The Iraq War lasted from 2003 until 2011 and was caused by several factors, including then-dictatorSaddam Hussein’s claim thathis country was in possession of WMDs, or weapons of mass destruction, prompting a United States-led coalition’s invasion of the country. As it turns out, Hussein possessed no such WMDs, but the conflict dragged on after Hussein was overthrown and loyalist insurgents began rising in the region and waging guerrilla warfare.
In the 14 or so years since the end of the Iraq War, there have been numerous films made about it. However,most Iraq War movies miss the markby a mile due to various factors, often because the conflict is a fresh wound and still a topic of hot debate. However, some films have squeezed through the cracks and have attained the quality that many aspire to. But it is important todifferentiate between the Iraq War and the War in Iraq, as the latter raged from 2013-2017, which was a separate conflict driven by separate purposes. As such, films likeMosul, while incredible, don’t technically count. With that said,these are the best films that take place during the Iraq War from 2003-2011. They will be ranked based on quality, execution, and their overall standing within the war genre.
10’War Dogs' (2016)
Directed by Todd Phillips
Contrary to many other popular war films,War Dogsis actually more of a crime comedy that just happens to take place during the Iraq War. StarringJonah HillandMiles Teller, the film isa very loose adaptation of a true story, in which two young American arms dealers namedDavid Packouz(Teller) andEfraim Diveroli(Hill) received a hefty contract from the Pentagon to transport a massive arms shipment to allied soldiers during the Iraq War in 2005.
The two take the contract due to its huge payout but find themselves in a whole slew of nasty situations, even winding up in the infamous Triangle of Death, yet remarkably pulling through without getting killed. The movie received mixed to above average reviews, with the humour being nothing hilarious but still worthy of a chuckle here and there. It was critically slammed because it avoids some of the darker parts of the real story, but there weremore than a few redeeming qualities, ensuring it has its fair share of fans.
9’American Sniper' (2014)
Directed by Clint Eastwood
American Sniperis a biopic about Navy SEAL marksmanChris Kyle(Bradley Cooper), who was tragically murdered by a traumatized American veteran the year before the film’s release. Kyle served numerous tours in Iraq, fighting in one of the most famed engagements from the conflict, the Battle of Ramadi. During his various tours, Kyle became a sniper known for his proficiency and accuracy, racking up a whopping160 confirmed killsduring his career.
Based on a memoir of the same nameby Kyle himself,American Sniperhas often beendismissed as an American propaganda film, which is a totally fair criticism, because the movie is most certainly not shy about it. However, it still does well in the entertainment department and tries its best to honor Kyle’s legacy as one of the most effective snipers in US military history. It might not be perfect and is definitely not for everyone, butAmerican Sniperhasmost certainly found its audience of dedicated fans.
American Sniper
8’The Wall' (2017)
Directed by Doug Liman
The Wallis a film that showcases how dangerous the Iraq War was, even on the smallest of scales. Two American soldiers find themselves pinned down by a guerrilla sniper and are forced to remain in place, in a deadly game of cat and mouse for 22 hours straight. Starring as the two beleaguered combatants areAaron Taylor-Johnsonand, strangely enough,John Cena, of all people. But make no mistake–John Cena really proves that he has acting chopsin this film, and can absolutely pull off a serious role when needed.
The film isn’t universally loved, as many found themselves easily bored by the standoff that makes up the entire movie, and others felt it drags on far too long. But most of its other ingredients work.It’s a movie thatknows what it has and how to use it, utilizing a relatively small budget for a war film to deliver something pulse-pounding and stress-inducing, as any tiny mistake could result in the death of the friendly forces.
7’Battle for Haditha' (2007)
Directed by Nick Broomfield
It should go without saying thatBattle for Hadithais obviously about the titular event, a major engagement with a huge fallout that occurred during the peak of the Iraq War in 2005. The Battle eventually led tothe Haditha Massacre, in which United States Marines deliberately killed 25 unarmed Iraqi civilians, none of whom had any known ties to militant groups. This dark stain on American history resulted in one of the men responsible being convicted of war crimes, and was likely a result of outrage on behalf of the Marines following a devastating roadside bombing attack on their brothers-in-arms.
This movie breaches a sensitive topic but doesn’t pull any punches, letting people know exactly what happened and why. That said, itapproaches this touchy subject with a relative air of impartiality, changing the names of the Marines involved for anonymity’s sake but keeping the names of the slaughtered Iraqi civilians so that they aren’t forgotten.It’s a powerful film that isn’t exactly “fun” to watch, but that does send a prettypoignant message about how evil can manifest itself on all sides during war.
Battle for Haditha
6’Thank You For Your Service' (2017)
Directed by Jason Hall
Thank You For Your Serviceis a drama film based on the non-fiction book of the same name byDavid Finkel, a reporter who wrote about veterans returning to Kansas following their 15-month deployments in Iraq in 2007. Since the film is largely about the human cost of war, one that never leaves people who have experienced it, there is very little action in it. It mostlyexplores the effects of PTSDand the sense of isolation that comes with returning home to a familiar society that suddenly feels distant and alien.
Miles Tellerplays the main character, Staff Sergeant Adam Schumann, who winds up in a rehabilitation facility following his recurring experience with PTSD, including night terrors, flashbacks, and survivor’s guilt. Teller brings a touching performance as the protagonist, and the film approaches its sensitive subject matter with care,centering onthe sense of loneliness commonly felt by returning veteransand the scars that never really heal.
Thank You For Your Service
5’Indivisible' (2018)
Directed by David G. Evans
Indivisibleis intended for the church crowd, featuring a distinctly Christian narrative and heavy themes of faith and religion. However,even for non-Christians, it is still an entertainingmovie that never really got the attention it deserved. The film starsJustin BrueningasDarren Turner, a chaplain for the US Army serving overseas in Iraq. After witnessing unimaginable horror during his service, he begins to question his faith, putting immense strain on his marriage.
This true story is definitely not going to be a film for everybody, and that’s totally okay. To be fair, the movie got fairly mixed reviews after its release. But still, as it aged, reviewers began to appreciate it more, even though it’s more of a drama rather than an action film. It’s not necessarily about the war itself but about howconflict causes PTSD and how that trauma can cause doubts inside a person, especially surrounding their beliefs, ideals, or identity.
Indivisible
4’Megan Leavey' (2017)
Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Megan Leaveyis a biopic about, believe it or not,Megan Leavey(Kate Mara), a United States Marine who served as a dog handler during the war in Iraq, along withRex, her trusty German Shepherd Dog. Rex’s duties were to sniff out improvised explosive devices, also known as IEDs, which were extremely common and deadly due to their versatility, ease of access, and ability to be hidden during the Iraq War.
The duo served two tours during the war, once during the Battle of Fallujah in 2005 and another during the Battle of Ramadi in 2006. The two were so efficient at their job that Leavey wasawarded a Purple Heart medaland was able to get herself and her pooch home in one piece, despite the danger they faced on a regular basis. Leavey herself served as an uncredited advisor for the film, and even makes a cameo appearance as a drill instructor. Supported by actors likeTom Felton, Edie Falco, andCommon,Megan Leaveyis aunique and strangely heartwarmingfilm that exploresthe role of domestic animals in active combat.
Megan Leavey
3’Buried' (2010)
Directed by Rodrigo Cortés
Buriedis a movie that knows how to make something out of nothing, as it doesn’t really deviate from its small setup all that much. The story is about an Iraq-based American truck driver named Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds), who is going about his duties as usual in 2006, as the Iraq War rages on around him. Without warning, he is suddenly abducted by Iraqi insurgents, who knock him out and bury him alive, leaving him in a cramped coffin with nothing but a lighter and a cell phone. He is later informed by his kidnappers that he must pay a ransom, or he will be left to die.
This movie is home to one ofRyan Reynolds' finest and most underrated performances, in contrast to some of his more memorable, less serious roles. This claustrophobic thriller is a perfect example of “less is more,” showcasing how dangerous the nation was during the conflict.Underrated yet tense and exhilarating,Buriedis a really unique war film that isless about active combat and more about the effect the conflict has on civilian life.
2’Warfare' (2025)
Directed by Alex Garland & Ray Mendoza
Warfareis the new film co-directed byAlex Garland, who recently took a crack at the genre withCivil War, a 2024 film that centred on a fictitious Second American Civil War.Civil Warwas a marvellous effort in and of itself, but in the two weeks sinceWarfare’s release, ithas blown all other war films out of the water. It has earned rave reviews from both critics and audiences, with many praising the fear and anxiety it evokes with its intense depiction of combat.
Taking place in 2006 during the Battle of Ramadi,Warfarefollows a group of Navy SEALs during the conflict, and the sense of brotherhood and camaraderie they experience as they are forced into the worst situations imaginable. Not only does the film excel in the action department, but also in the drama department, and proves to bean emotional ride from start to finish. If you’re a fan of war cinema and you haven’t had the chance to pop off to the theatres to see this film yet, this is your sign to do so.
1’The Hurt Locker' (2008)
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
The Hurt Lockereasily takes the cake as being the best movie about the Iraq War. Whilst actual veterans have been critical ofsome pretty glaring inaccuracies, one cannot deny its outstanding drama and entertainment factor. The story concerns a squad of American troops who have recently lost their demolitions specialist. To replace them, Sergeant First Class William James (Jeremy Renner) arrives, though he is a bit of a loose cannon with a distinct way of doing things.
DirectorKathryn Bigelowhas made a couple of war films over the years, butThe Hurt Lockeris by far hermagnum opus. It’sso thrilling and tense, without the need to focus on constant gunfights and such — much of the excitement comes fromstandoffs with guerrilla snipers or disarming various IEDs. The catch with IEDs is that they can be crafted a whole bunch of different ways, with no two being exactly alike, so every pile of garbage, every stray wire becomes fraught with possibility.The Hurt Lockeris a movie that simply must be seen by war movie fans, and is by farthe single best movie about the Iraq War, hands down.
