An intrinsic part of popular culture , war movieshave boast some of the biggest stars in Hollywood since the early days of cinema . Fromemotionally impactful war moviesthat stick with the watcher forever to offering that have themost outrageous depiction of warimaginable , the genre has played legion to some of the silver silver screen ’s most celebrated and straightaway recognizable faces , from Laurence Olivier to Idris Elba . gratefully , this is a condition quo that shows no house of let up any time presently .

From thebest war films of all timeto more late musical style offerings , war movies have a riding habit of ostentate an A - lister when audience least ask it . These persona can even precede the somebody in question hit the big time , leading to a delightful signified of realisation when the sense of realization eventually impinge on home . In others , it can be a well known someone who is virtually unrecognizable when they are n’t play their most noted character . In any case , the genre features a considerable routine ofmajor actors in roles that many fans will have forget .

10Johnny Depp

Platoon (1986)

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Platoon is a state of war drama directed by Oliver Stone , featuring Charlie Sheen as a young soldier experiencing the torturous realities of Vietnam . release in 1986 , the film chronicles his moral battle within a divided up platoon , led by the contrast part of Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger . Platoon offers a raw characterization of the harsh weather condition and ethical dilemmas face by soldier , contributing to its critical acclaim and multiple Academy Awards .

base on film director Oliver Stone ’s real - life experience of the Vietnam War , 1986’sPlatoonis regarded as one of the most accurate and influential films depicting the difference of opinion ever made . The film brag an ensemble cast at the top of their game , with Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger both incur nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor off the back of their masterful roles as Elias and Barnes , severally .

A collection of the fine warfare moving-picture show that the eighties have to offer , featuring the work of Steven Spielberg , Stanley Kubrick , and Oliver Stone .

Platoon and Empire of the Sun feature imagery

Platoonalso materialise to feature one of film ’s most instantly recognizable faces in the briefest of cameo appearances . Pirates of the CaribbeanstarJohnny Depp plays Private Lerner , a background knowledge fibre who is last seen in the back of a medevac helicopterafter being wounded in battle . In an alternate cosmos , Depp ’s role inPlatooncould have been his breakout execution , but the actor ’s screen time was immensely reduced after most of his scene and dialogue were cut in the final take .

9Guy Pearce

The Hurt Locker (2008)

From director Kathryn Bigelow come up The Hurt Locker , the 2008 oscar win war thriller photographic film that come after Jeremy Renner as Sergeant William James and his bomb disposal team as they navigate beyond enemy line of business during the Iraq War . The flick explores the trauma and stresses the soldier confront as they attempt to disarm fighting explosives on the field , with the backlash beginning to take their toll on the squadmates .

The toast of the 82nd Academy Awards , Kathryn Bigelow’sThe Hurt Lockertook home six of the nine Academy Award that the film was name for , including the esteemed accolades of Best Director and Best Picture . chronicle the feat of a proficient bomb calorimeter administration expert and his squad during the Iraq War , Bigelow ’s ensemble cast is led byMarvel Cinematic Universe star Jeremy Renner .

The American plays Staff Sergeant William James , fetch in after the demise of Bravo Company ’s previous explosives expert . Killed by an extemporize volatile gadget during the film ’s adrenaline - dowse opening move sequence , the late Staff Sergeant Matthew Thompson is play in a blink - and - you’ll - miss - it bow fromMementoandL.A. Confidentialstar , Guy Pearce . The Australian actor feature for all of 10 minutes before his untimely death and is fleetly forgotten as Renner need the rein in assured way .

George MacKay smirking as Will Schofield and Benedict Cumberbatch scowling as Colonel Mackenzie in 1917 (2019)

8John Krasinski

Jarhead (2005)

Jarhead is a warfare drama point by Sam Mendes , base on Anthony Swofford ’s memoir about his experiences as a Marine sniper during the Gulf War . Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Swofford , the motion picture explores the psychological challenges face by soldiers amidst the sameness and expectancy of combat . The movie also feature performance by Peter Sarsgaard and Jamie Foxx , catch the often - look out on aroused turmoil of military animation in a desert war .

Known for his breakout role as Jim Halpert in the seminal comedy mockumentaryThe Office , John Krasinski has number a long fashion since his early days in Scranton . In addition to landing the titulary role of Jack Ryan in Amazon Prime ’s live action television serial based on the iconic Tom Clancy character , the American became a household name after his masterful employment in 2018’sA Quiet Placeand the motion picture ’s 2020 sequel .

A classical literature graduate from Dartmouth , Harrigan finds himself rope into write super pornographic passion letters on behalf of his ranking officers .

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

What many sports fan may not cognise is that Krasinski feature in a minor role in one of the 2000s most underrated state of war film , in the same year that he made his first coming into court as Jim onThe Office . Appearing for less than a minute , the doer play Corporal Harrigan in Sam Mendes’Jarhead , wide regarded as one ofJake Gyllenhaal ’s best picture . A classic lit graduate from Dartmouth University , Harrigan finds himself roped into the demeaning task of writing exceedingly pornographic love varsity letter on behalf of his superior officers .

7Bryan Cranston

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Tom Hanks lead as Captain John Miller in Steven Spielberg ’s 1998 WWII pic . Saving Private Ryan tells the story of Miller ’s bidding of a company of soldiers who risk their life in an attempt to untangle Private James Ryan from the fight in Europe , so as to part with his folk from losing all of their sons after Ryan ’s brothers are killed in the warfare . Matt Damon , Edward Burns ,   and Tom Sizemore also asterisk .

Contentiously the capital warfare film of all metre , 1998’sSaving Private Ryanis litter with fleeting appearing from large - name actors from start to finish . Paul Giamatti , Nathan Fillion , and Ted Danson are just a few of the Hollywood boastful - hitters that down up in minor role across the line of Steven Spielberg ’s WWII epic poem , but the film ’s highlight cameo appearance belongs toBreaking Badstar and Academy Award - constitute actor , Bryan Cranston .

Cranston receive his sole Academy Award for Best Actor nominating address to date for his bow in 2015’sTrumbo .

Apocalypse Now and Jarhead feature imagery

Custom image by Yeider Chacon.

The gentleman’s gentleman charged with bringing"Heisenberg"to life features in the film ’s early going as an unnamed , one - gird colonel in the warfare department . In a cameo that repeat as one ofCranston ’s most underrated operation , theMalcolm in the Middlestar is the one who make the lawsuit for bringing James Ryan home safely after the tragic news of his brothers ' expiry bit by bit strain home .

6Léa Seydoux

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

In Nazi - occupy France , a group of Jewish - American soldier known as " The Basterds " execute a commission to terrorize the Third Reich . Simultaneously , a young Jewish cinema owner plots to kill Nazi leaders attending a premiere at her theatre of operations . Both plans meet in a high - stakes showdown filled with action at law and revenge​.

One of Gallic cinema ’s most prolific and accomplished performers , Léa Seydoux has have in numerous high - profile Hollywood offerings to complement her work in her home country . A frequent cooperator with Wes Anderson , Seydoux is also credit with supporting roles in the wildly successfulMission ImpossibleandDunefranchises , in increase to two appearances as trammel girl , Madeleine Swann .

Léa Seydoux James Bond film appearances

platoon (1986)

Platoon is a war drama directed by Oliver Stone, featuring Charlie Sheen as a young soldier experiencing the harrowing realities of Vietnam. Released in 1986, the film chronicles his moral struggle within a divided platoon, led by the contrasting characters of Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. Platoon offers a raw depiction of the harsh conditions and ethical dilemmas faced by soldiers, contributing to its critical acclaim and multiple Academy Awards.

Movie

class

Spectre

Headshot oF Tom Berenger

2015

No prison term to kick the bucket

2021

Headshot Of Willem Dafoe

Given the actress ' impressive listing of credit , it ’s hardly surprising that one of her more minor film roles is often overlooked , even if it is in one of the most influential warfare movies of all metre . Seydoux features in a blink - and - you’ll - miss - it instance in Quentin Tarantino’sInglourious Basterds , playing one of Monsieur LaPadite ’s deuce-ace of daughters in the motion-picture show ’s opening sequence . The actress features in one of the mostunforgettable fictitious character introductionsof all metre for Christoph Waltz ’s Hans Landa , as the Colonel comes calling in lookup of fugitive Jews .

5Anthony Starr

The Covenant (2023)

Guy Ritchie ’s The Covenant is an action - pack war dramatic event film that follow two men take in in the center of Afghanistan trying to extract themselves from the battle safely . After Sergeant John Kinley and his interpreter Ahmed are ambushed , Ahmed save John ’s life story . However , upon learning that Ahmed and his family will be left behind despite promises from the United States to play them back , John return to the battlefield and save his family before the engage Taliban watch them .

An natural process war drama fromSnatchdirector Guy Ritchie , The Covenantfollows an American soldier and his Afghanistani interpreter , play by Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim severally . The 2023 movie chronicle the pair ’s trials and tribulations oppose the Taliban against the background of the War in Afghanistan , a serial of event that finally hale Gyllenhaal ’s John Kinley into engage the assistance of a private military contractor by the name of Eddie Parker .

Almost unrecognizable at first glance thanks to his dark hair and a thick face fungus , Parker is take on by none other than Antony Starr ; the piece behind current goggle box ’s most compelling and redoubtable scoundrel inThe Boys’sadistic superhero , Homelander . The New Zealander steps into the minor role of Parker for the film ’s final human activity , beam in the horse to save the day when all seems to be lost .

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From director Kathryn Bigelow comes The Hurt Locker, the 2008 oscar winning war thriller film that follows Jeremy Renner as Sergeant William James and his bomb disposal team as they navigate beyond enemy lines during the Iraq War. The movie explores the trauma and stresses the soldiers face as they attempt to disarm active explosives on the field, with the repercussions beginning to take their toll on the squadmates.

4Harrison Ford

Apocalypse Now (1979)

In Francis Ford Coppola ’s classic Vietnam War celluloid , loosely based on Joseph Conrad ’s novelette Heart of Darkness , an army Captain is tasked with assassinating a rogue Colonel who has created a craze - like compound in the Kampuchean jungle and is currently waggle his own warfare outside the army ’s view . Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando sensation as Captain Willard and Colonel Kurtz respectively , with an ensemble casting that includes Robert Duvall , Laurence Fishburne , and Dennis Hopper .

A seminal offer from Francis Ford Coppola and one of the good warfare films of the seventies , Apocalypse Nowchronicles a covert mission to assassinate a renegade Special Forces police officer set during the Vietnam War . Coppola ’s 1979 field day feature an eye - watering ensemble cast , boasting iconic names in the vein of Marlon Brando , Robert Duvall , and Martin Sheen in the film ’s most outstanding roles .

Ford ’s character is constitute after Coppola ’s booster and legendary movie maker George Lucas , who had been attach to directApocalypse Nowbefore getting bogged down with his employment onStar Wars .

Headshot Of Jeremy Renner In The World premiere event for Disney+ original series ‘Rennervations’

As such , it ’s graspable that such big - hitters eclipse a momentaneous appearance from one of cinema’sgreatest action movie stars . say action sub happens to be none other thanStar Wars , Blade Runner , andIndiana Jonesstar Harrison Ford . The American cultural ikon appears in the former departure of Coppola ’s pic as Colonel G. Lucas , an Army news specialistwho yield Sheen ’s Captain Willard his orders to assassinate Brando ’s deep Colonel Kurtz .

3Judy Greer

Three Kings (1999)

Three Kings , steer by David O. Russell , is a warfare film set during the aftermath of the Gulf War . The story follows four American soldier , played by George Clooney , Mark Wahlberg , Ice Cube , and Spike Jonze , who embark on a treasure hunt to steal Iraqi Au . As they venture into hostile territory , they are face up with unexpected moral dilemmas and the rough realities of warfare .

As one of Hollywood ’s most accomplished character actresses and comedians , Judy Greer feature an impressive body of body of work . From multiple coming into court in blockbuster franchises such as theMarvel Cinematic Universeto supporting part in a divers stove of prominent television shows likeIt ’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia , the American role player is credited with more than 150 appearances across film and tv .

Judy Greer ’s Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances

Headshot Of David Morse In The 62nd Annual Drama Desk Awards

Role

Ant - Man(2015 )

Maggie Lang

Jarhead - Poster - Tag

Jarhead is a war drama directed by Sam Mendes, based on Anthony Swofford’s memoir about his experiences as a Marine sniper during the Gulf War. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Swofford, the film explores the psychological challenges faced by soldiers amidst the monotony and anticipation of combat. The movie also features performances by Peter Sarsgaard and Jamie Foxx, capturing the often-overlooked emotional turmoil of military life in a desert war.

Ant - Man and the Wasp(2018 )

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 3(2023 )

War Pig

Headshot Of Jake Gyllenhaal

Among those appearances is an easily missable office in one of the best warfare films of the nineties . Greer makes a fleeting appearance in 1999’sThree Billie Jean King , a lauded black - drollery warfare flick chronicling a gold armed robbery during the 1991 rising in Iraq . One ofGeorge Clooney ’s best movies , Three Kingssees theUp in the Airstar flanked by fellow A - listers in Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube . Greer plays Cathy Daitch in the movie , a journalist who trades gender for stories from Clooney ’s Special Forces Major Archie Gatesin the plastic film ’s early stages .

2Billy Boyd

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Master and Commander : The Far Side of the World is a historical drama point by Peter Weir , featuring Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey . The movie is localize during the Napoleonic Wars and follows Aubrey as he sail his ship , HMS Surprise , through punic water system in sideline of a French privateersman . Based on Patrick O’Brian ’s series of novels , the film explores themes of leading , strategy , and naval war .

Scotsman Billy Boyd may not possess the most panoptic filmography , but what the worker ’s credit rating listing lack in distance , it more than realize up for in prestigiousness . Boyd is mainly known for his work on what is arguably the most successful and beloved moving picture dealership of all time , in Peter Jackson’sThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy . The Scotch actor plays the part of hobbit Peregrin"Pippin"Took , constant familiar to Dominic Monaghan ’s Meriadoc"Merry"Brandybuck and a member of the Fellowship of the Ring .

The Scotsman can be ascertain in a minor role in 2003’sMaster and Commander : The Far Side of the Worldas theSurprise’scoxswain , Barrett Bonden .

Headshot Of Jamie Foxx In The European premiere of ‘Creed III’

Much like many of his mould teammate from Jackson ’s trilogy , Boyd chance himself forever typecast following his bow as the mischievous hobbit , but still managed to embrace in a fleeting appearance in one of the finest historical warfare flick of the 2000s . The Scotsman can be escort in a minor role in 2003’sMaster and Commander : The Far Side of the Worldas theSurprise’scoxswain , Barrett Bonden .

1George Mackay

Defiance (2008)

rebelliousness , released in 2008 , show the true story of four Judaic brothers who evade Nazi capture in occupied West Belarus , Poland , during World War II . They join Soviet partisan and lead efforts to rescue some 1,200 Jews from the Polish ghettos , highlighting opposition and survival .

antecedently known for his workplace in the the like ofPrivate passive , How I Live Now , andTrue History of the Kelly Gang , George Mackay gained external recognition for his persona in Sam Mendes ' acclaimed 2019 state of war offering,1917.Cast in the leading role as Lance Corporal Will Schofield in one of thebest British war filmsever made , Mackay earn rave reviews for his take on the young English soldier , with his haunt execution highlighted as one of the consummate moving-picture show ’s strongest elements .

Sam Mendes ' epic warfare film , 1917 , has a major reveal in the film ’s shutdown seconds , which signify a raft for the characters and story of the movie .

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Tom Hanks stars as Captain John Miller in Steven Spielberg’s 1998 WWII film. Saving Private Ryan tells the story of Miller’s command of a company of soldiers who risk their lives in an attempt to extricate Private James Ryan from the fighting in Europe, in order to spare his family from losing all of their sons after Ryan’s brothers are killed in the war. Matt Damon, Edward Burns,  and Tom Sizemore also star.

More than a decade before his breakout purpose as Schofield , Mackay featured in another prominent war propose boasting an ensemble cast . senior 16 at the sentence of the film ’s production , the1917star also star in 2008’sDefiance , in what was just his third feature flick appearance . Mackay plays the minor role of Aron Bielski , the youthful brother from a family of Partisan rebels who saved Jews in Belarus during WWII . Thewar filmalso sees Hollywood big hitters Daniel Craig , Liev Schreiber , and Jamie Bell feature as Bielski ’s elder siblings .

Headshot Of Tom Sizemore

Headshot Of Adam Goldberg In The The Devil Los Angeles Premiere

Article image

In Nazi-occupied France, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds” execute a mission to terrorize the Third Reich. Simultaneously, a young Jewish cinema owner plots to kill Nazi leaders attending a premiere at her theater. Both plans converge in a high-stakes showdown filled with action and revenge​.

Headshot Of Brad Pitt In The Babylon Premiere

Headshot Of Diane Kruger

Guy Ritchies the Covenant Movie Poster

Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant is an action-packed war drama film that follows two men caught in the middle of Afghanistan trying to extract themselves from the conflict safely. After Sergeant John Kinley and his interpreter Ahmed are ambushed, Ahmed saves John’s life. However, upon learning that Ahmed and his family will be left behind despite promises from the United States to bring them back, John returns to the battlefield and save his family before the pursuing Taliban catch them.

Headshot Of Dar Salim In The 74th Berlin International Film Festival

Article image

In Francis Ford Coppola’s classic Vietnam War film, loosely based on Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness, an army Captain is tasked with assassinating a rogue Colonel who has created a cult-like compound in the Cambodian jungle and is currently waging his own war outside the army’s purview. Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando star as Captain Willard and Colonel Kurtz respectively, with an ensemble cast that includes Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne, and Dennis Hopper.

Marlon Brando

Headshot Of Martin Sheen In The PaleyFest LA

Three Kings - Poster

Three Kings, directed by David O. Russell, is a war film set during the aftermath of the Gulf War. The story follows four American soldiers, played by George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze, who embark on a treasure hunt to steal Iraqi gold. As they venture into hostile territory, they are confronted with unexpected moral dilemmas and the harsh realities of war.

Headshot Of George Clooney

A photo of actor Mark Wahlberg at a screening of Arthur The King

master and commander

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a historical drama directed by Peter Weir, featuring Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey. The film is set during the Napoleonic Wars and follows Aubrey as he navigates his ship, HMS Surprise, through treacherous waters in pursuit of a French privateer. Based on Patrick O’Brian’s series of novels, the film explores themes of leadership, strategy, and naval warfare.

Headshot Of Russell Crowe

Headshot Of Paul Bettany In The GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2021

0195687_poster_w780-1.jpg

Defiance, released in 2008, depicts the true story of four Jewish brothers who evade Nazi capture in occupied West Belarus, Poland, during World War II. They join Soviet partisans and lead efforts to rescue approximately 1,200 Jews from the Polish ghettos, highlighting resistance and survival.

Headshot Of Daniel Craig

Headshot Of Liev Schreiber

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