Like movies about war, TV series can highlight the best and worst of humanity that comes out in times of conflict. TV shows about war can provide new perspectives on historical events, and can introduce characters who are either based on people who experienced these historical events or fictional ones who witness some of the worst violence in history. A TV format can allow for a more in-depth exploration of topics like the nature of war and how it impacts the ordinary people who experience it firsthand.
Some TV series about war, likeWe Were the Lucky Ones, highlight the human cost of war and present characters who find themselves caught up in the chaos. Other series, likeThe Pacific, offer unflinching looks at the brutality of war and how no one who lives through it emerges unscathed.The best series about war offer pointed commentary on how the destruction of all conflicts lasts long after the last shots have been fired.
10’Rome' (2005-2007)
Created by John Milius, William J. Macdonald, and Bruno Heller
Romeis a historical dramathat chronicles Rome’s transition from being an Empire to a Republic. The series features a large ensemble cast, with some characters based on actual historical figures. The story mainly focuses on two Roman soldiers, Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson). Through these two, viewers are invited to consider the chaos of the conflict that changed the face of Rome forever.
As a war drama,Romeis a nuanced look at the ethical issues that have always presented themselves during times of war. The series presents characters who have to reckon with the fact that their ideals are often incompatible with the reality of the war that they face some of the most critical moments in the history of Rome. In addition to exploring the ethics of war, the series delves into how conflict impacted the lives of ordinary Roman citizens.
9’Das Boot' (2018)
Created by Johannes W. Betz and Tony Saint
Das Bootis a German series, and is considered a sequel to the movie of the same name, which itself is based on the novel byLothar-Günther Buchheim.While the movie follows a German submarine crewduring World War II, the series follows events on both land and sea.Das Bootalso follows characters from different backgrounds who are fighting the war in Europe, such as Simone Strasser (Vicky Krieps), a German translator recruited by the French Resistance.
Like the movieDas Boot, one of the most impactful war movies of all time, the series offers a nuanced look at the realities of war. The movie delves deeper into what the situation was in Europe during World War II, and victory was only possible because of the strength of the Allied Forces and the European Resistance movement. The series delves deeper into all the reasons Hitler was always doomed to fail and how he and his military were always destined to lose the war.
8’China Beach' (1988-1991)
Created by William Broyles Jr. and John Sacret Young
China Beachis an American drama about the Vietnam Warthat follows the women who fought in the conflict. The series introduces Lieutenant (later Captain) Colleen McMurphy (Dana Delany), a US Army nurse stationed at the 510th Evac Hospital in the late 1960s. The series is mainly told from her perspective. Through McMurphy, viewers are invited to consider the toll of war on medical personnel and those who were in non-combatant roles.
China Beachis an essential war series because it spotlights the role of women in war. In a genre that typically focuses on the male experience, this is an important perspective, since women have always been on the frontlines of war and their experiences have been underappreciated.China Beachis also one of the most important series about war because it underlines the point that non-combatants and those caring for people during times of conflict are deeply impacted by what they experience.
China Beach: Pilot
7’Generation Kill' (2008)
Directed by Susanna White and Simon Cellan Jones
Generation Killis based onEvan Wright’s book of the same name, which details his experience as an embedded reporter with a group of US Marines during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The series features a large ensemble cast based on real US Marines, and how the early days and weeks of the US invasion of Iraq were filled with chaos. Generation Kill offers a unique perspective on the Iraq War, since it was released five years after the American invasion.
What makesGeneration Killsuch an important series about war is that it offers a unique perspective on a recent conflict by focusing on the journalist’s perspective. The series provides a distinctly unromantic look at the American invasion of Iraq, which featured nothing but chaos from the beginning.Generation Killnever offers easy answers to complex questions about the justification for the war. Instead, it allows viewers to see what the invasion was like from the middle of the anarchy.
Generation Kill
6’We Were the Lucky Ones' (2024)
Created by Erica Lipez
We Were the Lucky Onesfollows a European-Jewish family who survived World War II and the Holocaust. The series is based on the 2017 book of the same name byGeorgia Hunter, which is based on her family’s experience during this time.We Were the Lucky Onesintroduces the Kurc family. Nechuma (Robin Weigert), Sol (Lior Ashkenazi), and their five children are scattered across the world as World War II destroys Europe.
We Were the Lucky Onesis an essential series about war because it highlights the human cost of war’s destruction. This series is a heartbreaking reminder of the fact that the families of those Hitler targeted were ripped apart and were never the same.We Were the Lucky Onesis a jarring look at how easily antisemitism was embraced by so many during the war, and how Jewish families were at the center of Hitler’s destructive campaign.
We Were the Lucky Ones
5’The World at War' (1973-1974)
Created by Jeremy Isaacs
The World at Waris a British docuseriesthat chronicles the major events of World War II. In 26 episodes, the series looks at the key moments in the war and features footage of actual battles. The series also features interviews with people who experienced World War II firsthand as members of the British military. There are particularly heartbreaking accounts of veterans who saw some of the worst fighting, and people who witnessed the horrors of concentration camps.
The World at Waris a landmark TV series, and offers an unvarnished look at what living through war can do to anyone. This docuseries goes into painstaking detail about what World War II looked like from different perspectives.The World at Warremoves any romantic notions about World War II. The fact that it presents firsthand accounts from people who lived through these horrific events shows that the wounds of war aren’t soon forgotten.
The World At War
4’Combat!' (1962-1967)
Created by Robert Pirosh
Combat!is an American war seriesthat follows a group of American soldiers fighting in France during World War II. Most of the story takes place towards the end of the war, since the events of D-Day are shown in a flashback. The series follows Second Lieutenant Gil Hanley (Rick Jason) and Sergeant Chip Saunders (Vic Morrow), the group leaders who often lead their soldiers through some of the worst fighting in Europe at the end of the war.
What makesCombat!such an important movie about war is the fact that it highlights the daily grind of war. The fact that many cast members featured in the show were military veterans themselves adds a layer of authenticity to the story. Additionally, because this series aired beginning about 20 years after the end of the war, it provides valuable insight into how the United States perceived its contributions to the Western Front of World War II.
3’The Pacific' (2010)
Created by Bruce C. McKenna
The Pacificis a follow-up toBand of Brothers, and follows a group of United States Marines fighting in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The series is based on the accounts of three Marines,Robert Hugh Leckie(James Badge Dale),Eugene Sledge(Joseph Mazzello), andJohn Basilone(Jon Seda).LikeBand of Brothers,The Pacificis an unvarnished look at how brutal the fighting of World War II was.
The Pacificis an essential miniseries about war because it highlights the specific horrors that existed on the Pacific Front. The series' commitment to accuracy as detailed in the source material makes it stand out from other series, even those that have the same gritty look and feel.The Pacificstands out because it never once glorifies war, nor forgets the sacrifices that it took to ultimately achieve victory.
The Pacific
2’Band of Brothers' (2001)
Created by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg
Band of Brothersis based onStephen Ambrose’s non-fiction bookof the same name. The series follows the stories of the soldiers of Easy Company, who saw some of the worst fighting in Europe during World War II.Band of Brotherssees these American soldiers face the lead-up to the end of the war. The series is another example of one that’s based on the accounts of people who actually witnessed history and spent their lives trying to keep the memory of what was sacrificed during the war alive.
Band of Brothersis far more than a series about war. Ultimately, this series represents the best qualities that Americans see in themselves. While this series never glorifies war, it does present characters who had to show uncommon heroism and make impossible choices.Band of Brothershighlights how Americans have seen their contribution to World War II, including fighting for freedom from tyranny in Europe.
Band of Brothers
1’MAS*H' (1972-1983)
Created by Larry Gelbart
MAS*His based on the movie of the same name, which is based on the novel “MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors” byRichard Hooker.The series follows Hawkeye Pierce(Alan Alda), an American surgeon stationed in an American mobile surgical hospital during the Korean War. The series highlights the work of this fictional MASH unit as they do their best to save as many lives as possible while under fire.
MASHshone a spotlight on a war that was forgotten by many Americans, which makes it one of the most important series about war. The Korean War was uniquely catastrophic and although this series is told from an American perspective, it highlights how it changed the course of history while impacting ordinary people. Relatedly, althoughMASHwas set during the Korean War, it started airing when the United States was fighting the Vietnam War, it had a powerful and universal anti-war message for viewers to consider.
