The best war shows on Netflix right now (June 2024)

War represents a tragedy for many, making it a polarizing issue. Where there is tragedy, great art ariseswith films and shows from the entire history of cinema that manage to capture the horrors and realities of war and those affected by it, sometimes brutally and often emotionally. From people like Apocalypse now To Full metal jacket, War has often been at the heart of a swirling history of human experience.

In the modern era War has made the step from big-budget blockbusters to the small screenThis is due in no small part to increased television budgets. With that in mind, the attention to detail and immersion that a TV war story can create is just as great as its silver screen counterpart, which this selection of the best war shows on Netflix shows in abundance.

If you are looking for something different, Collider is the place to go. Since it is Pride Month, why not try the the best LGBTQ+ shows on Netflixor, if you are not sure about the genre, just look at our list of best shows on Netflix.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

“Band of Brothers” (2001)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 9.4/10

This iconic miniseries follows the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, known as “E” Easy Company, during their first days of training in the midst of World War II in 1942. The story is part of some of the most decisive moments of the war, from parachuting on D-Day to the liberation of Carentan, and follows their journey to the end of the war in 1945. Considered a masterpiece by many, Band of Brothers perfectly captures the horrors of war while producing a complex character piece. Each of the main ensemble cast really comes alive, and their incredible bond makes them even stronger, making for an emotionally cathartic viewing experience. In just 10 episodes, the show won 6 Primetime Emmys, a win rate of over one Emmy for every two episodes – astonishing.

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“The Pacific” (2010)

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 8.3/10

Created by the same team that Band of Brothers, The Pacific is also set in World War II and follows a troop of young US Marines during the Pacific campaign against the Japanese Empire. Just like his older brother The Pacific is the perfect balance between a sensitive, character-driven journey and fast-paced, often terrifying action. With a fascinating cast of leading actors, the show also offered a young Rami Malek about five years before he was first considered a household name. For many, the thought of Band of Brothers seemed to be a fruitless task, but The Pacifics arrival, there are even some who claim it was better. In the eyes of the Emmys it certainly was, with The Pacific and won an incredible eight Primetime Emmys in just 10 episodes.

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“Rebellion” (2016 – 2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 40% | IMDb: 7.2/10

rebellion

genre

Historical drama

Debut date

January 3, 2016

Divided into five parts, rebellion tells the story of the Easter Rising of 1916, an armed uprising in which the Irish Rebellion seized control of the British government in Ireland. Although the story is told from the point of view of fictional characters, a decision that abrogates any responsibility for accurately portraying the key figures of the real event, rebellion still places emphasis on accurate detail and provides a lens through which even the uneducated can learn about this important historical event. Television has two missions – to entertain and to inform. This accomplishes both, with the action-packed suspense perfectly accompanied by an intricate retelling of a lesser-known story. Colin TeevanThe obvious admiration for the struggle of the Irish people makes for a refreshing series that doesn’t anglicise history in a way that is so poorly represented in much of the British media.

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“War Sailor” (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.2/10

Warship

Release date

9 September 2022

Pour

Ine Marie Wilmann, Pål Sverre Hagen, Kristoffer Joner

Directors

Gunnar Vikene

One of the best Norwegian dramas on Netflix, Warship follows the true story of two friends, Alfred Garnes (Kristoffer Joner) and Sigbjorn Kvalen (Pål Sverre Hagen), who are far out in the Atlantic at the beginning of World War II. Unfortunately, the two are quickly drawn into the conflict and become unarmed civilians who have to fight on the front lines of a war in which their own country has declared itself neutral. Most war stories place themselves firmly on one side of the conflict, while Warship offers a refreshingly neutral perspective – one that is easy to forget, but was a reality for millions of people. The couple’s desperate attempts to find safety and finally get home are a feeling that, no matter how small or large, can resonate with absolutely every viewer. A beautiful, exciting story, Warship you just have to see it.

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“The Liberator” (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 69% | IMDb: 7.6/10

The Liberator

Release date

11 November 2020

Creator

Jeb Stuart

One of the most fascinating stories of the Second World War, The Liberator follows the famous “Thunderbirds,” a unit from Oklahoma that traveled through Nazi-occupied Europe in search of freedom. Beginning on July 10, 1943, about two years before the end of the war, the unit landed in Sicily and trekked for an incredible 500 days. On its surface The Liberator is a brilliantly crafted war series told through beautiful animation that rivals even the best of modern media. It’s a twisting, action-packed story that also puts an emphasis on the characters at the center, with those characters really being the stars of the show. Beneath the armor of action The Liberator is a thought-provoking look at how a fight against all odds breaks down prejudice, with the unity itself being a blend of the many races and cultures that represent America. At home, these people might not sit in the same bar, but on the battlefield, they are one.

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“Traitor” (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 6.6/10

traitor

Release date

29 March 2019

This exciting British series follows Feef Symonds (Emma Appleton), a young woman who wants to train as a spy abroad after the end of the war. With the help of her American lover, Feef ends up being part of a covert operation in which she spies on her own government because she believes Russian moles have infiltrated their political ranks. Exciting, dramatic and full of suspense. traitor manages to combine the atmosphere of a war series with the tension of a story about political espionage. Appleton is the perfect leading lady, managing to be both endlessly lovable and frustratingly morally ambiguous, with the true, trustworthy reality of being a spy on full display. Although some criticize the liberal view of history in the series, it is still a hugely entertaining viewing experience that will hook you from minute one.

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“All the Light We Cannot See” (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 27% | IMDb: 7.5/10

Created by the brilliant Steven Ritter, All the light we cannot see tells the story of Marie-Laure (Arie Mia Loberti), a blind French teenager whose life in Paris is brutally interrupted by the Nazi occupation of the city. Fleeing for her life, she flees with her father to Saint-Malo. Her journey to freedom is intertwined with that of the orphaned German soldier Werner Pfennig (.Louis Hoffman). Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Anthony Doerr, All the light we cannot see is a beautiful, touching portrayal of goodness in the shadow of horror, with the unusual bond between Marie-Laure and Werner full of optimism that people can have an infinite capacity for good. Director: Shawn Levyeach episode flows seamlessly through a terrifying period of history while staying true to the very personal story at its core. This is truly one of the most touching tales of modern war series and a wonderful addition to the Netflix catalog.

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“Women in War” (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 7.5/10

Women in War

genre

War, Drama

Debut date

11 September 2022

Set in 1914, this beautiful French historical film is about four very different women, each of whom unexpectedly influences the lives of the others against the backdrop of a terrible war. The best of Women in War are, well, the women with Audrey Fleurot as Marguerite, Julie DeBona as Mother Superior Agnès, Sofia Essaidi as Caroline and Camille Lou as Suzanne, both deliver captivating performances. Thanks to an excellent script, each actor manages to bring the full range of human emotions to even the smallest scenes, proving that a first-class script and first-class performances are enough to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The show is also a cinematic delight, refreshingly showing World War I not from the bunkers but from the stunning cities that also played such a crucial role.

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