World War 1: We know what it is, and we know when it took place. During World War I, things were quite different than when we fought in World War II. Movies made before or during the war reflected that. Movies about World War I have a history in them. We’re sure that it is no surprise to anyone that the best film genre from its decade usually comes from the war decade. These war films are about life and death, honor and disgrace, innocence and cynicism—as ugly as they can get. This was the start of the birth of American cinema, and you can enjoy these world War 1 movie on Netflix too.
Which is the best World War 1 movie of all time streaming on Amazon Prime Video?
The drama/Indie 1989 movie War Requiem is the best World War 1 that streams on Amazon Prime with 100% Rotten Tomatoes ratings.
Is there any good movie about World War 1 available on Netflix?
Paths of Glory (1957) is the best and most classic World War 1 movie on Netflix with 8.4 IMDB score.
Whether they are true stories, recreations, or just plain fiction, they helped us understand what it was like to be alive then—and that’s why we come up with these top 20 best World War I movies of all time.
20. The Road to Glory (1926)
| Director: | Howard Hawks |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Cast: | May McAvoy, Leslie Fenton, Ford Sterling |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.9 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | – |
The Road to Glory is a 1926 silent movie directed by Howard Hawks and featuring May McAvoy, Leslie Fenton, and Ford Sterling. The story revolves around Mary McAvoy, who is a young woman constantly going blind. She tries to forgive her boyfriend Rockliffe Fellowes and her father Ford Sterling for the weight of her illness. She agrees to endure Leslie Fenton, a selfish rich man, to get away from her father and lover. The film is mostly noted for containing some of the first closeups in cinema history and is deemed one of the most influential movies about WW1 in the director’s career.
19. The Red Baron (2008)
| Director: | Nikolai Müllerschön |
| Genre: | Action, Adventure, Biography |
| Cast: | Matthias Schweighöfer, Lena Headey, Til Schweiger |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.4 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 20% |
“The Red Baron” is a 2008 feature film starring Noah Huntley as the German pilot who was considered that country’s “ace of aces” of the First World War. The Red Baron is about the life of Manfred Von Richthofen, also known as the Red Baron, a famous German aviator in World War I. It is an international movie that portrays his life from a boy to a man – and all the conflicts and emotions he has gone through before realizing his childhood dream of flying. There’s no excuse for featuring a movie that came out in 2008 but didn’t do well, but we still love it and show it to people each because of the great story. It’s one of the best stories about a WWI fighter ace you will see on screen.
18. Battle Ground (2013)
| Director: | Johan Earl, Adrian Powers |
| Genre: | Action, Drama, War |
| Cast: | Johan Earl, Tim Pocock, Martin Copping |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 4.9 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 21% |
Battle Ground 2013 tells us how a simple couple who works too hard to manage their lives and own the restaurant are affected when the war from local people against a big oil company threatening their land affects them. After watching Battle Ground, we knew it was one of the best WW1 movies of 2013. It is an epic movie about life. The music of this movie is really enjoyable, two thumbs up for the director. The film makes you feel like you’re in another world with characters from Battle Ground, but there is no way such things happen in real life. All in all, we think this film will be one of the best action movies about WW1. So, have fun watching Battle Ground!
17. Flyboys, 2006
| Director: | Tony Bill |
| Genre: | Action, Drama, History |
| Cast: | James Franco, Jean Reno, Jennifer Decker |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video, JustWatch |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 33% |
Flyboys is about the heroic airmen of World War I. Director Tony Bill knocked this one out of the park, almost as wonderful as his 1979 film “The Great Santini.” This movie is based on the exploits of AEF pilots in France in 1917. During World War I, an American air ace fighting with the French, Captain Billy Bishop, trains other young Americans to fly and fight. Movies are good for two things: entertaining you and killing time during a break. Flyboys movies are no exception to this rule. Since movies are usually only about 2 hours long, the main characters are required to be absolutely lovable or at least hateable enough, so you don’t fall asleep at them.
16. Passchendaele, 2008
| Director: | Paul Gross |
| Genre: | Drama, History, Romance |
| Cast: | Paul Gross, Michael Greyeyes, James Kot |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.4 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 40% |
Passchendaele”, a film by Paul Gross, is based on the novel “Passchendaele: The Story of the Third Battle of Ypres” by Canadian historian and novelist Jack Granatstein, leaving no room for objections. It is one of the most touching and best movies about World War One ever made. The movie tells the account of a woman who gives up everything she cares about to find her son, who disappeared in the mists of Passchendaele during the First World War. It is also the story of men who leave their families, go to war, and never return.
15. The Trench, 1999
| Director: | William Boyd |
| Genre: | Drama, History, War |
| Cast: | Paul Nicholls, Daniel Craig, Julian Rhind-Tutt |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.0 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 42% |
The Trench is a 1999 British war flick directed by William Boyd and featuring Paul Nicholls and Daniel Craig. “The Trench, 1999” is an American military science fiction action thriller movie released in 1999. The movie’s plot revolves around the soldiers’ emotional experience in the trenches’ confines and experience running the gamut from boredom to fear, panic to restlessness. Billy MacFarlane (Paul Nicholls), 17, and his older brother, Eddie (Tam Williams), have volunteered for service. All in their late teens, the whole platoon, depending on the war-hardened Sergeant Winter (Daniel Craig) and the scholarly Lieutenant Hart (Julian Rhind-Tutt) for their survival.
14. All the King’s Men, 1999
| Director: | Julian Jarrold |
| Genre: | Drama, History |
| Cast: | David Jason, Maggie Smith, Patrick Malahide |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.1 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 65% |
All the King’s Men is a British World War I television drama by the BBC starring David Jason, first broadcast on Remembrance Sunday, 14 November 1999. One of the most exotic legends of the First World War is that of the removal of the Sandringham Company in operation in Gallipoli in 1915. The land commissioner at Sandringham House – the Norfolk land of George V – creates a tremendous combat force. However, led into battle upon the Turks in Gallipoli, they are never more likely to be seen again. It is a drama, and, according to most critics, it is underrated. Even if you are not a fan of drama movies, you can still find many good emotions in that film. Enjoy it!
13. Aces High, 1976
| Director: | Jack Gold |
| Genre: | War/Action |
| Cast: | Malcolm, Simon Ward |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.6 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 68% |
Aces High is a 1976 movie about WW1 starring Malcolm McDowell, Peter Firth, Christopher Plummer, and Simon Ward. During the heady days of World War I, above the trenches of the Western Front in France, a German Ace Pilot & a British Pilot meet in combat. They are both talented young pilots who have experienced the worst nature of man and war can throw at them. Adolph Kiefer and Clive “Kip” Cussler have a lot in common despite being enemies in war. Kiefer has been suffering from deep inner conflict over his role as a pilot. Aces High is a fictionalized account of the friendship between these two former adversaries after the Armistice.
12. Joyeux Noel, 2005
| Director: | Christian Carion |
| Genre: | Drama War |
| Cast: | Diane Kruger, Daniel Bruhl |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.7 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 74% |
Joyeux Noël (”Merry Christmas”) is a 2005 epic WW1 drama film based on the Christmas truce of December 1914, depicted through the eyes of French, Scottish, and German soldiers. In the movie Joyeux Noel (2005), the lives of a group of soldiers in World War I are transformed, as they find themselves trapped behind enemy lines and face one of their biggest challenges yet. Their journey is full of experiences that can be seen as parables that translate to overcoming challenges in contemporary life, including team building, leadership, and courage.
11. Oh! What A Lovely War, 1969
| Director: | Richard Attenborough |
| Genre: | Musical, War |
| Cast: | Maggie Smith, Laurence Olivier |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.1 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 79% |
Oh! What A Lovely War, 1969 movie is one of our favorite comedies of all time, and we know you will like it. The movie was directed by Richard Attenborough, who also played the role of Frederick Ponsonby. This film received an Oscar for the best film and best screenplay adaptation. It was based on a stage musical entitled Oh! What A Lovely War, which Attenborough had also directed. This movie focuses on a satirical portrayal of World War I. The main character is based on Sir Edward Grey, who served as Great Britain’s Foreign Minister during the first year of the war.
10. Testament of Youth, 2014
| Director: | James Kent |
| Genre: | War, drama |
| Cast: | Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Taron Egerton |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.3 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 84% |
Testament of Youth is a 2014 British war drama movie based on the First World War diary of the same name signed by Vera Brittain. The story follows Vera’s life during and after her time as a nursing volunteer. Every once in a while, you attain a movie that stays with you forever. For us, this was one of those movies. The movie Testament of Youth captured our hearts and took us through world events and personal life challenges. The movie has everything you would need from a movie. It has humor, love, compassion, tragedy, and triumph…all rolled into one great film!
9. The Dawn Patrol, 1938
| Director: | Edmund Goulding |
| Genre: | War, action |
| Cast: | Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, David Niven |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 84% |
The Dawn Patrol, a movie released in 1938, is a war movie that features Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone. The Dawn Patrol is about the members of a British Royal Flying Corps squadron. They have to deal with very difficult living conditions but still want to defend their country against the German army. The film has been described as a mixture of All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) and Goodbye Mr. Chips (1939). After suffering a fall from grace after being kicked out of school, Lawford’s character joins the Royal Flying Corps after suffering a fall from grace. All the while, his two friends are fighting for the British in the trenches of France.
8. Beneath Hill 60, 2010
| Director: | Jeremy Sims |
| Genre: | Drama, War |
| Cast: | Brendan Cowell. Steve Le Marquand, Harrison Gilberston |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.1 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 86% |
Moving on to another best movie about WW1 is Beneath Hill 60 of 2010. It is an Australian war film directed by Jeremy Sims (credited as Jeremy Hartley Sims) and David Roach. During World War I, this cinema tells the account of the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company’s struggles in mining beneath Hill 60 in the Ypres Salient on the Western Front. During the war, a range of mines charged with explosive charges was placed beneath German lines to aid the advance of British troops. The screenplay is based on an account of the ordeal written by Captain Oliver Woodward, who Brendan Cowell portrays in the film.
7. Sergeant York, 1941
| Director: | Howard Hawks |
| Genre: | Romance, War |
| Cast: | Gary Copper, Joan Leslie |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.7 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 88% |
Sergeant York is a 1941 biographical movie about the life of Alvin C. York, one of the most polished American soldiers of World War I. In this 1941 WW1 movie Sergeant York, Gary Cooper portrays Alvin C. York as he returns to the United States after serving as a sergeant in World War I. Following the war, he transitions to civilian life and struggles with PTSD while adjusting to his role as husband and father. He also finds inner peace through his devout religious faith.
6. Gallipoli, 1981
| Director: | Peter Weir |
| Genre: | Drama,War |
| Cast: | Mel Gibson, Mark Lee, Bill Kerr |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.4 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 91% |
Gallipoli is a 1981 Australian war movie directed by Peter Weir and produced by Ted Kotcheff. It follows two young men, Frank Dunne and Archy Hamilton, who enlisted in the Australian army during World War I. Mel Gibson and Mark Lee played the lead roles of Dunne and Hamilton. The film’s title refers to the Battle of Gallipoli during the First World War, in which several real-life characters were involved. The movie “Gallipoli” was a big hit in 1981 and became one of the most-watched movies about WW1. It showed the tragedy of the Australian and New Zealander soldiers who lost their lives during World War I.
5. Wings, 1927
| Director: | William A. William, Harry d’Abbadie d’Arrast |
| Genre: | Romance, War |
| Cast: | Clara Bow, Richard Arlen |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 93% |
Wings is a 1927 movie directed by William A. Wellman and starring Clara Bow, Charles “Buddy” Rogers, and Richard Arlen. Although a silent film, it was the first with sound effects and music score, produced with the Photophone sound-on-disc system. The account is set during World War I, following a romantic triangle involving two oblivious lovebirds and their best friend who seeks to win the heart of his beloved. It stars Clara Bow, Charles “Buddy” Rogers, and Richard Arlen. Wings won the first Academy Award for Best Picture at the 1st Academy Awards in 1929.
4. Lawrence of Arabia, 1962
| Director: | David Lean |
| Genre: | Drama, War |
| Cast: | Peter O’Toole, |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.1 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 93% |
Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 epic true drama film based on the life of T. E. Lawrence. It was produced by Sam Spiegel and directed by David Lean into his British production company, Horizon Pictures. The film features Peter O’Toole in the main role. It is widely deemed one of the most famous and most influential WW1 movies in cinema history. Lawrence of Arabia represents the story of a brilliant English officer in Egypt (1914 to 1916) who inspires a small force of irregular Arabs to fight against the Turkish forces in World War I.
3. Paths of Glory, 1957
| Director: | William Boyd |
| Genre: | Drama, War |
| Cast: | Kirk Douglas, George Macready |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.4 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 95% |
Paths of Glory, an anti-war film, is co-written and directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on Humphrey Cobb’s novel. During World War I, this movie about WW1 stars Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax, the French militant’s administrative officer who refused to continue a self-destructive attack. Dax attempts to secure them against charges of cowardice in a court-martial. Yet Paths of Glory consisted initially of an unsuccessful commercial venture. However, later on, it has proven that this film is much greater than we imagined during its initial release. This WW1 movie contains great performances and beautiful cinematography mixed to represent a director’s masterful touch. You can find many more World War 1 movies on Netflix too.
2. All Quiet on the Western Front, 1930
| Director: | Lewis Milestone |
| Genre: | Drama, War |
| Cast: | Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, John Wray |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.1 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 98% |
“All Quiet on the Western Front” is a 1930 American anti-war film based on the Erich Maria Remarque novel of the same name. During World War I, Lewis was directed by Lewis Milestone and starred Louis Wolheim, Lew Ayres, John Wray, and Arnold Lucy. This WW1 black and white movie tell the story of three German students on their trip to explore their future lives. Meanwhile, they decide to learn the real world from soldiers who had experience in a war by deliberately getting themselves injured. Everything was going fine until the day war affects everything and everyone around.
1. War Requiem, 1989
| Director: | Derek Jarman |
| Genre: | Drama, Indie film |
| Cast: | Benjamin Britten, Laurence Olivier, Tilda Swinton |
| Currently streaming on: | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.6 |
| Rotten Tomatoes: | 100% |
War Requiem is a 1989 film evolution of Benjamin Britten’s musical piece of the identical name. The movie stars Laurence Olivier (Old Soldier) and Nathaniel Parker (Wilfred Owen) as its main cast. Being one of the best movies about WW1, it was directed by Derek Jarman and performed at the Thatcher Music Hall in Cornell University, Ithaca. The movie is about an association of prisoners invited to spend their time together while waiting for a death sentence. An event forced these characters to reveal the story of their lives in flashbacks and took the audience to experience a powerful and moving performance during the funeral service for one German soldier killed in 1918.
Conclusion!
War movies have always been very popular with tourists, history and thriller buffs, and a common audience. Nowadays, if you look at the top places to see movies on the silver screen, you will likely find this list heavily populated with the best World War I movies. From this list, You can check out the IMDb rating and rotten ratings as most people will choose a movie based on the reviews, although some people do read IMDB before they see a movie. We hope that it might be helpful if you are looking for something similar.
