Top 10 Iraq War Movies and TV Series

it was a war that globally defined a

it was a war that globally defined a generation welcome to watchmojo.com and

generation welcome to watchmojo.com and

generation welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for

today we’re counting down our picks for

today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten Iraq war movies and TV shows

the top ten Iraq war movies and TV shows

the top ten Iraq war movies and TV shows before we begin we publish new videos

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more great content for this list we’ll

more great content for this list we’ll be looking at the fictional films and

be looking at the fictional films and

be looking at the fictional films and shows dealing with a widely covered

shows dealing with a widely covered

shows dealing with a widely covered early 21st century conflict in Iraq

early 21st century conflict in Iraq

early 21st century conflict in Iraq while not necessarily having to be

while not necessarily having to be

while not necessarily having to be strictly set in Iraq our choices reflect

strictly set in Iraq our choices reflect

strictly set in Iraq our choices reflect the effects of the war both at home and

the effects of the war both at home and

the effects of the war both at home and on the battlefield and although they are

on the battlefield and although they are

on the battlefield and although they are set in the same country movies like

set in the same country movies like

set in the same country movies like three kings and jarhead have to sit this

three kings and jarhead have to sit this

three kings and jarhead have to sit this one out as they are focused on the Gulf

one out as they are focused on the Gulf

one out as they are focused on the Gulf War number 10 in the Valley of Elah was

War number 10 in the Valley of Elah was

War number 10 in the Valley of Elah was wondering if she knew her son had any

wondering if she knew her son had any

wondering if she knew her son had any enemies one of the first movies to come

enemies one of the first movies to come

enemies one of the first movies to come out of the Iraq war era to focus on the

out of the Iraq war era to focus on the

out of the Iraq war era to focus on the effect that combat can have on a

effect that combat can have on a

effect that combat can have on a soldier’s mind was the award-winning

soldier’s mind was the award-winning

soldier’s mind was the award-winning Paul Haggis and Tommy Lee Jones vehicle

Paul Haggis and Tommy Lee Jones vehicle

Paul Haggis and Tommy Lee Jones vehicle in the Valley of Elah featuring the

in the Valley of Elah featuring the

in the Valley of Elah featuring the heart-wrenching story of a former MP

heart-wrenching story of a former MP

heart-wrenching story of a former MP searching for his son who disappeared

searching for his son who disappeared

searching for his son who disappeared shortly after returning from Iraq in the

shortly after returning from Iraq in the

shortly after returning from Iraq in the Valley of Elah manages to make weighted

Valley of Elah manages to make weighted

Valley of Elah manages to make weighted commentaries on the nature of American

commentaries on the nature of American

commentaries on the nature of American military involvement overseas as well as

military involvement overseas as well as

military involvement overseas as well as explore America’s own racial bias you’re

explore America’s own racial bias you’re

explore America’s own racial bias you’re a good father you don’t have to prove

a good father you don’t have to prove

a good father you don’t have to prove you loved him with a top notch story

you loved him with a top notch story

you loved him with a top notch story co-written by Mike bole in the Valley of

co-written by Mike bole in the Valley of

co-written by Mike bole in the Valley of Elah

Elah

Elah also gives unflinching depictions of

also gives unflinching depictions of

also gives unflinching depictions of military camaraderie paired with

military camaraderie paired with

military camaraderie paired with psychological distress for returning

psychological distress for returning

psychological distress for returning American soldiers shouldn’t some heroes

American soldiers shouldn’t some heroes

American soldiers shouldn’t some heroes to places like Iraq number nine

to places like Iraq number nine

to places like Iraq number nine stop-loss you didn’t stop lost while the

stop-loss you didn’t stop lost while the

stop-loss you didn’t stop lost while the war drama wasn’t a box-office hit

war drama wasn’t a box-office hit

war drama wasn’t a box-office hit kimberly peirce provided a topical look

kimberly peirce provided a topical look

kimberly peirce provided a topical look at american military policy in her in

at american military policy in her in

at american military policy in her in depth and nightmarish stop-loss

depth and nightmarish stop-loss

depth and nightmarish stop-loss referencing a controversial loophole in

referencing a controversial loophole in

referencing a controversial loophole in military regulations where honorable

military regulations where honorable

military regulations where honorable discharge is bypassed and tours of duty

discharge is bypassed and tours of duty

discharge is bypassed and tours of duty are extended stop-loss turns its camera

are extended stop-loss turns its camera

are extended stop-loss turns its camera on soldiers returning to the US after a

on soldiers returning to the US after a

on soldiers returning to the US after a terrifying skirmish that leaves nearly

terrifying skirmish that leaves nearly

terrifying skirmish that leaves nearly all involved with PTSD with a shortage

all involved with PTSD with a shortage

all involved with PTSD with a shortage of guys and no draft they’re shipping

of guys and no draft they’re shipping

of guys and no draft they’re shipping back soldiers who supposed to be getting

back soldiers who supposed to be getting

back soldiers who supposed to be getting out with bleak subject matters showing

out with bleak subject matters showing

out with bleak subject matters showing the unfortunate problem suffered by the

the unfortunate problem suffered by the

the unfortunate problem suffered by the main characters such as alcoholism

main characters such as alcoholism

main characters such as alcoholism domestic abuse and even suicide the film

domestic abuse and even suicide the film

domestic abuse and even suicide the film is made even more tense by their sudden

is made even more tense by their sudden

is made even more tense by their sudden recalls of combat due to the stop-loss

recalls of combat due to the stop-loss

recalls of combat due to the stop-loss policy testing the character’s

policy testing the character’s

policy testing the character’s allegiance to their homeland who wants

allegiance to their homeland who wants

allegiance to their homeland who wants to play let’s start shooting people

to play let’s start shooting people

to play let’s start shooting people number 8 the wall I only been here man

number 8 the wall I only been here man

number 8 the wall I only been here man 18 Plus consisting of only three actors

18 Plus consisting of only three actors

18 Plus consisting of only three actors and grossing a little over four million

and grossing a little over four million

and grossing a little over four million dollar

dollar

dollar on a three million dollar budget Doug

on a three million dollar budget Doug

on a three million dollar budget Doug Lyman’s the wall actually proved to be a

Lyman’s the wall actually proved to be a

Lyman’s the wall actually proved to be a worthy thriller using its limitations to

worthy thriller using its limitations to

worthy thriller using its limitations to its advantage the film sees John Cena

its advantage the film sees John Cena

its advantage the film sees John Cena and Aaron taylor-johnson portrayed two

and Aaron taylor-johnson portrayed two

and Aaron taylor-johnson portrayed two American soldiers who have been pinned

American soldiers who have been pinned

American soldiers who have been pinned down by a sadistic enemy sniper with

down by a sadistic enemy sniper with

down by a sadistic enemy sniper with both injured and with no radio to call

both injured and with no radio to call

both injured and with no radio to call for backup the situation seems hopeless

for backup the situation seems hopeless

for backup the situation seems hopeless as they are toyed with it every turn by

as they are toyed with it every turn by

as they are toyed with it every turn by their attacker as they’re left with

their attacker as they’re left with

their attacker as they’re left with limited resources and death approaching

limited resources and death approaching

limited resources and death approaching the tense thriller leaves audience is

the tense thriller leaves audience is

the tense thriller leaves audience is wondering how the soldiers will make it

wondering how the soldiers will make it

wondering how the soldiers will make it out alive

out alive

out alive q he’s coming fast

q he’s coming fast

q he’s coming fast number 7 turtles can fly Jimmy I’m Xiao

number 7 turtles can fly Jimmy I’m Xiao

number 7 turtles can fly Jimmy I’m Xiao chuan I am gumbaz I need Bengal busting

chuan I am gumbaz I need Bengal busting

chuan I am gumbaz I need Bengal busting to now giant buck Mongo bodies

to now giant buck Mongo bodies

to now giant buck Mongo bodies hard-hitting turtles can fly has the

hard-hitting turtles can fly has the

hard-hitting turtles can fly has the honour of being the first film to be

honour of being the first film to be

honour of being the first film to be made in Iraq after the fall of Saddam

made in Iraq after the fall of Saddam

made in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein set in a Kurdish refugee camp at

Hussein set in a Kurdish refugee camp at

Hussein set in a Kurdish refugee camp at the dawn of the US invasion of Iraq the

the dawn of the US invasion of Iraq the

the dawn of the US invasion of Iraq the war drama chooses to follow a group of

war drama chooses to follow a group of

war drama chooses to follow a group of children instead of soldiers and adults

children instead of soldiers and adults

children instead of soldiers and adults double chin ups Toya thank you she loves

double chin ups Toya thank you she loves

double chin ups Toya thank you she loves cooking food out come David a man that

cooking food out come David a man that

cooking food out come David a man that would bet that starkly depicting the

would bet that starkly depicting the

would bet that starkly depicting the abject poverty of those who suffered

abject poverty of those who suffered

abject poverty of those who suffered most at the hands of military oppression

most at the hands of military oppression

most at the hands of military oppression each child has a terrifying background

each child has a terrifying background

each child has a terrifying background story to tell with most of the

story to tell with most of the

story to tell with most of the characters affected by issues ranging

characters affected by issues ranging

characters affected by issues ranging from blindness to childhood trauma

from blindness to childhood trauma

from blindness to childhood trauma Turtles can fly proves to be a cynical

Turtles can fly proves to be a cynical

Turtles can fly proves to be a cynical and necessary portrait of the innocence

and necessary portrait of the innocence

and necessary portrait of the innocence affected by violence pinky

affected by violence pinky

affected by violence pinky number six fair game know why you’re

number six fair game know why you’re

number six fair game know why you’re lying I never forget the truth taking a

lying I never forget the truth taking a

lying I never forget the truth taking a bureaucratic turn fair game tells the

bureaucratic turn fair game tells the

bureaucratic turn fair game tells the unbelievable story of governmental

unbelievable story of governmental

unbelievable story of governmental corruption in the face of nuclear

corruption in the face of nuclear

corruption in the face of nuclear warfare based on biographies written by

warfare based on biographies written by

warfare based on biographies written by ex-cia agent valerie plame and her

ex-cia agent valerie plame and her

ex-cia agent valerie plame and her diplomat husband Joseph C Wilson fair

diplomat husband Joseph C Wilson fair

diplomat husband Joseph C Wilson fair game explores life outside the combat

game explores life outside the combat

game explores life outside the combat zone seven floors to the director for a

zone seven floors to the director for a

zone seven floors to the director for a Joint Task Force on Iraq I want you to

Joint Task Force on Iraq I want you to

Joint Task Force on Iraq I want you to head up operations from the offices of

head up operations from the offices of

head up operations from the offices of the White House to the deserts of Niger

the White House to the deserts of Niger

the White House to the deserts of Niger and featuring top-notch performances by

and featuring top-notch performances by

and featuring top-notch performances by Naomi Watts and Sean Penn Doug Lyman’s

Naomi Watts and Sean Penn Doug Lyman’s

Naomi Watts and Sean Penn Doug Lyman’s 2010 political thriller sets the stage

2010 political thriller sets the stage

2010 political thriller sets the stage for one of the most controversial news

for one of the most controversial news

for one of the most controversial news stories surrounding the Iraq war the

stories surrounding the Iraq war the

stories surrounding the Iraq war the purported weapons of mass destruction

purported weapons of mass destruction

purported weapons of mass destruction hidden by Saddam Hussein are you telling

hidden by Saddam Hussein are you telling

hidden by Saddam Hussein are you telling me that you’re 100% sure these tubes are

me that you’re 100% sure these tubes are

me that you’re 100% sure these tubes are not intended to create nuclear weapon

not intended to create nuclear weapon

not intended to create nuclear weapon point about intelligence nothing is 100%

point about intelligence nothing is 100%

point about intelligence nothing is 100% sure number five greens out

sure number five greens out

sure number five greens out if it’s not for you to decide what

if it’s not for you to decide what

if it’s not for you to decide what happens here capitalizing on the success

happens here capitalizing on the success

happens here capitalizing on the success of Matt Damon in the Bourne movies

of Matt Damon in the Bourne movies

of Matt Damon in the Bourne movies director Paul Greengrass brought the

director Paul Greengrass brought the

director Paul Greengrass brought the star in once more for his controversial

star in once more for his controversial

star in once more for his controversial but gripping thriller Green Zone named

but gripping thriller Green Zone named

but gripping thriller Green Zone named after a safe area of operations in

after a safe area of operations in

after a safe area of operations in Baghdad the film sees Damon as American

Baghdad the film sees Damon as American

Baghdad the film sees Damon as American officer Roy Miller who becomes embroiled

officer Roy Miller who becomes embroiled

officer Roy Miller who becomes embroiled in a nationwide manhunt for a fugitive

in a nationwide manhunt for a fugitive

in a nationwide manhunt for a fugitive Iraqi general who reportedly knows the

Iraqi general who reportedly knows the

Iraqi general who reportedly knows the location of Saddam’s illusive WMDs

location of Saddam’s illusive WMDs

location of Saddam’s illusive WMDs you’re off reservation for reason what

you’re off reservation for reason what

you’re off reservation for reason what is it well I came to find weapons and

is it well I came to find weapons and

is it well I came to find weapons and save lives

save lives

save lives maintaining similar fast-paced editing

maintaining similar fast-paced editing

maintaining similar fast-paced editing techniques and hard-hitting action

techniques and hard-hitting action

techniques and hard-hitting action sequences employed by green grasses

sequences employed by green grasses

sequences employed by green grasses Bourne films Green Zone also makes

Bourne films Green Zone also makes

Bourne films Green Zone also makes comments on the American presence in

comments on the American presence in

comments on the American presence in Iraq after the 2003 invasion using

Iraq after the 2003 invasion using

Iraq after the 2003 invasion using weapons of mass destruction as a silk

weapons of mass destruction as a silk

weapons of mass destruction as a silk screen for ulterior motives which

screen for ulterior motives which

screen for ulterior motives which condemned the film’s reputation for some

condemned the film’s reputation for some

condemned the film’s reputation for some viewers what happened your leg right

viewers what happened your leg right

viewers what happened your leg right look isn’t that on since 1997 number 4

look isn’t that on since 1997 number 4

look isn’t that on since 1997 number 4 Generation Kill

much respected work giving us a rockstar

much respected work giving us a rockstar look into life in the Marines David

look into life in the Marines David

look into life in the Marines David Simon’s hit miniseries Generation Kill

Simon’s hit miniseries Generation Kill

Simon’s hit miniseries Generation Kill pulls out all the stops in depicting the

pulls out all the stops in depicting the

pulls out all the stops in depicting the United States invasion of Iraq with

United States invasion of Iraq with

United States invasion of Iraq with Rolling Stone journalist Evan Wright

Rolling Stone journalist Evan Wright

Rolling Stone journalist Evan Wright tagging along for the ride the civilian

tagging along for the ride the civilian

tagging along for the ride the civilian perspective shows the soldiers of

perspective shows the soldiers of

perspective shows the soldiers of Generation Kill in a whole new light

Generation Kill in a whole new light

Generation Kill in a whole new light sergeant hadn’t get to shoot focusing on

sergeant hadn’t get to shoot focusing on

sergeant hadn’t get to shoot focusing on the emotional complexities and

the emotional complexities and

the emotional complexities and frustrations of its large-scale cast the

frustrations of its large-scale cast the

frustrations of its large-scale cast the versatile actors playing the members of

versatile actors playing the members of

versatile actors playing the members of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and

the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and

the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and Generation Kill make it a layered story

Generation Kill make it a layered story

Generation Kill make it a layered story grounded in realism but what else would

grounded in realism but what else would

grounded in realism but what else would you expect from the creator of such hit

you expect from the creator of such hit

you expect from the creator of such hit shows as the wire and the deuce

shows as the wire and the deuce

shows as the wire and the deuce logistics join the Army Marines mcdu

logistics join the Army Marines mcdu

logistics join the Army Marines mcdu number 3 the messenger the families of

number 3 the messenger the families of

number 3 the messenger the families of fallen soldiers are often a familiar

fallen soldiers are often a familiar

fallen soldiers are often a familiar subject tackled in war films however the

subject tackled in war films however the

subject tackled in war films however the people behind the scenes delivering the

people behind the scenes delivering the

people behind the scenes delivering the bad news hardly ever get any thorough

bad news hardly ever get any thorough

bad news hardly ever get any thorough treatment this was not the case with

treatment this was not the case with

treatment this was not the case with Orin motorman’s devastating yet moving

Orin motorman’s devastating yet moving

Orin motorman’s devastating yet moving film the messenger did anyone talk with

film the messenger did anyone talk with

film the messenger did anyone talk with you already man how did he die telling

you already man how did he die telling

you already man how did he die telling the story of a decorated Iraq war hero

the story of a decorated Iraq war hero

the story of a decorated Iraq war hero and a recovering alcoholic commissioned

and a recovering alcoholic commissioned

and a recovering alcoholic commissioned with alerting next of kin that their

with alerting next of kin that their

with alerting next of kin that their loved ones have lost their lives the

loved ones have lost their lives the

loved ones have lost their lives the movie is full of emotionally charged

movie is full of emotionally charged

movie is full of emotionally charged moments faking the larger question of

moments faking the larger question of

moments faking the larger question of the role many have in wartime with

the role many have in wartime with

the role many have in wartime with amazing performances by Ben Foster and

amazing performances by Ben Foster and

amazing performances by Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson as the titular

Woody Harrelson as the titular

Woody Harrelson as the titular messengers motorman’s film is not to be

messengers motorman’s film is not to be

messengers motorman’s film is not to be missed

missed

missed it’d be worse Christmas number 2

it’d be worse Christmas number 2

it’d be worse Christmas number 2 American sniper God country family right

American sniper God country family right

American sniper God country family right an intense character study as well as an

an intense character study as well as an

an intense character study as well as an exploration of a war legend Clint

exploration of a war legend Clint

exploration of a war legend Clint Eastwood’s biopic about the late Chris

Eastwood’s biopic about the late Chris

Eastwood’s biopic about the late Chris Kyle a military sniper with a reported

Kyle a military sniper with a reported

Kyle a military sniper with a reported 255 kills measures the actions and

255 kills measures the actions and

255 kills measures the actions and effects many soldiers undergo while

effects many soldiers undergo while

effects many soldiers undergo while serving to protect their freedom I just

serving to protect their freedom I just

serving to protect their freedom I just want to get the bad guys but if I can’t

want to get the bad guys but if I can’t

want to get the bad guys but if I can’t see him I can’t shoot him starring

see him I can’t shoot him starring

see him I can’t shoot him starring Bradley Cooper as Kyle the film shows

Bradley Cooper as Kyle the film shows

Bradley Cooper as Kyle the film shows life on both fronts at home and in the

life on both fronts at home and in the

life on both fronts at home and in the battle zone not sparing the gritty

battle zone not sparing the gritty

battle zone not sparing the gritty details of moral decisions that must be

details of moral decisions that must be

details of moral decisions that must be made with the pulling of a trigger

made with the pulling of a trigger

made with the pulling of a trigger despite its warm reception American

despite its warm reception American

despite its warm reception American sniper was also heavily criticized for

sniper was also heavily criticized for

sniper was also heavily criticized for ignoring some of the darker elements of

ignoring some of the darker elements of

ignoring some of the darker elements of Chris Kyle’s story nevertheless it was

Chris Kyle’s story nevertheless it was

Chris Kyle’s story nevertheless it was still nominated for several Academy

still nominated for several Academy

still nominated for several Academy Awards including Best Picture

Awards including Best Picture

Awards including Best Picture I just protecting my guys they were

I just protecting my guys they were

I just protecting my guys they were trying to kill our soldiers and I’m

trying to kill our soldiers and I’m

trying to kill our soldiers and I’m willing to meet my Creator and ask for

willing to meet my Creator and ask for

willing to meet my Creator and ask for every shot that I took number 1 The Hurt

every shot that I took number 1 The Hurt

every shot that I took number 1 The Hurt Locker follow Mew got him

Locker follow Mew got him

Locker follow Mew got him one of the most memorable war films of

one of the most memorable war films of

one of the most memorable war films of the early 21st century Kathryn Bigelow’s

the early 21st century Kathryn Bigelow’s

the early 21st century Kathryn Bigelow’s multiple oscar-winning thriller is a

multiple oscar-winning thriller is a

multiple oscar-winning thriller is a crowning achievement in cinematic

crowning achievement in cinematic

crowning achievement in cinematic storytelling despite not having a

storytelling despite not having a

storytelling despite not having a standard linear plot The Hurt Locker

standard linear plot The Hurt Locker

standard linear plot The Hurt Locker manages to perfectly capture the

manages to perfectly capture the

manages to perfectly capture the intensity of bomb defusion as well as

intensity of bomb defusion as well as

intensity of bomb defusion as well as battle zone tactics gonna war is a

battle zone tactics gonna war is a

battle zone tactics gonna war is a once-in-a-lifetime experience

once-in-a-lifetime experience

once-in-a-lifetime experience could be fun ranging from close-range

could be fun ranging from close-range

could be fun ranging from close-range shootouts to lengthy and nail-biting

shootouts to lengthy and nail-biting

shootouts to lengthy and nail-biting sniper battles the film’s ultimate

sniper battles the film’s ultimate

sniper battles the film’s ultimate metaphor is about the rush one gets

metaphor is about the rush one gets

metaphor is about the rush one gets during combat with three close-knit

during combat with three close-knit

during combat with three close-knit soldiers in a bomb disposal unit taking

soldiers in a bomb disposal unit taking

soldiers in a bomb disposal unit taking the spotlight the varying psychology is

the spotlight the varying psychology is

the spotlight the varying psychology is that the characters are complemented by

that the characters are complemented by

that the characters are complemented by amazing cinematography and sound design

amazing cinematography and sound design

amazing cinematography and sound design putting viewers right in the heat of the

putting viewers right in the heat of the

putting viewers right in the heat of the moment I’m gonna die aren’t I

moment I’m gonna die aren’t I

moment I’m gonna die aren’t I comfortable do you agree with our picks

comfortable do you agree with our picks

comfortable do you agree with our picks check out these other great clips from

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