16 Veterans Day Movies to Salute the Military

November 8, 2023 Bollywood

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Over the years, motion pictures have highlighted the men and women who served in the U.S. military. In fact, there is a treasure trove of films depicting their bravery available for us to enjoy. But what are the movies you might ask?

In honor of Veterans Day, here are 16 of the best movies to salute the military. Rest assured – these movie gems are timeless and must-sees.

So check them out as you pay tribute to our military veterans in memory of their sacrifice, courage, and heroism.

“full metal jacket”

Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D’Onofrio; Directed by Stanley Kubrick

“Full Metal Jacket.” (Warner Brothers 1987)

Based on Gustav Hasford’s 1979 novel “The Short-Timers,” “Full Metal Jacket” is a war film filled with a stream of black comedy, vitriol, rage and aggression. Although poignant, Stanley Kubrick’s film cuts through like a Full Metal Jacket bullet, all while evoking the horrific effects of the Vietnam War on military recruits within the confines of brutal basic training and bloody war zones.

“detachment”

Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe; Directed by Oliver Stone

Charlie Sheen in the movie “Platoon”. (MGM 1986)

Charlie Sheen plays a new Vietnam War recruit suddenly thrust into an environment of conflicting ideologies about the morality of war. Can the novice soldier reconcile the evil and good of war itself? Either way, his experiences on the battlefield would change his life forever. The film won Best Picture at the 59th Academy Awards, and Oliver Stone won Best Director.

“The Great Escape”

Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough; Directed by John Sturges

Donald Pleasence and James Garner in “The Great Escape” (MGM 1963)

Based on Paul Brickhill’s 1950 non-fiction book of the same name, John Sturges’s film version follows a group of determined Allied prisoners of war as they plan and attempt a daring “Great Escape” from a German POW camp during World War II. The 1963 thriller about pure determination is an interesting film, featuring famous stars from the 1960s, including Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, and James Garner.

“Glory”

Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman; Directed by Edward Zwick

“Glory.” (Colombia Pictures)

As Colonel Robert Shaw, Matthew Broderick takes viewers through the poignant story of his infantry unit, the 54th Massachusetts Regiment – one of the first black combat units to enlist in the Union during the Civil War. Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, and Morgan Freeman play members of the military unit. The war drama of the period beautifully captures the chaos, discipline and courage of the engagements throughout the war.

“Courage under fire”

Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips; Directed by Edward Zwick

“Courage under fire.” (fox)

Director Edward Zwick’s action-drama stars Denzel Washington as a military officer desperate over a friendly fire incident he causes during the 1991 Gulf War. As if to make matters worse, he is later assigned by his superiors to investigate the case of Army Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan), Helicopter pilot nominated for posthumous Medal of Honor. Do you deserve to receive the highest honor from the US Armed Forces? Can he finally find a way to stop his pain and suffering from his past mistakes?

“the only survivor”

Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch; Directed by Peter Berg

“the only survivor.” (Universal Studios)

An adaptation of Marcus Luttrell’s non-fiction book that bears his name, Peter Berg’s biographical war film follows four Navy SEALs (Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch and Ben Foster) deployed for a counterinsurgency mission to capture notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shah in 2005. Afghanistan.

Thrilling and heart-warming, “Lone Survivor” highlights the dangers of war that a soldier may have to deal with in the face of uncertainty.

“Zero Dark Thirty”

Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt; Directed by Kathryn Bigelow

“Zero Dark Thirty.” (Universal Studios)

Depicting the nearly decade-long international search for Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the 2012 thriller directed by Kathryn Bigelow navigates the manhunt through the eyes of Maya (Jessica Chastain), a fictional C.I.A. She is joined by an elite team of intelligence agents and Marines. Ultimately, Maya’s zeal and dedication will lead to pinpointing the exact whereabouts of the notorious wanted man. The rest is history as we know it.

“American Sniper”

Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller; Directed by Clint Eastwood

“American Sniper.” (Warner Bros.)

Clint Eastwood’s biographical war film is loosely based on Chris Kyle’s 2012 best-selling memoir that chronicles the war hero’s rise to become the most dangerous sniper in U.S. military history.

Bradley Cooper plays Kyle, a US Navy sniper famous for his pinpoint accuracy. His four tours in the Iraq War are legendary, saving countless lives on the battlefield. However, his brave actions will have a devastating impact on his marriage and personal life.

Eastwood’s dramatization of the battle scenes is astonishing, while Cooper plays the titular marksman with surprising gravity and brooding intensity.

“Apocalypse Now”

Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall; Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

“Apocalypse Now.” (paramount pictures)

Writer-director Francis Ford Coppola adapts Joseph Conrad’s 1899 novella Heart of Darkness against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. In contrast to the book’s voyage down the Congo River, Coppola’s film follows American Captain Benjamin Willard’s (Martin Sheen) river journey from South Vietnam to Cambodia. His mission? A covert operation to end the command of Colonel Walter Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a decorated war hero who has gone rogue.

“Apocalypse Now” explores the horrors of war by looking into the souls of the hitman and his target, while dazzling viewers with his grandeur and grandeur.

“The pain locker”

Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie; Directed by Kathryn Bigelow

“The pain locker.” (Lionsgate)

With The Hurt Locker, Kathryn Bigelow made history at the 82nd Academy Awards as the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director. The thrilling war film follows the harrowing experiences of an Army bomb squad led by Sgt. First Class William James (Jeremy Renner) during the Iraq War, emphasizing the crew’s psychological reactions to the stresses of combat.

This intense and thrilling war story will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

“Saving Private Ryan”

Tom Hanks, Matt Damon; Directed by Steven Spielberg

“Saving Private Ryan.” (paramount pictures)

Steven Spielberg’s modern war classic conjures the brutal realities of war as well as the harrowing terror and horror of combat through the eyes of Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) and his men behind enemy lines. The opening scene alone, a 30-minute depiction of the Omaha Beach assault during the Normandy landings, will leave you breathless.

At the heart of the emotional story is Captain Miller’s mission to search for the titular paratrooper, Private. James Ryan (Matt Damon), the last surviving brother of four male siblings – the other three were killed in action. Will Miller and his men finally find Ryan?

“Hacksaw Ridge”

Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington; Directed by Mel Gibson

“Hacksaw Ridge.” (Lionsgate)

“Hacksaw Ridge” is a biopic about the war experiences of military medic Desmont T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), the first American in history to receive the Medal of Honor after refusing to carry any weapons in combat.

Although there is a great deal of graphic violence, Hacksaw Ridge is thought-provoking. Mel Gibson’s brilliant directorial vision and presentation are reminiscent of his film “Apocalypto.”

“Born on the 4th of July”

Tom Cruise, Kyra Sedgwick; Directed by Oliver Stone

“Born on the Fourth of July.” (Universal Pictures)

An adaptation of Ron Kovic’s autobiography, the 1989 Oliver Stone classic stars Tom Cruise as a war hero who returns home from the Vietnam War paralyzed from the chest down. His emotional scars affected his morale, leading to bouts of alcoholism and despair. But Covic triumphs in the end with renewed hope. Notably, it is an anti-war film that highlights the trials and tribulations of war veterans.

“Patton”

George C. Scott, Karl Malden; Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner

“Patton.” (20th Century Studios)

Winner of Best Picture at the 1971 Academy Awards, Franklin J. Schaffner’s war drama is a biopic about the controversial career of American General George S. Kennedy. Patton, chronicling the rise and fall of a war hero during World War II.

George C. Scott portrays Patton with an unwavering gusto – especially in the actor’s delivery of the opening monologue against the backdrop of a massive American flag – which earned the legendary star an Academy Award for Best Actor.

“The black hawk has fallen”

Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor; Directed by Ridley Scott

“The black hawk has fallen.” (Colombia Pictures)

Ridley Scott’s war thriller, based on the non-fiction book by Mark Bowden, is a depiction of the 1993 US military raid in Mogadishu to capture two top aides to a renegade warlord. As the mission began, Somali forces fired heavy fire on two Black Hawk helicopters as the American ground rescue convoy was shot down, bringing down the helicopters. The ensuing battle is incredibly gruesome as wounded American soldiers fight for their lives.

“The thin red line”

James Caviezel, Sean Penn, George Clooney; Directed by Terrence Malick

“The thin red line.” (20th Century Studios)

James Jones’s 1962 autobiographical novel comes to life in Terrence Malick’s 1998 screen adaptation of the author’s personal experiences during World War II. Interesting and thought-provoking, the film depicts the first major ground offensive launched by American forces against the Empire of Japan around the island of Guadalcanal.