10 movies that remind us the brutal reality of war

Sadly, in today’s age, we have forgotten how horrific war truly is — it is no video game. There is nothing good about war except death and destruction, a fact we often overlook as we encounter memes and jokes about the ongoing skirmishes between Pakistan and India, which have the potential to escalate into a broader conflict, possibly even a nuclear one.

War is a sheer tragedy, characterized by the killing of numerous people and the long-lasting pain it leaves behind—often experienced for years, even decades. Its survivors will certify that nothing scares them more than living in an ongoing war area. Since war symbolizes one of the greatest fears of humanity, therefore, it comes hand-in-hand with the horror genre, prompting a great number of movies exploring their common themes of mayhem, trauma, and survival.

Many films capture wars’ brutality in stark, unforgettable ways. Here are some powerful movies that showcase the true horrors of war:

1. Come and See (1985)

A harrowing depiction of World War II through the eyes of a young boy experiencing the atrocities committed by Nazi forces in Belarus.

2. All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

A German anti-war film based on Erich Maria Remarque’s novel, following a young soldier’s harrowing experiences on the Western Front during World War I.

3. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

An emotional animated film illustrating the struggles of two orphaned siblings in Japan during World War II.

4. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Famous for its intense and realistic portrayal of the D-Day invasion and the horrors faced by soldiers.

5. Dunkirk (2017)

Christopher Nolan’s intense war thriller portraying the Dunkirk evacuation from land, sea, and air perspectives, with minimal dialogue and gripping cinematography.

6. The Thin Red Line (1998)

A poetic and philosophical take on war, exploring its psychological impact on soldiers.

7. Schindler’s List (1993)

A deeply moving film capturing the Holocaust’s unspeakable atrocities.

8. 1917 (2019)

A visually stunning and nerve-wracking depiction of the horrors of World War I.

9. The Forgotten Battle (2020)

A Dutch war drama depicting the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944, intertwining the stories of a Dutch Axis soldier, a British glider pilot, and a resistance fighter.

10. The Fallen (2004)

The Fallen is a war drama, depicting the struggles of German, Italian, and American soldiers in Northern Italy during the final weeks of World War II. The film explores the chaos and confusion of war, showing the perspectives of different factions—American supply soldiers, a doomed German unit, and divided Italian troops caught between fascist forces and communist partisans.