The global conflict of World War II lasted for six years, and created immense sociological, geopolitical and technological upheaval.
It's no wonder, then, that it also provided inspiration for some of the greatest films of all time – with one of the films on this list being released in 1942, just three years after the breakout of war. From gritty depictions of real-life events such as D-Day and Operation Mincemeat, to psychological explorations of life under occupation, here are some of the best WWII movies of all time.
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Best World War 2 films to watch now
Fury
Stream on Amazon Prime/Apple TV/Now/Sky
Dunkirk
Stream on Amazon Prime/Now/Apple TV
If you've watched Dunkirk, then why not try The Longest Day?
The Longest Day
Stream on Amazon Prime/Sky/Apple TV
Operation Mincemeat
Stream on Netflix/Amazon Prime/Apple TV
If you've watched Operation Mincemeat, try The Man That Never Was – both are based on the real-life Operation Mincemeat deception operation.
Saving Private Ryan
Stream on Paramount+/Amazon Prime/Now/Apple TV/Sky
The Zone of Interest
Stream on Amazon Prime/Apple TV
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Stream on Amazon Prime/Paramount+/Apple TV
The Imitation Game
Stream on Amazon Prime/Apple TV
Darkest Hour
Stream on Apple TV
The Great Escape
Stream on Amazon Prime/Apple TV/Sky
Their Finest
Stream on Apple TV/Sky/Amazon Prime
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Stream on Amazon Prime/Sky/Apple TV
Blitz
Stream on Apple TV
The King's Speech
Stream on Now
Schindler's List
Stream on Amazon Prime/Sky
Lee
Stream on Now
Hacksaw Ridge
Stream on ITVX
A Royal Night Out
Stream on Amazon Prime/Apple TV/Sky
What They Found
Stream on BBC iPlayer
The Dam Busters
Stream on Amazon Prime/Apple TV/Sky
Atonement
Stream on Amazon Prime/Apple TV/Sky
The 12th Man
Stream on Tubi/Amazon Prime
Charlotte Gray
Stream on Apple TV/Amazon Prime
The Railway Man
Stream on Amazon Prime/Apple TV/Sky
Casablanca
Stream on Apple TV/Sky/Amazon Prime
The Pianist
Stream on Amazon Prime/Apple TV/Sky
Life Is Beautiful
Stream on Amazon Prime/Sky
The Colditz Story
Stream on Apple TV/Amazon Prime
The Thin Red Line
Stream on Amazon Prime/Apple TV/Sky
The Big Red One
Stream on Amazon Prime/Apple TV/Sky
Main image: The Great Escape (via Getty); Casablanca (via Getty); Operation Mincemeat (via Netflix)
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