Despite some war movies telling compelling stories and being visually spectacular showcases of pure cinema, these achievements don’t always equate to astounding box office success. Several incredible war movies have flopped at the box office, being outshined by bigger releases or sadly being forgotten by modern viewers. Although a box office flop doesn’t necessarily mean a financial loss, it often implies that the film didn’t meet its potential or expectations.
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Many of the best war movies ever didn’t earn big at the box office, and there were many powerful depictions of lesser-known conflicts that viewers didn’t turn out for. While some of the best directors of all time have put passion and power behind extraordinary cinematic showcases of battle, conflict, and warfare, these have not always earned the kind of enduring legacy they deserve despite having such a high quality. While it’s always disappointing when a great war movie does not get the appreciation it should, modern audiences can often rediscover and reappraise older films and finally gain belated praise.
10 U-571 (2000)
Directed by Jonathan Mostow
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U-571 PG-13ActionWar
U-571 is a World War II submarine film directed by Jonathan Mostow. The narrative follows a group of American naval officers as they attempt to capture a German Enigma machine from a disabled U-boat. The ensemble cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, and Harvey Keitel. The film emphasizes the perilous and confined underwater battles, reflecting the high-stakes espionage and tactical warfare of the era.
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*Availability in US Director Jonathan Mostow Release Date April 20, 2000 Writers Jonathan Mostow , Sam Montgomery , David Ayer Cast Matthew McConaughey , Bill Paxton , Harvey Keitel , Jon Bon Jovi , David Keith , Thomas Kretschmann Runtime 116 minutes Main Genre Action Expand
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The controversial World War II submarine film U-571 was a visually stunning and well-plotted war movie that was marred by jarring historical inaccuracies. As the story of a German submarine boarded by Americans to capture her Enigma cipher machine, the fictional nature of its plot was widely criticized for erasing the real heroic contributions of genuine soldiers. Anger over U-571’s historical inaccuracies even led to British Prime Minister Tony Blair describing the movie (via BBC) as an “affront” to British sailors and an example of history being rewritten.
By depicting Americans as capturing the Enigma cipher instead of the British, U-571 changed the entire story of the war and gave audiences a false perception of what happened. This main driving plot point of U-571 did the entire film a disservice, as the other production values were so high. Taking in $127 million worldwide, U-571 underperformed box office expectations and could have been a much bigger hit had this controversy not cast a dark shadow over its reputation.
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9 Hamburger Hill (1987)
Directed by John Irvin
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Hamburger Hill RActionDramaThriller
Hamburger Hill is an action war-drama film based on the true events surrounding the Battle of Hamburger Hill and was directed by John Irvin. The movie centers on a group of men in the Bravo Company who battle to claim the infamously named hill while trying to keep themselves and each other safe in one of the bloodiest battles in American history.
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*Availability in US Director John Irvin Release Date August 28, 1987 Studio(s) RKO Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers James Carabatsos Cast Michael Patrick Boatman , Don Cheadle , Dylan McDermott , Tim Quill , Courtney B. Vance , Steven Weber Runtime 110 Minutes Expand
The Vietnam War has served as the basis for some of the most acclaimed war movies of all time. While films like Apocalypse Now, The Deer Hunter, and Platoon have all become defining releases in war cinema history, the excellent war drama Hamburger Hill has not gained the same kind of enduring reputation. Despite boasting an impressive 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, Hamburger Hill has not achieved the ubiquitous pop culture relevance as those other films.
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Set during the Battle of Hamburger Hill, a May 1969 assault during the Vietnam War by the U.S. Army’s 3rd Battalion, Hamburger Hill was a thrilling look at the experiences of that platoon’s members as they faced the challenges of conflict. With a box office gross of $13,839,404, this was far beyond general box office expectations for a war film of this type. While Hamburger Hill never fully got its due, it remains a powerful Vietnam War movie that’s well worth watching.
8 Jarhead (2005)
Directed by Sam Mendes
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Jarhead RWarBiographyDrama
Jarhead is a war drama directed by Sam Mendes, based on Anthony Swofford’s memoir about his experiences as a Marine sniper during the Gulf War. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Swofford, the film explores the psychological challenges faced by soldiers amidst the monotony and anticipation of combat. The movie also features performances by Peter Sarsgaard and Jamie Foxx, capturing the often-overlooked emotional turmoil of military life in a desert war.
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*Availability in US Director Sam Mendes Release Date November 4, 2005 Writers William Broyles Jr. , Anthony Swofford Cast Jake Gyllenhaal , Jamie Foxx , Lucas Black , Scott MacDonald , Peter Sarsgaard , Mingo Lo , Kevin Foster , Brian Geraghty Runtime 125 Minutes Main Genre War Expand
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Jake Gyllenhaal gave an astounding performance as Lance Corporal in Sam Mendes’ Jarhead, a film that chronicled his military service in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Persian Gulf War. As a psychological study that brought viewers into soldiers’ mentalities, Jarhead powerfully showcased the boredom, isolation, and terror those embroiled in conflict zones must contend with on a day-to-day basis. By showing off both the banal and complex aspects of war, Jarhead does not sugarcoat military life as it embraces realism.
While these more psychologically rich and emotionally complex aspects of Jarhead made it a uniquely engaging war movie, it may have also turned off audiences who were hoping to experience the action-packed spectacle. Jarhead grossed just over $97 million against its $72 million budget, which was a disappointing profit for a movie of this kind. Although Gyllenhaal was praised for his performance, Jarhead deserved better.
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7 Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World (2003)
Directed by Peter Weir
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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World PG-13ActionAdventureDrama
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a historical drama directed by Peter Weir, featuring Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey. The film is set during the Napoleonic Wars and follows Aubrey as he navigates his ship, HMS Surprise, through treacherous waters in pursuit of a French privateer. Based on Patrick O’Brian’s series of novels, the film explores themes of leadership, strategy, and naval warfare.
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*Availability in US Director Peter Weir Release Date November 14, 2003 Writers Patrick O’Brian , Peter Weir , John Collee Cast Russell Crowe , Paul Bettany , Billy Boyd , James D’Arcy , Edward Woodall , Chris Larkin , Max Pirkis , Jack Randall Runtime 138 Minutes Main Genre Adventure Expand
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World was a war movie set during the Napoleonic Wars. Based on the Aubrey–Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian, this epic nautical story starred Russell Crowe as Aubrey, a captain in the Royal Navy, alongside the ship’s surgeon Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin. While Master and Commander was truly epic in scope and was even nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, it unfortunately flopped at the box office.
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With a budget of $150 million, Master and Commander grossed just $211 million, which, although making it a moderate success, was far less than had been envisioned for this potential franchise. With over 20 novels in O’Brian’s original book series, Master and Commander did earn enough to get a sequel greenlit, although the movie’s legacy has only continued to grow over the years as viewers recognize its brilliance. While in 2021, it was announced that a prequel was in development (via Deadline), this has yet to come to fruition.
6 The Killing Fields (1984)
Directed by Roland Joffé
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The Killing Fields RDramaHistoryWar
The Killing Fields is a historical drama directed by Roland Joffé, centered on the harrowing experiences of journalist Sydney Schanberg and his Cambodian aide Dith Pran during the Khmer Rouge regime. Starring Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, and John Malkovich, the film depicts their efforts to document the brutal conditions and struggle for survival amid the political turmoil in Cambodia.
Director Roland Joffe Release Date November 23, 1984 Studio(s) Goldcrest , Enigma Productions , International Film Investors Writers Bruce Robinson Cast Sam Waterston , Haing S. Ngor , John Malkovich , Julian Sands , Craig T. Nelson Runtime 141 Minutes Budget 14400000.0 Main Genre Drama Expand
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The Khmer Rouge’s regime in Cambodia was one of the most shocking dictatorships in modern history, whose shocking civil war was cataloged in The Killing Fields. Telling the story of bloody conflict filled with genocide and persecution through the story of two journalists, The Killing Fields was a gutwrenching depiction of the horrors of war and as compelling a document on the need for peace as things captured in cinema.
As the story and friendship of the Cambodian Dith Pran and American journalist Sydney Schanberg were told with power, The Killing Fields showcased Pol Pot’s ruthless ‘Year Zero’ cleansing campaign that led to the murder of 2 million citizens. Despite being one of the most powerful war movies ever made, The Killing Fields only attained modest box office success as it earned just over $34 million against its $14.4 million budget. However, Cambodian Haing S. Ngor, who had no previous acting experience, did receive the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Dith Pran.
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5 Johnny Got His Gun (1971)
Directed by Dalton Trumbo
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Johnny Got His Gun PGWarDrama
Joe Bonham, a young American soldier, suffers devastating injuries from an artillery shell on the last day of World War I, leaving him a quadruple amputee without the ability to see, hear, or speak. Trapped within his own mind, Joe battles to retain his sanity and find a way to communicate with the outside world. Using Morse code, he taps out messages on his hospital bed, pleading to be put on display as a living example of the true horrors of war.
Director Dalton Trumbo Release Date August 4, 1971 Writers Dalton Trumbo , Luis Buñuel Cast Timothy Bottoms , Kathy Fields , Marsha Hunt , Jason Robards , Donald Sutherland , Charles McGraw , Sandy Brown Wyeth , Don Barry Runtime 112 Minutes Main Genre War Expand
Johnny Got His Gun was author, director, and screenwriter Dalton Trumbo’s excellent adaptation of his own 1937 novel recounting the harrowing consequences of a soldier’s life after being hit by an artillery shell during World War I. This shocking anti-war movie saw the American soldier Joe Bonham lose his eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and limbs. Yet, Joe remained conscious and a prisoner in his own body, unable to communicate. While doctors presumed Joe was in a vegetative state, he desperately tried to make his plight known by banging his head against a pillow to spell “help” out in Morse code.
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While Johnny Got His Gun did receive acclaim upon release, modern audiences have mostly forgotten it, and it deserves far more recognition. From Joe encountering a vision of Jesus Christ, played by Donald Sutherland, to being placed in a glass coffin as a freak show demonstration of the horrors of war, Joe’s truly imaginable circumstances made for one of the most powerful anti-war movies ever made. Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa even cited the film as one of his all-time favorite movies, showcasing that Johnny Got His Gun deserves to be much better known.
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4 Flags Of Our Fathers (2006)
Directed by Clint Eastwood
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Flags of Our Fathers RDramaActionAdventureWar
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.
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*Availability in US 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 released two back-to-back movies in 1945 addressing the World War II Battle of Iwo Jima. Letters from Iwo Jima was a Japanese-language depiction of the conflict showcasing the battle from the Japanese perspective, while Flags of Our Fathers showcased the five Marines and one Navy corpsman who were involved in raising the flag on Iwo Jima, an iconic image of the Second World War still well-known today. Letters from Iwo Jima received widespread critical acclaim and was even nominated for a number of Academy Awards; however, in the process, this overshadowed the appeal of Flags of Our Fathers.
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Flags of Our Fathers actually bombed at the box office, earning just $65.9 against its $90 million budget, while Eastwood’s companion film earned a similar box office but was more profitable as it cost just $19 million to make. But Flags of Our Father shouldn’t be dismissed, as its powerful depiction of bravery and fortitude was a touching homage to the brave men who fought at the battle of Iwo Jima. The double-feature nature of Eastwood’s two movies also acted as a fascinating portrait of the complexities of war, where each side has a story to tell.
3 Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Directed by Terry George
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9/10 Hotel Rwanda PG-13BiographyDramaHistoryWar
Hotel Rwanda is a historical drama film directed by Terry George. It stars Don Cheadle as Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who shelters over a thousand refugees during the Rwandan genocide. Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, and Joaquin Phoenix also feature in supporting roles. The film portrays the harrowing events and the humanitarian efforts undertaken to save lives amidst the conflict.
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*Availability in US Director Terry George Release Date February 4, 2005 Writers Keir Pearson , Terry George Cast Xolani Mali , Don Cheadle , Desmond Dube , Hakeem Kae-Kazim , Tony Kgoroge , Rosie Motene Runtime 121 Minutes Main Genre Biography Expand
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Hotel Rwanda was a powerful war film about a lesser-known conflict that was no less tragic and devastating than many of the best-known conflict-based movies. As a depiction of the Rwandan genocide, Hotel Rwanda starred Don Cheadle as Paul Rusesabagina, the real hotelier who, along with his wife Tatiana, provided refuge to more than 1,000 refugees by providing them with shelter in the besieged Hôtel des Mille Collines. As a depiction of genocide, political corruption, and the repercussions of violence, Hotel Rwanda explored many of the same themes as Schindler’s List in an African context.
While Hotel Rwanda did gain acclaim and Cheadle received an Academy Award for Best Actor, the film mostly flopped at the box office and earned just $33.9 million against its $17.5 million budget. As Hotel Rwanda was beaten at the box office by mainstream hits like the rom-com Hitch, it seemed audiences were more interested in escapism than facing the unimaginably brutal mass genocide seen in 1990s Africa. However, Hotel Rwanda was an essential document of the horrors of war and sad proof that genocide did not end with World War II.
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2 The Thin Red Line (1998)
Directed by Terrence Malick
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6/10 The Thin Red Line RDramaHistoryWar
The Thin Red Line is a war film directed by Terrence Malick, based on James Jones’ autobiographical novel. Released in 1998, it focuses on the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II, exploring the psychological toll of combat on soldiers. The ensemble cast includes Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, and Nick Nolte, among others, and delves into themes of survival, fear, and the impact of war on human nature.
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*Availability in US Director Terrence Malick Release Date December 23, 1998 Writers James Jones , Terrence Malick Cast Jim Caviezel , Sean Penn , Nick Nolte , Kirk Acevedo , Penelope Allen Runtime 171 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
The Thin Red Line was Terrence Malick’s extraordinary adaptation of the 1962 novel by James Jones that told a fictionalized version of the Battle of Mount Austen in World War II. With a star-studded cast including Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, George Clooney, and John C. Reily and a prestige director at the helm, this powerful tale of conflict and bloodshed would have been expected to clean up at the box office. However, The Thin Red Line was in direct competition with Steven Spielberg’s extraordinary rescue mission war movie Saving Private Ryan, which vastly overshadowed it.
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While The Thin Red Line’s box office earnings of $98.1 million were nothing to snark out, the film flopped when compared to the extraordinary $481 million take of Saving Private Ryan, which was underwhelming. The Thin Red Line was a daringly philosophical World War II film that truly captured the emotional depth of this harrowing war and the intense experiences of those who fought in it. Although Spielberg’s movie gained more accolades at the time, looking back, The Thin Red Line was a highly underrated release.
1 Paths Of Glory (1957)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
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7/10 Paths of Glory ApprovedWarDrama
Paths of Glory, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is a war film set during World War I. The movie stars Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax, a French officer who defends three soldiers accused of cowardice in a court-martial. The film explores themes of military hierarchy, the futility of war, and the moral dilemmas faced by soldiers and their leaders. Paths of Glory is notable for its critical portrayal of military bureaucracy.
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*Availability in US Director Stanley Kubrick Release Date December 25, 1957 Writers Stanley Kubrick , Calder Willingham , Jim Thompson , Humphrey Cobb Cast Kirk Douglas , Ralph Meeker , Adolphe Menjou , George Macready , Wayne Morris , Richard Anderson , Joe Turkel , Christiane Kubrick Runtime 88 Minutes Main Genre War Expand
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Stanley Kubrick has rightfully earned his reputation as one of the most important filmmakers who ever lived, and his World War I film Paths of Glory has since gained widespread acclaim as among his greatest works. However, it wasn’t always this way, as Paths of Glory’s release was plagued by controversy, which impeded its success at the box office. The anti-military stance of Path of Glory was highly criticized, as Kirk Douglas’ portrayal of Colonel Dax’s refusal to send his men on a suicidal mission was seen as a protest against the soldiers whose lives were needlessly lost in conflict.
While the exact box office details of Paths of Glory vary from source to source, with some claiming it was a modest success and others asserting it struggled to recoup its $1 million budget (via Telegraph), the truth was it deserved better no matter which was correct. Paths of Glory was one of the all-time great war movies and a brave depiction of why it’s important to stand up for one’s beliefs, even in the face of looming authority figures. Although Paths of Glory may have flopped at the box office, it’s still remembered all these decades later.
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Sources: All box office figures from Box Office Mojo, BBC, Deadline, Telegraph