Legend has it, a year without a WWII film invites calamity. Thankfully, Guy Ritchie and Henry Cavill are here to break the curse. Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, is about to unearth another wartime tale. The film is going to shed light on Britain’s first special forces team and their daring missions against the Nazi forces. After a lot of suspense, Lionsgate, via Deadline, confirmed the release date of the upcoming flick, scheduled to be released in the United States on April 19, 2024.

Nevertheless, if the wait for another warfare movie feels too daunting over the next three months, here are the top five similar movies to binge on in the meantime. 

Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down, a cinematic rendition from 2001, took its roots in Mark Bowden’s non-fiction work in 1999. This war epic followed the ill-fated crew of a Black Hawk helicopter amidst the chaos of the Battle of Mogadishu. Black Hawk Down is not your typical war movie; it dares to be different. Rather than plunging headfirst into relentless battle sequences, the film skillfully intertwined the soldiers’ emotions with the unfolding action. 

This unique approach kept the audience engrossed, keeping them on the edge of their seats. Despite drawing criticism for inaccuracies, Black Hawk Down garnered positive reviews from film critics. It also performed reasonably well at the box office, raking in $172 million globally against a production budget of $92 million. At the 74th Academy Awards, the film stood out by winning two Oscars for Best Film Editing and Best Sound as well. This movie is available for streaming on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and Vudu.

The Outpost

Rod Lurie’s directorial prowess shined through in The Outpost, an American war film inspired by Jake Tapper’s non-fiction book, The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor. This flick immersed audiences into the crucible of the Battle of Kamdesh, giving them a ringside view of the War in Afghanistan. When it comes to war films, The Outpost boasts one of the most finely crafted build-ups and a level of realism that sets it apart. 

Director Lurie, leveraging his background as a military professional and director of war-related TV shows, brought crucial flashpoints to life in an episodic format. What was commendable, however, was his ability to seamlessly integrate those moments without disrupting the captivating flow of the screenplay, crafted by his Oscar-winning team of Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy. 

Available on Netflix, The Outpost received positive reviews across the board, garnering an impressive 93% approval rating. 

Dunkirk

Dubbed a Christopher Nolan masterpiece, Dunkirk is an epic historical war thriller that has got it all. What made it a standout was its narrative shift, where the focus gracefully spanned three protagonists caught in different realms. Depicting the Dunkirk Evacuation through the lenses of those on the beach, the sea, and the air was not just an innovative proposition but also a breath of fresh air in the usual wartime narratives in cinema. 

Breaking the bank with a worldwide box office haul of $527 million, Dunkirk soared as the highest-grossing World War II film – a title it proudly held until Nolan’s Oppenheimer took the reins. Critics were over the moon, calling it Nolan’s absolute best and a war movie legend. When the 90th Academy Awards rolled around, Dunkirk bagged a whopping eight nominations. Dunkirk is available on multiple streaming platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, and Google Play Movies.

Dog Soldiers

Dog Soldiers is a  2002 British action horror gem that pulled viewers into the trenches with a squad of soldiers taking on werewolves in the Scottish Highlands during a training drill. Considered one of the top horror picks of 2002, this movie was speedy, gory, and also downright brutal. The body count was through the roof, and the action was pulse-pounding, to say the least. Additionally, the intense moments, like a dog going after a soldier’s intestines, coupled with the ongoing football joke made it the perfect horror-comedy blend. 

On May 10, 2002, Dog Soldiers made its theatrical debut in the United Kingdom, serving as Neil Marshall’s directorial introduction. The film earned praise initially, yet it did not strike gold at the box office. Fast forward to today, and it has become a cult favorite. What seemed underrated at first has blossomed over the years, basking in the love it rightfully deserves. Catch it for free on PLEX and start streaming!

Kajaki

Kajaki: The True Story, also known as Kilo Two Bravo in North America, is a British war docu-drama film centered on the Kajaki Dam incident. The narrative revolved around Mark Wright and a compact unit of British soldiers stationed near the Kajaki Dam in Helmand province, Afghanistan. This film took a departure from the typical gung-ho spirit of war movies, offering a grounded and character-driven exploration of the brotherhood and horror born from the soldiers’ situation. 

Available now for streaming on Prime Video, this movie was also about keeping it real and tense, laying bare the raw elements of gore, agony, and heroism. The technical finesse was nothing short of a masterpiece, and the humor, as the men engaged in banter cut through the tension like a hot knife through butter. And that wrapped up our top-five war masterpieces to binge on until Henry Cavill’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare hits the screens. 

Which one is earning a spot on your watchlist? Also, let us know your thoughts in the comments below!