Netflix Just Added 3 War Movies to Its December 2023 Lineup You Can't Miss

Summary

• Netflix is one of the best sources for military movies and shows.
• In December, three excellent feature films are available on the service.
• Each tells the story of the heroism of the American military in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

When we talk about streaming military movies and shows, the best solution is most often Netflix, which offers a wide catalog of excellent examples of the genre, many of which have become universally acclaimed classics. However, the streaming service's library is so vast that it can sometimes be incredibly difficult to navigate and find something you like. Luckily, we're here to help, ready to tell you about the best movies and TV shows you can't miss!

Some of the films listed below were panned upon release but have risen to the top of Netflix, while others have been praised by critics for their realism. Still, each is a worthy option for fans of military dramas and action-packed chronicles. Here are three great military movies available on Netflix this December.

3. Hunter Killer (2018)

Hunter Killer is a highly underrated movie based on the series of novels of the same name by Don Keith and retired United States Navy Commander George Wallace. The main feature of this military action thriller is the starring role of Gerard Butler, probably the main star of many action movies of the 2010s.

The plot revolves around Captain Joe Glass (Butler), who is sent to investigate the disappearance of the American submarine, which was tracking a Russian submarine. It is revealed that there has been a military coup in Russia, resulting in the kidnapping of the Russian president. The protagonist must rescue him (yes, that sounds special in 2023) to avert the looming prospect of World War III.

In addition to Butler, Hunter Killer also stars Gary Oldman, rapper Common and Michael Nyqvist. Audiences have rediscovered the 2023 film as it entered the U.S. Top 10 chart earlier this month, climbing to number three.

2. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)

Despite its box office failure and criticism that it silenced the political controversy surrounding the subject, 13 Hours is a typical representative of Michael Bay's film repertoire, which consists largely of high-octane action movies full of pathos, explosions and epic actions of the protagonists. Based on the non-fiction book by Mitchell Zuckoff, the plot of the film follows the events of the Arab War and the Libyan crisis. In 2012, members of the militant Islamic group Ansar al-Sharia carried out a coordinated attack on an American diplomatic compound and a CIA annex in Benghazi. To their rescue came a team of private military contractors, who fearlessly held off the militants' attacks for 13 hours.

The film stars John Krasinski and James Badge Dale.

1. Lone Survivor (2013)

Rounding out our list is a war movie that, despite some historical inaccuracies, has been one of the most successful, becoming one of the top-grossing films of 2013 with $154.8 million at the box office, most of which came from the United States.

Directed by Peter Berg, the film is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by retired United States Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell and columnist Patrick Robinson. Lone Survivor follows the events during 2005 Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan, which resulted in Luttrell, played by the not-so-famous Mark Wahlberg, being the sole survivor.

As the story unfolds, the Navy SEAL team is tasked with capturing a local Taliban warlord responsible for the deaths of numerous Marines. During the special operation, they are faced with a difficult choice: eliminate local civilians or release them, risking their own lives as the men may turn out to be Taliban accomplices. The soldiers choose to not 'kill the kids', but their decision has tragic consequences.