Each year, fewer people lived or fought during World War II.
If they pass, movies will be one of the only media that keep their stories alive for new generations to discover.
Watch With Us recently ranked the seven best World War II movies and ranked them by their Rotten Tomatoes ratings.
If you know your war movies, many of these choices will come as no surprise. But the movie that reached No. 1 is not what anyone expected.
7. ‘The Great Escape’ (1963)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94
Moviegoers in 2026 may not be able to enjoy the star-studded lineup The Great Escapebut to combine Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Donald Please again James Coburn it was a coup. All those actors have become Hollywood legends.
The film is firmly based on true events, as POWs Captain Virgil Hilts (McQueen), Flight Lieutenant Bob Hendley (Garner), Squad Leader Roger Bartlett (Attenborough), Squad Captain Ramsey (Donald) and many more conspire to break into one of the enemy’s most heavily guarded camps. It’s a dangerous endeavor, and discovery could mean death for everyone involved.
The Great Escape is streaming on Prime Video.
6. ‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94
Nearly three decades later, there is a strong argument to be made for that Steven Spielberg‘s Saving Private Ryan it should have won Best Picture. If you haven’t seen it yet, we can’t stop wondering which actor plays the title character. Following the film’s brutal depiction of the invasion of Normandy, all but one of the male members of the Ryan family are killed in action. Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) and his team are given the mandate to go behind enemy lines and find his only remaining brother Ryan to bring him home to his family.
Although the war has reached its final days, dangers are still present for Miller and his men. So much so that they wonder if risking their lives for a man they don’t know is worth it. They will get their answer, but not all of them will be able to go home.
Saving Private Ryan broadcast on Hoopla.
5. ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ (1957)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96
Bridge on the River Kwai a POW drama focusing on a group of British and American soldiers who are captured by Japanese forces. American soldier, Shears (William Holden), manages to escape, but is challenged to return to the camp to destroy a bridge built by the prisoners.
star Wars icon Alec Guinness he has the main role as Colonel Nicholson, a British commander who cooperates with the enemy because he is too proud to build a bridge that does not match his values. Nicholson doesn’t see at all that what he is doing is a betrayal, but his actions will come back to haunt him when he appears to be more determined to protect the bridge than the lives of his men.
Bridge on the River Kwai is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
4. ‘Das Boot’ (1981)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98
Das Boot is part of this list as a German film and a story that takes place exclusively from the perspective of the German forces during the height of World War II. Jürgen Prochnow he leads the cast as a submarine captain, and openly opposes the Nazis and the decisions made by Adolf Hitler that bring destruction to their nation.
Not everyone on the unit shares the captain’s views, but there is a sense of camaraderie among the crew as they risk their lives for each other and their work. They’re not really monsters, but they fight allied forces and face revenge that could land their sub on the ocean floor for good.
Das Boot is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
3. ‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98
Spielberg has entered a critical phase of his career Schindler’s Lista film that went on to win Best Director and Best Picture along with five other Oscars. This film is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a German war profiteer who used Jewish workers in his factories as their people were rounded up in concentration camps.
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When Schindler begins to see the evil the Nazis are doing to the Jewish people, he shifts his focus to saving as many lives as possible. Almost every German official Schindler meets has a price, including the ruthless commander Amon Göth (Ralph Fiennes). But as the war winds down, Schindler is forced to stop everything and still wonders if he could have done more.
Schindler’s List broadcast on the Peacock.
2. ‘Casablanca’ (1942)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99
Casablanca it is the only World War II film on this list that was actually made during the war, when the outcome was far from certain. Answer to Casablanca it was fantastic, winning Best Picture and widely considered one of the greatest films of all time. Humphrey Bogart he cemented his legend with his role as Rick Blaine, an unhinged American returning from the war in Morocco.
Rick is upset that his lover, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), ran away years ago without telling him why. To his surprise, Ilsa arrives at the bar with her husband, opposition leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid). They desperately need Rick’s help, but it will take more than words to convince him. The ending of this film is so widely known that you may have seen it mentioned without even knowing where it came from.
Casablanca airs on HBO Max.
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1. ‘The Man Who Got Away’ (1956)
Rotten Tomatoes Points: 100
The Man escaped it is not widely known as Casablancabut this French World War II film is one of the few films with the best score on Rotten Tomatoes. This is another POW story, and it is based on the true story of a member of the French Resistance André Devignyalthough the main character’s name was changed.
The film is about the escape plans of Lieutenant Fontaine (François Leterrier) in a serious and realistic way, while following the steps he takes to remove it. It’s a great story, even if most of the screen time is putting Fontaine in his cell to get the information needed to get out. Many filmmakers have said it The Man escaped as an influence, including Christopher Nolan. If you haven’t seen it, it’s available to stream online.
The Man escaped airs on The Criterion Channel.
