They Fought, We Watch: 20 Hulu War Movies That Define Bravery in May 2024

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Written By Lori C.

Lori C. writes about movies, TV shows, and the latest updates from the world of entertainment. She studied Film and Television many years ago at university and uses her knowledge to dissect the newest releases. When not in front of a laptop, she wanders around various European cities with a backpack and a little dog.

Thrills, heroism, and gripping tactics; war and military movies have it all. These films are not just about epic battles and tense standoffs but also the complexities of life during wars, the test of the human spirit, and the strategic brilliance behind some of the greatest battles known to man.

Look no further for epic battles and stunning heroics than Hulu’s expansive content library. These are the best war and military movies streaming on the platform, according to IMDb. 

Quo Vadis, Aida? (2021) – 8/10

Jasna Djuricic in Quo vadis, Aida? (2020)
Image credit: Angel Films via IMDb
  • Director: Jasmila Zbanic
  • Starring: Jasna Djuricic, Izudin Bajrovic, Boris Ler

Official synopsis: Caught in the crossfire of the Bosnian War, a UN translator hustles tirelessly to save her family. As she grapples with an impossible choice, her knowledge could be their saving grace or doom.

The Book Thief (2013) – 7.5/10

Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and Sophie Nélisse in The Book Thief (2013)
Image credit:Jules Heath – © 2013 – Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
  • Director: Brian Percival
  • Starring: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson

Official synopsis: Travel back to 1938 with The Book Thief on Hulu. Liesel is a young girl who finds solace in books in the chaos of war. Amidst forbidden friendships, secret lessons, and a library that offers refuge, Liesel’s story unfolds beautifully but not without its share of heartache.

Official Secrets (2019) – 7.3/10

Keira Knightley and Adam Bakri in Official Secrets (2019)
Image credit:IFC Films via IMDb
  • Director: Gavin Hood
  • Starring: Keira Knightley, Matt Smith, Matthew Goode

Official synopsis: Official Secrets follows British Intelligence whistle-blower Katharine Gun and journalist Martin Bright, who teamed up to expose a top-secret spying operation against UN Security Council members. With the world’s headlines at stake, their risky move not only shakes global politics but also leads to their own legal battles.

Red Cliff (2008) – 7.3/10

Tony Leung Chiu-wai in Red Cliff (2008)
Image credit: 20th Century Studios via IMDb
  • Director: John Woo
  • Starring: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Fengyi Zhang

Official synopsis: Dive into the grand spectacle of Red Cliff, where the cunning Prime Minister Cao Cao’s quest to conquer China sets the stage for an alliance filled with intense strategy, grand naval battles, and a historical turning point like no other.

Tropic Thunder (2008) – 7.1/10

Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller, Jay Baruchel, Jack Black, and Brandon T. Jackson in Tropic Thunder (2008)
Image credit: © 2008 Dreamworks.
  • Director: Ben Stiller
  • Starring: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr.

Official synopsis: Get ready for action-packed hilarity in Tropic Thunder, where a group of clueless actors led by Ben Stiller’s Tugg Speedman accidentally embarks on a real military mission. With a star-studded cast including Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr., this comedy will have you laughing till it hurts.

War Dogs (2016) – 7.1/10

War Dogs (2016)
Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures via IMDb
  • Director: Todd Phillips
  • Starring: Jonah Hill, Miles Teller, Steve Lantz

Official synopsis: War Dogs on Hulu tells the story of David Packouz, a massage therapist who embarks on an unexpected journey into the world of arms dealing. Alongside his old friend Efraim, David navigates a world of high stakes and moral dilemmas.

The East (2020) – 6.9/10

Martijn Lakemeier and Jonas Smulders in The East (2020)
Image credit: Amazon Studios via IMDb
  • Director: Jim Taihuttu
  • Starring: Martijn Lakemeier, Marwan Kenzari, Jonas Smulders

Official synopsis: The story follows a young Dutch recruit, who is quickly plunged into the brutality of war under the ruthless command of The Turk. As the violence escalates and the fight against freedom fighters intensifies, the recruit grapples with a profound moral dilemma, questioning his beliefs and loyalty.

Tigerland (2000) – 6.9/10

Joel Schumacher and Colin Farrell in Tigerland (2000)
Image credit: Monarchy Enterprises – © 2000
  • Director: Joel Schumacher
  • Starring: Colin Farrell, Matthew Davis, Clifton Collins Jr.

Official synopsis: Tigerland takes you deep into the Louisiana swamps with a platoon prepping for the jungles of Vietnam, where the rebellious Bozz and the aspiring writer Paxton navigate the perils of training and their comrades.

Moffie (2020) – 6.8/10

Moffie (2019)
Image credit: Portobello Productions via IMDb
  • Director: Oliver Hermanus
  • Starring: Kai Luke Brummer, Barbara-Marié Immelman, Michael Kirch

Official synopsis: Moffie tells the poignant story of a young man grappling with his identity amidst the compulsory military service under the Apartheid regime. His deep bond with a fellow recruit brings solace and danger.

The Last Full Measure (2020) – 6.8/10

Bradley Whitford and Sebastian Stan in The Last Full Measure (2019)
Image credit: Roadside Attractions via IMDb
  • Director: Todd Robinson
  • Starring: Sebastian Stan, Alison Sudol, Asher Miles Fallica

Official synopsis: Political staffer Scott Huffman digs into a decades-old case of unrecognized valor. As he uncovers the truth about Airman William H. Pitsenbarger’s heroism in Vietnam, Huffman’s pursuit of justice becomes a personal mission. 

Benediction (2021) – 6.7/10

Jack Lowden in Benediction (2021)
Image credit: Roadside Attractions, Vertigo Films via IMDb
  • Director: Terence Davies
  • Starring: Jack Lowden, Thom Ashley, Orlando Jopling

Official synopsis: Benediction follows Siegfried Sassoon from his tormenting experiences as a decorated World War I soldier to his defiant anti-war stance. Sassoon’s journey is a quest for personal discovery and salvation.

Australia (2008) – 6.6/10

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in Australia (2008)
Image credit: 20th Century Studios via IMDb
  • Director: Baz Luhrmann
  • Starring: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Shea Adams

Official synopsis: At the onset of World War II, an English aristocrat unexpectedly inherits a cattle station the size of Maryland and finds herself in a ruthless fight with cattle barons plotting to seize her land. Forming an unlikely alliance with a rough-hewn stockman, they undertake a perilous journey driving 2,000 head of cattle across the merciless outback.

12 Strong (2018) – 6.5/10

12 Strong (2018)
Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures via IMDb
  • Director: Nicolai Fuglsig
  • Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña

Official synopsis: 12 Strong tells the true story of the Army’s Green Berets, who sprang into action following 9-11. Their crucial undercover operation paved the way for a larger military offensive.

Shock and Awe (2018) – 6.4/10

Woody Harrelson and James Marsden in Shock and Awe (2017)
Image credit: Vertical via IMDb
  • Director: Rob Reiner
  • Starring: Woody Harrelson, James Marsden, Rob Reiner

Official synopsis:  Shock and Awe centers on journalists in the midst of political controversy. As President George W. Bush plans to invade Iraq in 2003, a dedicated team of Knight-Ridder journalists questions the authenticity of the touted “weapons of mass destruction.”

Charlotte (2022) – 6.4/10

Charlotte (2021)
Image credit: Nour Films via IMDb
  • Directors: Tahir Rana, Éric Warin
  • Starring: Keira Knightley, Marion Cotillard, Brenda Blethyn

Official synopsis: Charlotte is a beautifully animated tale that brings to life the true story of Charlotte Salomon, a gifted young painter in the wake of WWII. Amidst a world shifting dangerously around her, she dreams of artistic success and finds love, only to face escalating anti-Semitic violence.

The Good Traitor (2020) – 6.3/10

The Good Traitor (2020)
Image credit: Nimbus Film Productions via IMDb
  • Director: Christina Rosendahl
  • Starring: Ulrich Thomsen, Denise Gough, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard

Official synopsis: The Good Traitor paints an intense picture of World War II from the perspective of Henrik Kauffmann, the Danish ambassador in Washington. After the Nazi occupation of Denmark, Kauffmann bravely declares himself the only representative of his free nation.

Centurion (2010) – 6.3/10

Dominic West in Centurion (2010)
Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures via IMDb
  • Director: Neil Marshall
  • Starring: Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Olga Kurylenko

Official synopsis: Centurion throws you into the thick of ancient Britain’s bloodiest battles, where Roman soldier Quintus Dias and the Ninth Legion march to obliterate the Pictish resistance in a relentless quest for vengeance.

Red Tails (2012) – 5.9/10

David Oyelowo, Nate Parker, and Tristan Mack Wilds in Red Tails (2012)
Image credit: Jiri Hanzl – © Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM. All Rights Reserved.
  • Director: Anthony Hemingway
  • Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Gerald McRaney, David Oyelowo

Official synopsis: Red Tails is a compelling story of African American pilots from the Tuskegee training program. Called upon to serve amid WWII’s turmoil under Col. A.J. Bullard’s leadership, these pilots navigate segregation and limited opportunities.

Medieval (2022) – 5.9/10

Roland Møller in Medieval (2022)
Image credit: Bioscop via IMDb
  • Director: Petr Jákl
  • Starring: Ben Foster, Sophie Lowe, Michael Caine

Official synopsis: Get swept up in the historical action of Medieval, charting the awe-inspiring feats of Jan Zizka, the Czech leader who turned the tide against the vast armies of the Teutonic Order and the Holy Roman Empire with sheer grit and brilliance.

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot (2019) – 5.7/10

Sam Elliott in The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot (2018)
Image credit: RLJE Films via IMDb
  • Director: Robert D. Krzykowski
  • Starring: Sam Elliott, Rocco Gioffre, Aidan Turner

Official synopsis: Dive into the extraordinary tale of Calvin Barr, a former US government assassin called back for one last mission, intertwining a secret historical act with a bizarre modern-day threat.

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Jason Bateman, Jessica Walter in Arrested Development, Saving for Arraignment Day
Image credit: Netflix.

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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of Kings
Image credit: © 2003 – New Line Cinema.

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Sacha Baron Cohen in Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
Image credit: © TM and 2006 Twentieth Century Fox.

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