The Most Popular War Movie, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the war movie you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:53
In the swirling mists of countless war movies, choosing the best is often a subjective battle akin to deciphering history itself. Each film brings a unique lens to the realities of war, integrating drama, history, and personal stories. Yet, amidst these cinematic conflicts, how does one decide which movie captures the essence of war most compellingly? Popular opinion plays a crucial role.
Here, every vote contributes to the ongoing conversation about which war movies resonate the most deeply with audiences. Whether it's the gritty realism, the strategic suspense, or the emotional narratives of the soldiers and their loved ones, your votes help highlight what truly makes a war movie stand out. Engage with the list, cast your vote, and see how your favorite ranks against others in real-time.
What Is the Most Popular War Movie?
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184votes
Cygomezm · Public domainSaving Private Ryan (1998)
Steven SpielbergDirected by Steven Spielberg, this movie is often regarded as the best war movie ever made due to its realistic depiction of the Normandy Invasion during World War II.Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American war film directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie follows a group of U.S. soldiers during World War II as they embark on a dangerous mission to retrieve a paratrooper, Private James Francis Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in action. It is a poignant exploration of the cost of war and the value of human life.- Release Date: July 24, 1998
- Genre: War, Drama
- Runtime: 169 minutes
- Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Vin Diesel
- Cinematography: Janusz Kamiński
Saving Private Ryan (1998) in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Tom Hanks movie
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251votes
Schindler's List (1993)
Steven SpielbergAnother Spielberg masterpiece, this movie tells the story of a German businessman who saves the lives of over a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. It won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.Schindler's List is a powerful and critically acclaimed movie released in 1993. It is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. The film takes place in Nazi-occupied Poland and follows Schindler's transformation from a profit-driven opportunist to a compassionate savior. It beautifully depicts the horrors of the Holocaust and the bravery of those who resisted it.- Release Year: 1993
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Genre: Drama, History, Biography
- Runtime: 195 minutes
- Main Cast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes
Schindler's List (1993) in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most emotional movie
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318votes
Mjanich · CC BY-SA 3.0The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
David LeanThis movie won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and tells the story of British prisoners of war forced to build a bridge for their Japanese captors during World War II.The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) is a classic war film set during World War II. It tells the story of a group of British prisoners of war who are forced by the Japanese to build a railway bridge in Thailand. The film explores themes of duty, honor, and the conflict between an individual's loyalty to their country and their principles.- Release Year: 1957
- Genre: War, Drama
- Director: David Lean
- Writer: Pierre Boulle (novel), Carl Foreman (screenplay)
- Starring: William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins
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417votesDirected by Oliver Stone, this movie follows a young soldier's experiences in Vietnam and won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.Platoon (1986) is a war drama film set during the Vietnam War. It portrays the realities of war as experienced by a young soldier named Chris Taylor. The film highlights the moral dilemmas, internal conflicts, and camaraderie among the soldiers in a platoon stationed in the dangerous Vietnamese jungle. Platoon provides a gritty and realistic portrayal of the war, exploring the themes of innocence, brotherhood, and the corrupting nature of war itself.
- Release Date: December 19, 1986
- Director: Oliver Stone
- Writer: Oliver Stone
- Genre: War, Drama
- Runtime: 120 minutes
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518votes
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Stanley KubrickAnother Vietnam War movie, this one directed by Stanley Kubrick, follows a group of Marines through their training and deployment. It is known for its powerful performances and unflinching depiction of war.Full Metal Jacket (1987) is a war film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The movie is set during the Vietnam War and follows a group of young U.S. Marine Corps recruits as they undergo harsh training at boot camp and later face the realities of war in Vietnam. Full Metal Jacket explores themes of dehumanization, the psychological effects of war, and the loss of innocence. It is known for its gritty portrayal of military life and its powerful performances.- Release Year: 1987
- Genre: War/Drama
- Director: Stanley Kubrick
- Writer: Stanley Kubrick, Michael Herr, Gustav Hasford
- Main Cast: Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, Vincent D'Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey
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69votes
Christian Flores · Public domainApocalypse Now (1979)
Francis Ford CoppolaSet during the Vietnam War, this movie tells the story of a U.S. Army captain sent on a mission to assassinate a rogue colonel. It is known for its surreal imagery and powerful performances.Apocalypse Now (1979) is a highly acclaimed war film that takes place during the Vietnam War. It follows the journey of Captain Benjamin L. Willard as he is sent on a mission to assassinate Colonel Kurtz, a renegade Special Forces officer who has gone insane and set up his own kingdom in the Cambodian jungle. The film explores the themes of the brutality of war, the loss of humanity, and the questionable morality of the military. With its stunning visuals, gripping storytelling, and memorable performances, Apocalypse Now has become a classic in the war genre.- Release Date: August 15, 1979
- Running Time: 147 minutes
- Language: English
- Country: United States
- Director: Francis Ford Coppola
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76votesDirected by Christopher Nolan, this movie tells the story of the evacuation of British soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk during World War II. It is known for its intense action sequences and innovative storytelling.Dunkirk (2017) is a war movie depicting the events of the Dunkirk evacuation during World War II. It follows the perspectives of soldiers from different countries as they try to escape the advancing German army and evacuate from the beaches of Dunkirk in northern France.
- Release Date: July 13, 2017
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Genre: War, Action, Drama, History
- Running Time: 106 minutes
- Production Company: Syncopy, Warner Bros. Pictures
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89votes
The Thin Red Line (1998)
Terrence MalickThis movie, directed by Terrence Malick, follows a group of soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. It is known for its stunning cinematography and philosophical themes.The Thin Red Line (1998) is a war movie that explores the Battle of Mount Austen, a crucial conflict between American and Japanese forces during World War II. The movie follows a group of soldiers from C Company who are tasked with capturing a strategic hill in Guadalcanal. Directed by Terrence Malick, the film offers a contemplative and introspective look at war and its impact on the human psyche.- Release Year: 1998
- Genre: War, Drama
- Running Time: 170 minutes
- Main Cast: Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, Jim Caviezel, Nick Nolte, Elias Koteas
- Cinematography: John Toll
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95votes
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Ridley ScottDirected by Ridley Scott, this movie tells the story of a U.S. military operation in Somalia that goes awry. It is known for its intense action sequences and powerful performances.Black Hawk Down (2001) is a war-drama film based on the true events of the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. Directed by Ridley Scott, the movie depicts the intense and harrowing story of a US military mission gone wrong in Somalia.- Release Date: December 28, 2001
- Genre: War, Drama
- Running Time: 144 minutes
- Main Cast: Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore
- Based On: Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden
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104votes
Summit Entertainment · Public domainHacksaw Ridge (2016)
Director: Mel GibsonDirected by Mel Gibson, this movie tells the true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who served as a combat medic during World War II and saved dozens of his fellow soldiers. It is known for its powerful message of faith and courage.Hacksaw Ridge is a war movie released in 2016. It is based on the true story of Army Medic Desmond T. Doss during World War II. The film focuses on Doss' heroism and his refusal to carry a weapon due to his strong personal beliefs. Despite facing intense ridicule and opposition from his fellow soldiers, Doss becomes a respected and celebrated figure for his bravery and ability to save lives without taking one. Hacksaw Ridge portrays the Battle of Okinawa, specifically the assault on the titular Hacksaw Ridge, where Doss ultimately saves 75 men during the bloodiest battle of the war in the Pacific theater.- Release Date: November 4, 2016
- Running Time: 139 minutes
- Genre: War, Drama, Biography
- Language: English
- Country: Australia, United States
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About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular war movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or war film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2276 views
- 222 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each war film once every 24 hours. The rank of each war film is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular war movie
War movies have been a staple of cinema since the early 20th century. From the patriotic films of the World War II era to the gritty depictions of modern-day conflicts, war movies have always been able to captivate audiences with their intense action sequences, emotional storylines, and realistic portrayals of military life. With so many war movies out there, it can be tough to determine which one is the most popular. However, at StrawPoll, we've taken the time to gather data from thousands of users and have come up with a definitive answer to that question. So, whether you're a history buff or just love a good action flick, read on to find out which war movie reigns supreme.
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