The Best War Movies Based on Books

Ranker Film
Updated April 14, 2024 21 items
Ranked By
666 votes
100 voters
Voting Rules
Only war movies based on or inspired by literature.

At ease soldier! This is the list of best movies based on war books. We are ranking good films based on war novels and books. The best war movies ever adapted from books can give audiences a blend of fictional accounts and true stories with a historical backdrop, which can bring awareness and even a history lesson to those uneducated on the wars the films are based on. War books made movies can bring viewers into the action and setting of war and leave you with conflicting emotions much like war itself. Prepare yourself as your about to see a list of the best movies based on war books!

They say that war is hell, but this list doesn’t have to be. You can rerank this list of war movies based off of books as you see fit and then share the list with your fellow cadets. If you don't see a new war film adapted from a book that you think should be on this list feel free to add it and check back to see how others rank your selections.

  • Patton
    1

    Patton

    George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Michael Bates
    41 votes
    Patton is a biographical war film that delves into the life of the audacious World War II General George S. Patton, portrayed by George C. Scott. The movie paints an incisive portrait of Patton's passionate and larger-than-life persona, his military genius, and his controversial methods. It explores his key operations during WWII, including the North Africa campaign and the Battle of the Bulge. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, Patton bagged seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Scott. This epic film seamlessly blends historical drama with intense war sequences to provide a riveting viewing experience.
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  • We Were Soldiers
    2

    We Were Soldiers

    Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear
    49 votes
    An unflinching portrayal of the Vietnam War, We Were Soldiers dives into the Battle of La Drang. Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore (Mel Gibson) leads his men in a brutal fight against North Vietnamese soldiers. The movie also features Sergeant Major Basil Plumley (Sam Elliott), an indomitable figure whose bravery shines amidst the chaos. Director Randall Wallace's vision crafts a vivid picture of war's grim reality, eschewing romanticized heroism for stark truth. A notable entry in the war genre, We Were Soldiers captures the harsh realities faced by those on the battlefront.
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  • Flags of Our Fathers
    3

    Flags of Our Fathers

    Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach
    29 votes
    In Flags of Our Fathers, director Clint Eastwood delves into the gritty realities of war. The film, based on a true story, follows the lives of six soldiers - John Doc Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), and Ira Hayes (Adam Beach) among them - thrust into fame as the men who raised the flag on Iwo Jima, a potent symbol of victory during World War II. However, their experiences on the battlefield tell a different tale. This historical drama explores themes of heroism and the harsh truths behind glorified images of war.
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  • The Longest Day
    4

    The Longest Day

    John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda
    36 votes
    The Longest Day, an iconic film of 1962, is a war epic that takes viewers into the heart of D-Day. The movie, directed by Ken Annakin and Andrew Marton, showcases the events of June 6, 1944, through a tapestry of perspectives. Notable characters include Brigadier General Norman Cota (Robert Mitchum), Major John Howard (Richard Burton), and Field Marshal Erwin Rommel (Werner Hinz). This film won two Academy Awards, featuring a sprawling ensemble cast renowned for their performances. The Longest Day is an accurate yet compelling cinematic rendering of World War II's most significant day.
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  • The Great Escape
    5

    The Great Escape

    Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough
    39 votes
    In the riveting drama The Great Escape, a group of Allied prisoners, led by Virgil Hilts (Steve McQueen), are confined in an ostensibly escape-proof German POW camp during World War II. The determined captives, including Danny Velinski (Charles Bronson) and Robert Hendley (James Garner), devise an audacious plan to tunnel their way out. This war epic, based on true events, is a tale of ingenuity, resilience, and daring that won critical acclaim for its gripping narrative and memorable performances. The movie's genre-defying plot and thrilling pace ensure it remains a classic in cinema history.
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  • Tora! Tora! Tora!
    6

    Tora! Tora! Tora!

    Martin Balsam, Sô Yamamura, Joseph Cotten
    34 votes
    This dramatic retelling of the Pearl Harbor attack details everything in the days that led up to that tragic moment in American history. As United States and Japanese relations strain over the U.S. embargo of raw materials, Air Staff Officer Minoru Genda (Tatsuya Mihashi) plans the preemptive strike against the United States. Although American intelligence agencies intercept Japanese communications hinting at the attack, they are unwilling to believe such a strike could ever occur on U.S. soil.
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  • Black Hawk Down
    7

    Black Hawk Down

    Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore
    43 votes
    The film takes place in 1993 when the U.S. sent special forces into Somalia to destabilize the government and bring food and humanitarian aid to the starving population. Using Black Hawk helicopters to lower the soldiers onto the ground, an unexpected attack by Somalian forces brings two of the helicopters down immediately. From there, the U.S. soldiers must struggle to regain their balance while enduring heavy gunfire.
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  • Unbroken
    8

    Unbroken

    Jack O'Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund
    32 votes
    As a boy, Louis "Louie" Zamperini is always in trouble, but with the help of his older brother, he turns his life around and channels his energy into running, later qualifying for the 1936 Olympics. When World War II breaks out, Louie enlists in the military. After his plane crashes in the Pacific, he survives an incredible 47 days adrift in a raft, until his capture by the Japanese navy. Sent to a POW camp, Louie becomes the favorite target of a particularly cruel prison commander.
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  • Letters from Iwo Jima
    9

    Letters from Iwo Jima

    Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara
    38 votes
    Letters from Iwo Jima, a war drama directed by Clint Eastwood, peers into the battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese perspective. The narrative pivots around the experiences of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe) and Saigo (Kazunari Ninomiya), a low-ranking soldier. Their lives intertwine in the heat of conflict, offering an intimate glimpse into wartime struggles. The film's stark portrayal of human resilience against overwhelming odds garnered it an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing in 2007. Eastwood's directorial prowess, combined with the poignant performances of Watanabe and Ninomiya, make Letters from Iwo Jima a compelling cinematic experience.
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  • The Thin Red Line
    10

    The Thin Red Line

    Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, Jim Caviezel
    30 votes
    The Thin Red Line, a war drama directed by Terrence Malick, paints a visceral picture of the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. The film's narrative primarily revolves around Private Witt (Jim Caviezel), who is forced to confront his own morality amidst the chaos of battle. Other central characters include First Sgt. Welsh (Sean Penn) and Lt. Col. Tall (Nick Nolte), each grappling with their roles within the brutal realities of war. The movie garnered seven Academy Award nominations, testament to its impactful storytelling and powerful performances.
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  • A Bridge Too Far
    11

    A Bridge Too Far

    Dirk Bogarde, James Caan, Michael Caine
    34 votes
    In the epic war film A Bridge Too Far, Operation Market Garden, an ambitious World War II military strategy, is meticulously brought to life. Led by Lieutenant General Browning (Dirk Bogarde), the plan aims to seize a series of bridges in the Netherlands to outflank German defenses. Colonel Frost (Anthony Hopkins) and Major Cook (Robert Redford) play key roles in this daring mission. However, as the title suggests, their reach may have exceeded their grasp. Directed by Richard Attenborough, this star-studded spectacle won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor and showcases both strategic brilliance and human folly in equal measure.
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  • American Sniper
    12

    American Sniper

    Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Jake McDorman
    36 votes
    American Sniper, a gripping war film, unravels the story of Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper), an esteemed Navy SEAL sniper. The narrative tracks his military service in Iraq, showcasing the professional feats that earned him the title of deadliest marksman in U.S. history. Sienna Miller plays Taya, Kyle's wife, grappling with his long absences and dangerous missions. Clint Eastwood's direction brings to life this true story, striking a balance between intense combat scenes and emotional homefront struggles. The film nabbed six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, underscoring its cinematic impact.
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  • All Quiet on the Western Front
    13

    All Quiet on the Western Front

    Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, John Wray
    37 votes
    The film follows a group of German schoolboys, talked into enlisting at the beginning of World War I by their jingoistic teacher. The story is told entirely through the experiences of the young German recruits and highlights the tragedy of war through the eyes of individuals.
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  • Enemy at the Gates
    14

    Enemy at the Gates

    Joseph Fiennes, Jude Law, Rachel Weisz
    29 votes
    Enemy at the Gates, a war drama, is set amidst the ruins of Stalingrad during World War II. It follows the harrowing exploits of Russian sniper, Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law), and his relentless duel with German sharpshooter Major König (Ed Harris). The narrative orbits around their lethal game of cat and mouse under the ruthless command of Commissar Danilov (Joseph Fiennes). A chilling portrayal of wartime strategies, it's a tale where every bullet counts. Notably, Rachel Weisz adds depth as Tania, a female soldier entangled in both love and war. This movie offers an intense glimpse into one of history's bloodiest battles without sugarcoating its grim reality.
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  • Lawrence of Arabia
    15

    Lawrence of Arabia

    Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn
    32 votes
    Lawrence of Arabia, a sweeping epic drama, chronicles the remarkable life and adventures of T.E. Lawrence (Peter O'Toole), a British officer stationed in the Middle East during World War I. The narrative unfolds as Lawrence is dispatched to Arabia, where he forges an unlikely alliance with Prince Faisal (Alec Guinness) to launch a guerrilla war against the Turks. Despite grappling with his own moral quandaries and the harsh desert conditions, Lawrence's strategic brilliance shapes the course of history in the Arabian Peninsula. This cinematic masterpiece bagged seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, underscoring its timeless appeal and technical excellence.
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  • From Here to Eternity
    16

    From Here to Eternity

    Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr
    25 votes
    At an Army barracks in Hawaii in the days preceding the attack on Pearl Harbor, lone-wolf soldier and boxing champion "Prew" Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) refuses to box, preferring to play the bugle instead. Hard-hearted Capt. Holmes (Philip Ober) subjects Prew to a grueling series of punishments while, unknown to Holmes, the gruff but fair Sgt. Warden (Burt Lancaster) engages in a clandestine affair with the captain's mistreated wife (Deborah Kerr).
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  • First Blood
    17

    First Blood

    Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Brian Dennehy
    26 votes
    In the adrenaline-pumping film First Blood, John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), a disoriented and disgruntled Vietnam War veteran, finds himself at odds with the law in a small town. When Sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy) pushes him too far, Rambo's combat skills come into play, resulting in a high-stakes survival game within the Pacific Northwest wilderness. Replete with thrilling action sequences and poignant commentary on post-war trauma, this movie marks the birth of an iconic action hero. Despite being a commercial success, First Blood offers more than mere spectacle, as it sheds light on the harsh realities faced by war veterans.
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  • Casualties of War
    18

    Casualties of War

    Michael J. Fox, Sean Penn, Don Harvey
    21 votes
    Pvt. Max Eriksson (Michael J. Fox) is stationed in Vietnam under Sgt. Tony Meserve (Sean Penn). Though Meserve saves Eriksson's life during battle, the two men clash when the callous senior officer orders the abduction of Than Thi Oanh (Thuy Thu Le), a young Vietnamese woman, to be used as a sex slave. When Eriksson refuses to take part in the abuse of Oanh, tensions between him, Meserve and the rest of the unit heat up and finally explode during a firefight with Viet Cong troops.
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  • Guadalcanal Diary
    19

    Guadalcanal Diary

    Preston Foster, Lloyd Nolan, William Bendix
    16 votes
    Filmed just months after the actual allied invasion of Guadalcanal late in 1942, this patriotic feature follows a ragtag group of Marines sent to fight in the South Pacific. As steely Sgt. Malone (Lloyd Nolan), Brooklyn wiseguy Potts (William Bendix) and the teenaged Anderson (Richard Jaeckel) prepare for battle, they are taken aback when they initially meet no resistance. Rattled by stealthy Japanese snipers, the Marines struggle to stay alive as they plan a major offensive against the enemy.
  • Green Zone
    20

    Green Zone

    Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Brendan Gleeson
    20 votes
    Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller (Matt Damon) and his team of inspectors are on a mission in 2003 to find Iraq's reported stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction. Traveling from one dangerous site to another, Miller and his team fail to find any chemical agents or other weapons. Instead, they discover an elaborate coverup in which the most-elusive weapon is truth.
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  • Atonement
    21

    Atonement

    James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Romola Garai
    13 votes
    Atonement, a compelling drama set against the backdrop of World War II, explores the complexities of love and betrayal. The story revolves around Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan), a young girl with a vivid imagination, her older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley), and their housekeeper's son Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). A single act of youthful misunderstanding alters their lives forever, as Briony's false accusation lands Robbie in prison and war. Directed by Joe Wright, this film won an Oscar for Best Original Score and was nominated for six others, including Best Picture.
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