The American Civil War was the most consequential conflict in United States history and has been powerfully depicted on screen countless times. From epic accounts of fierce battles to personal explorations of soldiers’ experiences, as a medium, film has the power to represent the full spectrum of this harrowing conflict, where brothers fought against brothers and communities turned on one another. This can often lead to emotional movie-viewing experiences, as, more so than any other art form, films allow audiences to witness the shocking, bloody, and uncomfortably graphic sides of warfare.
Like the best war movie, depictions of the Civil War highlight not just the challenges of society during that conflict but also today’s social and political tensions. This can be seen through the racial representation in a movie like Glory or even as a thought experiment in the imagined dystopian conflict seen in Alex Garland’s Civil War, which showcased the horrors of war taking place in modern America. While it does not always make for comfortable viewing, the depiction of the American Civil War on screen can educate and highlight all that was gained through this consequential conflict.
15 The Birth Of A Nation (1915)
Directed by D. W. Griffith
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The Birth of a Nation is a historical drama directed by Nate Parker, who also stars as Nat Turner. Set in the antebellum South, the film chronicles Turner’s life as an enslaved preacher who leads a rebellion against the oppressive system. The narrative delves into themes of resistance and the struggle for freedom, portraying a significant chapter in American history.
Director D.W. Griffith Release Date March 21, 1915 Writers Thomas Dixon Jr. , D.W. Griffith , Frank E. Woods , Woodrow Wilson , John M. Hay , John G. Nicolay Cast Henry B. Walthall , Lillian Gish , Miriam Cooper , Mae Marsh , Mary Alden , Ralph Lewis , George Siegmann , Walter Long , Joseph Henabery , Wallace Reid , Elmer Clifton , Josephine Crowell , Spottiswoode Aitken , George Beranger , Maxfield Stanley , Jennie Lee , Donald Crisp , Howard Gaye , Sam De Grasse , William De Vaull , Willam Freeman , Tom Wilson , Fred Burns Character(s) Col. Ben Cameron , Stoneman’s Daughter Elsie , Margaret Cameron , Flora Cameron , Stoneman’s Housekeeper Lydia , Leader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman , Lieut. Governor Silas Lynch , Gus , Abraham Lincoln , Jeff the Blacksmith , Stoneman’s Elder Son Phil , Mrs. Cameron , Dr. Cameron , Wade Cameron , Duke Cameron , Mammy , Gen. U.S. Grant , Gen. Robert E. Lee , Charles Sumner , Nelse , Jake/Sentry at Hospital , Stoneman’s Servant , Klansman Runtime 193 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
As a profoundly influential movie made over 100 years ago, it must also be admitted that D. W. Grittith’s The Birth of a Nation was highly controversial for its racial depiction, which portrayed Black people as unintelligent and sexually aggressive. However, this reprehensible content did not stop it from becoming one of the most successful films of all time, as its use of dramatic close-ups, tracking shots, and creative camera movements left a powerful mark on cinema. Like the Civil War itself, The Birth of a Nation was a complex, controversial, and essential part of America’s history.
14 The Horse Soldiers (1959)
Directed by John Ford
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ApprovedAdventureDramaRomance Director John Ford Release Date June 12, 1959 Writers John Lee Mahin , Martin Rackin , Harold Sinclair Cast John Wayne , William Holden , Constance Towers , Judson Pratt , Hoot Gibson , Ken Curtis , Willis Bouchey , Bing Russell Runtime 120 Minutes Main Genre Adventure Expand
As just one of many collaborations between John Ford and John Wayne, The Horse Soldiers was an adventure war film loosely based on a novel by Harold Sinclair depicting the famous Grierson’s Raid by Federal cavalry in April-May 1863. This was a major raid of the American Civil War that acted as a diversion for Ulysses S. Grant’s main attack plan on Vicksburg, Mississippi. While Ford and Wayne would make much better movies together, it’s a wonder to watch two titans of American cinema turn their sights toward the war that made modern America.
13 Shenandoah (1965)
Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
While Shenandoah was set during the Civil War, it’s a sternly anti-conflict and humanistic movie whose subtext had more to do with American society’s increasing aversion to the Vietnam War. With James Stewart as Charlie Anderson, a Virginia father who decided to remain neutral, the true realities of war were brought to a head when he was spurred into action after his son was taken in by Union soldiers. As a story of war, family, and the need to recognize what’s truly important, Shenandoah has message that still resonates today.
12 Andersonville (1996)
Directed by John Frankenheimer
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Andersonville (1996) depicts the harrowing experiences of Union soldiers imprisoned in the infamous Confederate prisoner-of-war camp during the Civil War, examining themes of survival and human endurance under extreme conditions.
America was a deeply fractured country during the Civil War, and this heartbreaking division between fellow countrymen was powerfully depicted in Andersonville. As the story of Union soldiers captured and sent to a Confederate prison camp, director John Frankenheimer blended aspects of war film, prison movies, and pure tension to make a visually stunning film. With richly developed characters, Andersonville was a TNT television film that focused on the humanity behind the war.
11 Cold Mountain (2003)
Directed by Anthony Minghella
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In the final days of the American Civil War, a wounded soldier embarks on a perilous journey back to Cold Mountain, North Carolina, to find his girlfriend.
Director Anthony Minghella Release Date December 24, 2003 Writers Charles Frazier , Anthony Minghella Cast Jude Law , Nicole Kidman , Renée Zellweger , Eileen Atkins , Brendan Gleeson , Philip Seymour Hoffman Runtime 153 minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
Cold Mountain was one of Renée Zellweger’s best movies, and she took home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her characterization of Ruby Thewes. With a fantastic ensemble cast that also included Jude Law and Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain was a beautifully sad but powerfully compelling love story with a lot to say about the ravages of war, the tenacity of the human soul, and the women and children who were so often left behind. By focusing on the female experience of the American Civil War, Cold Mountain demonstrated yet another difficult side of this harrowing conflict.
10 Ride With The Devil (1999)
Directed by Ang Lee
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Ride with the Devil is a historical drama set during the American Civil War, following a group of young Confederate guerrillas as they navigate the tumultuous landscape of loyalty, friendship, and survival. Directed by Ang Lee, the film explores the complexities and moral ambiguities of the era through its well-developed characters and meticulously crafted narrative.
Director Ang Lee Release Date November 24, 1999 Writers Daniel Woodrell , James Schamus Cast Skeet Ulrich , Tobey Maguire , Jewel , Jeffrey Wright , Simon Baker , Jonathan Rhys Meyers , Tom Wilkinson , Jim Caviezel , Tom Guiry , Jonathan Brandis , Matthew Faber , Stephen Mailer , john ales , Zach Grenier , Margo Martindale , Mark Ruffalo , Celia Weston , Jeremy W. Auman Character(s) Jack Bull Chiles , Jake Roedel , Sue Lee Shelley , Daniel Holt , George Clyde , Pitt Mackeson , Orton Brown , Black John , Riley Crawford , Cave Wyatt , Turner Rawls , Babe Hudspeth , Quantrill , Mr. Evans , Wilma Brown , Alf Bowden , Mrs. Clark , Guard Runtime 138 Minutes Main Genre Western Expand
Director Ang Lee’s revisionist Western Ride with the Devil saw two friends join the guerrilla group the Bushwhackers, a pro-Confederacy unit, as they fought the Northern Jayhawkers in a depiction that took viewers right into the heart of the border wars. Ride with the Devil was impressive in its historical accuracy, as Lee, who is a Taiwanese filmmaker, was able to step outside of the conflict to provide a historical portrayal. With incredible costumes, props, and unmistakable authenticity, Ride with the Devil was a testament to film’s potential to act as a stunning, insightful, and artistic historical document.
9 Free State Of Jones (2016)
Directed by Gary Ross
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Free State of Jones is a 2016 war film starring Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, and Keri Russell. The film is inspired by Newton Knight, who was a real person that led a group of former Confederate soldiers to fight back against the Confederacy. The film is helmed by Oscar-nominated director Gary Ross.
Director Gary Ross Release Date June 24, 2016 Writers Leonard Hartman , Gary Ross Cast Liza J. Bennett , Christopher Berry , Jacob Lofland , Gugu Mbatha-Raw , Jessica Collins , Matthew McConaughey , Sean Bridgers , Kerry Cahill , Keri Russell , Mahershala Ali Runtime 140 Minutes Budget $50 million Main Genre Drama Expand
Inspired by the life of Southern Unionist Newton Knight, Free State of Jones saw Matthew McConaughey portraying the man who led a successful armed revolt against the Confederacy in Jones County, Mississippi. As a stunning portrayal set during and after the American Civil War, the actions of Newton Knight were a testament to an individual’s power to enact great change in the face of countrywide conflict. While Free State of Jones did take several historical liberties, its message was still compelling, and McConaughey breathed life into often neglected aspects of the war’s history.
8 The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
Directed by Clint Eastwood
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The Outlaw Josey Wales is a 1976 Western film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Set during and after the American Civil War, the film follows Josey Wales, a Missouri farmer seeking revenge for the murder of his family by Union soldiers. As he becomes an outlaw, Wales forms an unlikely band of outcasts and confronts various adversaries while struggling with his quest for vengeance and a chance at redemption.
Director Clint Eastwood Release Date July 14, 1976 Writers Forrest Carter , Philip Kaufman , Sonia Chernus Cast Clint Eastwood , Chief Dan George , Sondra Locke , Bill McKinney , John Vernon , Paula Trueman Runtime 135 minutes Main Genre Western Expand
As one of Clint Eastwood’s very best Westerns, The Outlaw Josey Wales was made all the more effective due to its historical context of the American Civil War. Eastwood played a Missouri farmer turned soldier determined to seek revenge against a band of Redlegs, a unit of pro-Union Jayhawker militants, who killed his wife and son. With seething anger and resentment at the heart of its story, Josey Wales was a man with nothing left to lose, and his characterization was a powerful showcase of the personal losses felt by Americans during the Civil War.
7 Gettysburg (1993)
Directed by F. Maxwell
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Released in 1993, Gettysburg is a historical war drama film that adapts the novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, written and directed by Ronald F. Maxwell. The film chronicles the titular battle during the Civil War, exploring both sides’ strategies and intimate character stories as soldiers prepare for one of the bloodiest battles in American history.
Director Ronald F. Maxwell Release Date October 8, 1993 Studio(s) Turner Pictures , TriStar Television , Esparza/Katz Productions Distributor(s) New Line Cinema Writers Ronald F. Maxwell Cast Tom Berenger , Jeff Daniels , Martin Sheen , Kevin Conway , C. Thomas Howell , Richard Jordan , James Lancaster , Stephen Lang , Sam Elliott , Maxwell Caulfield Runtime 254 Minutes Budget $20 Million Expand
Clocking in at a whopping 4 hours and 14 minutes, Gettysburg is one of the longest films released theatrically by a major film studio in the United States (via Phil Star). It is a stunning account of the 1863 fight at Gettysburg, the most decisive battle of the American Civil War. With a talented ensemble cast, stunning attention to accuracy, and an engaging narrative, Gettysburg became a firm favorite of war enthusiasts and Civil War buffs. Jeff Daniels gave an astounding performance as Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, a role Roger Ebert rightfully claimed should have earned him an Oscar nomination.
6 Glory (1989)
Directed by Edward Zwick
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Based on documented events, Glory is a historical war-drama film by director Edward Zwick and tells the story of the first all-black infantry regiment in the Civil War. Being led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, comprised entirely of volunteers, fight to protect their nation and people while facing discrimination from all sides.
Director Edward Zwick Release Date December 15, 1989 Distributor(s) Tri-Star Pictures Writers Kevin Jarre Cast Matthew Broderick , Denzel Washington , Morgan Freeman , Cary Elwes , Andre Braugher Runtime 122 Minutes Budget $18 Million Expand
Glory explored the seldom-addressed 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the Union Army’s earliest African-American regiments, and highlighted the conflict’s central topic of freedom for all men. With Denzel Washington in an Oscar-winning performance, Glory showcased the regiment from its formation right through their brave actions at the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. As a mature and essential depiction of perseverance, hardship, and those who fought for what was right, Glory was an astounding showcase that African Americans were not merely bystanders in the fight for their freedom.
5 Red Badge Of Courage (1951)
Directed by John Huston
John Huston’s abridged adaptation of Stephen Crane’s 1895 war novel was a powerful depiction of soldier difficulties in mustering up the courage for battle. At a sparse 69 minutes in length, the final result would have likely been even more impressive had director John Huston’s original 120-minute cut not been lost following studio interference (via CBR.) The result was an effective war film with some astounding performances that left viewers wondering if the original version was a masterpiece never to be seen.
4 Civil War (2024)
Directed by Alex Garland
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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
Although it’s been over 150 years since the end of the American Civil War, the country has remained divided on many issues, which inspired Alex Garland’s contemporary film Civil War. This powerful dystopian thriller imagined modern America as a conflict zone and followed the journalists who attempted to highlight the atrocities committed by opposing forces. With plenty to say about current political tensions in the United States, Civil War was a powerful reminder that just because there’s no active internal warfare in America today, that does not mean it can’t reignite once again.
3 Dances With Wolves (1990)
Directed by Kevin Costner
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*Availability in US Director Kevin Costner Release Date March 30, 1990 Writers Michael Blake Cast Kevin Costner , Mary McDonnell , Graham Greene , Rodney A. Grant , Floyd Westerman , Tantoo Cardinal Runtime 181 minutes Budget $22 million Expand
Dances with Wolves was an astounding achievement by Kevin Costner, who gained widespread acclaim in his directional debut. As the story of Union Army Lieutenant John J. Dunbar traveling the American frontier and meeting a group of Lakota, this film had as much to say about the hardships of the Civil War as it did the plight of Native Americans. With stunning visuals, a sweeping epic narrative, and impressive production values, Dances with Wolves stood alongside Cimarron, Unforgiven, and No Country for Old Men as one of just four Westerns to win the Best Picture Oscar.
2 Gone With The Wind (1939)
Directed by Victor Fleming
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Based on Margaret Mitchell’s classic novel, Gone With the Wind follows Scarlett O’Hara, the daughter of a plantation owner in the American South during the Civil War. Through the hardships of the war and the Reconstruction Era, Scarlett’s intense romantic life is documented, particularly her relationship with two different men Ashley Wilkes and Rhett Butler. Vivien Leigh stars as Scarlett, with Clark Gable as Rhett.
Director Victor Fleming , George Cukor , Sam Wood Release Date December 15, 1939 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer , Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Margaret Mitchell , Sidney Howard , Oliver H.P. Garrett , Ben Hecht , Jo Swerling , John Van Druten Cast Thomas Mitchell , Barbara O’Neil , Vivien Leigh , Evelyn Keyes , Ann Rutherford , George Reeves , Hattie McDaniel Runtime 238 minutes Budget $3.85 million Expand
As one of the most successful movies of all time, Gone with the Wind has earned its reputation as a true classic of cinema whose epic historical romance has traversed generations. With Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh in two spellbinding performances, this story was set against the backdrop of the Civil War and the Reconstruction era and explored a turbulent romance as the United States was on the brink of great change. Although the representation of Black stereotypes has made the film somewhat controversial in recent years, it’s impossible to deny Gone with the Wind’s legacy as a true all-time classic.
1 Lincoln (2012)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
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From director Steven Spielberg, Lincoln stars Daniel Day-Lewis as the titular 16th president of the United States. The film portrays the final months of Lincoln’s life and focuses on his attempts to get the 13th amendment passed by the US Congress in order to abolish slavery in the aftermath of the Civil War. Sally Field, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Tommy Lee Jones also star.
Director Steven Spielberg Release Date November 9, 2012 Studio(s) DreamWorks Distribution , Disney Distributor(s) DreamWorks Distribution , Disney , 20th Century Writers Tony Kushner Cast Joseph Gordon-Levitt , David Strathairn , Sally Field , Tommy Lee Jones , Daniel Day-Lewis Runtime 150minutes Budget $65 million Expand
As the definitive depiction of the 16th President of the United States, Lincoln was truly one of the best films of the 21st century that featured astounding direction from Steven Spielberg and a truly transformative performance by Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role. As an exploration of Lincoln’s efforts to abolish slavery, Lincoln focused on one of the most significant developments in American history and acted as a microcosm exploration of the entire Civil War. With an Oscar-winning performance from Day-Lewis, incredible production values, and an urgent, engaging story, Lincoln represented the very best of Civil War cinema.
Sources: Phil Star, Roger Ebert, CBR