Letters from Iwo Jima is an intense war drama that captures the Japanese perspective of the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. If you appreciated the raw emotion and historical depth of this film, here are 14 other movies that delve into similar themes of war, sacrifice, and human spirit. Learn more about Letters from Iwo Jima.

1. Saving Private Ryan

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan follows a group of U.S. soldiers tasked with rescuing a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action. The film stars Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, and Tom Sizemore, and is renowned for its realistic depiction of the D-Day landings.

2. The Thin Red Line

Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line offers a philosophical take on the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. The film features an ensemble cast including Sean Penn, Jim Caviezel, and Nick Nolte, and explores the inner lives of soldiers amid the chaos of war.

3. Flags of Our Fathers

Directed by Clint Eastwood, Flags of Our Fathers tells the story of the American soldiers who raised the flag on Iwo Jima, a moment captured in an iconic photograph. The film stars Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, and Adam Beach, and examines the impact of war on the soldiers’ lives.

4. Hacksaw Ridge

Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge recounts the true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who served as a medic during the Battle of Okinawa and saved numerous lives without carrying a weapon. The film stars Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, and Teresa Palmer.

5. Dunkirk

Directed by Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk portrays the harrowing evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, France, during World War II. The film features performances by Fionn Whitehead, Tom Hardy, and Kenneth Branagh, and is noted for its immersive, non-linear storytelling.

6. Enemy at the Gates

Enemy at the Gates is a gripping war drama set during the Battle of Stalingrad, focusing on the sniper duel between Soviet marksman Vasily Zaitsev and his German counterpart. The film stars Jude Law, Ed Harris, and Rachel Weisz.

7. Fury

David Ayer’s Fury follows a battle-hardened tank crew led by Sergeant Wardaddy as they navigate the final days of World War II in Nazi Germany. The film stars Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, and Logan Lerman, and showcases the brutal realities of tank warfare.

8. The Pacific

The Pacific is a miniseries produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks that chronicles the experiences of three U.S. Marines during the Pacific Theater of World War II. The series stars James Badge Dale, Joseph Mazzello, and Jon Seda, and provides a detailed look at the grueling battles and personal sacrifices made by the soldiers.

9. The Bridge on the River Kwai

David Lean’s The Bridge on the River Kwai is a classic war film about British prisoners of war forced to build a bridge for their Japanese captors in Burma. The film stars Alec Guinness, William Holden, and Jack Hawkins, and explores themes of duty, honor, and the futility of war.

10. Apocalypse Now

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Apocalypse Now is a Vietnam War epic that follows Captain Willard on a mission to assassinate a rogue colonel deep in the Cambodian jungle. The film stars Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, and Robert Duvall, and is acclaimed for its haunting depiction of the madness of war.

11. Full Metal Jacket

Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket is a two-part narrative that begins with the brutal training of Marine recruits and transitions to the horrors of combat in Vietnam. The film stars Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, and Vincent D’Onofrio, and is known for its stark portrayal of the dehumanizing effects of war.

12. Black Hawk Down

Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down recounts the harrowing events of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, where U.S. soldiers were trapped in a hostile city following a helicopter crash. The film stars Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, and Eric Bana, and offers a visceral look at modern urban warfare.

13. Platoon

Oliver Stone’s Platoon is a gritty Vietnam War drama that follows a young soldier’s experiences with the moral ambiguities of combat. The film stars Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and Willem Dafoe, and is based on Stone’s own experiences as a soldier in Vietnam.

14. A Bridge Too Far

Richard Attenborough’s A Bridge Too Far chronicles the ambitious but ill-fated Operation Market Garden during World War II, which aimed to capture several key bridges in the Netherlands. The film features an all-star cast including Sean Connery, Michael Caine, and Anthony Hopkins, and highlights the complexities of large-scale military operations.