Top Memorial Day Movies

From Steven Spielberg, starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Caroline Goodall
Rated R

Schindler's List is a 1993 American biographical drama directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg. It is based on the novel Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally, which tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. Set during World War II, the film follows Schindler as he is faced with the cruelty of the Nazi regime, and his decision to risk his life and fortune to protect his Jewish workers. The film stars Liam Neeson as Schindler, Ben Kingsley as Itzhak Stern, and Ralph Fiennes as the Nazi officer Amon Göth. Schindler's List was released to widespread critical acclaim, and won seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture and Best Director) and the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field
Rated PG-13

Forrest Gump is an uplifting, heartwarming story about the life of an intellectually challenged man, Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks), who despite all odds, leads an extraordinary life full of adventure and success. As Forrest progresses through life, he finds himself in the middle of some of the most iconic, historical moments of the 20th century, from the Vietnam War to the Watergate scandal. Along the way, he meets a wide range of characters and his life is intertwined with theirs. Throughout his journey, Forrest also discovers the true meaning of friendship, love, and loyalty. He learns how to be brave and never give up, no matter what life throws at him. In the end, Forrest’s journey shows us that hope, perseverance, and a good dose of luck can lead to a successful and meaningful life.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns
Rated R

"Saving Private Ryan" is an American war film set during the Invasion of Normandy in World War II. It follows a group of US Army Rangers led by Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) as they search for Private First Class James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), the last surviving brother of four servicemen. As they venture deeper into enemy territory, they face a number of challenges, including fierce combat from a German infantry regiment. Through the journey, the Rangers learn the importance of camaraderie and the cost of war. In the end, they succeed in their mission and Private Ryan is saved.

From Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Emilia Fox
Rated R

The Pianist is a 2002 biographical drama directed by Roman Polanski, based on the autobiography of Polish Jewish musician Władysław Szpilman. It tells the story of Szpilman's struggle to survive the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto of World War II. After he is separated from his family, Szpilman is forced into hiding in the ruins of Warsaw, surviving the German occupation with the help of sympathetic Poles. All the while, he maintains his love of music by playing on a stolen piano. The film follows Szpilman's journey of perseverance, courage, and hope throughout his ordeal. It ultimately culminates in his liberation by the Red Army in 1945. It won three Oscars, including Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for its star, Adrien Brody.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest
Rated R

Apocalypse Now is a 1979 American epic war film directed, produced and co-written by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. Set during the Vietnam War, the film follows a U.S. Army Special Forces officer, Captain Benjamin L. Willard (Martin Sheen), sent on a mission to assassinate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a renegade U.S. Army Special Forces officer who has gone insane and established himself as a demigod-like leader of a local Montagnard tribe in the Cambodian jungle. The film also stars Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest, Albert Hall, Sam Bottoms, Laurence Fishburne, Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford and Scott Glenn. The film's setting and themes reflect the instability of the era, with its psychedelic aesthetic, surreal imagery, and complex mix of humor, drama, and horror. The film's production was plagued by numerous difficulties and controversies, and its initial release was a critical and commercial failure. Consequently, it has since become a cult classic.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D'Onofrio, Adam Baldwin
Rated R

Full Metal Jacket is a 1987 war film directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, Vincent D'Onofro, and R. Lee Ermey. Based on the novel The Short Timers by Gustav Hasford, Full Metal Jacket follows a group of U.S. Marines from their intense boot camp training to their deployment in Vietnam. At Parris Island, the new recruits are subjected to a brutal training regimen by the cruel and unrelenting Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. After being broken down and psychologically manipulated, the Marines are sent to Vietnam and face the enemy in a deadly battle. As the war escalates, the Marines must fight to survive, while struggling to maintain their sense of morality in a world gone mad. Full Metal Jacket is a dark and powerful war movie that examines the harsh realities of combat and the toll it takes on human life.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth, Mélanie Laurent
Rated R

Inglourious Basterds is a 2009 war film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The movie follows two separate story lines that intertwine toward the end. In 1941 Nazi-occupied France, Shosanna Dreyfus witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa. She escapes and flees to Paris, where she forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema. Meanwhile, in German-occupied Poland, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as the "Basterds" are chosen to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds, led by Lt. Aldo Raine, later cross paths with a German actress and undercover agent, Bridget Von Hammersmark, who plans to take down the leaders of the Third Reich. The two storylines converge in a spectacular finale at Shosanna's cinema during the premiere of a Nazi propaganda film. The Basterds, with help from Shosanna, Bridget, and German Underground forces, are able to kill most of the Nazi leadership in an explosive climax. In the end, Shosanna is able to avenge the death of her family, and the

From David Lean, starring William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa
Rated PG

The Bridge on the River Kwai is a classic 1957 British war drama directed by David Lean. Set in 1943 in a Japanese prison camp in Burma, the film tells the story of British Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) who is determined to build a bridge to demonstrate British morale and spirit despite the harsh conditions and lack of supplies. Meanwhile, a team of American and British commandoes led by Major Shears (William Holden) is sent to sabotage the bridge. As the bridge nears completion, Colonel Nicholson and Major Shears find themselves in a battle of wills, putting the bridge and their own lives in the balance. By the end of the film, Nicholson, though realizing the bridge's purpose, ultimately chooses to protect it and dies in the process. The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest war films ever made.

From Sam Mendes, starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays, Colin Firth
Rated R

1917 is a 2019 British war film directed by Sam Mendes. The film follows two young British soldiers, Schofield (George MacKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), during the First World War. After receiving orders to deliver a message to an isolated regiment and prevent them from walking into a deadly ambush, Schofield and Blake set out on a dangerous mission across enemy lines. Along the way, they witness the horror and destruction of war, while struggling to stay alive against enemy fire. The film puts the audience in the midst of the action, using innovative camera techniques to make it feel like one continuous take. In the end, the two soldiers prove their bravery and loyalty in the face of a seemingly impossible mission.

From John Sturges, starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson
Rated Approved

The Great Escape is a classic WWII film about a group of Allied POWs who plan to break out of a German Prisoner of War camp. Led by British RAF Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett (Richard Attenborough), the men engage in a daring and bold plan to dig tunnels and escape the camp. With German forces closing in, Bartlett and his men must come up with increasingly inventive ways to avoid capture and successfully escape the camp. With a star-studded cast including Steve McQueen, James Garner, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasance, and James Coburn, The Great Escape is a thrilling and inspiring story of courage and determination in the face of adversity.

From Oliver Stone, starring Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Keith David
Rated R

"Platoon" is a 1986 American war drama film written and directed by Oliver Stone and starring Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen. Set during the Vietnam War, it tells the story of a young soldier, Chris Taylor, as he experiences the harsh truths of combat. The film follows Taylor as he joins his platoon and witnesses the horrors of war firsthand. He is torn between two sergeants, the cruel and brutal Sergeant Barnes and the more compassionate Sergeant Elias. As the war and the conflict between the two sergeants intensifies, Taylor is forced to choose which side he will ultimately stand with. Through his experiences, the audience is able to gain an insight into the psychological and physical toll that war inflicts on soldiers.

From Michael Cimino, starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Cazale, John Savage
Rated R

The Deer Hunter is an American epic war drama film directed by Michael Cimino and starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep. The film tells the story of three close friends from a Pennsylvania steel town who are drafted and sent off to the Vietnam War. After their capture, they are forced to play Russian roulette by their captors, leading to a harrowing experience that changes the lives of all three men forever. The film follows their struggle to accept the realities of war, and the aftermath of their return to the United States. The film is a powerful examination of the effects of war on the human psyche, as well as a story of friendship, loyalty, and the courage to survive.

From Kevin Costner, starring Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant
Rated PG-13

Dances with Wolves is a 1990 epic Western film directed by, produced by, and starring Kevin Costner. It tells the story of Lt. John Dunbar, a Union Army officer who travels to the American frontier to find a military post and of his dealings with a group of Lakota Native Americans. Dunbar eventually befriends the Lakota tribe and wins their respect, ultimately becoming a leader among them and falling in love with the tribe's spiritual guide, Stands With A Fist. The film depicts Dunbar's journey of self-discovery as he comes to terms with his place in the world and his relationship with the Lakota people. The film's exploration of the Lakota culture and its themes of friendship and understanding make it a powerful and inspiring story.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, Fritz Weaver, Dan O'Herlihy
Rated Approved

Fail Safe is a 1964 Cold War film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda, Larry Hagman, and Walter Matthau. The story follows a group of American military leaders as they attempt to avert a nuclear disaster after a computer malfunction triggers a false alarm. After a miscalculation by U.S. forces causes the Russians to believe they are under attack, the president of the United States must decide whether or not to launch an all-out nuclear attack against the Soviet Union. With the potential for millions of casualties in the balance, the president and his advisors face a dire dilemma—launch a nuclear attack or accept the possibility of mutual destruction. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, the president must make a decision before time runs out.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Stephen Young, Michael Strong
Rated GP

Patton is a biographical war film about U.S. General George S. Patton during World War II, as he leads the U.S. Seventh Army in the Italian and European theatres of the war. George C. Scott stars in the titular role, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. The film charts Patton's career from North Africa to his eventual leadership of the U.S. Third Army in France and Germany. Along the way, Patton clashes with his superiors and subordinates, but ultimately garners respect and admiration from them by his sheer brilliance, courage and determination. The film culminates at the climactic Battle of the Bulge as Patton leads his forces to victory.

From Edward Zwick, starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman
Rated R

Glory is a 1989 American historical war drama film directed by Edward Zwick, and starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman. The film tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first African American regiment to fight for the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment, led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick), fights bravely against the Confederacy, even as they face discrimination from both sides of the conflict. The film follows Shaw and his men as they fight and grow as a unit, ultimately sacrificing their lives in order to take Fort Wagner. The story is especially powerful as it paints a picture of the racial injustice and inequality of the era, as well as the courage and loyalty of the soldiers who fought for the Union. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning numerous awards including three Oscar nominations, two Golden Globe nominations and three BAFTA nominations.

From Edward Zwick, starring Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, William Atherton
Rated R

The Last Samurai is a 2003 American epic war drama film starring Tom Cruise and directed by Edward Zwick. Set in Japan during the late 19th century, the story follows an American military advisor (Cruise) who is hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the new modern ways of warfare. With the help of a fallen samurai (Ken Watanabe) and his seven loyal samurai warriors, the advisor leads the Emperor's army against a powerful, rebellious clan led by Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe). In the process, he finds himself thrust into a conflict and a culture far removed from his own. The Last Samurai ultimately tells a story of change and redemption, as the advisor and the samurai come to terms with the changes in their world and find honor, courage, and friendship.

From Directors: Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Gerd Oswald, Bernhard Wicki, Darryl F. Zanuck, starring John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Richard Burton, Henry Fonda
Rated G

The Longest Day is a 1962 epic war film based on Cornelius Ryan's 1959 book of the same title. It is a large-scale retelling of the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, during World War II. The film follows the events of D-Day from the perspectives of both the Allies and the Axis powers. It was directed by five different directors: Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Gerd Oswald, Bernhard Wicki, and Darryl F. Zanuck. The film features an ensemble cast, including John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Sean Connery, Richard Burton, and Red Buttons. It follows an array of characters, including senior Allied officers and German soldiers and their families. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It has been deemed by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest films of all time.

From Christian Carion, starring Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet, Natalie Dessay
Rated PG-13

Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) is an award-winning 2005 French-Belgian-German drama war film directed by Christian Carion. The film tells the story of a spontaneous ceasefire declared by German, French, and Scottish soldiers on Christmas Eve during World War I. The soldiers, from opposing sides of the Western Front, meet in a "No Man's Land" between their trenches on Christmas Eve and share a night of camaraderie, singing, and peace. The narrative follows three individual stories, based on actual events, that intertwine over the course of the film. At the end of the spontaneous truce, the soldiers return to their respective trenches, but the experience has forever changed their perception of war and each other.

From Ted Kotcheff, starring Sylvester Stallone, Brian Dennehy, Richard Crenna, Bill McKinney
Rated R

First Blood is an action/drama film from 1982, directed by Ted Kotcheff and starring Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo. Rambo is a Vietnam War veteran who is arrested and persecuted by a small-town police chief for vagrancy. Rambo fights back and soon finds himself on the run in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, pursued by a massive manhunt. In the end, Rambo's battle with the police chief and his deputies leads to a violent and emotionally-charged climax. Along the way, the film explores themes of PTSD, the hardships of returning veterans, and the effects of the Vietnam War on individuals and society.

From Ridley Scott, starring Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Eric Bana
Rated R

Black Hawk Down is a 2001 war drama directed by Ridley Scott, which is based on the true story of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia. The film follows the events of the US Army’s Operation Gothic Serpent, which was a mission to take down Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. A squad of Rangers is sent in to capture two of Aidid’s lieutenants and ends up in an unexpected and intense firefight with a large group of Somalis. The film follows the Rangers as they fight to survive and escape the city while the US military launches a massive rescue mission to save them. The film is a powerful and intense portrayal of the horrors of war, and a reminder of the sacrifice that soldiers make for their country.

From Rob Reiner, starring Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon
Rated R

A Few Good Men is a 1992 American legal drama film directed by Rob Reiner and starring Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, and Kiefer Sutherland. The film follows a military lawyer, Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee (Cruise), who is assigned to defend two U.S. Marines accused of murder. The two Marines, Private First Class Louden Downey (Bacon) and Lance Corporal Harold Dawson (Sutherland), are accused of killing a fellow Marine, Private First Class William Santiago (Michael DeLorenzo), who was believed to have been a whistleblower. Kaffee and his team discover that the two Marines were actually following orders from their commanding officer, Colonel Nathan R. Jessep (Nicholson), to perform a Code Red, a special kind of punishment for Santiago. Kaffee and his team then go up against the intimidating Jessep in a courtroom battle, hoping to prove that the Marines were not guilty of murder and that they were only following orders. In the end, Kaffee triumphs and Jessep is convicted of contempt of court.

From Brian G. Hutton, starring Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Carroll O'Connor
Rated GP

Kelly's Heroes is an American war comedy film directed by Brian G. Hutton and starring Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland and Telly Savalas. Set in World War II, the story follows a group of American soldiers who devise a plan to rob a bank behind enemy lines. The team of misfits, led by Sergeant Kelly (Eastwood), sets out on a mission to steal a fortune in gold bars from a bank in a French village occupied by the Nazis. Along the way, they encounter a group of friendly, but bumbling, Russian soldiers and a mysterious American tank crew. As they battle the Nazis and their own personal demons, Kelly's Heroes portrays the human side of war and the power of friendship in the face of adversity.

From Directors: Richard Fleischer, Kinji Fukasaku, Toshio Masuda, Akira Kurosawa, starring Martin Balsam, Sô Yamamura, Jason Robards, Joseph Cotten
Rated G

Tora! Tora! Tora! is a 1970 American-Japanese co-production directed by Richard Fleischer, Kinji Fukasaku, and Toshio Masuda and Akira Kurosawa. It is a dramatization of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The film focuses on the events leading up to the attack, the lack of communication between the Japanese and American sides, and the Japanese preparations and execution of the attack. It stars Martin Balsam, So Yamamura, E.G. Marshall, James Whitmore, and Joseph Cotten. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound. The film provides an accurate and detailed account of the events that took place on December 7th 1941. It features spectacular battle scenes and incredible special effects. Tora! Tora! Tora! is a gripping, intense, and ultimately heartbreaking account of one of the most significant events in US history.

From J. Lee Thompson, starring David Niven, Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn, Anthony Quayle
Rated Not Rated

The Guns of Navarone is a 1961 World War II adventure film directed by J. Lee Thompson. It stars Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn, and Stanley Baker. The plot follows a team of Allied saboteurs sent to destroy a pair of Nazi guns on the Greek island of Navarone. The team must overcome a daunting array of obstacles, including treacherous terrain, German soldiers, and Nazi sympathizers. Along the way, they are aided by a sympathetic Greek resistance fighter, Mallory (Quinn). Ultimately, the team succeeds in destroying the guns, helping to turn the tide of the war in the Allies' favor.