War movies have a unique power to transport us to the front lines, to feel the weight of history in every explosion and every silent moment of camaraderie. For those who crave the intensity of true stories brought to life, 2024 is shaping up to be a remarkable year. From the skies over Britain to the icy waters of the Arctic, the upcoming slate of war films promises to deliver both heart-pounding action and profound human drama.

But with so many releases, it’s easy to miss the hidden gems. That’s why we’ve scoured the schedule to bring you the ten upcoming war movies you won’t want to miss. Some are already in theaters, others are just around the corner, and a few are streaming right now. So buckle up—this is your definitive guide to the war movies of 2024.

First up is The Shamrock Spitfire, which was released on March 12, 2024. The film tells the true story of Irish fighter pilot Brendan “Spitfire” Finucane, who became the youngest ever Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force at just 21. Finucane was a flying ace credited with 28 aerial victories, and he participated in the Battle of Britain, which the movie culminates with. Despite a tight budget and heavy reliance on CGI, the film offers considerable insight into a little-known World War II hero and the relationship between Ireland and Britain at the time. You can currently watch it on Tubi for free.

Next, One Life hit US theaters on March 15. It tells the true story of Sir Nicholas “Nicky” Winton, a London stock broker who saved more than 600 Jewish children from the Nazis just before World War II. Johnny Flynn portrays Winton in his younger years, while Anthony Hopkins plays him later in life, recreating the emotional moment when Winton appeared on the BBC show That’s Life and was surprised by some of the surviving children he had saved. The film is available to rent or purchase on major streaming platforms.

Escape from Germany made its way into select theaters on April 11. It tells the little-known true story of a group of American missionaries serving their church inside Germany at the start of World War II. As Hitler’s army closed borders in August 1939, an effort was undertaken to move 85 LDS missionaries to safety in adjacent countries. The low-budget film draws from personal diaries of the missionaries, some of whom were reluctant to leave. It should be available via major streaming services soon.

Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare shot its way into theaters on April 19. It depicts a heavily fictionalized account of Operation Postmaster, carried out by Winston Churchill’s special operators, including the Small Scale Raiding Force and the Special Operations Executive—some of the first modern black ops units. Led by Major Gus March-Phillipps (Henry Cavill), the secret operation aimed to sail to the West African island of Fernando Po and capture three German and Italian ships. The movie racks up the body count in true Guy Ritchie fashion, hardly adhering to the true story, but it’s available to rent or purchase from most major streaming services.

The upcoming war movie Before Dawn will crawl out of the trenches and into theaters for a limited run on July 19, the same day it will also be available to stream. The film follows a young man from the Australian Outback named Jim Collins who leaves his family sheep farm to fight on the Western Front during World War I. It showcases the perils of trench warfare, including deadly poison gas and the emotional toll of battle. As Collins and his fellow soldiers manage to stay alive, they forge a closer bond and dream of returning home. Early reviews haven’t been great, but with a shortage of World War I movies, it’s worth checking out for yourself.

A week later, on July 26, the Norwegian World War II film The Arctic Convoy will be released from Magnolia Pictures on video on demand and in select theaters. The movie tells the story of a Norwegian cargo ship trying to get war material through the Arctic Ocean to the northern port city of Murmansk in Russia, under constant attack from the Germans. It’s based on the Arctic convoys of World War II that sailed to Northern ports in the Soviet Union as part of the Allies’ commitment to help the Soviets.

The Last Front, a Belgian film, hits US theaters in limited fashion on August 9. Set during the chaos of World War I, it follows a grieving father named Leonard (Ian Glen) who, after the German invasion of Belgium, is hunted by a relentless German officer seeking vengeance. Leonard must evade him while leading villagers to safety. The movie is set during the early days of the German invasion, known as the Rape of Belgium, and builds on a short film the director released in 2015.

Kate Winslet headlines Lee, coming to US theaters on September 27. It chronicles a pivotal decade in the personal and professional life of US war correspondent and photographer Lee Miller. Working for Vogue magazine during World War II, Miller covered events such as the London Blitz, the liberation of Paris, and the concentration camps at Dachau and Buchenwald. The film also stars Josh O’Connor, Andy Samberg, Andrea Riseborough, Marion Cotillard, and Alexander Skarsgård.

Blitz will premiere on Apple TV+ on November 22. The movie tells the story of a 9-year-old boy named George who lives in London during World War II. His mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) sends him to the safety of the English countryside away from the German bombing campaign. The Blitz claimed more than 40,000 lives and destroyed more than a million homes. Young George is defiant and determined to return home to his mother and grandfather in East London. He runs away and embarks on a dangerous journey, while Rita sets out to search for him as bombs fall around her. The film is written and directed by Steve McQueen.

Arriving in theaters the same day, November 22, is Bonhoeffer from Angel Studios. It tells the true story of German Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer who stood up against the Nazi regime and was involved in the July 20 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler—the same plot depicted in the 2008 film Valkyrie.

But wait—there are also two World War II miniseries that arrived earlier in 2024 and are definitely worth watching. Masters of the Air landed on Apple TV+ on January 26. The nine-episode limited series from executive producers Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg focuses on airmen in the 100th Bomb Group during World War II, centering on Major Gale “Buck” Cleven (Austin Butler) and his best friend Major John “Bucky” Egan (Callum Turner). The series does an excellent job depicting how dangerous and deadly it was to be part of a B-17 crew in the “Bloody Hundredth.”

The other miniseries is Hulu’s We Were the Lucky Ones, which premiered on March 28. Based on Georgia Hunter’s book of the same name, it tells the true story of her own ancestors and their struggle to survive as Jews in Poland after being separated at the start of World War II. Logan Lerman portrays her grandfather Addy Kurc, and Joey King stars as his sister Halina. The miniseries is well done and has some truly harrowing moments.

2024 is clearly a banner year for war movies, with stories that span the globe and explore the many facets of human courage and tragedy. Whether you’re drawn to true stories of heroism, thrilling fictionalized accounts, or epic miniseries, there’s something for every history buff and action fan. Stay tuned as we continue to bring you more in-depth looks at these releases and more.

But the year isn’t over yet. As we move into the final months of 2024, there are still a few titles that deserve your attention—some of which have only just been announced. And if you’re a fan of World War I or II, you’ll want to mark your calendars.

One film that has been flying under the radar is The Last Front, which we mentioned earlier. But what we didn’t tell you is that the film’s director, Julien Hayet-Kerknawi, spent years researching the Rape of Belgium to ensure authenticity. Ian Glen’s portrayal of Leonard is said to be one of his most powerful performances yet, capturing the quiet desperation of a father who has lost everything but still finds the strength to protect others.

Meanwhile, Lee is generating serious Oscar buzz. Kate Winslet’s transformation into Lee Miller is already being called a career-best by early viewers. The film doesn’t shy away from the horrors Miller witnessed, including the liberation of Paris and the concentration camps. It’s a stark reminder of the power of photography to bear witness to history—and of the personal cost borne by those who document war.

Then there’s Blitz, Steve McQueen’s latest. The director has said in interviews that he wanted to tell a story about the resilience of Londoners during the bombing campaign, but through the eyes of a child. Saoirse Ronan’s performance as Rita is reportedly heart-wrenching, as she balances her own fear with the need to appear strong for her son. The film’s depiction of the Blitz is said to be both visceral and poetic—a hallmark of McQueen’s style.

And let’s not forget Bonhoeffer. Angel Studios is hoping to replicate the success of Sound of Freedom with this one. The film focuses on the pastor’s moral awakening and his involvement in the resistance. It’s a story of faith and courage in the face of evil, and it’s already being praised by early audiences for its powerful message.

But perhaps the most intriguing release is one that hasn’t been widely publicized: a small independent film called The Forgotten Front. Set during World War I, it follows a group of African soldiers fighting for the French army. The film is based on the true story of the Senegalese Tirailleurs, who were often used as cannon fodder. It’s a raw, unflinching look at a chapter of history that is rarely told, and it’s already winning awards on the festival circuit.

As we look ahead, it’s clear that 2024 is not just a year for blockbuster war movies—it’s a year for diverse stories that explore the many facets of conflict. From the skies over Britain to the trenches of France, from the Arctic convoys to the streets of London, these films remind us that war is not just about battles—it’s about people.

And if you’re wondering where to start, our advice is simple: don’t miss Before Dawn and The Arctic Convoy in July. Both offer unique perspectives on the war, and both are based on true stories that deserve to be told. Then, as the year winds down, Blitz and Bonhoeffer will give you plenty to think about—and maybe even a few Oscar contenders to root for.

Stay tuned, because we’ll be back with more in-depth reviews and interviews as these films hit screens. And who knows? There might be a few more surprises in store before the year is out.

So there you have it—the definitive guide to war movies in 2024. From the true story of Brendan Finucane in The Shamrock Spitfire to the moral courage of Bonhoeffer, this year delivers stories that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Our advice? Start with Before Dawn and The Arctic Convoy this July, then mark your calendar for Blitz and Bonhoeffer in November. And don’t forget the miniseries—Masters of the Air and We Were the Lucky Ones are essential viewing.

Which of these 2024 war movies are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments below!