War movies have always fascinated audiences with their honest depictions of conflict and rousing messages of hope and courage. While some are so realistic they take us into the heart of battle, others shine a light on the trauma induced by war on innocents and civilians. Either way, these movies grip us like none other.
The greatest difficulty in making sure a war film resonates with the audience is making sure to stay as historically accurate as possible. Whether it is the depiction of scenes, army units, weaponry, or trenches, the wartime realization must leave the viewer with a sense of understanding. Yet, for all the bloodshed and horror, some movies fail to translate to box office successes. While some of these films outperform their budgets, it's well known that after marketing costs, films typically need to make at least double their budget to be seen as even a small financial success.
Buried among the most celebrated and popular war movies are cinematic gems that went unnoticed because of their box office numbers. The newer generation has come to appreciate and recognize their value, and it is time we gave these movies a fresh chance to shine, too. From bleak character studies to sweeping epics, this list takes a look at 20 underrated war movies that may have bombed at the box office but are definitely worth your time.
20 Johnny Got His Gun (1971)
$767,794 Against a $1 Million Budget
Set in World War I, Johnny Got His Gun is an independent anti-war epic that follows a young American soldier who finds himself waking up in a hospital bed completely paralyzed, without sight, hearing or speech, as a result of being hit by an artillery shell. Confined to his own mind and prisoner to his body, he loses himself in his thoughts and memories, trying to figure out what happened. Soon, he finds a way to communicate with the doctors.
A Heartbreaking Exploration of World War I
Johnny Got His Gun is director Dalton Trumbo’s debut in the industry, and he adapts the film from his own novel of the same name, which was inspired by an article Trumbo once read in the newspaper. The movie depicts the psychological and emotional anguish of being injured in war with graphic realism.
Timothy Bottoms plays the lead, portraying the character entirely through facial expressions and occasional head banging. Controversial yet deeply touching, the movie unfortunately flopped at the box office, earning just $767,794 against its budget of over $1 million. Stream on Tubi TV.
19 Stalingrad (1993)
$152,972 Against a $10.7 Million Budget
Set during World War II and chronicling the iconic Battle of Stalingrad in 1942-1943, the movie follows a ground of knackered German soldiers following their seizure of almost all of Soviet Russia. Led by Hans von Witzland, the battalion must desert the Wehrmacht's 6th Army. As the battle takes its toll on both armies, the soldiers find themselves questioning their purpose and the ideological foundations of the war.
A Look At How War Cripples Humanity
Stalingrad has a bleak and atmospheric tone that it maintains throughout its runtime. Featuring intense battle scenes and an uncompromising depiction of the conflict, the movie offered the audience an anti-war story they weren’t ready for. At the time, the box office returns on its estimated $10.7 million budget were also extremely low. Whether it was due to its subject matter or the nihilistic ending isn’t certain, but Stalingrad has earned its well-deserved cult status over time.
18 U-571 (2000)
U-571
- Release Date
- April 20, 2000
- Runtime
- 116
$127 Million Against a $62 Million Budget
A fictional reiteration of the British capture of U-110 and her Enigma and cipher keys but nowhere close to the actual events, U-571 is a movie that focuses on a US Navy submarine crew as they attempt to secure the encryption machines from a disabled German U-boat before the Nazis can destroy them. Their top secret mission is met with dangerous curveballs like dwindling oxygen supplies and mechanical faults.
An Edge-of-Your-Seat Submarine Adventure
Directed by Jonathan Mostow, U-571 was somewhat of a success with fans, but was criticized heavily later for the historical and factual inaccuracies in the nautical action and the Americans’ role in the mission. The excellent production values and tense sequences made for a thrilling period of submarine combat, and the movie performed okay-ish at the commercial box office by making $127 million. But because it was released after the blockbuster hits like Three Kings and Saving Private Ryan, it only added to the audience fatigue at the time. Rent on Apple TV.
Related: Best Submarine War Movies, Ranked
17 The 13th Warrior (1999)
$61 Million Against an $160 Million Budget
Adapted from Michael Crichton’s 1976 novel Eaters of the Dead, The 13th Warrior is perhaps the biggest box-office disaster when it comes to war dramas. It stars Antonio Banderas as Ahmed ibn Faldan, a Middle Eastern poet exiled as an ambassador to 10th-century Scandinavia. Given his past, he is reluctant to join the Viking warriors and their investigations, but once he overcomes his own fears, Faldan uses his bravery and intelligence to defeat an unlikely army of enemies.
War Fantasy Considered Ahead of its Time
Perhaps it was the juxtaposition of fantasy elements into a war epic that did not sit well with the audience at the time, because The 13th Warrior stumbled at the box office with only $61 million earned in theaters against an estimated budget of $85 to $160 million. However, the movie is underrated for its seamless portrayal of medieval combat and Norse mythology. Banderas is truly enigmatic under John McTiernan’s ambitious vision, garnering praise for his adventurous and humane turn. Stream on Hoopla.
16 Kelly's Heroes (1970)
$5 Million Against a $4 Million Budget
In 1944, during the Second World War, a rogue American officer learns that a bank full of gold is being held by the German army. With hopes of getting rich, he assembles a motley crew of US soldiers and decades to go AWOL from the war and behind enemy lines. Facing unrelenting German troops, minefields, and enemy tanks on their adventures, the group must work together to pull off the heist.
Rebellious and Entertaining War Caper
Loosely based on the true story of a hunt for Nazi gold, Kelly’s Heroes is another underrated war movie from the 1970s, but this one is more on the rebellious and ambitious side. It includes an ensemble cast made of Clint Eastwood and Telly Savalas, and supporting stars Don Rickles, Donald Sutherland, and Harry Dean Stanton, who provide comic relief amidst the fast-paced action and unbreakable bond between the misfit soldiers. Although it had a budget of $4 million, the movie barely made $5 million at the box office. Rent on Apple TV.
15 G.I. Jane (1997)
$48 Million Against a $50 Million Budget
Starring Demi Moore in her career-best role, G.I. Jane tells the story of the first woman to undergo training in the U.S. Navy SEALs. In order to test whether women have the ability, guts, and willingness to succeed in military operations, the Navy pulls out a 27-week training course and Lieutenant Jordan O'Neil is selected as a candidate. She joins the secret naval special operations unit, faces discrimination, and undergoes grueling trials to prove herself as tough and capable as any man.
Moore Is a Role Model for Women
For a movie that portrays women in such an intense and powerful light and has gained widespread praise now, it is a surprise that G.I. Jane failed at the box office. Under the precise direction of Ridley Scott, Moore carries the project and commits to the role of a female warrior. To make the film more realistic and accurate, Moore had insisted that her co-stars undergo real SEAL training. However, the film was heavily criticized, which contributed to a disappointing $48 million against a $50 million budget. Stream on DirecTV.
14 Casualties Of War (1989)
$18.7 Million Against a $22.5 Million Budget
Directed by Brian De Palma and written by David Rabe, Casualties Of War reiterates a shockingly inhuman instance that occurred during the Vietnam War. Presented as a flashback from the perspective of a veteran soldier. Private Eriksson is a righteous soldier who must go against the orders of his superiors when his squad is ordered to kidnap, abuse, and murder a young Vietnamese girl.
Perfect Blend of Thrill and Heart
Hailed now as a well-told ensemble piece that shines light on the Vietnam War and the harrowing events that were overlooked amidst the bloodshed and loss, Casualties Of War greatly suffered at the box office at the time of its release. It made only $18.7 million against a budget of $22.5 million, which clearly was not enough to break even. The movie encapsulates the brutality and destruction in Vietnam with the help of punch-pulling performances from Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn. Stream on DirecTV.
13 A Midnight Clear (1992)
$1.5 Million Against a $5 Million Budget
Towards the end of World War II, on the front lines of the Battle of the Bulge during Christmas of 1944, an American infantry squad was diligently manning an outpost for the night. That’s when they locate a German platoon, isolated in harsh winter weather, nearly having given up on the war effort. As the men co-occupy the space, they develop a mutual understanding and begin questioning the absurdity of war.
An Intimate Glimpse Into Humanity
A Midnight Clear is written and directed by Keith Gordon, who guides a terrific ensemble cast including Ethan Hawke, Peter Berg, Kevin Dillon and Gary Sinise as they depict a profound and moving story about the fragile bond that forms between soldiers on opposing sides. Critics praised Berg for crafting an air of isolation and unease and filling the gaps with thoughtfulness and camaraderie. However, with a small $5 million budget, the movie failed to find an audience and only made $15.3 lakhs at the box office. Stream on The Roku Channel.
12 Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
$218 Million ($47 Domestic) Against a $130 Million Budget
An epic historical drama directed by Ridley Scott, Kingdom of Heaven stars Orlando Bloom as Balian of Ibelin, a blacksmith who travels to Jerusalem and is drawn into the defense of the Kingdom during the Crusades. As the city disintegrates under greater threats and violence rises, Balian finds himself embroiled in a turbulent religious and political landscape.
A Lavish Period Spectacle
Shot on a $130 million budget, the movie’s aim was to offer a thought-provoking (and spectacular) perspective on the events that led to the Third Crusade through emotional character journeys. However, at $47 million domestically, it turned out to be an underwhelming project. Kingdom of Heaven was criticized for having an overly complex plot and for lacking depth. However, its lavish period setting led fans to re-evaluate the movie as Scott’s most ambitious feature of all time. Stream on Starz.
11 The Thin Red Line (1998)
$98 Million Against a $58 Million Budget
Rightly seen as one of the greatest films about warfare, Terrence Mallick’s sprawling film takes you to the Battle of Guadalcanal in WWII, where both American and Japanese soldiers fought for a key strategic hill, Hill 210, on the island of Guadalcanal. The movie stars actors like Sean Penn, George Clooney, John Cusack, Jared Leto, and John Travolta, and was told through the eyes of men in the C Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
An Overlooked Masterpiece
Had The Thin Red Line been made sometime in the last 5 years, it would have been considered a work of art and made waves at the box office. However, the fact that it was released only months after Saving Private Ryan and was considered less of a war epic and more of a philosophical exploration of man’s relationship with mortality, made it a commercial failure. Against a budget of $52 million, the movie only made $9.7 million during the opening weekend and grossed $98 million worldwide. Stream on Starz.
10 War Dogs (2016)
War Dogs
- Release Date
- August 17, 2016
- Director
- Todd Phillips
- Runtime
- 114
$86.2 Million Against a $50 Million Budget
Based on a true story, War Dogs follows two young men in their early 20s, played by Jonah Hill and Miles Teller. As petty gun dealers living in Miami during the Iraq War era, David and Efraim made just enough to make ends meet. But when they receive a U.S. Army contract to supply ammunition to the military, their ambitions are off the roof.
Blends Ambition And Risk-Taking With Wartime Action
At its core, War Dogs is a wild rags-to-riches story. It has got that entrepreneurial spirit, the knack for finding loopholes, and the intelligence to evade restrictions while colliding with the fog of war. Directed by Todd Phillips in his signature style, the movie also gives a cheeky insider view into supply capitalism, revealing a sublime blend of black humor and social commentary. And yet, it was reduced to nothing but an entertainment effort and grossed $86.2 million compared to its budget of $50 million. Stream on Hulu.
9 Come and See (1985)
$71,909 Against a $2.5 Million Budget
A foreign-language anti-war film directed by Elem Klimov, Come and See transports its viewers to Belarus during World War II. It centers around Florya, a young partisan recruit forced to fight with the Soviet Army against his wishes. When he finally returns home, he finds that it has been destroyed by the German forces. Through his eyes and those of several terrified children, the film depicts the psychological dread and ruthless violence endured by people.
An Important Anti-War Film
Through Come and See, Klimov crafts one of the most uncompromising and important films about war and its jarring impact on innocent lives. Even though the film received acclaim, its extremely dark and unsettling themes and visuals left the audience with a sad feeling, with some being entirely in awe of the harrowing scenes. The movie was shot with a relatively low budget of $2.5 million, and yet it only earned $71,909 in the US and $1.3 million with home video sales. Stream on The Roku Channel.
8 Windtalkers (2002)
$77 Million Against a $115 Million Budget
Windtalkers is not only an underrated war movie, but also one of the most underrated Nicolas Cage movies. Set during the Pacific campaign of the Second World War, it follows the story of US Marine corporal Joe Enders who is assigned with the task of protecting a Navajo code talker, Pvt. Ben Yahzee. As they fight Japanese forces together while transmitting messages, their limits are tested by brutal combat and impenetrable forces.
Nicolas Cage's Most Undervalued Project
Director John Woo’s 2002 film is the only movie that centers around the Marine Corps' Navajo Code Talker Program from the 1940s, which makes it an interesting watch. The over-the-top action sequences and kinetic battlefield scenes add to the theatrical intensity of the experience, and Cage is supported by stars like Adam Beach, Peter Stormare, Mark Ruffalo, and Christian Slater. However, Windtalkers took some liberties with the real story, and at a budget of $115 million, it only made $77 million at the box office. Stream on The Roku Channel.
7 Hamburger Hill (1987)
$13.8 Million Against a $14 Million Budget
Regardless of being one of the best movies to depict the Vietnam War, Hamburger Hill is often left out of discussions. Based on the deadly battle of 1969, the movie revolves around a brutal 10-day assault, consisting of 10 separate attacks by US troops in their attempt to capture a strategic hill from the North Vietnamese Army. What was supposed to be a single attack turned into a savage close-combat carnage where 72 soldiers were killed and hundreds wounded.
A Gritty Anti-War Masterpiece
Hamburger Hill has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and the critics call it a “deeply affecting, highly accomplished film.” Director John Irvin makes sure that his fictionalized reenactment is not only bloody and intense but also accurate in numbers, ranks, events, as well as accents. Over time, its harrowing portrayal of war has become engaging, but that does not eliminate the fact that the movie failed to recoup its $14 million budget, sadly making a little over $13 million. Stream on Fubo TV.
6 Gallipoli (1981)
$5.8 Million Against a $2.8 Million Budget
An Australian war drama, Gallipoli is an underrated movie that follows two young athletes, Archy Hamilton, an 18-year-old stockman, and Frank Dunne, an unemployed ex-railway laborer, enlisted to fight in the World War I Gallipoli campaign just for the thrill of it all. But they soon experience the harsh realities of war as the Ottoman Empire (in modern-day Turkey) is attacked. Their withering innocence leads them to find the campaign, and war at large, futile.
A Powerful Australian War Drama
Mel Gibson and Mark Lee, who were among the lesser-known artists at the time, delivered heart-wrenching performances as two individuals with shattered and discouraged perceptions of war. Director Peter Weir infuses the narrative with the lyrical style he came to be synonymous with and makes the devastating tale more resonant and powerful. What’s sad, however, is that the movie underperformed at the box office, earning only $5.7 million on the US market against a budget of $2.8 million. Stream on Hoopla.
5 Battle of the Bulge (1965)
$4.5 Million Against a $6.5 Million Budget
A highly fictionalized account of the titular battle, the movie takes place on New Year's Eve of 1944, when Germany was preparing a counter-attack on the Western Front as a means to stop the Allied Forces from invading them. However, it all changed when Hitler made another command. Under General Kohler, Col. Hessler and his men were sent to pierce American lines and recapture Antwerp.
Depicts the Jarring Reality of World War II
Featuring as much wartime drama as historical inaccuracies, the movie gripped audiences only to a certain point. Battle of the Bulge was directed by Ken Annakin on a budget of $6.5 million, and it starred some of the industry’s greatest actors, like Henry Fonda, Robert Shaw, Telly Savalas, Dana Andrews and Charles Bronson. However, in the sense of depicting the gravity of World War II, it was not appealing to the audience. Ultimately, the movie failed to recoup its costs at the box office, making an estimated $4.5 million. Rent on Apple TV.
4 Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
$65.9 Million Against a $90 Million Budget
Directed and co-produced by Clint Eastwood, Flags of Our Fathers depicts the Battle of Iwo Jima, which occurred in 1945. The central characters are five Marines and one Navy corpsman who raise the American flag on an island. As they return home and become symbols for propaganda, they face the reality that war goes on as political and racial tensions continue to rise in the country.
Eastwood’s Fascinating Look At Heroism
Clint Eastwood made two films about the same event from varying perspectives. While Letters from Iwo Jima was from the Japanese point of view, Flags of Our Fathers was a hard-hitting companion piece that delivered an American point of view on the famous flag-raising story. The all-star cast included Ryan Phillippe, Paul Walker, and Adam Beach, among others. On a budget of $90 million, it earned $65.9 million, struggling to find footing as a thought-provoking piece of warfare. Stream on Prime Video.
3 Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Hotel Rwanda
- Release Date
- March 4, 2004
- Director
- Terry George
- Runtime
- 122
$33.9 Million Against a $17.5 Million Budget
Based on the Rwandan genocide, this heart-wrenching film tells the true story of hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina and his wife Tatiana Rusesabagina, who provided shelter to over 1,200 Tutsi refugees during the most arduous time in their lives. Within the hotel walls, there was an air of hope and courage, while outside, racial tensions escalated to violent ends. Hotel Rwanda documents this unimaginable horror with precision.
Timeless Look of Courage and Compassion
With a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a consensus that calls it a “sobering and heartfelt tale about the massacre that took place in Rwanda while most of the world looked away,” Hotel Rwanda only got the praise it deserved years later. The movie is directed by Terry George, who makes sure the graphic portrayals of inhumanity are felt in the right way but also maintains a tone of sincerity. While its $17.5 million budget seems miniscule compared to the horrors of the Rwandan genocide, the movie only grossed $33.9 million. Stream on Fubo TV.
2 Operation Finale (2018)
$17 Million Against a $24 Million Budget
An espionage thriller set in the aftermath of the Holocaust, Operation Finale centers around a team of Israeli secret agents led by Peter Malkin who are sent on a clandestine mission to discover and capture the primary architects behind the Holocaust. After escaping prosecution, Adolf Eichmann, a former high-ranking SS Officer, assumed a false identity and has been hiding in Argentina. As Malkin and the team track Adolf down, they also face personal tensions.
Ensemble Political Thriller
Operation Finale is a fact-based political thriller, and under the careful direction of Chris Weitz, it dances around one of the most defining Israeli Mossad operations in history. An ensemble led by Oscar Isaac and Ben Kingsley, and supported by Lior Raz, Mélanie Laurent, Nick Kroll, and Haley Lu Richardson, deliver standout performances. While its historical backdrop called for attention, the movie grossed only $17 million worldwide against a budget that was somewhere between $20 million and $24 million. Rent on Apple TV.
1 Jarhead (2005)
Jarhead
- Release Date
- November 4, 2005
- Runtime
- 127
$97.1 Million Against a $72 Million Budget
In Jarhead, Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a fresh-faced Anthony Swofford, who joins the military because he “got lost on the way to college,” undergoes heavy training, and qualifies as a sniper among seven other men. Sent to Saudi Arabia, he soon finds that the reality of long deployments in the desert is dreary and much less glorious than he expected. The movie sees him narrating his experiences of boredom as the men await orders.
A Devastating Look at the Reality of War
Despite being set during Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait, Jarhead focuses little on the action element of war and instead focuses on the dissociative experience of soldiers. The sweeping vistas and incredible visuals hit hard, but it is the psychological toll in-between combat that perhaps didn’t resonate with the audience at the time. With a $72 million budget, the movie grossed only $97.1 million in theaters. Now considered ahead of its time, Jarhead is a cult hit. Rent on Apple TV.
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