5 excellent Oscar-winning war films you should watch right now.

      The Oscars occur just once a year, and whether you enjoy them or not, they offer a fantastic chance to reflect on film history. The Academy Awards are often recognized for their missteps, which happen quite frequently. However, there are instances when the Oscars get it right, even if it's not in the Best Picture category.

      War films tend to be popular selections for the Oscars, and while not every war movie is outstanding, we have compiled a list of five Oscar-winning war films that deserve your attention.

      Looking for more movie suggestions? Be sure to explore the latest films available for streaming this week, along with the top shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

      **Saving Private Ryan (1998)**

      One of the most acclaimed Best Picture nominees that didn't win, *Saving Private Ryan* is an epic war film about a group of soldiers on a nearly impossible mission to rescue a soldier whose three brothers were killed during the D-Day landings. Earnest, heartfelt, and horrifying when necessary, *Saving Private Ryan* lives up to its reputation. It’s the kind of film that all war movies should strive to emulate, even if they cannot match the brilliance and terror of the opening D-Day scene crafted by Steven Spielberg.

      You can view *Saving Private Ryan* on Paramount+.

      **Dunkirk (2017)**

      Christopher Nolan’s interpretation of the war film is exactly what you would expect from him. Depicting the evacuation at Dunkirk, the narrative follows soldiers on land, two pilots surveying the situation from the air, and a group of civilians navigating their boats across the channel to rescue them.

      One of the most impressive aspects of *Dunkirk* is its ability to build tension through its manipulation of time. Despite knowing the outcome of this evacuation, the film will keep you on the edge of your seat about how events will unfold.

      You can watch *Dunkirk* on Amazon Prime Video.

      **The Deer Hunter (1978)**

      *The Deer Hunter* is regarded as one of the best films about the Vietnam War. It tells the story of two men (Christopher Walken and Robert De Niro) from a small Pennsylvania town who enlist. Upon their return home, they realize that the war has irrevocably changed them.

      Today, *The Deer Hunter* is particularly noted for its Russian Roulette scene, which is as suspenseful and unsettling as any cinematic moment. However, the entire film serves as a stark exploration of the harsh realities of war and the profound impact it has on the soldiers involved.

      You can rent *The Deer Hunter* on Amazon Prime Video.

      **The Hurt Locker (2008)**

      Many films have portrayed the Iraq War, but most are not particularly good. *The Hurt Locker* is an exception. Kathryn Bigelow’s gripping drama centers on an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit that receives a new leader (Jeremy Renner) following the death of their previous commander.

      As the unit adapts to their new leader’s intense style, they come to understand that he thrives on the adrenaline of combat and struggles when not facing life-threatening situations. *The Hurt Locker* is masterful, intense, and grounded—qualities that are often rare in war films.

      You can watch *The Hurt Locker* on Amazon Prime Video.

      **The Zone of Interest (2023)**

      One of the most remarkable and infuriating war films, *The Zone of Interest* follows Rudolf Höss, the Auschwitz commandant, and his family as they navigate their everyday lives near a concentration camp. The film’s brilliance lies in depicting the normalcy of the commandant’s life, focusing on logistics and bureaucracy, even as mass murder occurs nearby.

      While Nazis were undoubtedly evil, they were also individuals leading lives not dissimilar from our own. *The Zone of Interest* serves as a stark reminder of humanity's capacity for great evil, which often goes unexamined.

      You can watch *The Zone of Interest* on Max.