19 Great War Movies Like Saving Private Ryan

In the film Saving Private Ryan, set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II, Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) is given a mission to find and bring home Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), whose three brothers have been killed in combat. After landing on Omaha Beach, Miller and his men face insurmountable odds as they battle their way through enemy territory to find Ryan.

Saving Private Ryan is widely considered to be one of the greatest war movies ever made. If you’re looking for more movies like Saving Private Ryan, here are a few suggestions:

1. Fury (2014)

Saving Private Ryan features a smaller group of soldiers at the heart of the narrative, which helps to personalize it. As these troops go into harms way, we develop an attachment with them. The cast of David Ayer’s WWII picture Fury may be added to this list.

In the final days of World War II, Lt. Col. Stanley Goodspeed (Pitt) leads a tank company in Belgium as the Soviet army approaches. These soldiers still face death on every corner because the war is drawing to a close. The impressive cast also includes Shia LaBeouf, Michael Peña, and Jon Bernthal.

2. We Were Soldiers (2002)

Another war movie with Tom Hanks in the lead role, We Were Soldiers is based on the true story of the Battle of Ia Drang. This battle was one of the first major engagements between American and North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War.

Hanks stars as Lt. Col. Hal Moore, who leads his men into battle against a superior enemy force. We Were Soldiers is a touching and harrowing war film that is not to be missed.

3. The Thin Red Line (1998)

The Thin Red Line is a World War II movie that follows a group of soldiers who are stationed in Guadalcanal. The soldiers, who are constantly under attack, must find a way to survive against all odds.

The film features an ensemble cast that includes Sean Penn, Woody Harrelson, Nick Nolte, and John Travolta. The Thin Red Line is a must-see for any fan of war movies.

4. Apocalypse Now (1979)

Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now is set during the Vietnam War and follows Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) on a mission to kill Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has gone insane.

This movie is considered to be one of the greatest movies of all time, and its place on this list is well deserved. Apocalypse Now is a must-see for any fan of war movies or movies in general.

5. Black Hawk Down (2002)

Black Hawk Down is based on the true story of the Battle of Mogadishu, which took place in Somalia in 1993. The film follows a group of American soldiers who are sent into the city to capture two warlords and end the Somali Civil War.

The film features an all-star cast that includes Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, and William Fichtner. Black Hawk Down is an intense and harrowing war film that is not to be missed.

6. Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)

Letters From Iwo Jima is a World War II movie that tells the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of the Japanese soldiers. The film follows General Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe) as he leads his men in a hopeless battle against the American forces.

The film also features Shido Nakamura, Kazunari Ninomiya, and Tsuyoshi Ihara. Letter From Iwo Jima is a must-see for any fan of  Saving Private Ryan.

7. Dunkirk (2017)

Another well-known auteur, Christopher Nolan, utilized tension and realism in his WWII drama Dunkirk. The story is split into three timelines, all of which focus on the desperate evacuation effort by British troops from Dunkirk’s beaches as German forces approach.

The complex timeline of the film does not detract from its excellent filmmaking. From the beach sequences to the boat sequences to the aerials, Nolan tells a gripping tale. It’s also a one-of-a-kind war story since it focuses on endurance rather than bravery.

8. 1917 (2019)

1917 is a World War I movie that follows two British soldiers, Schofield (George MacKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), as they attempt to deliver a message that will stop a German attack.

The film is shot in one continuous take, which gives it an immersive and realistic feel. 1917 is a must-see for any fan of war movies or movies in general.

9. Downfall (2004)

Downfall is a World War II movie that tells the story of the final days of Adolf Hitler. The film follows Hitler (Bruno Ganz) as he becomes increasingly paranoid and delusional in the face of defeat.

The film also features Alexandra Maria Lara, Ulrich Matthes, and Corinna Harfouch.

10. Emperor (2013)

Emperor is a World War II movie that tells the story of Emperor Hirohito (Toshiyuki Nishida) in the days after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. The film focuses on the decision by Hirohito to surrender, which led to the end of World War II.

The film also features Masatoshi Nakamura, Ryoko Hirosue, and Mikijiro Hira. Emperor is a must-see for fans of war movies like Saving Private Ryan.

11. The Thin Red Line (1998)

The Thin Red Line is a World War II movie that follows a group of American soldiers as they fight in the Battle of Guadalcanal.

The film was directed by Terrence Malick and features an ensemble cast that includes Sean Penn, Woody Harrelson, Nick Nolte, and John Travolta.

12. Flags of Our Fathers (2006)

Flags of Our Fathers is a World War II movie that tells the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of the American soldiers.

The film was directed by Clint Eastwood and features an ensemble cast that includes Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach, and Paul Walker.

13. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Hacksaw Ridge is a World War II movie that tells the true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), a conscientious objector who served as a medic in the Battle of Okinawa.

The film was directed by Mel Gibson and also features Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, and Rachel Griffiths. Hacksaw Ridge is a must-see for any fan of war movies.

14. Pearl Harbor (2001)

Pearl Harbor is a World War II movie that tells the story of the attack on Pearl Harbor from the perspective of two American soldiers, Rafe McCawley (Ben Affleck) and Danny Walker (Josh Hartnett).

The film was directed by Michael Bay and also features Kate Beckinsale, Alec Baldwin, and Cuba Gooding Jr. Pearl Harbor is a must-see for any fan of war movies.

15. Midway (2019)

Midway is a World War II movie that tells the story of the Battle of Midway from the perspective of the American soldiers and sailors who fought in it.

The film was directed by Roland Emmerich and also features Luke Evans, Patrick Wilson, and Woody Harrelson. Midway is a must-see for any fan of war movies.

16. As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me (2001)

As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me is a World War II movie that tells the true story of Anton Reiser (Bernd Michael Lade), a German soldier who was captured by the Soviets and sent to a gulag in Siberia.

The film was directed by Carl Zuckmayer and also features Thomas Kretschmann, Sebastian Rudolph, and Irm Hermann. As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me is a must-see for any fan of war movies.

17. Enemy at the Gates (2001)

Enemy at the Gates is a World War II movie that tells the story of the Battle of Stalingrad from the perspective of two Soviet soldiers, Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law) and Danilov (Joseph Fiennes).

The film was directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and also features Rachel Weisz, Ed Harris, and Bob Hoskins. Enemy at the Gates is a must-see for any fan of war movies.

18. Anthropoid (2016)

Anthropoid is a World War II movie that tells the true story of Operation Anthropoid, the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich (Detlef Bothe), a high-ranking Nazi official.

The film was directed by Sean Ellis and also features Cillian Murphy, Jamie Dornan, and Harry Lloyd. Anthropoid is a must-see for any fan of war movies.

19. Max Manus: Man of War (2008)

Max Manus: Man of War is a World War II movie that tells the true story of Max Manus (Aksel Hennie), a Norwegian resistance fighter.

The film was directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg and also features Kyrre Haugen Sydness, Thomas Gullestad, and Vegar Hoel.

These are just a few examples of the great war movies that are out there. So if you’re looking for a good war movie to watch, be sure to check out one of these Saving Private Ryan alternatives. Thanks for reading!

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