10 Best War Movies On Amazon Prime (2023 List)

War movies have always been popular with moviegoers, and streaming platforms have only increased their popularity. Amazon Prime is no exception, offering a wide range of war movies for viewers to choose from. This article looks at ten of the best war movies on Amazon Prime that showcase a range of stories from different wars, with different themes and genres.

Best War Movies on Amazon Prime

The list includes movies like ‘1917’, which is a visual and technical achievement set during World War I, ’13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi’, which tells the story of six soldiers trying to save their fellow soldiers in Libya, ‘Rescue Dawn’, a tale of survival and friendship in the Vietnam War and others.

These movies are not just action-packed but also offer deep insights into the human experience during times of war. So grab some popcorn and let‘s jump into our list!

1. 1917 (2019)

One of the best war movies on Amazon Prime is ‘1917’, which is a visual and technical achievement. The film, directed by Sam Mendes, has been critically acclaimed as one of the best films of 2019, and it is easy to see why.

The film tells the story of two soldiers during World War I who are tasked with delivering a message to stop an attack that could kill hundreds of their comrades.

The film’s visual design is beautiful and evocative, with stunning cinematography by Roger Deakins, who is one of the best cinematographers in the business.

The long unbroken one-take technique is used masterfully, and Mendes keeps the tension going throughout the film. Thomas Newman’s hauntingly beautiful score adds to the emotional power of the film.

The lead performances by George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman are excellent, with Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, Richard Madden, and Andrew Scott also making big impressions in their cameos. The film does not shy away from showing the full horrors of war, both from a visual standpoint and a psychological one, while still managing to keep the story engrossing and the climax unpredictably intense.

Overall, ‘1917’ is a brilliant and powerful film that deserves all the critical acclaim it has received.

2. 13 Hours (2016)

The war movie on Amazon Prime, “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” follows Jack Silva, played by John Krasinski, as he is reassigned to the US diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. However, on September 11, 2012, things take a turn when a group of insurgents attack the Embassy and attempt to kill the US Ambassador.

Jack and his group of 6 soldiers have to decide whether to obey their commander’s orders and stay away or go and help their fellow soldiers. The story is interesting, controversial, and perfect for a movie.

And although it is directed by Michael Bay, „13 Hours“ is a realistic war movie that does not embellish the drama or actions. The movie does not get political and mainly focuses on the soldiers’ decisions. Overall, “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” is not just a surprisingly good Michael Bay movie, but a good movie overall.

3. Rescue Dawn (2006)

Director Werner Herzog does an excellent job of allowing the actors to shine and inspiring them to give their best performances. Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, and Jeremy Davies deliver exceptional performances, bringing depth and authenticity to their roles. The cinematography is impressive, vividly capturing the Laotian backdrop and the lush wilds of Vietnam. The music perfectly complements the film, never overreaching for sentimentality.

“Rescue Dawn” follows the story of Dieter Dengler, an American pilot who is shot down in Laos and taken to a remote POW camp where he meets other captured pilots. With the arrival of Dengler, a newfound spirit emerges among the group, and they devise an escape plan. This film tells a story of friendship, survival, and struggle amidst the Vietnam War and its unforgiving jungles.

“Rescue Dawn” is a feel-good movie that doesn’t try too hard to elicit emotions, a rarity in survival and hardship films. Its technical brilliance, outstanding performances, and inspiring story make up for any flaws it may have. It’s definitely worth a watch, especially for fans of military movies on Amazon Prime.

4. Braveheart (1995)

Braveheart, one of the best war movies on Amazon Prime, is a remarkable work of art that explores the human experience of suffering, courage, love, and political astuteness.

It tells the story of William Wallace, a Scottish warrior who seeks vengeance against King Edward II of England for the killing of his first wife and father. His actions inspire Scotland to rise up against the tyranny of the English and fight for independence.

Braveheart is a stunning portrayal of the human spirit’s capacity to achieve justice, respect, and dignity against oppression, defying the odds and fighting for freedom.

While some critics dispute the film’s historical accuracy, Braveheart’s true power and emotional impact cannot be denied. The movie’s flaws are overshadowed by its raw power and emotional depth. James Horner’s score enhances the drama and emotion of each scene, fitting perfectly into the story’s every twist and turn. The acting performances are all exceptional, particularly Mel Gibson’s portrayal of William Wallace.

Braveheart’s final act is one of the most powerful ever put on film, with unexpected twists and turns that lead to a breathtaking conclusion. The film is loaded with outstanding battle scenes, incredible editing, and great dialogue rooted in inspiration, political strategy, philosophy, and stunning human experience.

It is a cinematic masterpiece and a must-watch for all fans of war movies on Amazon Prime.

5. Eye in the Sky (2015)

If you’re looking for the best war movies on Amazon Prime, Eye in the Sky is a must-watch. This suspense thriller takes a unique spin on drone warfare and will leave you on the edge of your seat.

The film follows a group of decision-makers in various parts of the world as they decide whether to launch a missile on a terrorist target and the moral and ethical questions that arise from the decision. The script is exceptionally probing, and the acting is all-around immaculate.

Helen Mirren shines as a hard-nosed military officer, and Aaron Paul delivers an impressive performance as he calculates whether it will be a good kill. Barkhad Abdi has a superb turn as an operative on the ground, and this is also Alan Rickman’s final acting role.

What sets this film apart is its refusal to go down certain genre tropes. Instead, it dares to ask probing ethical and moral questions without giving broad-stroked answers. Eye in the Sky is superbly cerebral and morally thought-provoking; a suspense thriller for intelligent people.

It is impossible to come out of this 102-minute film and not have your soul shattered in some way. This is one of those films you shouldn’t watch alone because you would immediately want to discuss with someone which side of the fence you would sit on and count the dire consequences.

6. The King‘s Choice (2016)

The King’s Choice is a captivating movie set in Norway during World War II. It depicts the difficult choice that the Norwegian king had to make after his country was invaded by Nazi Germany.

The movie is an emotionally engaging, factual account that is a result of extensive research, competent craftsmanship, and skillful narration.

Directed by Eric Poppe, the movie does an excellent job of keeping the audience engaged with the thrilling moments of chaos and destruction that war brings. Although the movie has only a few battle sequences, they are expertly shot and riveting. The drama is compelling, and the tension is palpable, although it sometimes indulges in trivial matters that take away from the relevance of the story.

The background score is one of the movie’s highlights, elevating the impact of many segments with its emotionally evocative tracks that are always in sync with the unfolding events. The cast delivers strong performances throughout, playing their roles with aptness.

While the movie has its share of positives and negatives, it manages to be a gripping experience for the most part. It captures the visceral nature of war, and the rousing score supports it fabulously in those moments. However, it sometimes lacks the same level of intensity in the dramatic portions, failing to hit as hard as it could have.

Overall, if you are looking for WW2 movies on Amazon Prime, The King’s Choice is worth a shot.

7. Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

Looking for the best war movies on Amazon Prime? Look no further than Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, a historical epic adventure set during the Crusades of the 12th century. Starring Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Liam Neeson, and Edward Norton, the Director’s Cut version of the film is the one to watch, with 45 extra minutes that make it a fully-formed epic.

The film tells the fictionalized story of Balian de Ibelin, a French village blacksmith who becomes embroiled in the defense of Jerusalem against the Muslim leader Saladin. While the film deals with the conflict between Muslims and Christians, it doesn’t take a side or engage in political posturing. Instead, the film emphasizes the importance of tolerance, compassion, and mutual respect.

Visually stunning and full of impressive acting performances, Kingdom of Heaven is a triumph of production value, with breathtaking battle scenes that are some of the best in cinema. With attention to detail in relation to the events and time period, it’s a film that rewards repeated viewings.

Despite being badly treated on its cinema release, Kingdom of Heaven: Director’s Cut is now recognized as a must-see for fans of the genre. So grab some popcorn and settle in for a historical epic that’s not to be missed.

8. The Tomorrow War (2021)

„The Tomorrow War“ is not grandiose or exceptional, but it is incredibly enjoyable, and effortless to comprehend. Despite being a new writer with only three credits to his name, Zach Dean crafted a well-made, engaging story that outshone some of the latest films written by more experienced filmmakers.

The movie’s 140-minute runtime is paced perfectly. The science fiction adventure is impressive and exciting. Chris McKay, the first-time director, did a great job of bringing it to life.

The casting is top-notch, with Chris Pratt delivering an outstanding performance alongside Yvonne Strahovski and Ryan Kiera Armstrong, who played his daughter. J.K. Simmons is also fantastic, perfectly suited for the role of Pratt’s estranged father. The cinematography and special effects are also impressive.

Don’t be swayed by the critics’ opinions; sit back, relax, and enjoy this little gem with some popcorn. It’s one of the better Amazon Prime war movies, so add it to your list.

9. Journey‘s End (2017)

‘Journey’s End’ is a compelling and emotional film adaptation of the play that successfully captures its complex themes and characterizations. Despite being released during a time crowded with other films, it deserves much more recognition than it currently has.

The film manages to avoid the trap of feeling too stagey and instead creates a cinematic experience that effectively captures the tense and claustrophobic setting of World War I.

The film’s themes of innocence, courage, conflict, and tragedy are expertly woven together with the power of loyalty and friendship. Despite having a familiar message, ‘Journey’s End’ is much more than just another film about the horrors of war. It is a moving portrayal of the bravery of those who fought, and a reminder to not take them for granted.

The film is visually stunning, with the evocative and handsome design, bleakly atmospheric lighting, and suitably claustrophobic camera work. The music is urgent and melancholic, but not intrusive.

The acting is outstanding, with Sam Claflin delivering an intensely brooding and heartfelt performance as Stanhope. Paul Bettany brings sympathetic authority to the role of Osborne, while Asa Butterfield captures Raleigh’s youthful naivety. The rest of the cast also delivers impressive performances.

In summary, ‘Journey’s End’ is a brilliantly done and powerful film that is sure to leave an impact on viewers. It is one of the best war movies on Amazon Prime that is not to be missed.

10. Red Cliff (2008)

After spending 15 years in Hollywood with limited success, John Woo returned to his Asian roots and created one of the most expensive and successful Chinese films ever made.

Set in 208 AD, Red Cliff follows Lord Liu Bei’s attempts to form an alliance with two other Southern Lords in order to fight the Northern Prime Minister Cao Cao, who has taken control of Northern China and made the Emperor a puppet ruler. Despite being outnumbered by Cao Cao’s forces, Liu Bei, Sun Quan, and Zhou Yu use strategy, military tactics, trickery, weather, and spies to prepare for the impending battle.

John Woo’s action direction, martial arts, and battles are well executed, albeit over-the-top. The film features a mix of Asian and Hollywood styles of filmmaking, and the music is a combination of both Western and Asian styles. Tony Leung delivers a standout performance, and the rest of the cast also impresses.

Overall, Red Cliff is one of the best war movies on Amazon Prime.