Ever since the early days of cinema with films like All Quiet on the Western Front, there has been a fascination with displaying the horrors and painful difficulties of war on the silver screen. The ability to translate all the hardships and high-tension stakes of war and its impact in film has been a source of many exceptional films, ranging from massive blockbusters to small-scale indie films. However, the absolute best war films have grown beyond their initial praise, becoming defining cult classics that pave the way for the genre as a whole.
Whether it’s initially overlooked films that grew into highly praised cult classics thanks to word of mouth or already beloved films whose legacies have only gotten stronger with age, these cult classics are among the most celebrated and iconic war films among dedicated film viewers. While they may not have the wide blockbuster appeal and recognition as films like Dunkirk or Inglourious Basterds, they have still found dedicated audiences willing to scream their praises from the rooftops.
8
‘Tigerland’ (2000)
While many war films often lean towards showing the difficulties and brutal reality of war through the perspective of the front lines in the midst of battle, Tigerland takes a more subdued approach by following the drama and chaos at an Advanced Infantry Training camp in Louisiana during the Vietnam War. The film follows a group of recruits going through an arduous training regimen, with the fears of having to go to Vietnam and the connections that they make, leaving a lasting impact equal to the hardships of the actual war itself.
While the film was certainly celebrated when it was first released, being a breakout role for Colin Farrell, it largely faded into obscurity. However, it has seen an unlikely resurgence in recent years, especially following the heartbreaking death of director Joel Schumacher, with audiences rediscovering the film’s beauty and emotional pull. The performances really are the major sell for the film, with the hardships and emotional distress of boot camp and the waves of regret before even going to Vietnam, especially palpable in a modern context.
7
‘The Battle of Algiers’ (1966)
Often considered one of the greatest political thrillers of all time and an exceptional mix of shocking war setpieces and powerful revolution messaging, The Battle of Algiers has grown a great deal considering the controversy when it was first released. From being banned in various countries for its shocking realism to being used as training by guerrilla movements, the film has had an undeniable staying power that most other war movies of the era could only dream of.
The shocking and compelling real-life story of brutality amidst the uprisings and battles of the Algerian War works on multiple levels and can be appreciated by just about anyone. The filmmaking is exceptional in every sense of the word, weaving its masterful sequences of the dreadful effects of war and conflict amidst a populace. However, it also shows the vicious strategies that led to such brutality. The initial controversy may have limited its reach initially, but it has only helped it in the long run, cementing its place as an undeniable cult classic.
6
‘Jarhead’ (2005)
One of the first films to delve into the hardships and pain of the Gulf War, Jarhead made waves when it was first released as the premiere cinematic exploration of modern war for its era, only growing more acclaimed in the decades since its release. Through the exceptional directorial vision of Sam Mendes, Jarhead provides the perfect mix of high-octane action and violence to keep audiences invested while also not letting said action overshadow the pain and hardships of modern-day soldiers.
While the film was initially a box office flop, its dedication to realism and the emotional stranglehold of its story transformed it into the defining cult classic war film of the 21st century. It became a point of inspiration for many other modern-day war films that tackled the shocking extremities of 21st-century warfare and the crippling mental toil that it continues to hold on people to this day. Just be sure to ignore the myriad of terrible straight-to-DVD sequels that completely miss the point of this war drama masterpiece.
5
‘Dr. Strangelove or: How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Bomb’ (1964)
A masterclass in the blending of topical Cold War concepts with wild over-the-top satire, Dr. Strangelove has stood tall as the definitive example of a war comedy film. The goofy story of impending nuclear strikes between the U.S. and the Soviet Union was incredibly timely and effective for audiences of the era, a timeless satire of war tensions that remains exceptionally hilarious over 60 years after its release. The film’s legacy and impact have only grown with time, with its timeless humor playing a major part in the film’s now cult classic status.
Individual moments like Major Kong riding the bomb have become iconic, and the film’s signature blending of comedy and deathly serious world consequences has given it an edge and staying power above many other topical war movies. The film continues to be the perfect way to view the madness and chaos of Cold War tensions from a modern perspective, as well as working exceptionally well on its own merits without the context surrounding it.
4
‘King of Hearts’ (1966)
Largely underseen by worldwide audiences when it was first released, the French/Italian war dramedy King of Hearts has made waves in recent years thanks to its exceptional and timely satirical look at leadership during WWI tensions. The film follows war pigeon expert Charles Plumpkin (Alan Bates) being mistaken for an explosives expert, sent into a small French town to investigate a muddled report from the resistance about a bomb. Plumpkin soon finds a way in through communicating with those in the insane asylum, taking on the role of “King of Hearts” and using his role to hopefully save the town.
King of Hearts does an exceptional job of showing that, even in the midst of massive tensions and fear in the state of the world, the mix of miscommunications and craziness shows the absurd nature of life itself. It makes a brilliant statement about how, when everything else in the world seems broken and surrounded by bloodshed and warfare, the simplicity and goofiness of perceived insanity manage to look much saner by comparison.
3
‘The Human Condition Trilogy’ (1959-1961)
Many masterful Japanese war films have been released throughout film history, with the country’s vast and layered history of warfare lending itself to exceptional storytelling. However, few films come close to the emotional hardships and mastery of Masaki Kobayashi‘s perfect The Human Condition trilogy. Praise for this legendary trilogy has only grown over the decades, and it’s now considered one of the greatest trilogies of all time.
Throughout 10 hours of cinematic mastery, this trilogy is fully complete in its exceptional examination of the ins and outs of war and people’s interactions with the carnage of combat. From interacting with war as a humble citizen to firsthand experience on the front lines to the painful aftermath of bloodshed and death, each film complements the other perfectly to create an absorbing cinematic experience. Appreciation for these films will only continue to grow more and more with time, especially as audiences are more open to classic international cinema.
The mixture of dehumanizing experience and ruthless reality of war has helped make Full Metal Jacket one of the most well-crafted and masterful war films ever made. Unlike many other war films, where the exploration of such ruthless and painful themes makes for harrowing and difficult experiences, Full Metal Jacket stays consistently engaging and entertaining, not in spite of its themes, but in tandem with them.
Individual aspects, like the legendary performance by R. Lee Ermey, have become synonymous with the war genre as a whole. Massive appreciation and cult classic status for the film hit an absolute high during the digital era, however, as more people were sharing and praising its strengths and most entertaining moments. As far as traditional studio war movies are concerned, it’s difficult to imagine another war film having the lasting legacy and cult classic status that Full Metal Jacket has achieved.
1
‘Come and See’ (1985)
The war genre as a whole is often associated with brutality and overwhelming cruelty for a reason, as the bleakness of war and death leads to some of the most heartbreaking stories ever put to film. No singular cinematic experience quite exemplifies the most painful aspects of war like Come and See, a masterpiece anti-war film from Russian filmmaker Elem Klimov. The film follows the brutality and destruction of a village in Belarus invaded by German forces, with a young boy joining the resistance fighters and experiencing the painful reality of war firsthand.
Come and See is unmatched in its portrayal of the worst aspects of war, with families ripped apart and inescapable death around every corner. The very notions of humanity are put into question as one wonders what could ever be worth such ruthless destruction. It never fails to put a pit of despair in the stomachs of audiences and stands tall as one of the most effective, emotionally powerful war films of all time. Appreciation and praise of the film has massively grown in the modern day, with Come and See even being considered by some to be one of the greatest films of all time.