Summary
- High budgets don’t always make great war films, but when paired with artistry and talent, they can result in visually stunning masterpieces.
- The Longest Day, with a large budget of $10 million for its time, was monumental in depicting the D-Day invasion, boasting an ensemble cast and historical accuracy.
- Dunkirk’s portrayal of the evacuation of Allied soldiers during WWII set a new standard in war films, with compelling cinematography and a focus on realism.
Many war movies have spent tens of millions of dollars on visually spectacular productions to capture the excessive brutality of warfare. While inflation and uncertain production costs mean it’s not always easy to quantify the most expensive movies ever made; several war films stood out among the rest as being particularly costly when it came to their budgets. The most expensive war movies ever represented the full spectrum of Hollywood filmmaking as they included releases by some of the greatest directors of all time, as well as films that were slated for critics for their lackluster nature.
While some war movies received previously unheard-of budgets, that did not necessarily earn them the status of being among the best war movies ever made. It takes more than monetary funds to create a truly great film, but when high budgets were paired with artistry, creativity, and talented filmmakers and production crews, the results were often astounding. With this in mind, the most expensive war movies ever made were also some of the most visually impressive and technically spectacular films ever released.
10 The Longest Day (1962)
Budget: $10 million
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The Longest Day is a 1962 war film that chronicles the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, from both the Allied and German perspectives. The ensemble cast includes John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and Richard Burton, among others. Directed by multiple filmmakers, the film focuses on the planning and execution of the operation, offering a detailed and multi-faceted view of one of World War II’s pivotal moments.
Director Ken Annakin , Andrew Marton , Bernhard Wicki , Darryl F. Zanuck Release Date October 4, 1962 Writers Cornelius Ryan , Romain Gary , James Jones , David Pursall , Jack Seddon Cast Eddie Albert , Paul Anka , Arletty , Jean-Louis Barrault , Richard Beymer , Hans Christian Blech Runtime 178 minutes Main Genre History Expand
The Longest Day retold the events of D-Day on a grand scale from both the Allied and Axis participant’s point of view in what was one of the most ambitious World War II movies ever made by this point. With a production budget of $10 million, The Longest Day was the most expensive black-and-white movie ever made until its record was eventually surpassed by Schindler’s List in 1993. With a massive ensemble cast that included major stars like John Wayne and Robert Mitchum, The Longest Day was a major success commercially and with critics.
As a true tour de force of audiovisual spectacle, The Longest Day was a monumental achievement whose three directors must be commended for pulling off such a unique and difficult challenge. The British and French sides were directed by Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton was in charge of the American aspects, and Bernhard Wicki represented the German perspective. With many real D-Day participants brought on as consultants (via Telegraph), The Longest Day made an effort to be as historically accurate as possible.
9 Civil War (2024)
Budget: $50 million
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Civil War is a 2024 action thriller from writer and director Alex Garland. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, and Stephen McKinley Henderson, Civil War takes place in the near future and shows the United States entering a new Civil War after California and Texas attempt to separate from the country.
Director Alex Garland Release Date April 26, 2024 Studio(s) DNA Films Distributor(s) A24 Writers Alex Garland Cast Kirsten Dunst , Wagner Moura , Stephen McKinley Henderson , Cailee Spaeny , Jesse Plemons , Nick Offerman Runtime 109 Minutes Main Genre Thriller Expand
With a budget of $50 million, Alex Garland’s dystopian war film Civil War was the most expensive A24 movie to date (via IndieWire.) With a focus on war journalists traveling from New York City to Washington while a major civil war enveloped the United States, Civil War felt like it had a lot of political and social implications considering the widespread division and instability that have categorized real life events such as the January 6th attack on the Capitol.
As an English filmmaker, Garland’s outsider perspective on an imagined American dystopia felt like a unique cautionary tale in the current political climate. Civil War highlighted the violent and unpredictable intensity of war zones and the importance of journalists willing to get into the heart of conflict. While Civil War never quite delved into the root causes of the political instability that it depicted, it highlighted how quickly fellow countrymen could become enemies given the right set of circumstances.
8 Flags Of Our Fathers (2006)
Budget: $55m
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Flags of Our Fathers is a war film directed by Clint Eastwood, based on the book by James Bradley and Ron Powers. The movie recounts the Battle of Iwo Jima, focusing on the iconic photograph of the flag raising and the soldiers involved. Through a series of flashbacks, it delves into the personal and collective experiences of the men who became symbolic heroes, examining both their wartime actions and post-war lives.
Director Clint Eastwood Release Date October 20, 2006 Writers William Broyles Jr. , Paul Haggis , James Bradley , Ron Powers Cast Ryan Phillippe , Jesse Bradford , Adam Beach , John Benjamin Hickey , John Slattery , Barry Pepper Runtime 135 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
Clint Eastwood directed two films relating to the Battle of Iwo Jima in 2006; one was named after the battle itself and was told from a Japanese perspective, while the other was Flags of Our Fathers from an American point of view. With a budget of $55 million, Flags of Our Fathers underperformed at the box office and received a much worse reception than its much more budget-friendly companion film, which cost just $19 million.
As a fascinating look at how heroism can be both earned and manufactured, Flags of Our Fathers depicts the five Marines and one Navy corpsman involved in the famous photograph of the flag being raised on Iwo Jima. As a powerful depiction of the consequences and behind-the-scenes related to war, Flags of Our Fathers stood among Eastwood’s most underrated movies. There’s a lot of intrigue in this fascinating film that managed to remain patriotic while questioning the validity of how truth can be bent to fit a desired narrative.
7 Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Budget: $65 million
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Tom Hanks stars as Captain John Miller in Steven Spielberg’s 1998 WWII film. Saving Private Ryan tells the story of Miller’s command of a company of soldiers who risk their lives in an attempt to extricate Private James Ryan from the fighting in Europe, in order to spare his family from losing all of their sons after Ryan’s brothers are killed in the war. Matt Damon, Edward Burns, and Tom Sizemore also star.
Director Steven Spielberg Release Date July 24, 1998 Studio(s) DreamWorks Distribution Distributor(s) DreamWorks Distribution , Paramount Pictures Writers Robert Rodat Cast Tom Sizemore , Adam Goldberg , Vin Diesel , Tom Hanks , Edward Burns , Matt Damon Runtime 169 minutes Budget $70 million Main Genre War Expand
As one of the most rewatchable war movies ever, Steven Speilberg’s Saving Private Ryan set a new standard for depicting conflict on screen. With a budget of between $65 and $70 million, Saving Private Ryan received widespread acclaim for the realism with which its graphic combat scenes were portrayed and the emotional resonance of its narrative. With a story about a group of soldiers led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) on a mission to find their comrade and bring him safely following the deaths of his three brothers, Saving Private Ryan was a heartfelt and emotional piece of filmmaking.
Often considered to be one of the greatest movies ever made, Saving Private Ryan has had an extraordinary influence on subsequent war movies and even other genres, such as action and superhero films. The incredible success of Saving Private Ryan led to widespread renewed interest in WWII as it reshaped the United States’ cultural memory. As one of the most impactful movies ever made, Saving Private Ryan made the most out of its incredibly large budget for the time.
Related 15 Most Rewatchable War Movies, Ranked
The best war movies don’t lose any of their power upon rewatch and often actually become even more resonant and effective the second time around.
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6 1917 (2019)
Budget: $100 million
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Set against the backdrop of war-torn France during WWI, 1917 is directed by Sam Mendes and stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman as two young British soldiers tasked with delivering a dangerous message to stop an attack that could the lives of thousands of other soldiers at risk. The film uses long takes to make it appear that the entire narrative takes place over the course of two continuous shots. Mark Strong, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch also star.
Director Sam Mendes Release Date December 25, 2019 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Sam Mendes , Krysty Wilson-Cairns Cast Colin Firth , Teresa Mahoney , Andrew Scott , Dean-Charles Chapman , Gerran Howell , Richard Madden , Daniel Mays , Benedict Cumberbatch , Adrian Scarborough , Mark Strong , George MacKay Runtime 119 minutes Budget $100 million Expand
Director Sam Mendes was inspired to make 1917 by stories her grandfather had told him about serving in World War I (via NPR.), which led to one of the greatest films about that conflict ever made. With a budget of $100 million, 1917 utilized long takes to make the film look like it had been filmed as a continuous shot throughout, which gave it an impressive and seamless aesthetic. This impressive style, along with its compelling story of two soldiers delivering a message to call off a doomed attack, meant 1917 connected with audiences.
While 1917 had an impressively large budget, its box office takings were even more astounding, as it took in a whopping $389 million at the global box office. With ten nominations at the Academy Awards and three wins for Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects, 1917 was visually spectacular. As one of the greatest war movies of the 21st century, 1917 proved there was still potential to do something new and unique in the well-worn war movie genre.
5 The Patriot (2000)
Budget: $110 million
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This historical drama follows Benjamin Martin, a widowed farmer and veteran of the French and Indian War, who is reluctantly drawn into the American Revolutionary War when his family is threatened. The film explores themes of vengeance and redemption as Martin leads a makeshift militia while striving to protect his children.
Director Roland Emmerich Release Date June 30, 2000 Studio(s) Columbia Pictures , Centropolis Entertainment Distributor(s) Sony Pictures Releasing Writers Robert Rodat Cast Mel Gibson , Heath Ledger , Joely Richardson , Jason Isaacs , Chris Cooper , Tchéky Karyo , Rene Auberjonois , Lisa Brenner Runtime 165 Minutes Budget $110 million Main Genre Action Expand
Mel Gibson channeled the same incredible star power that made Braveheart such a success in the historical war drama The Patriot. As the American colonist Benjamin Martin, Gibson’s character and his son, played by Heath Ledger, were reluctantly swept into the American Revolutionary War after Martin’s other son was brutally murdered by a cruel British officer, played by Jason Isaacs. This tense depiction of British atrocities committed during the beginning of the United States existence was a hit at the box office that grossed $215.3 million against a $110 million budget.
The Patriot has been criticized for its historical accuracy and anti-British slant, but the big battles and hand-to-hand combat depicted on screen made for a compelling viewing experience. The Patriot was lambasted for reducing the American Revolutionary War to one man’s revenge mission, but this characterization was the central driving force of the narrative. While historians will have to leave their accuracy meters at home if they want to enjoy The Patriot as a movie-viewing experience, it’s undeniably entertaining.
Related The Patriot True Story: What Really Happened In Mel Gibson’s Movie
Roland Emmerich’s 2000 film The Patriot is an entertaining Revolutionary War epic, but it’s more historical fiction than fact. Here’s the true story.
4 Kingdom Of Heaven (2005)
Budget: $110 million
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Kingdom of Heaven is a historical epic directed by Ridley Scott. Set during the Crusades of the 12th century, the film stars Orlando Bloom as Balian, a blacksmith who becomes a knight and defender of Jerusalem. The cast includes Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, and Liam Neeson. The movie explores themes of honor, faith, and conflict in a turbulent period of history.
Director Ridley Scott Release Date May 6, 2005 Writers William Monahan Cast Martin Hancock , Michael Sheen , Nathalie Cox , Eriq Ebouaney , Jouko Ahola , David Thewlis Runtime 144 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
Having already depicted ancient conflicts in movies like Gladiator and modern warfare in Black Hawk Down, director Ridley Scott turned his attention to the Crusades for Kingdom of Heaven. As a big-budget spectacle with production costs of $110 million, Kingdom of Heaven was a fictionalized depiction of the events leading to the Third Crusade, when Christian monarchs sought to capture Jerusalem during the 1100s. With an ensemble cast that included Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, and Jeremy Irons, Kingdom of Heaven was Scott’s most expensive film at this point.
Currently,
Ridley Scott’s most expensive film
is the upcoming release,
Gladiator 2
, which has been reported as costing anywhere between $250 to $310 million.
While Kingdom of Heaven looked visually spectacular and grossed $218 million worldwide, it felt lackluster when compared to Scott’s greatest accomplishments. Bloom was less than exciting in the lead role as Balian of Ibelin, and the production felt like it lacked the depth needed to justify its astounding budget. Scott himself was reportedly unhappy with the theatrically released version, and later, an extended director’s cut of Kingdom of Heaven was released.
3 Dunkirk (2017)
Budget: 150 million
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This epic tale of World War II tells the story of soldiers from Belgium, Britain, Canada and France, who are surrounded by the German army, and the dangerous operation that evacuated and saved the lives of thousands.
Director Christopher Nolan Release Date July 21, 2017 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Christopher Nolan Cast Kenneth Branagh , Aneurin Barnard , Mark Rylance , Tom Hardy , James D’Arcy , Jack Lowden , Cillian Murphy , Harry Styles , Fionn Whitehead , Barry Keoghan Runtime 106 minutes Budget $82.5–150 million Expand
Director Christopher Nolan’s big-budget World War II masterpiece Dunkirk portrayed the evacuation of more than 338,000 Allied soldiers during the Second World War from the beaches and harbor of Dunkirk in the north of France. With very little dialogue and a focus on cinematography and music, Dunkirk was an effective portrayal of this historical event from land, sea, and air. With a budget of between $100 and $150 million, Dunkirk subverted the usual narratives of Hollywood war productions to create a film-viewing experience unlike anything before it.
A major success at the global box office, Dunkirk’s worldwide gross of $509,736,928 made it the highest-grossing World War II movie until it was surpassed by Nolan’s later biographical wartime drama Oppenheimer. Full of deeply moving sequences and intensely impressive set pieces, Dunkirk utilized its overblown budget to create a spectacular cinematic experience. As a truly accomplished piece of filmmaking, Dunkirk was even more impressive in terms of how realistically it represented the truth of the evacuation.
2 Troy (2004)
Budget: $150 million
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Troy, directed by Wolfgang Petersen and released in 2004, is a historical epic based on Homer’s Iliad. The film chronicles the legendary Trojan War, focusing on the conflict between Achilles, played by Brad Pitt, and Hector, portrayed by Eric Bana. Starring Orlando Bloom as Paris and Diane Kruger as Helen, it explores themes of honor, betrayal, and the fates of the warriors involved in the siege of Troy.
Director Wolfgang Petersen Release Date May 14, 2004 Writers Homer , David Benioff Cast Brad Pitt , Eric Bana , Orlando Bloom , Julian Glover , Brian Cox , Nathan Jones , Adoni Maropis , Jacob Smith Runtime 163 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
As a film loosely based on Homer’s Illiad and the legendary conflict of the Trojan War, Troy’s $150 million budget was appropriate, considering the grandeur of what it depicted. With an ensemble cast led by Brad Pitt as the great warrior Achilles, Troy was an astounding and sprawling historical epic full of impressive battles and marvelous depictions of ancient warfare. Directed by German filmmaker Wolfgang Petersen, the big-budget Hollywood spectacle of Troy was a far different beast to his earlier claustrophobic wartime drama Das Boot.
While Troy looked incredible from a visual perspective, the film also lacked emotional resonance and tried to condense too much of Homer’s original epic poem into one movie. Despite these criticisms, Troy was a hit at the box office and easily recouped its inflated budget by grossing over $483 million. Although Troy had many historical inaccuracies, it certainly had no issues when it came to its box office standing.
1 Pearl Harbor (2001)
Budget: $151.5 million
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Two best friends and pilots find themselves caught in a love triangle with a dedicated nurse just as the catastrophic attack on Pearl Harbor plunges America into war. The events of December 7 dramatically change their lives, and the film tells a dramatized tale set during the event that marked the United States’ entry into World War II.
Director Michael Bay Release Date May 25, 2001 Studio(s) Touchstone Pictures , Jerry Bruckheimer Films Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Writers Randall Wallace Cast Ben Affleck , Josh Hartnett , Kate Beckinsale , Cuba Gooding Jr. , Tom Sizemore , Jon Voight , Colm Feore , Alec Baldwin Runtime 183 minutes Budget $140 Million Main Genre Drama Expand
Although it was critically reviled, Michael Bay’s fictionalized account of the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941, was a major hit at the box office that took in $449,239,853 worldwide. With a love story narrative told in the lead-up to the attack, Pearl Harbor felt like it was trying to recapture the incredible success of Titanic in the realm of war movies. With lackluster pacing, poor dialogue, and historical inaccuracies, the unquestionable financial success of Pearl Harbor was a prime example of the massive disparities often seen between critical reception and audience turnout.
While there was plenty to criticize about Pearl Harbor, it’s impossible to deny its spectacular visual effects and the emotive power of Hans Zimmer’s score. Despite poor reviews, Pearl Harbor showcased Bay as a bankable director who understood what was needed to grab viewers’ attention and ensure financial success. Pearl Harbor may continue to be a talking point when discussing lackluster war movies, but the box office figures don’t lie.
Sources: Box office figures from The Numbers, Telegraph, IndieWire, NPR