Regardless of the plot or the message attempted to convey, crafting a good war movie is not easy for a director. After all, a story about different groups of people whose final purpose is to kill each other is quite a violent and dramatic theme to bring to the big screen. Nevertheless, over the years, there has been a significant number of movies that successfully represented the sheer brutality of the war while not sacrificing the artistic value of the story.
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Although, sadly, not all the classic war movies were recognized at the Academy Awards, others were and even won the prize for Best Picture. Some of these films might have faded away as time passed, while others are still impressed in our memory as cults. However, regardless of their fate, many of them, if they were to be distributed nowadays, would still be honored with the same regard.
You are watching: 10 Classic Oscar-Nominated War Movies That Would Win Best Picture In 2025
10
All Quiet On The Western Front (1930)
Directed By Lewis Milestone
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All Quiet on the Western Front
Passed
Drama
War
Release Date
August 24, 1930
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Runtime
152 Minutes
Director
Lewis Milestone
Writers
Erich Maria Remarque, Maxwell Anderson, George Abbott, Del Andrews
Producers
Carl Laemmle Jr.
Cast
See All
-
Lew Ayres
Paul Bäumer
-
Louis Wolheim
Stanislas ‘Kat’ Katczinsky
-
John Wray
Himmelstoss
-
Arnold Lucy
Kantorek
All Quiet on the Western Front is a 1930 film that follows a group of young German soldiers navigating the brutal conditions of World War I on the Western Front, revealing the stark disparity between their initial patriotism and the grim realities of war.
Main Genre
War
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Despite its older age, All Quiet on the Western Front is still one of the most hauntingly realistic and beautifully crude films about war ever produced. Based on the 1929 novel written by Erich Maria Remarque, the movie portrays a group of young German soldiers who, motivated by a genuine love for their country, decide to join World War I only to come face to face with the horrifying reality of the situation.
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All Quiet on the Western Front was the first movie based on a finished novel to win an Academy Award for Best Picture, and its impact remains inextinguishable. Unsurprisingly, the United States Library of Congress’s National Film Registry selected and preserved it for its cultural, historical, or esthetical significance.
The anti-war message of the film is no less relevant in modern society. The grim portrayal of the gruesome reality of warfare through the eyes of well-meaning and idealistic young men would nowadays still be a powerful and needed artistic production that would move the audience.
9
The Best Years Of Our Lives (1946)
Directed By William Wyler
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The Best Years of Our Lives
Not Rated
Drama
Romance
War
Release Date
December 25, 1946
See more : Is Bradley Cooper’s Maestro Based on a True Story?
Runtime
171 Minutes
Director
William Wyler
Writers
MacKinlay Kantor, Robert E. Sherwood
Cast
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-
Dana Andrews
Fred Derry
-
Fredric March
Al Stephenson
-
Harold Russell
Homer Parrish
-
Teresa Wright
Peggy Stephenson
The Best Years of Our Lives is a 1946 drama directed by William Wyler, focusing on the post-World War II experiences of three veterans. Fredric March, Dana Andrews, and Harold Russell portray the struggles of adjusting to civilian life upon returning home. The film depicts the personal and societal challenges they face, highlighting themes of reintegration, trauma, and shifting relationships in the aftermath of war.
Main Genre
Drama
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If other movies preferred to represent the sheer horror of the war on the battlefield, The Best Years Of Our Lives opted for a different, albeit equally impactful, artistic representation. William Wyler, the director, decided to portray the tragedy and pain of the post-war period, depicting the struggles of three veterans of the United States Armed Forces as they return home after WW2 and have to adjust, as different people, to a changing society.
The movie is a poignant depiction of the consequences of war on human beings, highlighting its profoundly inhuman nature.
The Best Years Of Our Lives earned critical and commercial success when it premiered, becoming the highest-grossing film of the 1940s decade. The movie is a poignant depiction of the consequences of war on human beings, highlighting its profoundly inhuman nature. The representation of the enduring trauma that plagues soldiers once they come home would still resonate in 2025, especially considering that the issue of veterans’ struggles and reintegration is still pressing nowadays.
8
Casablanca (1948)
Directed By Michael Curtiz
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Casablanca
PG
Drama
Romance
10/10
8.9/10
Release Date
January 15, 1943
See more : Is Bradley Cooper’s Maestro Based on a True Story?
Runtime
102 minutes
Director
Michael Curtiz
Writers
Howard Koch, Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein
Producers
Hal B. Wallis
Cast
See All
-
Humphrey Bogart
Rick Blaine
-
Ingrid Bergman
Ilsa Lund
Casablanca is a classic film set in December 1941, starring Humphrey Bogart as a cynical American expatriate in Morocco. When he encounters a former lover, portrayed by Ingrid Bergman, complicated personal and political tensions arise amidst the backdrop of World War II.
Main Genre
Drama
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
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Differently from other films on this list, Casablanca is not merely a war movie, but a devastatingly epic romance in the background of WW2 in Casablanca. The story features Humphrey Bogart as an American expat in Vichy-controlled Morocco. His character is forced to choose between love and duty when his former girlfriend comes back into his life and asks for help.
Casablanca has a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Casablanca‘s heart-shattering depiction of doomed lovers, political intrigue, and moral ambiguity still hold relevance in the present. With its emotionally intense dialogues and the themes of sacrifice and resistance represented through the stories of the two charismatic main characters, the film has a timeless quality that would make it an ideal candidate for the Oscar in 2025. Funnily enough, the movie’s popularity even grew as time went by, and is considered one of old Hollywood’s most rewatchable classics.
7
The Bridge On The River Kwai (1957)
Directed By David Lean
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The Bridge On The River Kwai
PG
Adventure
Drama
History
War
Release Date
October 11, 1957
See more : Is Bradley Cooper’s Maestro Based on a True Story?
Runtime
161 minutes
Director
David Lean
Writers
Pierre Boulle, Carl Foreman, Michael Wilson
Cast
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-
William Holden
-
Alec Guinness
-
Jack Hawkins
-
Sessue Hayakawa
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Based on the novel by Pierre Boulle, The Bridge on the River Kwai premiered in 1957 as a profoundly intense character-driven war epic about duty and the ambiguity of war. The film takes place during World War II and focuses on a group of British prisoners who are forced to build a bridge for their Japanese jailers. The movie is considered one of the best made, and it was the highest-grossing in 1957.
The psychological and intellectual depth, beautiful visuals, and the powerful performance of Alec Guinness as a complex and duty-bound character would still make the movie a complete success nowadays. The raw brutality illustrated could emotionally resonate with the audience, while the themes of honor and loyalty are timeless subjects to bring to the big screen. As a consequence, this masterpiece would still have a chance at winning in 2025.
6
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Directed By David Lean
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Lawrence of Arabia
PG
War
Biography
Adventure
History
Drama
9.4/10
Release Date
December 11, 1962
See more : Is Bradley Cooper’s Maestro Based on a True Story?
Runtime
228 minutes
Director
David Lean
Writers
Robert Bolt, Michael Wilson
Cast
See All
-
Alec Guinness
-
Omar Sharif
The 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia is a historical movie based on the life of a real-life British officer who played a key role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Starring Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, and Anthony Quinn, the Oscar-winning film displays the man’s disillusionment with war and its politics.
Main Genre
Adventure
Studio(s)
Columbia Pictures
Distributor(s)
Columbia Pictures
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It might be excruciatingly long, but Lawrence of Arabia is completely worth the four hours it lasts. From the exceptional direction of David Lean to the magnificent interpretation of Peter O’Toole as the titular character, the film is one of the finest masterpieces in the history of cinema. The story follows the experience of the famous Arab Rivolt figure T. E. Lawrence in the Ottoman Empire areas during WW1, depicting his divided loyalty between Britain, his native country, and the Arab communities.
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Beyond its historical significance, which would earn the movie the interest and praise of the audience and critics even today, Lawrence of Arabia is an utterly introspective character study of a beloved figure that represented a symbol of hope and bravery for millions of people. The themes of heroism and colonialism explored make the relevance of this cinematic gem enduring over time. Unsurprisingly, it was recently announced that a TV series inspired by the war movie might be in development.
5
The Longest Day (1962)
Directed By Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Gerd Oswald, Bernhard Wicki, & Darryl F. Zanuck
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The Longest Day
G
Action
Drama
History
War
10/10
Release Date
October 4, 1962
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Runtime
178 minutes
Director
Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Bernhard Wicki, Darryl F. Zanuck
Writers
Cornelius Ryan, Romain Gary, James Jones, David Pursall, Jack Seddon
Cast
See All
-
Eddie Albert
-
Paul Anka
The Longest Day is a 1962 war film that chronicles the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, from both the Allied and German perspectives. The ensemble cast includes John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and Richard Burton, among others. Directed by multiple filmmakers, the film focuses on the planning and execution of the operation, offering a detailed and multi-faceted view of one of World War II’s pivotal moments.
Main Genre
History
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With a stellar international cast, including Sean Connery, Richard Burton, and Henry Fonda, it is no surprise that The Longest Day was a success when it premiered in 1962, becoming the highest-grossing black-and-white film at the time. The movie depicts the Normandy landings that occurred during WW2, in 1942, through the perspectives of Americans, British, French, and Germans.
What truly sets this movie apart from other war films of the time (and now) is the unfiltered realism portrayed. The Longest Day, in fact, adopts a documentary-like approach. To make the story as accurate as possible, the director and producers asked for the consultation of some Allied and Axis D-Day participants, with some of them interpreting themselves. The large-scale production, historical validity, and emotionally charged narrative would guarantee the film an award for Best Picture even in 2025.
4
Platoon (1986)
Directed By Oliver Stone
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Platoon
R
Drama
War
9.5/10
Release Date
February 6, 1987
See more : Is Bradley Cooper’s Maestro Based on a True Story?
Runtime
120 Minutes
Director
Oliver Stone
Writers
Oliver Stone
Cast
See All
-
Tom Berenger
-
Willem Dafoe
Platoon is a war drama directed by Oliver Stone, featuring Charlie Sheen as a young soldier experiencing the harrowing realities of Vietnam. Released in 1986, the film chronicles his moral struggle within a divided platoon, led by the contrasting characters of Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. Platoon offers a raw depiction of the harsh conditions and ethical dilemmas faced by soldiers, contributing to its critical acclaim and multiple Academy Awards.
Main Genre
War
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If the other films on this list were mainly concerned with the two world wars, Platoon, on the other hand, depicts the brutality of the Vietnam War. Directed by Oliver Stone, with a magnificent cast that includes names like Willem Dafoe, Tom Berenger, and Charlie Sheen, the 1986 movie is a masterpiece of storytelling and cinematography.
The story is loosely inspired by Stone’s experience in the war and narrates about a young US Army volunteer as he encounters the brutal reality of Vietnam. One of the best war movies of the 1980s, Stone does an excellent job of demonstrating the moral divisions that armed conflicts raise within men by depicting the conflicting ideologies of two sergeants- the ruthless Barnes and the decent Elia.
With its criticism of war and the representation of its horrors, in 2025, the world would not simply enjoy Platoon but would also benefit from it. Similarly, the personal narrative, driven by the autobiographical subject, allow the story to always resonate with the audience on an emotional level.
3
Schindler’s List (1993)
Directed By Steven Spielberg
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Schindler’s List
R
Drama
History
War
8/10
15
9.9/10
Release Date
December 15, 1993
See more : Is Bradley Cooper’s Maestro Based on a True Story?
Runtime
195 Minutes
Director
Steven Spielberg
Writers
Thomas Keneally, Steven Zaillian
Cast
See All
-
Liam Neeson
-
Ben Kingsley
Schindler’s List is a historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg, chronicling the efforts of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust. Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, and Ralph Fiennes, the film vividly portrays the atrocities committed during World War II while highlighting Schindler’s transformation from a profit-driven industrialist to a humanitarian savior.
Main Genre
Drama
Studio(s)
Amblin Entertainment
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Schindler’s List is a poignant portrayal of the atrocities of WW2 through the real-life story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jewish people from the Holocaust. The story depicts Schindler’s transformation from a self-serving industrialist to a hero. Directed by Steven Spielberg and graced by the powerful performances of Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes, Schindler’s List remains one of the greatest war movies ever made.
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Similarly to Platoon, the movie’s themes of human resilience and the importance of never turning the other way before injustice in the world would not only be appreciated but also raise relevant discussions about society and morality. At The Oscar 2025, the film would likely win a Best Picture Award and, hopefully, provide once again the lessons that it taught 30 years ago.
2
Braveheart (1995)
Directed By Mel Gibson
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Braveheart
R
Biography
Drama
History
8.5/10
Release Date
May 24, 1995
See more : Is Bradley Cooper’s Maestro Based on a True Story?
Runtime
178 Minutes
Director
Mel Gibson
Writers
Randall Wallace
Cast
See All
-
Mel Gibson
-
Sophie Marceau
Mel Gibson directs, produces, and stars in Braveheart as William Wallace, a Scottish warrior who leads a rebellion against the English monarchy in the 13th century. As his army grows, Wallace becomes a symbol of hope and freedom for his people.
Main Genre
Biography
Studio(s)
Paramount Pictures
Distributor(s)
Paramount Pictures
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Directed and starring Mel Gibson, Braveheart (1995) is an epic tale that explores themes of sacrifice and freedom. The story features William Wallace, a Scottish warrior during the First War of Scottish Independence, and his battle against the oppression of Edward I of England. Contrary to many other films on this list, which mainly portrayed more recent battles, Braveheart delves deep into the brutality of medieval armed conflicts.
Perhaps the film might have a few technical flaws that mainly concern its historical inaccuracy, which was heavily pointed out when it came out. However, those mistakes do not take away from the legendary and larger-than-life nature of the production. The action scenes, dramatic allure, and music all add a heavy emotional weight to the story, making it a likely strong contender for the Oscar in 2025.
1
The English Patient (1996)
Directed By Anthony Minghella
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The English Patient
R
Romance
Drama
War
Release Date
December 6, 1996
See more : Is Bradley Cooper’s Maestro Based on a True Story?
Runtime
162 Minutes
Director
Anthony Minghella
Writers
Michael Ondaatje, Anthony Minghella
Cast
See All
-
Ralph Fiennes
-
Jaliette Binoche
-
Willem Dafoe
-
Kristin Scott Thomas
In the aftermath of World War II, a critically burned patient in an Italian monastery recounts his tragic love affair with a married woman. As memories unfold, the complexities of their romance and the secrets of the past come to light, intertwining with the present and revealing poignant truths.
Main Genre
Romance
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With actors like Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Willem Dafoe in the cast, one should only expect an epic production. And indeed, The English Patient did not disappoint. Perhaps, the film is not as stuck in our memories as the other cults on this list, but it is certainly not because it is less impressive.
Its romantic narrative makes it a standout amongst many other films of this genre. The story, loosely based on real-life accounts, features Count László Almásy, a Hungarian explorer who begins a passionate relationship with a married woman before and during the war.
The poetic storytelling of the movie as well as the timeless representation of love and loss make The English Patient a cult war movie that would still win an Oscar in 2025.
The film delves into subjects like guilt and redemption, all analyzed through Laszlo Almbasy’s painful flashbacks. The poetic storytelling of the movie as well as the timeless representation of love and loss make The English Patient a cult war movie that would still win an Oscar in 2025. Unsurprisingly, the production is considered one of Ralph Fiennes’s best movies.
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Category: Entertainment