10 Movies and Shows Like Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Description: The Bridge on the River Kwai, like Inglourious Basterds, explores themes of war, resistance, and the psychological toll of conflict. Both films feature memorable antagonists and a climactic act of sabotage, though Kwai is more contemplative and less stylized.

Fact: The film won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Alec Guinness. The bridge was built from scratch in Sri Lanka and was so sturdy it was left standing after filming. Director David Lean insisted on shooting in the jungle, despite the challenging conditions, to achieve authenticity.

Description: The Guns of Navarone is a classic 'men on a mission' war film, much like Inglourious Basterds, with a diverse team undertaking a dangerous assignment against the Nazis. Both films balance action with character development and feature high-stakes sabotage missions.

Fact: The film was based on a novel by Alistair MacLean, who also wrote Where Eagles Dare. It was one of the first war films to be shot in Technicolor and on a large budget, setting a standard for the genre. The movie's success led to a sequel, Force 10 from Navarone, though it was made much later and with a different cast.

Description: The Great Escape, like Inglourious Basterds, is a WWII film that blends suspense, adventure, and humor. Both films focus on a group of Allied soldiers outsmarting their Nazi captors, though The Great Escape is based on a true story and has a more traditional heroic tone.

Fact: Steve McQueen performed many of his own stunts, including the famous motorcycle jump. The film was shot on location in Germany, near the actual site of the Stalag Luft III camp. The movie's iconic theme was composed by Elmer Bernstein and has become synonymous with adventure films.

Description: The Dirty Dozen is a clear influence on Inglourious Basterds, featuring a group of misfit soldiers on a suicide mission against the Nazis. Both films combine action, dark humor, and a focus on teamwork among unlikely allies, with a similar tone of irreverence towards war.

Fact: The film was based on a novel inspired by real-life WWII special operations units. Lee Marvin turned down The Sand Pebbles to star in The Dirty Dozen, a decision that paid off as it became one of the highest-grossing films of

Description: Where Eagles Dare is a WWII adventure film with a plot full of twists and betrayals, similar to Inglourious Basterds. Both films feature a small team infiltrating a Nazi stronghold, with a mix of action and suspense, though Where Eagles Dare leans more into the spy genre.

Fact: The film was based on a novel by Alistair MacLean, who also wrote the screenplay. Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood starred, with Eastwood's role being expanded from the book to capitalize on his rising fame. The movie's famous cable car fight scene was filmed on a real mountain in Austria, with minimal special effects.

Description: Kelly's Heroes shares Inglourious Basterds' blend of war action and humor, with a group of soldiers going rogue for personal gain. Both films feature an ensemble cast and a heist-like plot, though Kelly's Heroes has a more lighthearted tone.

Fact: Clint Eastwood starred in and helped develop the film, which was originally conceived as a more serious war movie. The film's tank battles were choreographed by a veteran of WWII tank warfare. Oddball, the hippie tank commander played by Donald Sutherland, was a radical departure from typical war movie characters at the time.

Description: Valkyrie, like Inglourious Basterds, is set during WWII and involves a plot to assassinate high-ranking Nazi officials. Both films blend historical events with dramatic storytelling, though Valkyrie sticks closer to the actual events of the July 20 plot.

Fact: Tom Cruise, who plays Claus von Stauffenberg, wore an eye patch and used his left hand extensively to stay in character, as the real Stauffenberg was left-handed and had lost an eye. The film was shot on location in Germany, including at Bendlerblock, where the real conspiracy took place. Bryan Singer directed the film, marking a departure from his usual superhero and thriller genres.

Description: Django Unchained shares similarities with Inglourious Basterds in its Quentin Tarantino-directed style, featuring a revenge-driven narrative, sharp dialogue, and a mix of historical fiction with brutal violence. Both films explore themes of oppression and retribution, set against a backdrop of historical atrocities (slavery in Django, the Holocaust in Basterds).

Fact: Christoph Waltz won his second Oscar for his role in Django Unchained, having previously won for Inglourious Basterds. The film was originally titled 'A Southern,' reflecting its setting in the antebellum South. Jamie Foxx performed many of his own stunts, including the horseback riding scenes.

Description: Fury shares Inglourious Basterds' gritty portrayal of WWII, focusing on a small group of soldiers behind enemy lines. Both films depict the brutality of war and the moral complexities faced by soldiers, with intense battle sequences and a focus on camaraderie under extreme conditions.

Fact: Brad Pitt, who stars in Fury, also played Lt. Aldo Raine in Inglourious Basterds. The tank used in the film, 'Fury,' was a real Sherman tank from WWII, one of the few still operational. The actors underwent a rigorous boot camp to prepare for their roles, including learning how to operate a tank.

Description: Another Tarantino film, The Hateful Eight shares Inglourious Basterds' tense, dialogue-heavy scenes, a confined setting that builds suspense, and a narrative filled with deception and betrayal. Both films feature a group of characters with hidden agendas, leading to explosive confrontations.

Fact: The film was shot in 70mm, a format Tarantino used to emphasize the grandeur of the isolated setting. Ennio Morricone composed the score, his first for a Western in decades, and won an Oscar for it. The movie's production was delayed due to the script being leaked online, leading Tarantino to consider shelving it permanently.