British war films have long been celebrated for their gritty realism and explosive combat sequences, keeping audiences engaged with the genre. Now, in 2026, war films continue to be released regularly due to their enduring popularity, making them a safe bet for filmmakers. Express.co.uk takes an inside look into the best British war films ever made, as ranked by the public.
6. Charge of the Light Brigade (1968)
The film depicts parts of the Crimean War and the poor decision-making of the British Army and its leadership during the conflict. It stars Captain Louis Nolan (played by David Hemmings), a relatively competent officer who regards many of his colleagues with contempt. Nolan's superior is the gruff Lord Cardigan (Trevor Howard), who treats the regiment under his command as his personal property.
An inept chain of command and the arrogance of the aristocratic officers nearly destroys the brigade. Interpersonal wars within the unit, including unfaithful wives and a rivalry between Lord Cardigan and Captain Nolan, heighten the conflict.
History: The Crimean War (1854-56) was fought by an alliance of Britain, France, Turkey and Sardinia against Russia. It was the only major European conflict the Army engaged in between 1816 and 1914. The Charge of the Light Brigade was a disastrous British cavalry attack on October 25, 1854, during the Battle of Balaklava.
Rating: Directed by Tony Richardson, the film has received a rating of 60% on Rotten Tomatoes.
5. Waterloo (1970)
The historical drama centres around the Battle of Waterloo. French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (played by Rod Steiger) is forced to abdicate at the demand of his marshals. Exiled to Elba with 1,000 men, Napoleon makes his return to France after 10 months and marches towards Paris.
The Duke of Wellington (Christopher Plummer) is warned of Napoleon's march into Belgium, tactically driving a wedge between the British and Prussian armies. Wellington, in consulting with his staff, elects to halt Napoleon at Waterloo. Facing the decline of everything he has worked to obtain, Napoleon and his army confront the British at the Battle of Waterloo.
History: The Battle of Waterloo was fought on June 18, 1815, between Napoleon's French Army and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blücher. It concluded a war that had raged for 23 years and ended French attempts to dominate Europe.
Rating: Directed by Sergey Bondarchuk, the movie has received a solid rating of 7/10 on IMDb.
4. 1917 (2020)
The British war film takes place after the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich, following two British soldiers in their mission to deliver an important message to call off a doomed offensive attack. During World War I, Lance Corporal Schofield (played by George MacKay) and Lance Corporal Blake (Dean Charles Chapman) receive seemingly impossible orders. In a race against time, they must cross into enemy territory to deliver a message that could potentially save 1,600 of their comrades, including Blake's own brother.
History: Operation Alberich was the code name of a German military operation in France during the First World War, seeing a major retreat into a new defensive line known as the Hindenburg Line. It took place from February 9 to March 20, 1917. The Germans moved 40 km of their existing front line, laying waste to a huge area of French countryside.
Rating: Directed by Sam Mendes, the war film received a score of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
3. A Bridge Too Far (1977)
The British-American war film depicts Operation Market Garden, a failed Allied operation in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War Two. The Allies attempt to capture several strategically important bridges in the Netherlands in the hope of breaking the German lines. The film features an ensemble cast including Dirk Bogarde, James Caan, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Edward Fox, Elliott Gould, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins and Robert Redford.
History: On September 17, 1944, Allied forces launched Operation Market Garden, one of the largest daylight air drops of World War II. The effort ultimately failed and led to more than 3,000 American casualties.
Rating: Directed by Richard Attenborough, the epic war film received an impressive score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The list continues with the top two films, with number one being described as a 'tragic masterpiece'.
