War stories have an unmatched ability to grip audiences. Whether they are told through history books or Hollywood movies, they explore both the bigger strategic maneuvers as well as the smallest human moments in the best way possible. But perhaps the most powerful medium for bringing battles and personal tolls of conflict has always been television.

Over the decades, some truly outstanding TV series have revealed the messy, complex, and deeply moving reality of war from behind enemy lines as well as mundane trenches. Through intertwining storylines of compelling characters and the unbelievable hardships they faced, these TV shows completely immerse us in the thick of it all.

The genre clearly contains multitudes. From unflinching portraits of combat to more stylized and zany adventures, war television balances the thrilling action of war with sincere compassion for the fallen heroes. And for that reason alone, it is an important medium that preserves the glory and sacrifice of real people. Here are 20 of the greatest war TV series of all time.

20 World on Fire (2019-2023)

Set during the World War II, this excellent BBC series follows the intertwined fates of ordinary people across Europe while the conflict outside their walls escalates. The first season, while centering around five multifaceted characters from nations Britain, Poland, France, Germany, and the United States, covers events like the Battle of the River Plate and the Battle of Britain, while the second season returns to the resistance movement.

Poignant and Complex Portrayal of Humanity

Focusing on how war drastically alters human lives, World on Fire is brilliantly crafted over two seasons. Through the eyes of relatable individuals, who are complex, flawed, and fully realized, the series offers an intimate glimpse into the desperation that was born amidst the global conflict.

Mesmerizing performances from the likes of Jonah Hauer-King, Sean Bean, Lesley Manville, Mark Bonnar, and more, immerse you into the period of darkness. Overall, its attention to detail and deeply affecting narratives make the series a must-watch. Buy on Apple TV.

19 John Adams (2008)

Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, and Sarah Polley star in this award-winning drama miniseries. It breathes life into the fascinating story of one of America’s founding fathers in period-accurate detail.

From his involvement in the Boston Massacre as a defense counsel for the soldiers to the Declaration of Independence and his eventual election as the second President of the United States of America, the series traces John Adams’ incredible political journey.

A Richly Crafted War Spectacle

Spanning seven decades across seven enlightening episodes, John Adams guides you through the late 18th century and reveals what efforts and events shaped the nation. Giamatti delivers a stellar performance as the titular character, with the supporting cast offering equal amounts of grit and sacrifice.

The stunning locations and visually appealing cinematography pulls no punches, depicting the harshness of the revolutionary period. Not only did John Adams earn praise from critics, who stated the series “is, quite simply, as good as TV gets,” but it also won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards. Stream on Max.

18 Catch-22 (2019)

Adapted from a 1961 novel of the same name written by Joseph Heller, Catch-22 offers a darkly humorous look at WWII through the eyes of a young soldier named Yossarian. As a member of a US Bomber squadron, he feels that his life is in danger because of the number of missions he has to fly out for. Determined to take no part in any more dangerous bombing missions, he resorts to using the bureaucratic rule Catch-22, which states that a soldier may be relieved on grounds of insanity or madness caused by war.

Sharp and Absurd Limited Series

Catch-22 is a six-episode limited series starring Christopher Abbott, Kyle Chandler, Hugh Laurie, and George Clooney, who also co-directed it. It captures both the black comedy and tragedy of war with an exceptional lens.

Clooney’s direction is flawless as he draws nuanced performances out of the rest of the cast and helps the viewers understand how maddening it is to have to survive the extremities of war. The frenetic pace elevates the experience and helps make a dark anti-establishment commentary. Stream on Hulu.

Related: The Best Anti-War Movies Ever Made

17 The Liberator (2020)

The only animated war drama on the list, The Liberator is also set during World War II. It tells the untold yet important story of the Allied forces as they pushed past Italy and into Nazi Germany. The 157th Infantry Regiment, led by U.S. Army officer Felix Sparks, was central to the mission. Their determination to get out of those treacherous grounds alive and eliminate Hitler at all costs led them to relentlessly engage in combat for over 500 days.

Offers a Fresh Lens to Look at History

Adding a whole new dimension to war television through the animation medium, The Liberator captures the violence of war in certain ways even live action could not. Each frame, however clichéd in terms of storytelling, feels well-researched and intimate.

The eye-popping animation makes up for the inconsistencies in narrative and paves the way for the ambitious scope of the genre to tackle serious stories for adult audiences. Critics marked The Liberator as an ideal example of why it's important to revisit WWII stories. Stream on Netflix.

16 Generation War (2013)

Soldiers and war veterans weren’t always their definitive titles, but people once. Ordinary individuals with mundane lives and friends to share joys and sorrows with. Generation War is a German miniseries that follows five friends who embark on different paths at the start of the Second World War. With Hitler rising to power, two Wehrmacht soldiers, an aspiring singer, a war nurse, and a Jewish tailor vow to meet again after years. However, when their lives are touched by war, they struggle to survive in a changing world.

Intimate and Character-Driven

Genuinely touching and gravely sentimental, Generation War crafts a portrait of normal Germans, but in the process, it never diminishes the atrocities of war.

Through interwoven tales, it plunges the viewers right into the thick of brutality and wartime challenges. Generation War generated a lot of controversy because of its less judgmental tale of the conflict as well as the portrayal of the Polish resistance movement. Yet, the series remains a necessary inclusion. Stream on Prime Video.

15 Holocaust (1978)

A four-part limited series starring Michael Moriarty, Meryl Streep and Blanche Baker, Holocaust documents the tragic experiences of Jewish families in 1940s Germany and Poland. After the Nazis began to ruthlessly carry out their systematic genocide, two families, one Jewish, in Nazi Germany, get embroiled in discrimination, and one of them must face the horrors of the camp. Meanwhile, Erik Dorf rises to the ranks as a Nazi.

One of the Grittiest Depictions of War on TV

Released in 1987, Holocaust brought a monumental change in television. It was meant to educate the newer generation about a grave event in history through an honest and unflinching lens. It delivered on its promise, sparing no detail and depicting every inhuman act with realism.

14 The Man in the High Castle (2015-2019)

An imaginative and truly thought-provoking feat, The Man in the High Castle tries to picture an alternate reality – a dystopian history where the Axis powers won World War II and ruled over a United States divided into three sections, one controlled by the Japanese and Nazis, each with a buffer zone between the two. However, a beacon of hope emerges when films that showcase a different reality of war and the possibility of Japan losing begin to surface, with one woman taking notice and plotting resistance.

A Thought-Provoking Re-Imagination of History

The Man in the High Castle is based on Philip K. Dick's 1962 novel of the same name, and it is told across four gripping seasons. Deeply layered, the series sparks discussions on propaganda, the meaning of fascism, and a general idea of what could've been the future had certain events played out differently.

The clever world-building and ingenious narrative devices keep the viewers guessing from start to finish. Stellar acting from stars like Rufus Sewell, Alexa Davalos, Luke Kleintank, and others bring authenticity and escapism to these what-ifs, making the series a standout in the genre. Stream on Prime Video.

13 Rome (2005-2007)

Rome is a spectacular international co-production between HBO/BBC Two. It is set in the 1st century BC, and it chronicles the power struggles between religious leaders and political parties during a time when the Roman Republic was transitioning into Imperial Rome. The story is told through the eyes of Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, two ordinary soldiers, who witness Caesar’s rise and fall to dictatorship as well as the ascension of Octavian Augustus.

Crafted on a Spectacular Scale

Produced on an astounding scale, Rome features luscious set pieces, period-accurate costumes, and grand battle sequences to bring ancient Rome to glorious life on the small screens.

The complex characters are anchored by a brilliant cast that comprises Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, and Polly Walker among others. They play people of the time with jarring reality and turn the story into something that is equal parts educating and entertaining. Overall, Rome demonstrated TV’s potential to understand history. Stream on Max.

12 Valley of Tears (2020)