Afghanistan — 20 years of war that shaped a generation of soldiers and civilians.
These films capture the chaos, bravery, and tragedy of the world’s longest modern conflict.
Essential viewing for understanding what really happened there.
1. Lone Survivor (2013) 7.4
Genre: War, Action, Drama · Director: Peter Berg · Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch
Four Navy SEALs on a covert mission to neutralize a high-level Taliban operative must make an impossible moral decision in the mountains of Afghanistan that leads them into an enemy ambush. As they co
2. Restrepo (2010) 7.2
Genre: War, Documentary · Director: Tim Hetherington · Cast: Juan “Doc” Restrepo, Dan Kearney, LaMonta Caldwell
Directors Hetherington and Junger spend a year with the 2nd Battalion of the United States Army located in one of Afghanistan’s most dangerous valleys. The documentary provides insight and empathy on
3. The Outpost (2020) 6.9
Genre: War, Drama, History · Director: Rod Lurie · Cast: Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry Jones, Orlando Bloom
A small unit of U.S. soldiers, alone at the remote Combat Outpost Keating, located deep in the valley of three mountains in Afghanistan, battles to defend against an overwhelming force of Taliban figh
4. Hyena Road (2015) 6.8
Genre: War, Drama, Thriller · Director: Paul Gross · Cast: Paul Gross, Rossif Sutherland, Clark Johnson
Three different men, three different worlds, three different wars – all stand at the intersection of modern warfare – a murky world of fluid morality where all is not as it seems. A unique and dramati
5. The Messenger (2009) 6.8
Genre: Drama, Romance · Director: Oren Moverman · Cast: Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Jena Malone
Will Montgomery, a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who has returned home from Iraq, is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Montgomery is partnered with Captain Tony Stone, to give notice to
6. Kajaki (2014) 6.6
Genre: Thriller, War, Adventure · Director: Paul Katis · Cast: Mark Stanley, Malachi Kirby, Ali Cook
British soldiers guarding the Kajaki Dam set out to rescue a three-man team after one of them loses a leg to a landmine.
7. Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) 6.5
Genre: Comedy, Drama, History · Director: Mike Nichols · Cast: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman
A Texas congressman sets a series of events in motion when he conspires with a CIA operative to aid Afghan mujahideen rebels fighting the Soviets.
8. 12 Strong (2018) 6.4
Genre: War, Drama, Action · Director: Nicolai Fuglsig · Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña
A team of special forces head into Afghanistan in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks in an attempt to dismantle the Taliban.
9. War Machine (2017) 5.6
Genre: Comedy, Drama, War · Director: David Michôd · Cast: Brad Pitt, Anthony Michael Hall, Emory Cohen
A rock star general bent on winning the “impossible” war in Afghanistan takes us inside the complex machinery of modern war. Inspired by the true story of General Stanley McChrystal.
The Afghanistan War ended in 2021, but its stories are still being told. These films ensure the sacrifices and lessons are not forgotten.