What2Watch AIWar movies: 10 top-rated picks
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Last updated October 24, 2026
Films set in wartime, from the highest rated. The top picks are Schindler's List, Grave of the Fireflies, The Pianist. The 10 films below rank highest on TMDB among titles with thousands of votes, so each one has a large audience behind its score. Streaming availability is for the US as of October 24, 2026.
| Title | Genres | Length | TMDB rating | US streaming (October 24, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schindler's List (1993) | Drama, History, War | 195 min | 8.6/10 | Not on a US subscription service right now |
| Grave of the Fireflies (1988) | Animation, Drama, War | 89 min | 8.5/10 | Netflix |
| The Pianist (2002) | Drama, War | 150 min | 8.4/10 | Peacock |
| The Great Dictator (1940) | Comedy, War | 125 min | 8.3/10 | Prime Video, TCM, HBO Max |
| Apocalypse Now (1979) | Drama, War | 147 min | 8.3/10 | Not on a US subscription service right now |
| Paths of Glory (1957) | War, Drama | 88 min | 8.3/10 | MUBI |
| Saving Private Ryan (1998) | War, Drama, History | 169 min | 8.2/10 | Paramount+, Peacock |
| Inglourious Basterds (2009) | Drama, Thriller, War | 153 min | 8.2/10 | Prime Video, Hulu |
| Hacksaw Ridge (2016) | Drama, History, War | 139 min | 8.2/10 | Angel Studios |
| Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) | Comedy, War | 95 min | 8.1/10 | Not on a US subscription service right now |
Schindler's List
1993 · Drama, History, War · 195 min · TMDB 8.6/10
Rated 8.6/10 by 18,085 TMDB voters.
TMDB synopsis: The true story of how businessman Oskar Schindler saved over a thousand Jewish lives from the Nazis while they worked as slaves in his factory during World War II.
US streaming: not on a US subscription service as of October 24, 2026
Grave of the Fireflies
1988 · Animation, Drama, War · 89 min · TMDB 8.5/10
Rated 8.5/10 by 6,902 TMDB voters.
TMDB synopsis: In the final months of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his sister Setsuko are orphaned when their mother is killed during an air raid in Kobe, Japan.
US streaming: Netflix
The Pianist
2002 · Drama, War · 150 min · TMDB 8.4/10
Rated 8.4/10 by 10,561 TMDB voters.
TMDB synopsis: The true story of pianist Władysław Szpilman's experiences in Warsaw during the Nazi occupation.
US streaming: Peacock
The Great Dictator
1940 · Comedy, War · 125 min · TMDB 8.3/10
Rated 8.3/10 by 3,852 TMDB voters.
TMDB synopsis: Dictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel's regime.
US streaming: Prime Video, TCM, HBO Max
Apocalypse Now
1979 · Drama, War · 147 min · TMDB 8.3/10
Rated 8.3/10 by 9,488 TMDB voters.
TMDB synopsis: At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, "does not exist, nor will it ever exist." His goal is to locate - and eliminate - a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter Kurtz, who has been leading his personal army on illegal guerrilla missions into enemy territory.
US streaming: not on a US subscription service as of October 24, 2026
Paths of Glory
1957 · War, Drama · 88 min · TMDB 8.3/10
Rated 8.3/10 by 3,419 TMDB voters.
TMDB synopsis: A commanding officer defends three scapegoats on trial for a failed offensive that occurred within the French Army in 1916.
US streaming: MUBI
Saving Private Ryan
1998 · War, Drama, History · 169 min · TMDB 8.2/10
Rated 8.2/10 by 17,974 TMDB voters.
TMDB synopsis: As U.S.
US streaming: Paramount+, Peacock
Inglourious Basterds
2009 · Drama, Thriller, War · 153 min · TMDB 8.2/10
Rated 8.2/10 by 25,010 TMDB voters.
TMDB synopsis: In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis.
US streaming: Prime Video, Hulu
Hacksaw Ridge
2016 · Drama, History, War · 139 min · TMDB 8.2/10
Rated 8.2/10 by 15,439 TMDB voters.
TMDB synopsis: WWII American Army Medic Desmond T.
US streaming: Angel Studios
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
1964 · Comedy, War · 95 min · TMDB 8.1/10
Rated 8.1/10 by 6,436 TMDB voters.
TMDB synopsis: After the insane General Jack D.
US streaming: not on a US subscription service as of October 24, 2026
Questions
What are the best war movies?
By TMDB rating among well-voted films, the top three are Schindler's List, Grave of the Fireflies, The Pianist.
How was this ranked?
By TMDB average rating, only counting films with a large number of votes, so a handful of fans cannot push a title up.
Where can I watch them?
Each film's US subscription services are in the table. Some are only for rent or purchase.
Is the list current?
Streaming data is from October 24, 2026. Catalogs change often.
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Sources: TMDB for titles, ratings, runtimes and synopses. JustWatch (via TMDB) supplies streaming availability. Streaming lists change often. Check the service before you plan your night.