32 Movies That Are About The Marine Corps

Hollywood has a long tradition of creating impactful films about the Marine Corps. While I didn’t personally serve, I’m deeply proud that my grandfather was a World War II Marine, which is why these films have always held a special place among my favorite war movies. Some focus on the everyday experiences of being a Marine, while others vividly depict the intense realities of combat and the joy of winning. So, let’s get straight to it – here’s my list of great movies about the Marines.

Jarhead

Few films deserve a spot on this list as much as the 2005 movie Jarhead, featuring Jake Gyllenhaal as Anthony Swofford, a real person who fought in the 2003 Iraq War. While it wasn’t a box office success and received somewhat positive, but not glowing, reviews, many Marines appreciated its realistic portrayal of military and Marine Corps life.

A Few Good Men

You want them positioned on that wall. You absolutely need them there. Colonel Jessup (Jack Nicholson) in A Few Good Men isn’t necessarily the ideal Marine commander, but he definitely gets the importance of completing the task. Considered one of the greatest courtroom dramas ever made, the film delves into the significance of holding one’s ground and why maintaining discipline is essential, though Jessup certainly takes things to an extreme.

Born On The Fourth Of July

During the 1980s, the United States was still dealing with the lasting impact of the Vietnam War. This led to many impactful films that explored the war itself, and its broader consequences for the country. One of the most memorable was Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July, featuring Tom Cruise as Ron Kovic, a real-life Marine veteran. Kovic was paralyzed from the waist down during his service in Vietnam, and Cruise’s performance is considered one of the best of his career, earning him an Oscar nomination – one of three nominations he’s received throughout his career.

Taking Chance

Kevin Bacon received a Golden Globe award for his role as Michael Strobl, a Marine veteran. Strobl’s book details the emotional difficulties soldiers face during and after war, serving as a strong reminder of their experiences. The HBO movie, which came out in 2009, is just as impactful as a film that explicitly depicts the brutality of war. It powerfully conveys the emotional weight of service without necessarily showing graphic violence, and is a moving tribute to all who serve.

Rules Of Engagement

Several excellent military films also function as compelling courtroom dramas, such as Rules of Engagement, released in 2000. The movie features Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones, who clash over actions taken in Vietnam in 1968. It highlights how difficult war is-not just during the fighting, but before and after as well.

Flags Of Our Fathers

The Battle of Iwo Jima is a truly famous battle in Marine Corps history. Clint Eastwood’s remarkable Flags of Our Fathers portrays the World War II battle through the eyes of the Americans, and his related film, Letters from Iwo Jima, shows the same important battle from the perspective of the Japanese. Both films came out in 2006 and are definitely worth watching back-to-back at home.

Sands of Iwo Jima

Although he didn’t actually serve in the military, John Wayne remains one of the most recognizable actors in war films ever. A standout movie among his many great performances is Sands of Iwo Jima, an early portrayal of the Battle of Iwo Jima. It was released in 1949, just four years after the battle and the end of World War II.

Windtalkers

Prior to the 2002 film Windtalkers, very few people knew the amazing true story of the Navajo code talkers who served in World War II. While the movie isn’t flawless, it brought this story to light, and it was a real eye-opener for me.

South Pacific

It’s rare to find a World War II movie that’s also a popular musical. The most famous example is definitely South Pacific from 1958. While the story mainly focuses on Navy personnel, a key character, Lieutenant Joseph Cable, actually serves in the USMC.

The Marines Are Coming

The 1934 film The Marines Are Coming feels almost like a historical record, offering insights into both the Marine Corps itself and the often-overlooked U.S. involvement in the Banana Wars of the early 1900s. It genuinely serves as a piece of military history.

The Boys In Company C

Although The Boys in Company C might not be the most original film on this list – it relies on familiar boot camp clichés – it remains a significant one. When it came out in 1978, it was one of the earliest movies to seriously explore how the Vietnam War impacted the soldiers who fought in it.

Full Metal Jacket

It wasn’t a surprise to anyone that this film would be on the list. Stanley Kubrick’s 1987 Full Metal Jacket is often considered the defining movie about the US Marine Corps. R. Lee Ermey, who was actually a former Marine drill sergeant, gives an absolutely stunning performance in the first part of the film. The second and third parts are both frightening and powerfully depict the realities of war and life within the Corps during the Vietnam War. This isn’t just one of my favorite war films; it’s one of my favorite movies period.

Brothers

Brothers, featuring Tobey Maguire as a Marine and Jake Gyllenhaal as his brother who has just been released from prison, is a moving film. It powerfully depicts the realities of war and its lasting impact, not just on the soldier, but on everyone in his family. It’s a story about family relationships as much as it is about war, and both aspects are portrayed exceptionally well.

Flying Leathernecks

Throughout his career, John Wayne often portrayed soldiers, such as a Marine pilot in the 1951 film Flying Leathernecks. Similar to many of Wayne’s movies, it’s a bit over-the-top and dramatic, but remains an exciting film, particularly considering when it was made.

Halls of Montezuma

The Marine Corps hymn mentions “the halls of Montezuma” when referring to the Battle of Chapultepec, and that’s where the title of this film comes from. However, the movie isn’t *about* that battle in Mexico. Instead, it focuses on the Marines fighting in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Similar to many films made at the time (it came out in 1951), it includes actual footage from the war, creating some truly thrilling scenes.

Battle: Los Angeles

Battle: Los Angeles, released in 2011, is definitely a science fiction film, but its core focuses on the experiences of Marines defending against an alien attack. While the storyline is imaginative, the portrayal of the military feels relatively authentic.

Heartbreak Ridge

I’ve always felt that Clint Eastwood has an incredible presence in every film he’s in, and he’s absolutely perfect as a tough, no-nonsense drill sergeant. That’s definitely true in Heartbreak Ridge, a movie from 1986. I love how his character takes this group of unlikely recruits and, through some really unusual but effective training, manages to whip them into shape.

All the Young Men

President Harry Truman’s decision to end segregation in the US military in 1948 sparked considerable debate. The Korean War was the first significant conflict to occur after this order was put in place. All the Young Men examines how Truman’s order impacted the military, primarily through the eyes of a Black Marine sergeant, portrayed by the acclaimed Sidney Poitier.

The Outpost

I have to say, The Outpost didn’t get the attention it deserved when it came out, and I think a big part of that was just the timing – the Covid pandemic really impacted its release. But honestly, it’s a hugely powerful film. It tells the true story of a battle in Afghanistan, and it’s based on a fantastic book by Jake Tapper. It focuses on the incredible bravery of two Marines, Clinton Romesha (played by Scott Eastwood) and Ty Carter (Caleb Landry Jones), who both ended up winning the Medal of Honor.

Shooter

It’s unusual for a military film made in the 21st century, but Shooter isn’t set in the Middle East. The movie is actually based on a 1993 novel featuring a made-up story in East Africa. Mark Wahlberg stars as a Marine sniper, and as you might expect from a sniper film, it’s quite a gripping and intense experience.

The Marine

Alright, let’s be honest, The Marine-the movie that unexpectedly started a franchise with John Cena-isn’t the greatest film on this list, and it’s not even his best. However, the original movie is actually pretty good, and, naturally, since the title is The Marine, it definitely deserves a spot here.

Mine

I totally get what critics said when this movie first came out – I think Mine could have been so much more gripping. The idea is fantastic: Armie Hammer plays a Marine who gets stuck in a desert minefield in North Africa, and he’s trying to get out. It *sounds* amazing, but honestly, the way it was made just didn’t quite deliver on that promise.

Battle Cry

The 1953 film Battle Cry, like many war movies, focuses more on romance than on actual combat (think of Pearl Harbor). This isn’t always a problem (though it definitely was in Pearl Harbor), but in Battle Cry, the contrast between the serious military action and the somewhat silly love story feels a bit forced.

Megan Leavey

Megan Leavey, featuring Kate Mara as the actual person the film is about, can be a difficult watch for veterans or those who love dogs. This true story of a military police officer working with a K-9 unit is a compelling film about a woman’s experience in the military, and a moving portrayal of the challenges faced after serving in a combat zone.

Purple Hearts

Despite mixed reviews from critics, the Netflix film Purple Hearts was quite a hit with audiences. It’s a captivating love story centered around a bartender and a Marine who enter a marriage of convenience, ultimately discovering genuine feelings for each other.

First To Fight

The Battle of Guadalcanal holds a special place in the history of the Marine Corps. It marked the beginning of large-scale conflict for the United States in World War II, and largely defined how the war would be fought. The 1967 film First to Fight, featuring Marine veteran Gene Hackman, offers a gripping depiction of this crucial battle and the bravery of the soldiers involved.

The D.I.

Jack Webb is best known for starring in and creating the show Dragnet, but he also directed a really good film called The D.I., which came out in 1957. It’s about military training and is worth seeing, even though, like all of Webb’s work, it’s a bit straightforward and somewhat rigid.

Major Payne

Featuring Major Payne, with Damon Wayans playing a hilariously exaggerated Marine drill sergeant. It’s definitely a goofy movie, but surprisingly, some former Marines have actually said they appreciate it for its comedic take on military life, which is high praise and earns it a spot on this list.

Uncommon Valor

Gene Hackman was a Marine before achieving fame as one of history’s best actors. It’s fitting that he played a Marine in several films, including Uncommon Valor. While he isn’t the only actor with military service, he’s frequently drawn upon that background throughout his career.

Aliens

I really wanted to add this film to the list. It’s clear that Aliens isn’t a typical war movie; it’s more of a science fiction horror film. However, any movie featuring a sergeant waking up and declaring, “another day in the Corps!” deserves a spot here, even if it’s about military life in the future.

The Great Santini

Robert Duvall’s portrayal of a demanding father in the Marines isn’t focused on combat, or even primarily on military life. Instead, it centers on how a military career impacts the officer’s family. They frequently relocate and struggle with their father’s difficult personality and drinking. It’s a challenging film to sit through, but ultimately satisfying, and Duvall delivers a fantastic performance, as he always does.

Death Before Dishonor

Although actor Fred Dwyer didn’t have military experience, he often played rugged characters in the 1980s. He’s best known for playing the lead in the ’80s detective series Hunter, and in this film, Death Before Dishonor, he portrays a Marine seeking revenge after terrorists from the Middle East kidnap members of his team.

2025-09-30 18:45