In honor of The War with Grandpa being released this weekend, we are gonna rank the Best Ever Movies with War in the Title. Let us know @Siftpop what your ranking is!
When this film came out in 2013, the zombie apocalypse genre pretty much took over, especially with The Walking Dead series coming into its fourth season. What else could we actually ask for? World War Z. I remember seeing the trailer for this film and instantly knowing I couldn’t wait to see it at the theaters. These new and improved zombies, running and pretty much bat-sh*t crazy to see it. This film was an adrenaline right at the beginning. We see a family starting a normal morning before slamming right into chaos. Brad Pitt as a former UN investigator, traveling the world to find a way to stop the zombie pandemic doesn’t seem believable, but it works. A man away from his family trying to save the world can start to take its toll. I enjoyed watching him, though, because this man went through every emotion you could think of and kept you on the edge of your seat until the end. I can totally look past the terrible CGI because it kept my attention until the very end. (Chantal Ashford)
War, what is it good for?
Well, if you’re Charlie Wilson and the CIA at the height of the Cold War, it’s a perfect opportunity to stick it to the commies. Once more, I dive into a bucket list movie about playboy Representative Charlie Wilson, who along with the CIA helped to provide the Mujahideen in Afghanistan with weapons and funding in their war against the Soviet Union in a move that has in no way backfired. While there are moments that do feel dated, even by 2007 standards, the amount of political and covert intrigue and humor, coupled with political scandal, hefty lobbying, and dynamite performances by the likes of Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Tom Hanks in a role unlike what most would normally expect, this movie holds your attention from beginning to end depicting the actions of a playboy congressman who changed the course of history. I only wish this movie took the choice to do more than allude to future events, but had shown how no matter how good your intentions were in making a decision that sometimes, when higher authorities decide to wash their hands of a situation and call it a day, that there can be consequences you could never have foreseen. (Joseph Davis)
Warm Bodies takes the tried and true zombie formula and completely flips it on its head. Instead of providing the human perspective, we are presented this apocalyptic world through the thoughts and eyes of a zombie named R. We are taken throughout the day to day of a zombie’s life, discovering what they feel their purpose is and it truly is delightful. The magic of this movie comes from the premise. It’s wacky and silly, but it knows it is. It has the perfect amount of self aware humor while also maintaining a large degree of heart and genuine romance. The message of the movie is anything but subtle, but it’s a refreshing spin on the classic trope. The heart of the movie comes from Nicholas Hoult’s endearing performance. R is a classic zombie, slowly wandering in search of brains, but his intentions are anything but classic. There is humanity in him and when he consumes brains, it ironically allows him to connect to his humanity more. Hoult also has terrific chemistry with his co-stars. Teresa Palmer gives a strong performance as Julie. Rob Corddry almost steals the movie completely in his few scenes as M. John Malkovich is actually playing a more subdued role which is fitting because the movie around him is bonkers enough. Warm Bodies is a quick 97 minutes, it’s completely inoffensive, and it offers a wonderfully fresh take on both zombie flicks and the Romeo and Juliet story. (Nashua Doll)
Many of you may wonder…what movie is this? That is honestly a great question. I would not be surprised that most of you have not heard of the film Cold War, but it might surprise you all that just back in 2019, this film got nominated for three Academy Awards including Best Director and Best Cinematography. Say what? Trust me, look it up. Pawel Pawlikowski delivered one of the most beautifully striking films in recent memory. The crisp black and white is engrossing and beautiful in so many ways. This romance over the course of decades is engaging and poignant in so many ways. Joanna Kulig is an amazing talent who is able to capture the imagination of the audience as she sings. The pure magic this film delivers is resurrecting a classic cinematic feel that is refreshing and nostalgic all at once. Will you go out and find this gem? You really should. (Shane Conto)
“I remember a time of chaos, ruined dreams, this wasted land. But most of all, I remember the road warrior, the man we called Max.” What a way to set the tone? The Road Warrior is one of the greatest action films ever to be put to screen. Before we took the hellish ride upon the Fury Road, we joined Max and a rag tag group of survivors in their war against The Humungus and his band of S&M ruffians. Big engines! Tons of leather! The dreaded Wasteland! What else can be said about this high-octane joy ride? Well maybe you can at least say that the final chase is one of the greatest action sequences in cinema. But we are so lucky as the man they call Max…“he lives now only in my memories”. (Shane Conto)
I feel one can’t discuss Warrior without comparing it to a similar sibling-combative movie released around the same time, The Fighter. Despite similar IMDB ratings, one made about five times the box office of the other, and did it while earning Academy award accolades. That being said, in my mind Warrior is the better movie, and while it won’t take the crown away from Rocky for top fighting movie, it is a very enjoyable couple of hours to spend. It really comes down to the two leads: Joel Edgerton plays the sympathetic lead wonderfully, and Tom Hardy comes off as a beaten junkyard dog just looking for his next fight because it is all he is good at. The fight scenes are some of the best ever filmed; they are immersive and well shot. You can see each brothers mindset in their fighting styles (methodical and calculating vs brash and furious).The story, while improbable, is believable. And sometimes, you don’t want academy award winning performances- you just want to feel your blood and emotions rise and fall. And when the credits roll, you feel like maybe you could find a gym, throw on some gloves, and see how you do in the octagon. For that, Warrior gets top marks! (Donald Skidmore)
This holds a special place in my heart. Partly because as with all Pixar movies, it made me cry like an emotionally unstable toddler, and partly because it was the last movie I saw at the cinema before COVID made me a forcible hermit. Boy, am I glad that this is the one that just made the cut. Filled with both movie and regular magic, this is a film about familial relationships, and how sometimes the most important and valuable parts of your life are obscured by your wishing for something unattainable. Following two elf brothers as they go on a quest to finish reviving their father before the day ends, this is a movie that did not hold back on the visuals, the entertainment, or the story. Chris Pratt and Tom Holland are great, as their natural chemistry oozes through the screen at every interval. You can also tell that the filmmakers had a blast here, and definitely pushed their imaginations beyond what they’ve been able to previously, due to the addition of the fantastical, magical element. A true Pixar icon, it’s just a lovely movie that I know I’ll be coming back to again, and again. (Alice Micheli)
APES TOGETHER STRONG!! Let’s talk about the best trilogy of all time for just a second. That’s right, I’m talking about the Planet of the Apes Caesar trilogy. But let’s get more specific, because we’re talking about the War for the Planet of the Apes. This is the perfect ending to a perfect movie trilogy. We’ve gotten to spend some time with these characters and learned to love them, but we’ve also seen how they have grown between the movies and director Matt Reeves isn’t afraid to let you fill in the gaps. As numbers and hope are dwindling for Caesar and company, the apes travel and eventually engage in a war with a local militia. Not to mention the incredible acting, VFX, and cinematography. And while all of that is incredibly compelling, it’s the character work that makes this one the best in my opinion. You see Caesar struggle with death, pain, and anger, but you also see Maurice and Rocket’s reactions to Caesar and you’re introduced to Bad Ape, which brings a whole extra level to these movies. If you haven’t seen this trilogy, you’re really missing out! (Aaron Schweitzer)
After ten years of build up within the marvel cinematic universe, destiny finally arrives with Avengers: Infinity War, as it has become one of the biggest accomplishments in cinematic history. Coming off of the back of a series that’s composed of eighteen movies leading into it, Infinity War gets the honor of being the payoff to a well deserved build up over time. After Thanos (Josh Brolin) has begun his search for the Infinity Stones to wipe out half of life in the universe, the broken up members of the Avenger’s must team up with the Allies of Wakanda, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Doctor Strange to stop Thanos before he can collect all six infinity stones and carry out his mission. What I find unique about this crossover event with all of these marvel characters is that for a majority of it’s runtime, the main players of each series all get a moment to shine. Even in this crowded cast of heroes, Thanos himself gets a lot of time dedicated to him. This helps us understand his motivation, and makes him the perfect Villain for the finale of a long running saga that he’s been absent for a huge majority of its existence. Some people have even made arguments about how Thanos is the main hero of this story, and how his actions come with good intentions. Something people still bring this up and debate about this to this today. So if you’re one of the few that have still decided to hold off on watching this long running Superhero franchise, there’s a very high chance that this beginning to a finale will payoff for you. (Alex Henderson)
I mean, what can I say? It’s Star Wars – the original Star Wars. It’s so original that when it came out, it was just called Star Wars, without the A New Hope subtitle. But it is really quite fitting that this week, as we talk about movies with “war” in the title, this is the Star Wars film I’m writing about. Because on top of all the other reasons why you already know it’s great, it obviously has a lot to say about standing up for what you believe is right and standing up against oppression. It’s a timely theme for today’s world – even though it is called Star Wars, the wars themselves aren’t glorified. And that’s a huge part of why I love this movie and Star Wars in general. (Robert Bouffard)
Honorable Mentions
Captain America: Civil War
When two co-leaders of the greatest team of heroes have a clash of ideals, sometimes words are not enough to get a message across. Captain America: Civil War is both a sequel to Captain America: The Winter Soldier and also plays as a sort of Avengers 2.5. The proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back was the tragedy in Lagos, which sparked the discussion about the risk The Avengers bring with their actions. The facet that makes this film so special that there is validity to each argument that the title characters stand by. Tony, who is still riddled with PTSD and a heavy conscience, believes a bit of check and balances are in line for them to do their duty the correct way. Steve believes in expedience when dealing with threats and despite collateral damage holds the stance that the safest hands are still their own. While the film delves into principles, it doesn’t shy away from backing them up with some staggering action set pieces that hit the viewer like a splash page from their favorite comics. The Russo Brothers and Fight/Stunt Coordinator Sam Hargrave deliver once again with the hard hitting hand to hand combat. Only to be rivaled by their first entry, the amount of quality fight choreography is still a gold standard of comic book films period. Well written and well paced comic book movies are not easy to come by even today, but Captain America: Civil War is one of those films that is highly revisitable due to this balance. (Joe Vargas)
War of the Worlds
Who wants a break from the minutiae of plagues and never ending civil unrest? Why not escape to a different nightmare hellscape that is Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds! What you get when excellent director Steve Speilburg takes on the prolific H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds and casts Tom Cruise as it’s lead is a darn good movie. Spielberg is obviously no novice when it comes to alien stories, but this is the first time he takes the extraterrestrial helm in an invasion film that truly feels like a war zone. Tom Cruise plays Ray, a divorced blue-collar dock worker who struggles to have any meaningful relationship with his kids. Cruise does a great job of being rough-edged and dickish to his son while trying to hold up some semblance of parenthood. When the aliens strike it’s constantly shown from the everyman’s perspective, at street level to create a great sense of tension. The film plays out as a much more personal story than the infamous Orson Well’s radio production of the same name (also worth a listen). This story of terror and survival is really something and the visuals hold up 15 years later so if you are tired of the world going to hell from… well everything, and want a different flavor of the apocalypse, through this sucker on and thank goodness at least we aren’t dealing with hostile aliens…yet. (Evan Lucken)
War Horse
The month before Steven Spielberg’s war drama, War Horse, hit theaters, I had the opportunity to catch the stage show at Lincoln Center, which was based on the 1982 novel by Michael Morpurgo. With the heartfelt story between a boy and his horse, which takes place throughout Europe during World War I, I couldn’t wait to see how it would translate to film. It didn’t come as a surprise that, with Spielberg at the helm, there wasn’t any need to worry. The story follows a young man, Albert (Jeremy Irvine), who raises a horse named Joey on his family’s farm in England. When Joey is sold to the British army, he’s passed along to numerous owners as the horrors of the war unfold around him. Irvine is superb in his breakout performance, exhibiting the heartwarming bond that he develops with Joey. And, the rest of the cast, which includes such talents as Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Tom Hiddleston, and Benedict Cumberbatch, is just as good. Spielberg strikes a fine balance between the harshness of the war scenes and the emotion of the relationship between Albert and Joey, making this a beautiful story that excels in both its epic scenes of bravery and the smaller-scale moments between Joey and the people he meets. The bond that’s shared by humans and animals is always an engaging narrative to see, and what Spielberg offers here isn’t anything short of majestic. (Vincent Abbatecola)
The Warriors
The sound of beer bottles clank together as a Cadillac Hearse creeps up eerily, as a man with a high pitched, progressively raised voice utters, “WARRIORS…COME OUT TO PLAY! WARRIORS, COME OUT TO PLAYYYY!!!” This is one of many iconic scenes that can come to mind when thinking about Walter Hill’s cult classic gang film, The Warriors (1979). When a small up and coming gang are blamed for the death of prolific gang leader Cyrus, they must use all means at their disposal to make it back to their turf far behind enemy lines. Taking place in a near future setting that at times feels outer worldly with the range of vibrant thematic gangs, brutality is still present despite the almost comic book approach to violence. This film wastes no time placing you in the mood with a ominous opening score, accompanied by a beautiful shot of the Wonder Wheel of Coney Island. Following this is a showcase in perfect fast paced editing, giving personality to the various gangs who are heading to this huge gathering, and more importantly, providing more insight to our titular gang. The heavy synth score gives a futuristic quality to the film and helps make the gritty nature of New York pop loudly. A great decision lied in the use of a local DJ to provide narration of the various exploits of The Warriors as they struggle to evade the various gangs that are on the lookout for them. The fight scenes always appear like a struggle to survive and are largely composed of more flight than fight. Rightfully so, due to The Warriors being vastly outnumbered and outgunned in some situations. The sequence that comes to mind when I think of this film is the park scene with the garishly painted faced, Baseball Furies. A great chase scene that culminates into a dance like brawl with fists and bats flying throughout. The Warriors is a cult classic that can’t be overlooked and unique vision has stood the test of time. (Joe Vargas)
War Games
Up front, I feel it is important to note that my connection to this film is not as long-standing as it is for others. I have no nostalgia linked to it, having seen it in my mid-20s. The film follows computer whiz kid David, played by a young Matthew Broderick, who finds a back door into a military computer with control over the nuclear arsenal. He nearly causes World War III while thinking he’s just involved in a complex role-playing game.
The technology is obviously dated and your acceptance of the inciting incident will likely impact your buy-in to the film overall. Despite its age, the film offers contemporary social commentary on U.S.-Soviet Cold War tensions and the discussion on the intersection of technology and warfare only gets more relevant by the day. It’s a pop culture touchstone for a reason and a unique take on a Cold War thriller. (Jake Bourgeois)
Also see: Bride Wars, Hart’s War, Lord of War, Punisher: War Zone, The Art of War, The War, The War Lord, The War Wagon, War, War Dogs, War of the Roses, Warcraft