Warning: Article contains mentions of racism, anti-Semitism, and Nazism.War movies have left, and continue to leave, an endearing mark on filmmaking. Some of the best war movies are elevated by the presence of a squadron of soldiers within their narrative, ensembles of characters that continually captivate audiences with their intense and emotional portrayals of camaraderie, loyalty, and shared hardships. These war movie squads are the beating hearts of their films, and have become just as iconic as the war movies themselves.
Whether they endear themselves to audiences through their daring deeds, razor-sharp banter, or steadfast resilience, these squads often embody the persistence of the human spirit while fueling a compelling story, often about the horrors of war. Without these ensembles, it is likely that their own movies may not be so revered today. From the tale of a group of rebels in a galaxy far, far away, to a satirical group of actors way out of their depths, these squads have cemented themselves in movie history across a wide variety of different films.
You are watching: 10 Best Squads In War Movies
10 Colonel Dax And His Men
Paths Of Glory (1957)
Besides being incredibly groundbreaking with its depiction of the true horrors of trench warfare, one of the primary appeals of Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory is the squad around which the movie’s plot revolves. In 1916, Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) is instructed by Brigadier General Paul Mireau (George Macready) to take a heavily fortified German position known as the Anthill, as part of a planned French Army offensive. The offensive is a complete failure, with Dax’s men, B Company, refusing to leave their trenches as a result of this futile maneuver.
As a lawyer in civilian life, and their commanding officer in military life, Dax knows that he has an obligation to defend these men, both from the horrors of war and from those within the French Army who want to see them executed for their actions
The relationship between Dax and the three men, who are eventually court-martialed for cowardice, is at the very soul of Paths of Glory. As a lawyer in civilian life, and their commanding officer in military life, Dax knows that he has an obligation to defend these men, both from the horrors of war and from those within the French Army who want to see them executed for their actions. Paths of Glory is unflinching in its depiction of trench warfare, and both the physical and moral conflicts faced by Dax and his men earn their spot on this list.
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Director Stanley Kubrick Release Date December 25, 1957 Writers Stanley Kubrick , Calder Willingham , Jim Thompson , Humphrey Cobb Cast Kirk Douglas , Ralph Meeker , Adolphe Menjou , George Macready , Wayne Morris , Richard Anderson , Joe Turkel , Christiane Kubrick Runtime 88 Minutes Main Genre War Expand
9 The Actors
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Perhaps not the squad that would spring to mind to most fans of war movies, Tropic Thunder‘s satirical ensemble cast is nonetheless one of the best. The movie follows a group of prima donna A-List actors who are dropped into a jungle to get a real sense of how to finish the Vietnam War movie that they are currently shooting, but eventually find themselves caught up in a very real combat zone. Led by Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), and featuring incredible supporting performances from Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Jay Baruchel, and Brandon T. Jackson, the squad is hilariously out of their depth.
While Tropic Thunder has been heavily criticized for its use of blackface, this does not make the movie’s squad any less worthy of a spot on this list. The group of actors provides audiences with a masterclass in how to do war satire correctly, punctuating Tropic Thunder with ridiculous antics and incredible comedic timing. The interactions and quirks of Tropic Thunder‘s squad also allow for real messages about the futility of war, the whitewashing of racism, and the materialism of Hollywood to shine through, providing a unique blend of comedy that is unlike anything seen in any war movie squad before or since.
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Director Ben Stiller Release Date August 13, 2008 Studio(s) DreamWorks Distribution Writers Justin Theroux , Etan Cohen , Ben Stiller Cast Ben Stiller , Robert Downey Jr. , Matthew McConaughey , Tom Cruise , Jack Black Distributor(s) DreamWorks Distribution , Paramount Pictures Runtime 107 minutes Expand
8 The X Organization
The Great Escape (1963)
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One of the most iconic and acclaimed war movies of all time, The Great Escape tells the story of the real-life escape of prisoners of war (POWs) from the German camp Stalag Luft III during the Second World War. The escape planning committee, known as the X Organization, has cemented itself in movie history as one of the greatest war movie squads of all time. X Organization is the true embodiment of dedication, heroism, and teamwork in the face of insurmountable odds.
With a cast led by the enigmatic Steve McQueen as Captain Virgil Hilts, Richard Attenborough as RAF Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett, and James Garner as Lieutenant Bob Hendley, The Great Escape provides a compelling narrative while allowing for the squad to truly endear themselves to audiences. The X Organization has since become a benchmark for how to depict a war movie squad, with the legendary performances of its ensemble still receiving praise to this day. Exceptional teamwork and unforgettable action makes this squad truly one of the best.
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Director John Sturges Release Date July 4, 1963 Writers Paul Brickhill , James Clavell , W.R. Burnett Cast Steve McQueen , James Garner , Richard Attenborough , Charles Bronson , James Donald , Donald Pleasence , James Coburn , Hannes Messemer Runtime 172 Minutes Main Genre Adventure Expand
7 Lusthog Squad
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
If Paths of Glory was the foundation of Stanley Kubrick’s anti-war movie endeavors, then Full Metal Jacket is the cherry on top. It tells two parts of the story of a platoon of US Marines – the movie’s first half is dedicated to their basic training, while the second sees them deployed into Vietnam. Particular standout performances come from Private Joker (Matthew Modine), Private Pyle (Vincent D’Onofrio), their sadistic Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (R. Lee Ermey), and Sergeant “Animal Mother” (Adam Baldwin), all of whom contribute to making this squad so good.
Full Metal Jacket focuses on the dehumanization of soldiers, meaning that while none of the main squad can be considered good people (the climax of the movie sees Joker shoot a Vietnamese child), the raw intensity of their shared experiences in Vietnam has left a lasting legacy on the genre. This squad’s bond is continually tested both in training and in war, with psychological and physical torture being the norm. Brutal and gritty, Full Metal Jacket‘s squad serves as a poignant reminder of the limits of one’s shared humanity during times of war.
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Director Stanley Kubrick Release Date July 10, 1987 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Michael Herr , Stanley Kubrick , Gustav Hasford Cast Matthew Modine , Arliss Howard , Adam Baldwin , R. Lee Ermey , Vincent D’Onofrio Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures , Columbia Pictures Runtime 116 minutes Expand
6 Mike, Steven, and Nick
The Deer Hunter (1978)
An epic war drama that helped to launch a barrage of anti-Vietnam movies, The Deer Hunter‘s scale is as large as its intimate moments with its characters are small. It tells the story of Mike (Robert De Niro), Nick (Christopher Walken), and Steven (John Savage), a group of steelworkers from Pennsylvania who enlist in the US army to serve in Vietnam. They are a close-knit group of friends who stumble headfirst into the brutal reality of war, as they are captured by the Viet Cong and forced to play a game of Russian Roulette.
This particular squad is such a good depiction of the effects of war on humanity, because The Deer Hunter shows audiences their lives before they went to Vietnam. This gives viewers a true understanding of just how far each member of the squad has fallen. Mike suffers from PTSD and cannot re-enter society, Steven becomes an amputee, and Nick meets a tragic fate in a gambling den. Over the course of three hours, audiences grow attached to each of these men, making The Deer Hunter one of the most impressive depictions of a squad in war movie history.
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Director Michael Cimino Release Date February 23, 1979 Studio(s) EMI Films Writers Deric Washburn , Michael Cimino , Louis Garfinkle , Quinn K. Redeker Cast Robert De Niro , John Cazale , john savage , Meryl Streep , Christopher Walken , George Dzundza Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Runtime 184 Minutes Expand
5 The Platoon
Platoon (1986)
Oliver Stone, himself a veteran of Vietnam, provides audiences with the greatest Vietnam War movie squad ever in Platoon. The movie centers around the experiences of Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) and his platoon as they navigate the horrific conditions of the Vietnam War. The platoon’s dynamic is one of the greatest in movie history, being defined by the compassion of Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe) and the brutality of Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger).
Grappling with constantly shifting allegiances in a warzone where morals are constantly overturned,
Platoon
‘s exploration and testing of the squad’s solidarity, survival instincts, and ethics has become a defining blueprint for future war movies.
The division in attitudes between Elias and Barnes is what drives Platoon‘s narrative forward, forcing members of the squad, including Chris, to confront their own internal conflicts. Grappling with constantly shifting allegiances in a warzone where morals are constantly overturned, Platoon‘s exploration and testing of the squad’s solidarity, survival instincts, and ethics has become a defining blueprint for future war movies. With standout performances all around, this platoon is one of the most iconic, and complex, in cinematic history.
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Director Oliver Stone Release Date February 6, 1987 Writers Oliver Stone Cast Tom Berenger , Willem Dafoe , Charlie Sheen , Keith David , Forest Whitaker , Francesco Quinn , Kevin Dillon , John C. McGinley Runtime 120 Minutes Main Genre War Expand
4 Stanhope’s Company
Journey’s End (2017)
Set during the later stages of the First World War in 1918, Journey’s End is an adaptation of R.C Sherriff’s play of the same name. It tells the story of a company of British soldiers led by the shattered and alcoholic Captain Stanhope (Sam Claflin) as they prepare to take on the German Spring Offensive. Unlike traditional war films, the threat of the enemy is almost sidelined in Journey’s End, with the psychological strain of life in the trenches depicted as the primary danger. This means that the dynamic of Stanhope’s company can be explored in greater detail.
From the touching camaraderie of Raleigh (Asa Butterfield) and Osborne (Paul Bettanny), to Hibbert’s (Tom Sturridge) attempts to leave the company, Journey’s End is one of the most intimate and well-made portrayals of trench life for soldiers. The threat of oblivion looms over all the soldiers and officers, and yet they continue, albeit with a tired reluctance, to carry on with resilience. This war movie squad is full of heart and emotion, with incredible performances from every member of the relatively small cast.
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Director Saul Dibb Release Date February 2, 2018 Writers Simon Reade , R.C. Sherriff , Vernon Bartlett Cast Paul Bettany , Sam Claflin , Stephen Graham , Tom Sturridge , Alaïs Lawson , Andy Gathergood , Jack Riddiford , Adam Colborne Runtime 107 Minutes Main Genre War Expand
3 Rogue One
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Rogue One was one of the unique and ambitious Star Wars projects when it was released in 2016, as it tells the story of a small group of rebels who attempt to steal the plans for the Death Star. As a prequel to Episode IV: A New Hope, Rogue One does an excellent job, but where the movie truly shines is in the casting and chemistry of its titular band of rebels. Led by Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), Rogue One is a war movie squad like no other.
Sacrifice is on full display in this particular war movie squad, with the tragic, yet heroic fate of each member of Rogue One continuing to resonate within the Star Wars universe to this day.
Its diversity of characters enriches the viewing experience, from the hilariously sarcastic droid K-2SO (Alan Tudyk), to the blind warrior Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen). Each member of Rogue One has their time in the spotlight, with the squad’s mission being held together by their shared values of freedom from the oppression of the Galactic Empire. Sacrifice is on full display in this particular war movie squad, with the tragic, yet heroic fate of each member of Rogue One continuing to resonate within the Star Wars universe to this day.
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Director Gareth Edwards Release Date December 13, 2016 Studio(s) Lucasfilm Writers Tony Gilroy , Chris Weitz Cast Felicity Jones , Diego Luna , Ben Mendelsohn , Donnie Yen , Mads Mikkelsen , Alan Tudyk , Jiang Wen , Forest Whitaker Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Runtime 134 Minutes Expand
2 Captain Miller’s Squad
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Often considered one of the greatest war movies ever made, Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan tells the story of Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) as he leads his men through the landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day. Miller is then assigned a mission to locate and bring Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon) home safely after his three brothers are killed in action. The squad and their trials and tribulations is a testament to the bravery of the Allied Powers as they liberated Europe from the grip of the Nazis.
While Saving Private Ryan is absolutely massive in its scale, Spielberg also manages to maintain a true sense of connection and closeness with each member of Miller’s squad. Only two of the eight-man squad survive the events of the movie, meaning the thematics of sacrifice are on full display here. The collective bond shared by Miller’s squad is what propels the narrative forward, making each individual character endearing to audiences in their own unique way.
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Director Steven Spielberg Release Date July 24, 1998 Studio(s) DreamWorks Distribution Writers Robert Rodat Cast Tom Sizemore , Adam Goldberg , Vin Diesel , Tom Hanks , Edward Burns , Matt Damon Distributor(s) DreamWorks Distribution , Paramount Pictures Runtime 169 minutes Main Genre War Expand
1 The “Basterds”
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Quentin Tarantino’s revisionist masterpiece set during the Second World War, Inglourious Basterds, contains the greatest squad in any war movie in history. Led by Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), the “Basterds” are a group of Jewish-American soldiers deployed to German-occupied Europe to do “one thing and one thing only, killing Nazis“. What sets the Basterds apart is that they are not battling for survival, they are fueled singularly by a mission to kill as many Nazis as possible. It’s brutal, yes, but also a cathartic and refreshing take on a genre that is so often held back by its attempts to reflect gritty reality.
The unique comedic flair of each individual member of the squad has cemented
Inglourious Basterds
in cinematic history as a relentless and poignant watershed moment for the genre.
From the terrifying baseball bat-wielding “Bear Jew” (Eli Roth) to the Nazi defector Hugo Stiglitz (Til Schweiger), the Basterds are funny, endearing, and most of all, dangerous. Their mission to assassinate Adolf Hitler and the rest of the German High Command may be implausible, but it nevertheless makes for excellent viewing. The unique comedic flair of each individual member of the squad has cemented Inglourious Basterds in cinematic history as a relentless and poignant watershed moment for the genre.
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Director Quentin Tarantino Release Date August 21, 2009 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Writers Quentin Tarantino Cast Brad Pitt , Diane Kruger , Mélanie Laurent , Christoph Waltz , Eli Roth , Michael Fassbender , Daniel Brühl , Til Schweiger Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Runtime 153 minutes Main Genre War Expand
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