Movies like The Turning of Wheels (1975)

The Red Badge of Courage (1951)

Henry Fleming is a young Union soldier in the American Civil War. During his unit's first engagement, Henry flees the battlefield in fear. When he learns that the Union actually won the battle, shame over his cowardice leads him to lie to his friend Tom and the other soldiers, saying that he had been injured in battle. However, when he learns that his unit will be leading a charge against the enemy, Henry takes the opportunity to face his fears and redeem himself.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

The Taking of Tiger Mountain (2014)

Yang Zirong disguises himself as a bandit to infiltrate and destroy a bandit group. He joins hands with a hostage, and together, they fight against the warlord, Hawk.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021)

Korean War, winter 1950. In the frozen and snowy area of Changjin Lake, a bloody battle is about to begin between the elite troops of the United States and China.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Jacknife (1989)

A conflict develops between a troubled Vietnam veteran and the sister he lives with when she becomes involved romantically with the army buddy who reminds him of the tragic battle they both survived.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Gezhi Town (2025)

A group of Chinese refugees and straggler soldiers, led by a machinist, defend their mountain town, "Gezhi," against a surprise attack by Japanese reconnaissance troops in a desperate fight using civilian ingenuity against a trained military force.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Behold a Pale Horse (1964)

Manuel Artiguez, a famous bandit during the Spanish civil war, has lived in French exile for 20 years. When his mother is dying he considers visiting her secretly in his Spanish home town. But his biggest enemy, the Spanish police officer Vinolas, prepared a trap at the hospital as a chance to finally catch Artiguez.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Devils on the Doorstep (2001)

During the Japanese occupation of China, two prisoners are dumped in a peasant's home in a small town. The owner is bullied into keeping the prisoners until the next New Year, at which time they will be collected. The village leaders convene to interrogate the prisoners. The townspeople then struggle to accommodate the prisoners. One is a bellicose Japanese nationalist, the other a nervous translator. Will the townspeople manage to keep the prisoners until the New Year?

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Field of Lost Shoes (2015)

A group of teenage cadets sheltered from war at the Virginia Military Institute must confront the horrors of an adult world when they are called upon to defend the Shenandoah Valley.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Wolf Warrior (2015)

A Chinese special force soldier with extraordinary marksmanship is confronted by a group of deadly foreign mercenaries who are hired to assassinate him by a vicious drug lord.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Hell Hath No Fury (2021)

Branded a traitor by her countrymen, French national Marie DuJardin is rescued by American soldiers on one condition: to survive, she must lead them to a cache of gold - before the Nazis return to claim it for themselves.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Men in War (1957)

In Korea, on 6 September 1950, Lieutenant Benson's platoon finds itself isolated in enemy-held territory after a retreat. Soon they are joined by Sergeant Montana, whose overriding concern is caring for his catatonic colonel. Benson and Montana can't stand each other, but together they must get the survivors to Hill 465, where they hope the division is waiting. It's a long, harrowing march, fraught with all the dangers the elusive enemy can summon.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

The Scarlet and the Black (1983)

Fr. Hugh O'Flaherty is a Vatican official in 1943-45 who has been hiding downed pilots, escaped prisoners of war, and Italian resistance families. His activities become so large that the Nazis decide to assassinate him the next time he leaves the Vatican.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

The Battle at Lake Changjin II: Water Gate Bridge (2022)

Commander Wu Qianli leads the 7th Infantry Company soldiers to Funchilin Pass where they are tasked to destroy a bridge to stop enemy troops from retreating.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Waiting for Anya (2020)

During the harrows of WWII, Jo, a young shepherd along with the help of the widow Horcada, helps to smuggle Jewish children across the border from southern France into Spain.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

The Eight Hundred (2020)

In 1937, eight hundred Chinese soldiers fight under siege from a warehouse in the middle of the Shanghai battlefield, completely surrounded by the Japanese army.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Why We Fight: Prelude to War (1942)

Prelude to War was the first film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, commissioned by the Pentagon and George C. Marshall. It was made to convince American troops of the necessity of combating the Axis Powers during World War II. This film examines the differences between democratic and fascist states.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

The Codes of War (2025)

War stories about family, ethics and honor include the true story of two U.S. Marines who in a span of six seconds, must stand their ground to stop a suicide truck bomb, a Navy Corpsman who attempts to hold on to his humanity, and a WW2 soldier who gets separated from his squad and is forced to re-evaluate his code.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Rescue at Dongji (2025)

Inspired by the real life rescue of over 300 British soldiers in 1942, Dongji Rescue is a rousing, action-packed story of heroism on the high seas. When the Japanese warship Lisbon Maru is torpedoed off the coast of Dongji Island, the lives of over 300 British POWs on board are at risk of being claimed by the sea. Their only hope is a small group of defiant Chinese fisherman who will do anything to rescue and protect them from their captors.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

The Beast of War (1988)

During the war in Afghanistan a Soviet tank crew commanded by a tyrannical officer find themselves lost and in a struggle against a band of Mujahadeen guerrillas in the mountains.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Wolf Warrior 2 (2017)

China's deadliest special forces operative settles into a quiet life on the sea. When sadistic mercenaries begin targeting nearby civilians, he must leave his newfound peace behind and return to his duties as a soldier and protector.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war

Shanghai Express (1932)

A beautiful temptress re-kindles an old romance while trying to escape her past during a tension-packed train journey.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both war

Ten Thousand Li Ahead (1941)

Driver Ko Wah (Lee Ching) refuses to transport ammunitions for the enemy, and is sent to jail after a scuffle with his traitorous boss. Although down and out, Ko takes in Siu-fung (Yung Siu-yi), an unwilling erotic dancer who has fled the war to Hong Kong. They may lead destitute lives, but their conscience remains intact. Director Cai Chusheng co-founded the National Salvation Association of Cinema. When Ko makes a uproar at the dance parlour and rips apart his friend's zombie costume, it represents Cai's criticism on the muddling-along attitude of Hong Kong society at the time. The characters' decision to return to the mainland to join the resistance effort also foretells Cai's decision to do the same in real-life.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both war

The Great Battle of Zhifeng (1986)

The exploits of General Feng, who defeated the Zhili faction and evicted Pu Yi from the Forbidden City.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both war

The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933)

Shanghai, China, the 1920s. In the midst of a bloody civil war, General Yen, a ruthless warlord, rescues Megan Davis —who was about to marry a missionary— from certain death amid the chaos.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both war

To Live (1994)

Married couple Fugui and Jiazhen endure tumultuous events in mid-20th century mainland China as their personal fortunes move from wealthy landownership to peasantry.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both war

Secret Order Intercept (1986)

Set in the anti-Japanese war, a Japanese commander who killed a lot of Chinese receives an order to return to Japan. Scouts from the eighth route army must intercept the executioner before he leaves China.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both war

沙家店粮站 (1954)

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both war

Explosion Before Dawn (1984)

In autumn 1948, during the Huaihai Campaign, Xie Yanfei, a reconnaissance chief, infiltrated Hekou City with driver Xiao Wang, using Lou A’mei as cover. Discovering the local Party organization was compromised, he sought his childhood sweetheart, Xia Cailian, who had joined the enemy’s service corps. They met secretly at Lou A’mei’s, but the enemy grew suspicious. After a firefight, Xie was wounded, and Xiao sacrificed himself. Xie escaped into a lake and was rescued by Xia Cailian, who recognized him as her former lover. Despite their past, Xie maintained secrecy and left without revealing their identities.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both war

Jue Sha (1993)

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both war

100 Years (2021)

As the Communist Party of China celebrates its 100th anniversary, this documentary looks back at the party’s history, from the 1920’s, to the Civil War, the Great Leap Forward, the Great Famine, the Cultural Revolution and the reforms by Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. Did the Great Famine cost more than 15 million lives? How does the Cultural Revolution continue to shape Chinese politics today? What was capitalism like after Mao’s death? Through rare and never-before-seen historical footage, expert interviews and eyewitness accounts of the Great Famine, Tiananmen incident, and the Cultural Revolution, get to know how one party has so profoundly shaped China.

Why it matches: Similar story and style