War, when viewed from afar, can seem fascinating and revolutionary, but when examined from a microscopic lens it turns into an event full of horror and chaos. Furthermore, war films when done well, bring a sense of thrill to the viewer putting them in a war-like scenario, without having to face the actual brutalities it offers. In the past, there have been many war films that have acted as successful portals, taking the viewer back in time, placing them right in the midst of chaotic cacophony… For the modern viewer unaware of the actual trite of war, we have movies, and even though they are not the same thing, some movies are so visceral and raw that they stay in the memories of the viewer, just like war. Here’s a look at some of 2010s best war movies, ranked.

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8 Operation Finale (2018)

     Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Operation Finale is an American film that’s based on the capture of the notorious Nazi criminal and former SS officer, Adolf Eichmann. The film’s plot is inspired by the true tale of Eichmann’s capture followed by his transportation to Jerusalem to stand on trial for his crimes against humanity. Operational Finale is directed by Chris Wietz and has a star-studded cast of Ben Kingsley, Oscar Isaac and Melanie Laurent.

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7 Fury (2014)

     Sony Pictures

Fury follows the life and times of five crew members manning an E8 Sherman tank nicknamed Fury. The crew includes the captain, Wardaddy (Brad Pitt), a gunner (Shia LaBeouf), a loader (John Bernthal), and a few others. As the US tank makes its way deep into Nazi territory, the danger these men face becomes insurmountable. One by one, the crew members come to the realization that they might have punched a little above their weight and there may be no apparent way out.

6 Beasts of No Nation (2015)

     Netflix

Before taking over the James Bond Franchise, Cary Joji Fukinaga made this unsettling tale of the conversion of teenage innocence into blind violence. The film is set against the backdrop of a civil war in Africa and follows the attempts of a local warlord (Idris Elba) to recruit young, orphan trainees to fight for him and his band of guerrilla soldiers. Beasts of No Nation stars Idris Elba as the ruthless warlord who delivers a tour de force performance as a cold-blooded killer with no iota of empathy.

5 American Sniper (2014)

     Warner Bros. Pictures 

Directed by the legendary Clint Eastwood, American Sniper is the biographical memoir of U.S sniper Chris Kyle. The film revolves around Kyle’s journey in Iraq and his ascent into creating military history as he becomes the first man to rank up 255 kills. The film features Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, and earned a total of six Academy Award nominations, picking up one for Best Sound Editing.

4 Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

     Columbia Pictures

Zero Dark Thirty is the dramatical interpretation of the decade-long manhunt for USA’s public enemy number 1 - Osama bin Laden. Director Kathryn Bigelow masterfully recreates real world scenarios along with the large scale human effort that was poured into this massive undertaking. The film stars Jessica Chasten, as Maya, a fictional CIA analyst, along with a supporting cast of Jason Clarke, Chris Pratt, and James Gandolfini. Upon its release, Zero Dark Thirty was critically well received earning five Academy Award nominations.

3 Darkest Hour (2017)

     Perfect World Features

Darkest Hour serves as a masterclass of character embodiment by Gary Oldman. The veteran actor stepped into large shoes by taking up the role of Winston Churchill as the then British Prime Minister was handed the reigns of the country to steer them out of war and into peace. Oldman portrayed Churchill with such acute accuracy, nailing his mannerisms along with eccentric quirks such as his cigar-holding style to the degree where it seemed that the real Winston Churchill had reincarnated on-screen. For his efforts, Oldman was awarded with an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

2 1917 (2019)

     Universal Pictures

Beyond just being a visual spectacle that plays out in a single take, 1917, is a well-written tale of brotherhood and duty set against the scathing backdrop of war. The film is directed by Sam Mendes and shot by the iconic Roger Deakins and serves as a partial homage to Sam Mendes’s paternal grandfather Alfred. The film’s plot follows the journey of two Lance Corporals as they make their way into enemy territory to alert another battalion in time to prevent them from stepping into a deadly ambush.

1 Dunkirk (2017)

     Warner Bros. Pictures

Over the years, Nolan’s name has become synonymous with credibility and success. In his war epic Dunkirk, Nolan masterfully retells the battle of Dunkirk, where British, French, and Belgian soldiers are trapped on the French port of Dunkirk, awaiting an almost certain death, as the Nazi’s have got them cornered. The film realistically portrays the evacuation attempts made by the British Empire as they take on a Herculean task. Nolan stylistically sticks to his trademark narrative style of parallel storylines along with realistic visual language, thanks to cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema’s breathtaking cinematography.