21 Powerful War, Holocaust, and Resistance Films of 2009 You Need to See

Lebanon

2009 • 93 min • Box office $1M

Drama, War

In 1982, during the First Lebanon War, a single tank and a platoon of paratroopers are sent to investigate an enemy-held town.

6.5

6.9

17+

Stream on

Cow

2009 • 105 min

Drama, War

In 1940, a Chinese peasant is tasked with guarding his village's prized dairy cow throughout a severe winter.

7.0

7.2

Darfur

2009 • 98 min

War, Thriller, Drama

American journalists in Sudan face a difficult choice: leave to report the widespread atrocities they've witnessed, or remain to assist those victims they've met.

6.0

5.8

17+

Stream on

Stolz der Nation

2009 • 6 min

War, Action, Drama

Quentin Tarantino asked Eli Roth to create a short film, titled *Stolz der Nation* (Nation's Pride), for the theatrical release of *Inglourious Basterds*. As a promotional tool for the film, Roth has assembled a trailer for *Nation's Pride*, combining black…

6.8

7.1

Leningrad

2009 • 120 min

War, Drama

In 1941, Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union led to a swift siege of Leningrad. While foreign journalists were evacuated, Kate Davies is presumed dead and misses the last plane. Stranded alone in the city, she finds help from…

5.4

6.0

17+

Stream on

Glorious 39

2009 • 129 min • Budget $6M

War, Drama, History

This is a story about a traditional British family living in the countryside just before World War Two. The wealthy Keyes family projects an image of stability, unaware of the impending war. Their lives are disrupted when daughter Anne stumbles…

6.0

6.4

17+

Stream on

The Age of Stupid

2009 • 92 min

War, Documentary, History

In 2055, a solitary man (Pete Postlethwaite) reflects on the past by watching old videos from 2008. He grapples with the question of why humanity failed to prevent climate change when the opportunity was available.

6.5

7.0

Stream on

The Breath

2009 • 128 min • Budget $2M • Box office $13M

War, Action, Drama

A small unit of the Turkish army is stationed at a remote relay station and must prepare for a potential terrorist attack.

7.3

8.0

The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler

2009 • 96 min

Drama, War

Irena Sendler, a Catholic social worker with a lifelong sympathy for the Jewish people stemming from her father's death while treating poor Jewish patients, first suggests rescuing Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto. Her proposal is initially met with doubt…

7.3

7.2

Stream on

Army of Crime

2009 • 139 min • Budget $10M

War, Drama, History

This historical drama tells the story of Missak Manouchian, an Armenian immigrant who worked as a woodworker and was also a political activist. In 1943, he led a division of immigrant laborers in the Parisian Resistance, carrying out 30 operations…

6.4

6.7

Stream on

Red Sands

2009 • 89 min

Action, Horror, War

During a deployment in the Middle East, a unit of American soldiers, facing extended downtime, impulsively destroy an ancient statue in the desert. Their act awakens a terrifying supernatural force.

4.3

4.2

17+

Stream on

Inglourious Basterds

2009 • 153 min • Budget $70M • Box office $321M

Drama, Thriller, War

During World War II in Nazi-occupied France, a unit of Jewish-American soldiers called "The Basterds" is tasked with spreading terror within the Third Reich through brutal acts of violence against Nazis. Led by Lieutenant Aldo Raine, The Basterds encounter a…

8.2

8.4

17+

Stream on

The Revenant

2009 • 110 min

Comedy, Horror, War

Joey's life takes a bizarre turn when his best friend Bart returns from the dead as a revenant – a zombie who can talk. To stay together, Bart must drink blood to slow his decay. This horror-comedy follows Joey and…

6.1

6.3

17+

Stream on

City of Life and Death

2009 • 132 min • Budget $12M • Box office $10M

Drama, History, War

In 1937, at the height of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Imperial Japanese Army captures Nanjing, the capital of the Republic of China. What follows is the Nanking Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanking, a six-week period during…

7.4

7.7

17+

Stream on

John Rabe

2009 • 134 min • Budget $20M

Drama, History, War

This is the true story of a German businessman who rescued over 200,000 Chinese people during the Nanjing Massacre of 1937-38.

7.1

7.2

Stream on

Red Cliff II

2009 • 141 min • Budget $80M • Box office $121M

Action, Adventure, Drama

The battle of Red Cliff rages on, and the alliance between Xu and East Wu is weakening. Facing Cao Cao's overwhelming army, can these kingdoms hold out?

7.3

7.5

17+

The Men Who Stare at Goats

2009 • 94 min • Budget $24M • Box office $68M

Comedy, War

In Iraq, a reporter encounters Lyn Cassady, a man who asserts he was once part of the U.S. Army's New Earth Army. This unit reportedly utilized paranormal abilities in its operations.

6.0

6.2

17+

Stream on

+19

Behind Enemy Lines III: Colombia

2009 • 94 min

War, Action, Thriller

A team of Navy SEALS launches an operation against Colombian special forces in an attempt to prove their innocence and secure the release of a captive.

5.7

4.8

17+

Stream on

Brothers

2009 • 105 min • Budget $26M • Box office $43M

Drama, Thriller, War

During his fourth deployment in Afghanistan, Marine Sam Cahill's helicopter crashes, and he is presumed dead. His brother Tommy returns home to care for Sam’s wife, Grace, and their two children. Sam's unexpected return disrupts their lives and creates chaos…

7.3

7.1

17+

Stream on

Taking Chance

2009 • 77 min

Drama, War, TV Movie

Military escort Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl accompanies the remains of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps back to his hometown in Wyoming.

7.2

7.4

Stream on

Pan's Labyrinth

2006 • 118 min • Budget $19M • Box office $83M

Fantasy, Drama, War

Following the Spanish Civil War, ten-year-old Ofelia and her pregnant mother go to live with her abusive stepfather. She discovers a strange labyrinth and encounters a faun who tells her she might be a princess from a hidden kingdom. To…

7.8

8.2

17+

Stream on