The Iraq War produced some of the most important films of the 21st century.
These movies don’t just show combat — they wrestle with morality, trauma, and the cost of endless war.
Here are the best Iraq War films you need to see.
1. American Sniper (2014) 7.4
Genre: War, Action · Director: Clint Eastwood · Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner
U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle takes his sole mission—protect his comrades—to heart and becomes one of the most lethal snipers in American history. His pinpoint accuracy not only saves countless lives but
2. The Hurt Locker (2008) 7.3
Genre: Drama, Thriller, War · Director: Kathryn Bigelow · Cast: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty
During the Iraq War, a Sergeant recently assigned to an army bomb squad is put at odds with his squad mates due to his maverick way of handling his work.
3. Brothers (2009) 7.3
Genre: Drama, Thriller, War · Director: Jim Sheridan · Cast: Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman
When his helicopter goes down during his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan, Marine Sam Cahill is presumed dead. Back home, brother Tommy steps in to look over Sam’s wife, Grace, and two children. Sam
4. Zero Dark Thirty (2012) 7.0
Genre: Thriller, Drama · Director: Kathryn Bigelow · Cast: Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler
A chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L. Team 6 in May, 2011.
5. In the Valley of Elah (2007) 6.8
Genre: History, Drama, Thriller · Director: Paul Haggis · Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon
A career officer and his wife work with a police detective to uncover the truth behind their son’s disappearance following his return from a tour of duty in Iraq.
6. 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
7. Body of Lies (2008) 6.6
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller · Director: Ridley Scott · Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Golshifteh Farahani
The CIA’s hunt is on for the mastermind of a wave of terrorist attacks. Roger Ferris is the agency’s man on the ground, moving from place to place, scrambling to stay ahead of ever-shifting events. An
8. Green Zone (2010) 6.5
Genre: War, Action, Adventure · Director: Paul Greengrass · Cast: Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Brendan Gleeson
During the U.S.-led occupation of Baghdad in 2003, Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller and his team of Army inspectors are dispatched to find weapons of mass destruction believed to be stockpiled in the
9. Stop-Loss (2008) 6.1
Genre: Drama, War · Director: Kimberly Peirce · Cast: Ryan Phillippe, Abbie Cornish, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
A veteran soldier returns from his completed tour of duty in Iraq, only to find his life turned upside down when he is arbitrarily ordered to return to field duty by the Army.
10. Redacted (2007) 6.0
Genre: War, Drama · Director: Brian De Palma · Cast: Izzy Diaz, Rob Devaney, Ty Jones
A fictional documentary discusses the effects the Iraq war has had on soldiers and local people through interviews with members of an American military unit, the media, and local Iraqis.
Iraq War films continue to resonate because the wounds are still fresh. These films ensure we don’t forget what was sacrificed — and what was lost.