Memorial Day 2025 falls on Monday, May 26—a day of solemn remembrance in the United States, set aside to honor those who died while serving in the military. While many observe with flags, parades, and moments of silence, another deeply moving way to reflect is through film. War dramas and veterans’ stories remind us of the immense cost of freedom and the people behind the uniforms.
Here’s a curated viewing guide table for Memorial Day films, organized by category, with film titles, release years, war/conflict focus, and brief themes:
Movies to Watch This Memorial Day
| Category | Film Title | Year | War/Conflict | Theme / Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| War & Sacrifice | Saving Private Ryan | 1998 | World War II | Brotherhood, sacrifice, the brutality of D-Day |
| Glory | 1989 | American Civil War | Racial injustice, valor of Black soldiers | |
| Black Hawk Down | 2001 | Somalia (1993) | Chaos of modern warfare, survival | |
| Hacksaw Ridge | 2016 | World War II | Conscientious objection, courage without violence | |
| The Hurt Locker | 2008 | Iraq War | Psychological toll of bomb disposal duty | |
| Platoon | 1986 | Vietnam War | Moral ambiguity, trauma | |
| Full Metal Jacket | 1987 | Vietnam War | Dehumanization, duality of soldier life | |
| Battles & Events | The Longest Day | 1962 | World War II (D-Day) | Allied invasion of Normandy |
| Flags of Our Fathers | 2006 | World War II (Iwo Jima) | The burden of heroism, truth behind iconic moments | |
| 1917 | 2019 | World War I | Urgency, brotherhood, mission across enemy lines | |
| Dunkirk | 2017 | World War II (France) | Survival, evacuation under pressure | |
| Veterans Coming Home | The Best Years of Our Lives | 1946 | Post-World War II | Readjustment, civilian struggles |
| Born on the Fourth of July | 1989 | Vietnam War | Transformation, anti-war activism | |
| Last Flag Flying | 2017 | Vietnam/Iraq War | Brotherhood, loss, generational grief | |
| Recent Perspectives | American Sniper | 2014 | Iraq War | PTSD, family, impact of modern combat |
| Lone Survivor | 2013 | Afghanistan War | Mission failure, courage under fire | |
| Da 5 Bloods | 2020 | Vietnam War (Past & Present) | Racial justice, veteran trauma, legacy | |
| Greyhound | 2020 | World War II (Naval) | Naval command, leadership in crisis | |
| Directly About Memorial Day | Memorial Day | 2011 | WWII / Afghanistan | Family memory, legacy, cross-generational storytelling |
Powerful Depictions of War & Sacrifice
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
- Directed by Steven Spielberg
- Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon
This WWII epic is widely considered one of the most realistic war films ever made. Its opening sequence—the storming of Omaha Beach on D-Day—is both horrific and awe-inspiring in its unflinching realism. The story follows a group of U.S. soldiers sent behind enemy lines to rescue Private James Ryan, whose brothers have all been killed. The film is a meditation on duty, loss, and the value of a single life amid the carnage of war.
Glory (1989)
- Directed by Edward Zwick
- Starring: Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Matthew Broderick
Glory tells the extraordinary true story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first African-American unit in the Civil War. It explores the racism they endured, the courage they showed, and their pivotal role in changing perceptions of Black soldiers in combat. Denzel Washington won an Oscar for his powerful performance as a runaway slave turned Union soldier.
Black Hawk Down (2001)
- Directed by Ridley Scott
- Starring: Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana
Set during a U.S. military raid in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993, this film portrays the mission gone awry that led to one of the most intense urban firefights in modern U.S. military history. It highlights the valor of soldiers under extreme duress, while underscoring the chaos and unpredictability of warfare.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
- Directed by Mel Gibson
- Starring: Andrew Garfield
This Oscar-winning film recounts the story of Desmond Doss, a WWII combat medic and conscientious objector who refused to carry a weapon but saved over 70 men during the Battle of Okinawa. Garfield’s performance captures Doss’s unwavering faith and moral courage, making it one of the most moving portrayals of heroism without violence.
The Hurt Locker (2008)
- Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
- Starring: Jeremy Renner
An immersive look into the high-pressure world of bomb disposal teams in Iraq, The Hurt Locker focuses on the psychological toll war takes on soldiers. Jeremy Renner’s performance as a fearless EOD specialist reveals how some service members become addicted to the intensity of combat, making this a more introspective Memorial Day watch.
Platoon (1986)
- Directed by Oliver Stone
- Starring: Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe, Tom Berenger
Based on director Oliver Stone’s own experiences in Vietnam, Platoon strips away patriotic romanticism and delivers a raw, divisive view of soldiers torn between moral extremes. The internal conflicts and moral ambiguity faced by American troops in Vietnam serve as a stark reminder of the personal costs of war.
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
- Directed by Stanley Kubrick
- Starring: Matthew Modine, Vincent D’Onofrio
This haunting Vietnam War drama is split into two unforgettable parts: the dehumanizing Marine boot camp and the surreal horror of urban warfare in Hue. Kubrick’s distinctive style lays bare the transformation of young men into soldiers—and the psychological wounds that never leave.
Films Focusing on Specific Battles or Events
The Longest Day (1962)
- Directed by multiple directors including Ken Annakin
- Starring: John Wayne, Richard Burton, Sean Connery
A sprawling, black-and-white ensemble film about the D-Day landings, The Longest Day tells the story from both Allied and German perspectives. It’s a must-watch for history buffs and those who appreciate classic war cinema.
Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
- Directed by Clint Eastwood
- Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Adam Beach
This companion film to Letters from Iwo Jima focuses on the six men who raised the American flag atop Mount Suribachi during WWII. It examines how a photo can turn real men into symbols—and how that burdens those who survive. A sobering look at media, memory, and myth.
1917 (2019)
- Directed by Sam Mendes
- Starring: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman
Shot to appear as one continuous take, this WWI film follows two young British soldiers racing across enemy territory to deliver a life-saving message. The technical brilliance is matched by emotional resonance, capturing the urgency and terror of war on a grand scale.
Dunkirk (2017)
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Starring: Fionn Whitehead, Tom Hardy
Nolan’s non-linear WWII epic tells the story of the evacuation of British and Allied troops from France. Told from three perspectives—land, sea, and air—this minimalist, tension-filled film honors both the chaos of war and the quiet bravery of those involved in the “Miracle of Dunkirk.”
Stories of Veterans and Their Return Home
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
- Directed by William Wyler
- Starring: Dana Andrews, Fredric March, Harold Russell
This post-WWII classic examines the lives of three veterans returning to civilian life. One of the first films to depict the emotional and physical scars of war with honesty and depth, it remains a timeless portrait of reintegration and the human cost of conflict.
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
- Directed by Oliver Stone
- Starring: Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise plays Ron Kovic, a patriotic young man who enlists in the Vietnam War and returns home paralyzed, eventually becoming a leading anti-war voice. This transformative role showed Cruise’s range and highlighted the physical and emotional consequences of war on veterans.
Last Flag Flying (2017)
- Directed by Richard Linklater
- Starring: Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston, Laurence Fishburne
This quiet road film follows three aging Vietnam vets reuniting to bury the son of one of their own, who was killed in Iraq. It’s a story of grief, brotherhood, and how the past never truly stays buried.
More Recent Perspectives
American Sniper (2014)
- Directed by Clint Eastwood
- Starring: Bradley Cooper
Based on the life of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, this film explores the duality of war and home life. While it celebrates Kyle’s skills as a marksman, it also delves into the emotional trauma and disconnection he experienced between tours.
Lone Survivor (2013)
- Directed by Peter Berg
- Starring: Mark Wahlberg
Based on a true story, this harrowing film follows four Navy SEALs ambushed in Afghanistan. As the title suggests, only one survives to recount their courage and sacrifice. Brutal and deeply moving.
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
- Directed by Spike Lee
- Starring: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors
A group of aging Black Vietnam War veterans return to the country decades later, not only to retrieve their squad leader’s remains but also buried gold. This ambitious film examines PTSD, racism, loyalty, and the lasting impact of war on Black soldiers.
Greyhound (2020)
Directed by Aaron Schneider
Starring: Tom Hanks
A WWII naval thriller that follows a convoy of Allied ships crossing the Atlantic, hunted by German U-boats. Based on real events, Hanks’s performance anchors this intense, stripped-down portrayal of leadership under fire.
A Film Directly About the Holiday
Memorial Day (2011)
- Directed by Samuel Fischer
- Starring: James Cromwell, Jonathan Bennett
When a young boy finds his grandfather’s WWII footlocker on Memorial Day, he insists on hearing the stories behind each artifact. The film draws parallels between the grandfather’s experiences and the boy’s own future military service in Afghanistan. A heartfelt reminder that Memorial Day is about stories passed down, memories preserved, and legacies honored.
Final Thought
Memorial Day is a time to honor the fallen, but it’s also a chance to understand their sacrifices through art. These films, whether historical or fictionalized, dramatize the human dimensions of war. Watching them with family or friends can be an act of remembrance, education, and gratitude.
This Memorial Day, take a moment to pause, watch with intention, and reflect