced crew member (Logan Lerman), Wardaddy and his men face the odds as they aim to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Another Brad Pitt movie, Inglourious Basterds, is set during the German occupation of France. Officer Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) gathers a team of Jewish soldiers to commit acts of brutality against the Nazis. Joined by Bridget von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger), an undercover German actress, and Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent), who’s seeking her own revenge on the Third Reich, they attempt to bring down Nazi leadership.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan is a movie about trying to save Private James Ryan after his three brothers are killed in combat. Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) leads the search, taking his men behind enemy lines.
Kelly’s Heroes (1970)
Set in the middle of the Second World War, Private Kelly (Clint Eastwood) and a group of American soldiers discover from a drunk German officer that there are millions of dollars of gold hidden in an enemy town. Kelly comes up with a plan to steal this gold before the American army can get to it. They recruit several men to their cause and, despite suffering heavy casualties, are determined to press on.
A Bridge Too Far (1977)
A Bridge Too Far is a film that shows the 1944 Allied Operation Market Garden, a disastrous attempt to try and capture bridges that crossed three major rivers from the Netherlands. In the movie, British and American paratroopers land and plan to capture a highway leading into Germany, paving the way for British infantry.
But Allied intelligence failed to detect German tanks, leading to a fatal outcome.
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
Turning to a different perspective in the Second World War, Enemy at the Gates follows Vassili (Jude Law), a young Russian sharpshooter who is turned into a legend by propaganda led by a political officer Commisar Danilov (Joseph Fiennes). But their friendship is threatened when both of them fall in love with Tania Chernova (Rachel Weisz).
Things become even more complicated when Nazi High Command dispatches an elite marksman called Major Erwin König to kill Vassili.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Looking at the First World War, this film follows British Lieutenant T.E. Lawrence (Peter O’Toole). As he’s highly knowledgeable about the local tribes, he is sent to Arabia to serve as a liaison between Arab and British forces in their fight against the Turks.
With the aid of these tribes, Lawrence is able to undergo a harsh journey in the desert to attack a heavily guarded Turkish port.
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
All Quiet on the Western Front shows the brutal conditions present in the First World War. It follows Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer), a young idealistic German soldier who enlists in the army with his friends. But he’s quickly exposed to the realities of war and is forced to drop his hopes of becoming a hero to survive.
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Set in Somalia in 1993, the USA sent in special forces to destabilize the government and bring food and aid to the population. The arriving soldiers are using Black Hawk helicopters to deploy onto the ground, but a surprise attack by Somalian soldiers brings two of the vehicles down.
The US soldiers must struggle to regain their balance while under heavy gunfire.
The Hurt Locker (2008)
Moving to another modern conflict, The Hurt Locker is set in Iraq in 2004. It follows Sergeant JT Stanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty) after the death of their well-respected Staff Sergeant.
Their unit, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, is given a new leader, Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner). He’s a risk-taker who thrives on war but has a knack for defusing bombs.
Do you have any other recommendations for Movies like 1917 and Dunkirk? Let us know in the comments below.
