Zero Dark Thirty Named Best War Film of 21st Century by IndieWire

Zero Dark Thirty has been ranked the best war film of the 21st century by IndieWire, beating Dunkirk and Black Hawk Down. The 2013 thriller dramatizes the hunt for Osama Bin Laden and holds a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Brit Brief 03/07/2026 13:17

Zero Dark Thirty Named Best War Film of 21st Century by IndieWire — Zero Dark Thirty Tops IndieWire's Best War Films List

Zero Dark Thirty, the 2013 thriller directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by Mark Boal, has been named the best war film of the 21st century by IndieWire, surpassing acclaimed titles such as Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk and Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down.

IndieWire's Top War Film

IndieWire, a film industry and critic website, ranked Zero Dark Thirty number one on its list of the best war films of the 21st century. The film dramatizes the decade-long search for Osama Bin Laden, culminating in the 2011 raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. IndieWire noted: "Bigelow's disjunctive cutting style and Boal's on-the-fly observational journalism do not follow narrative conventions; the movie generated political controversy for representing waterboarding as a means to extricate information vital to bin Laden's capture."

Critical Acclaim and Audience Reception

Zero Dark Thirty holds a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics consensus describing it as "gripping, suspenseful, and beautifully crafted." MovieFreak.com gave the film full marks, calling it "one of the greatest cinematic procedurals ever made." Keith & the Movies praised the film's willingness to ask tough questions, adding: "It’s a movie made with impeccable filmmaking style and skill which all comes back to Bigelow." Fans have also lauded the film, with one describing it as "two and a half hours of adrenaline rush" and others noting its high rewatchability.

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Comparison to Other War Films

The 21st century has produced numerous remarkable war films, including Dunkirk (2017), which became the highest-grossing World War II film before being surpassed by Oppenheimer in 2023, and Black Hawk Down (2001), based on the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. Despite their critical and commercial success, IndieWire determined that Zero Dark Thirty surpasses them, citing its narrative innovation and controversial yet impactful depiction of real-world events.