10 Essential War TV Shows, Ranked

Like movies about war, TV series can highlight the best and worst of humanity that comes out in times of conflict. TV shows about war can provide new perspectives on historical events, and can introduce characters who are either based on people who experienced these historical events or fictional ones who witness some of the worst violence in history. A TV format can allow for a more in-depth exploration of topics like the nature of war and how it impacts the ordinary people who experience it firsthand.

Some TV series about war, like We Were the Lucky Ones, highlight the human cost of war and present characters who find themselves caught up in the chaos. Other series, like The Pacific, offer unflinching looks at the brutality of war and how no one who lives through it emerges unscathed. The best series about war offer pointed commentary on how the destruction of all conflicts lasts long after the last shots have been fired.

10

‘Rome’ (2005-2007)

Created by John Milius, William J. Macdonald, and Bruno Heller

Rome is a historical drama that chronicles Rome’s transition from being an Empire to a Republic. The series features a large ensemble cast, with some characters based on actual historical figures. The story mainly focuses on two Roman soldiers, Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson). Through these two, viewers are invited to consider the chaos of the conflict that changed the face of Rome forever.

As a war drama, Rome is a nuanced look at the ethical issues that have always presented themselves during times of war. The series presents characters who have to reckon with the fact that their ideals are often incompatible with the reality of the war that they face some of the most critical moments in the history of Rome. In addition to exploring the ethics of war, the series delves into how conflict impacted the lives of ordinary Roman citizens.

9

‘Das Boot’ (2018)

Created by Johannes W. Betz and Tony Saint

Das Boot is a German series, and is considered a sequel to the movie of the same name, which itself is based on the novel by Lothar-Günther Buchheim. While the movie follows a German submarine crew during World War II, the series follows events on both land and sea. Das Boot also follows characters from different backgrounds who are fighting the war in Europe, such as Simone Strasser (Vicky Krieps), a German translator recruited by the French Resistance.

Like the movie Das Boot, one of the most impactful war movies of all time, the series offers a nuanced look at the realities of war. The movie delves deeper into what the situation was in Europe during World War II, and victory was only possible because of the strength of the Allied Forces and the European Resistance movement. The series delves deeper into all the reasons Hitler was always doomed to fail and how he and his military were always destined to lose the war.

Das Boot

Release Date

November 23, 2018

Directors

Andreas Prochaska

8

‘China Beach’ (1988-1991)

Created by William Broyles Jr. and John Sacret Young

China Beach is an American drama about the Vietnam War that follows the women who fought in the conflict. The series introduces Lieutenant (later Captain) Colleen McMurphy (Dana Delany), a US Army nurse stationed at the 510th Evac Hospital in the late 1960s. The series is mainly told from her perspective. Through McMurphy, viewers are invited to consider the toll of war on medical personnel and those who were in non-combatant roles.

China Beach is an essential war series because it spotlights the role of women in war. In a genre that typically focuses on the male experience, this is an important perspective, since women have always been on the frontlines of war and their experiences have been underappreciated. China Beach is also one of the most important series about war because it underlines the point that non-combatants and those caring for people during times of conflict are deeply impacted by what they experience.

7

‘Generation Kill’ (2008)

Directed by Susanna White and Simon Cellan Jones

Generation Kill is based on Evan Wright‘s book of the same name, which details his experience as an embedded reporter with a group of US Marines during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The series features a large ensemble cast based on real US Marines, and how the early days and weeks of the US invasion of Iraq were filled with chaos. Generation Kill offers a unique perspective on the Iraq War, since it was released five years after the American invasion.

What makes Generation Kill such an important series about war is that it offers a unique perspective on a recent conflict by focusing on the journalist’s perspective. The series provides a distinctly unromantic look at the American invasion of Iraq, which featured nothing but chaos from the beginning. Generation Kill never offers easy answers to complex questions about the justification for the war. Instead, it allows viewers to see what the invasion was like from the middle of the anarchy.

6

‘We Were the Lucky Ones’ (2024)

Created by Erica Lipez

We Were the Lucky Ones follows a European-Jewish family who survived World War II and the Holocaust. The series is based on the 2017 book of the same name by Georgia Hunter, which is based on her family’s experience during this time. We Were the Lucky Ones introduces the Kurc family. Nechuma (Robin Weigert), Sol (Lior Ashkenazi), and their five children are scattered across the world as World War II destroys Europe.

We Were the Lucky Ones is an essential series about war because it highlights the human cost of war’s destruction. This series is a heartbreaking reminder of the fact that the families of those Hitler targeted were ripped apart and were never the same. We Were the Lucky Ones is a jarring look at how easily antisemitism was embraced by so many during the war, and how Jewish families were at the center of Hitler’s destructive campaign.

5

‘The World at War’ (1973-1974)

Created by Jeremy Isaacs

The World at War is a British docuseries that chronicles the major events of World War II. In 26 episodes, the series looks at the key moments in the war and features footage of actual battles. The series also features interviews with people who experienced World War II firsthand as members of the British military. There are particularly heartbreaking accounts of veterans who saw some of the worst fighting, and people who witnessed the horrors of concentration camps.

The World at War is a landmark TV series, and offers an unvarnished look at what living through war can do to anyone. This docuseries goes into painstaking detail about what World War II looked like from different perspectives. The World at War removes any romantic notions about World War II. The fact that it presents firsthand accounts from people who lived through these horrific events shows that the wounds of war aren’t soon forgotten.

The World At War

Release Date

1973 – 1974-00-00

Network

ITV1

Directors

Peter Batty, Hugh Ragett, David Elstein, Michael Darlow

• 

  Laurence Olivier

  Narrator

4

‘Combat!’ (1962-1967)

Created by Robert Pirosh

Combat! is an American war series that follows a group of American soldiers fighting in France during World War II. Most of the story takes place towards the end of the war, since the events of D-Day are shown in a flashback. The series follows Second Lieutenant Gil Hanley (Rick Jason) and Sergeant Chip Saunders (Vic Morrow), the group leaders who often lead their soldiers through some of the worst fighting in Europe at the end of the war.

What makes Combat! such an important movie about war is the fact that it highlights the daily grind of war. The fact that many cast members featured in the show were military veterans themselves adds a layer of authenticity to the story. Additionally, because this series aired beginning about 20 years after the end of the war, it provides valuable insight into how the United States perceived its contributions to the Western Front of World War II.

3

‘The Pacific’ (2010)

Created by Bruce C. McKenna

The Pacific is a follow-up to Band of Brothers, and follows a group of United States Marines fighting in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The series is based on the accounts of three Marines, Robert Hugh Leckie (James Badge Dale), Eugene Sledge (Joseph Mazzello), and John Basilone (Jon Seda). Like Band of Brothers, The Pacific is an unvarnished look at how brutal the fighting of World War II was.

The Pacific is an essential miniseries about war because it highlights the specific horrors that existed on the Pacific Front. The series’ commitment to accuracy as detailed in the source material makes it stand out from other series, even those that have the same gritty look and feel. The Pacific stands out because it never once glorifies war, nor forgets the sacrifices that it took to ultimately achieve victory.

2

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

Created by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg

Band of Brothers is based on Stephen Ambrose‘s non-fiction book of the same name. The series follows the stories of the soldiers of Easy Company, who saw some of the worst fighting in Europe during World War II. Band of Brothers sees these American soldiers face the lead-up to the end of the war. The series is another example of one that’s based on the accounts of people who actually witnessed history and spent their lives trying to keep the memory of what was sacrificed during the war alive.

Band of Brothers is far more than a series about war. Ultimately, this series represents the best qualities that Americans see in themselves. While this series never glorifies war, it does present characters who had to show uncommon heroism and make impossible choices. Band of Brothers highlights how Americans have seen their contribution to World War II, including fighting for freedom from tyranny in Europe.

1

‘M*A*S*H’ (1972-1983)

Created by Larry Gelbart

M*A*S*H is based on the movie of the same name, which is based on the novel “MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors” by Richard Hooker. The series follows Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda), an American surgeon stationed in an American mobile surgical hospital during the Korean War. The series highlights the work of this fictional MASH unit as they do their best to save as many lives as possible while under fire.

M*A*S*H shone a spotlight on a war that was forgotten by many Americans, which makes it one of the most important series about war. The Korean War was uniquely catastrophic and although this series is told from an American perspective, it highlights how it changed the course of history while impacting ordinary people. Relatedly, although M*A*S*H was set during the Korean War, it started airing when the United States was fighting the Vietnam War, it had a powerful and universal anti-war message for viewers to consider.

M*A*S*H

Release Date

1972 – 1983-00-00

Network

CBS

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• 

  Loretta Swit

  Margaret Houlihan

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  William Christopher

  Father Mulcahy

• 

  Jamie Farr

  Maxwell Klinger

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