10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Dunkirk (2017)

Description: 'The Longest Day' and 'Dunkirk' both depict large-scale military operations during World War II with a focus on multiple perspectives. While 'Dunkirk' covers the evacuation, 'The Longest Day' portrays the D-Day invasion. Both films use an ensemble cast to show the collective effort of soldiers and civilians. The cinematography in both films is grand and epic, capturing the scale and significance of the events. Additionally, both films aim for historical accuracy and realism.

Fact: The film features an all-star cast, including John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and Sean Connery. It was one of the most expensive films made at the time, with a budget of $10 million. The production used real veterans as consultants to ensure accuracy.

Description: Similar to 'Dunkirk' (2017), 'Saving Private Ryan' is a war film that focuses on the intense and harrowing experiences of soldiers during World War II. Both films are known for their realistic and immersive battle scenes, which place the audience directly in the chaos of war. Additionally, both films explore themes of survival, sacrifice, and the human cost of war. 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Dunkirk' also share a non-linear storytelling approach, with 'Saving Private Ryan' using flashbacks to provide context and emotional depth to its characters.

Fact: The opening D-Day sequence took over a month to film and cost $12 million. Steven Spielberg cast relatively unknown actors for the main roles to avoid audience preconceptions. Many veterans who saw the film found it so realistic that they had to leave the theater.

Description: 'The Thin Red Line' and 'Dunkirk' both explore the psychological and emotional toll of war on soldiers. While 'Dunkirk' focuses on the physical survival of its characters, 'The Thin Red Line' delves deeper into their inner thoughts and struggles. Both films use stunning cinematography to contrast the beauty of nature with the brutality of war. Additionally, both films feature ensemble casts and avoid traditional war movie tropes, instead offering a more contemplative and philosophical take on the subject.

Fact: The film was Terrence Malick's first movie in 20 years. The original cut was over five hours long. The cast included several A-list actors who were cut from the final film, including Adrien Brody and Mickey Rourke.

Description: 'Enemy at the Gates' and 'Dunkirk' both depict pivotal moments in World War II, with a focus on the individual soldiers' experiences. While 'Dunkirk' covers the evacuation of British troops, 'Enemy at the Gates' portrays the Battle of Stalingrad. Both films use tight, personal storytelling to highlight the tension and desperation of war. The sniper sequences in 'Enemy at the Gates' are as suspenseful and meticulously crafted as the aerial dogfights in 'Dunkirk'.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of Soviet sniper Vasily Zaitsev. The production built a massive set in Germany to recreate the ruins of Stalingrad. The film's opening sequence was inspired by the D-Day scene in 'Saving Private Ryan'.

Description: 'Black Hawk Down' and 'Dunkirk' both depict real-life military operations with a focus on the chaos and confusion of battle. Both films use a large ensemble cast to show the collective effort and individual bravery of soldiers. The cinematography in both films is gritty and realistic, immersing the audience in the intensity of combat. Additionally, both films highlight the importance of teamwork and leadership in dire situations.

Fact: The film is based on the 1993 U.S. military operation in Mogadishu, Somalia. Director Ridley Scott used real U.S. Army Rangers as extras in the film. The production built a detailed replica of Mogadishu in Morocco.

Description: 'Flags of Our Fathers' and 'Dunkirk' both explore the myth and reality of war, showing how historical events are remembered and interpreted. Both films use non-linear storytelling to juxtapose the battlefield with the home front. The cinematography in both films is stark and evocative, capturing the bleakness of war. Additionally, both films question the glorification of war and focus on the personal sacrifices of soldiers.

Fact: The film is based on the book by James Bradley, the son of one of the flag raisers. Clint Eastwood directed both 'Flags of Our Fathers' and 'Letters from Iwo Jima'. The film uses a mix of practical effects and CGI to recreate the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Description: 'Letters from Iwo Jima' and 'Dunkirk' both offer a perspective on war that is often overlooked in mainstream cinema. While 'Dunkirk' shows the British evacuation, 'Letters from Iwo Jima' portrays the Battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese side. Both films humanize their characters, showing their fears, hopes, and struggles. The visual style of both films is understated yet powerful, focusing on the emotional and psychological aspects of war rather than glorifying combat.

Fact: The film was shot almost entirely in Japanese, a rarity for a Hollywood production. It was released alongside 'Flags of Our Fathers', which tells the same battle from the American perspective. The film won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.

Description: Like 'Dunkirk', 'Hacksaw Ridge' is a war film that highlights the bravery and resilience of soldiers in the face of overwhelming odds. Both films depict real-life events and focus on the personal stories of individuals caught in the chaos of war. The battle scenes in 'Hacksaw Ridge' are similarly intense and visceral, creating a sense of realism and immediacy that is comparable to 'Dunkirk'. Additionally, both films explore themes of courage, faith, and the moral dilemmas faced by soldiers in combat.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. Mel Gibson returned to directing after a ten-year hiatus with this film. The battle scenes were filmed in Australia, where the production built a replica of the Maeda Escarpment.

Description: 'Fury' shares with 'Dunkirk' a focus on the visceral and brutal reality of war, particularly through the lens of a small group of soldiers. Both films emphasize the camaraderie and tension among soldiers in life-or-death situations. The tank battles in 'Fury' are as intense and realistic as the aerial and naval sequences in 'Dunkirk'. Additionally, both films portray the moral ambiguity and psychological strain of combat, showing how war affects individuals on a personal level.

Fact: Brad Pitt and the other actors underwent a rigorous boot camp to prepare for their roles. The film used a real Tiger I tank, one of only six remaining in the world. The script was inspired by real accounts of tank crews during World War II.

Description: '1917' shares similarities with 'Dunkirk' in its immersive and real-time storytelling style. Both films create a sense of urgency and tension by presenting the narrative as a continuous, unbroken sequence of events. The visual aesthetics of both films are also strikingly similar, with long takes and minimal cuts that draw the audience into the characters' experiences. Additionally, both films focus on the individual struggles of soldiers during wartime, emphasizing the personal and emotional aspects of war rather than the broader political context.

Fact: The film was designed to appear as one continuous shot, requiring meticulous planning and choreography. Director Sam Mendes drew inspiration from his grandfather's stories of World War I. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography.