The 10 Best Veterans Day Movies & Where to Stream Them

Veterans Day is a time to honor those who have served in the military. One way to commemorate the day is by watching films that reflect the heroism, sacrifice, and experience of soldiers. Dive into the top 10 rated movies to watch on Veterans Day as well as a few bonuses.

How to Stream the Best Veteran's Day Movies

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to watch your favorite war movies. With platforms like Netflix, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and countless others, streaming holiday-specific movies is easier than ever.

The 10 Best Veteran's Day Movies to Watch

10. Full Metal Jacket (1987) - 90% Rating

This film explores the experiences of a platoon of young U.S. Marines during training and the early stages of the Vietnam War.

Starring: Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D'Onofrio

Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video

9. Patton (1970) - 91% Rating

General George S. Patton was a controversial and brilliant American military leader during World War II. This film explores the life, career, complexity, and military genius of Patton and his commitment to victory.

Starring: George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Stephen Young

Where to Stream: Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video

8. Dunkirk (2017) - 92% Rating

This World War II epic, directed by Christopher Nolan, portrays the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, France. The film interweaves three timelines — land, sea, and air — to capture the tension, chaos, and heroism of the evacuation.

Starring: Fionn Whitehead, Barry Keoghan, Mark Rylance

Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

7. Da 5 Bloods (2020) - 92% Rating

Talented filmmaker Spike Lee gives us a real-life depiction of four African American vets returning to Vietnam, searching for the remains of their fallen Squad Leader and the promise of buried treasure.

Starring: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters

Where to Stream: Netflix

6. The Great Escape (1963) - 94% Rating

Based on a true story, The Great Escape is about the plans of Allied war prisoners in a German camp during World War II who set out to make a mass escape. The film highlights their meticulous plotting and unwavering determination in the face of daunting odds.

Starring: Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough

Where to Stream: Tubi, Pluto TV, Hoopla

5. Saving Private Ryan (1998) - 94% Rating

This is a Steven Spielberg war movie to remember. Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers goes behind German enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.

Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore

Where to Stream: Amazon Prime, Hulu

4. Glory (1989) - 95% Rating

This film tells the powerful true story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first African American units in the Civil War. The film explores their struggles, triumphs, and the fight for equality in a racially divided America.

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman

Where to Stream: Amazon Prime, Hulu

3. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) - 97% Rating

This classic film follows the lives of three World War II veterans as they return home to a changing America. It explores their struggles with reintegration, post-war trauma, and the challenges of adjusting to civilian life.

Starring: Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Fredric March

Where to Stream: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Pluto TV, PLEX

2. The Hurt Locker (2008) - 97% Rating

The 2010 Best Picture Oscar winner explores the lives of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit in Iraq. The film follows a soldier’s dangerous work defusing bombs in the Iraq War.

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty

Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu

1. Apocalypse Now (1979) - 98% Rating

Regarded as one of the best war films of all time, this adaptation of Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" follows Captain Willard's journey upriver into the heart of the Vietnam War to assassinate Colonel Kurtz. The film explores the madness and brutality of war, symbolized by Kurtz's descent into darkness.

Starring: Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall

Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video

Honorable Mentions

While the top 10 movies mentioned above are certainly enough to start with on Veterans Day, there are plenty of other noteworthy military movies that merit recognition. Here are a few additional selections to consider:

• 1917 (2019): George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong
• Platoon (1986): Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe
• Hacksaw Ridge (2016): Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey
• A Few Good Men (1992): Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore
• Born on the Fourth of July (1989): Tom Cruise, Bryan Larkin, Raymond J. Barry
• The Thin Red Line (1998): Jim Caviezel, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte
• Black Hawk Down (2001): Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore
• American Sniper (2014): Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner

These films provide a unique perspective on the experiences of both American and British military personnel and the many internal and external challenges they confront.

Looking for More Holiday Movies?

From New Year’s to Christmas, we’ve created lists of the best movies to watch for nearly every holiday. Whether you’re looking for action, horror, or romance, we’ll let you know where you can stream all your favorite films.

SmartMove has you covered with the best movies for every holiday.