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56 voters

The Best Black War Movies

Updated July 13, 2020 323 votes 56 voters 5.8k views17 items

List RulesVote up your favorite war movies that feature African American soldiers.

The cinema has told several different stories featuring Black soldiers fighting in wars, dating all the way back to Home of the Brave in 1949. Some of these Black war films are composed of a mostly Black cast, while others feature a Black soldier as a prominent character. Here is a look at the greatest Black war movies ever. Which one will make it to the top of the list? That's for you to decide with your votes.

The 1989 American Civil War drama Glory told the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, which was the first all African-American military unit. The movie made a star out of Denzel Washington, who took home a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. The film won a total of three Academy Awards. But Glory is not the only outstanding movie on this list of Black war films.

What are the greatest Black war films ever made? That’s up for you to decide. Vote up or down on this comprehensive list and check back for new Black war movies as they come out.

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  • Glory1
    29
    4

    Glory

    Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington

    Released: 1989

    Directed by: Edward Zwick

    Glory is a 1989 American drama film directed by Edward Zwick and starring Matthew Broderick,...  more
  • A Soldier's Story2
    20
    5

    A Soldier's Story

    Denzel Washington, Patti LaBelle

    Released: 1984

    Directed by: Norman Jewison

    A Soldier's Story is a 1984 American drama film directed by Norman Jewison, based upon Charles...  more
  • Antwone Fisher3
    24
    10

    Antwone Fisher

    Denzel Washington, Viola Davis

    Released: 2002

    Directed by: Denzel Washington

    Antwone Fisher is a 2002 American biographical drama film directed by and starring Denzel...  more
  • Red Tails4
    20
    6

    Red Tails

    Daniela Ruah, Bryan Cranston

    Released: 2012

    Directed by: Anthony Hemingway

    Red Tails is a 2012 American film directed by Anthony Hemingway in his feature film...  more
  • The Tuskegee Airmen5
    18
    5

    The Tuskegee Airmen

    John Lithgow, Cuba Gooding Jr.

    Released: 1995

    Directed by: Robert Markowitz

    The Tuskegee Airmen is a 1995 HBO television movie based on the exploits of an actual...  more
  • Full Metal Jacket6
    16
    5

    Full Metal Jacket

    Vincent D'Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey

    Released: 1987

    Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

    Full Metal Jacket is a 1987 film directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick. The screenplay by...  more
  • Men of Honor7
    11
    2

    Men of Honor

    Charlize Theron, Robert De Niro

    Released: 2000

    Directed by: George Tillman, Jr.

    Men of Honor is a 2000 drama film, starring Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding Jr. The film was...  more
  • Miracle at St. Anna8
    14
    6

    Miracle at St. Anna

    Kerry Washington, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

    Released: 2008

    Directed by: Spike Lee

    Miracle at St. Anna is a 2008 American–Italian epic film set primarily in Italy during...  more
  • Home of the Brave9
    2
    8

    Home of the Brave

    Lloyd Bridges, Jeff Corey

    Released: 1949

    Directed by: Mark Robson

    Home of the Brave is a 1949 film based on a 1946 play by Arthur Laurents. It was directed by...  more
  • The Hurt Locker10
    10
    4

    The Hurt Locker

    Evangeline Lilly, Ralph Fiennes

    Released: 2009

    Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow

    The Hurt Locker is a 2009 American film about a three-man Explosive Ordnance Disposal team...  more
  • Crimson Tide11
    9
    2

    Crimson Tide

    Denzel Washington, Viggo Mortensen

    Released: 1995

    Directed by: Tony Scott

    Crimson Tide is a 1995 American submarine film directed by Tony Scott. On a U.S. nuclear...  more
  • Courage Under Fire12
    9
    2

    Courage Under Fire

    Meg Ryan, Matt Damon

    Released: 1996

    Directed by: Edward Zwick

    Courage Under Fire is a 1996 film directed by Edward Zwick, and starring Denzel Washington,...  more
  • Buffalo Soldiers13
    12
    8

    Buffalo Soldiers

    Danny Glover, Clifton Powell

    Released: 1997

    Directed by: Charles Haid

    Buffalo Soldiers is a 1997 TNT television film starring Danny Glover, Mykelti Williamson, Tom...  more
  • Black Brigade14
    12
    8

    Black Brigade

    Stephen Boyd, Robert Hooks

    Released: 1970

    Directed by: George McCowan

    Black Brigade (a.k.a. Carter's Army) is a 1970 war drama directed by George McCowan. Capt....  more
  • The Manchurian Candidate15
    7
    8

    The Manchurian Candidate

    Meryl Streep, Liev Schreiber

    Released: 2004

    Directed by: Jonathan Demme

    The Manchurian Candidate is a 2004 American thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme. The...  more
  • Hamburger Hill16
    6
    8

    Hamburger Hill

    Don Cheadle, Dylan McDermott

    Released: 1987

    Directed by: John Irvin

    Hamburger Hill is a 1987 American film about the actual assault of the U.S. Army's 3rd...  more
  • Overlord17
    4
    9

    Overlord

    Wyatt Russell, Jacob Anderson

    Released: 2018

    Directed by: Julius Avery

    Overlord is a 2018 American horror film directed by Julius Avery. In 1944, two American...  more