10 Best Civil War Movies That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Best Civil War Movies

History of the Military Battles and Wars of the Civil War Figures of Interest Weapons & Arms Ships at War & Naval Combat Aircraft and Battles in the Sky Revolutionary France WWI and WWII were both fought in Vietnam.

Civil War was the worst conflict in American history, pitting brothers against each other and destroying significant parts of the nation. No surprise so many dramatic films and documentaries have been made about World War II. Best examples bring this interesting era to life and show how the conflict shaped American history.

1. Glory

Glory

This thrilling narrative of the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first African-American unit to be formed in combat during the Civil War, is one of the most famous and critically acclaimed Civil War movie ever created, “Glory.” After a successful attack on Fort Wagner in 1863, this regiment helped influence the trajectory of the Civil War. Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick, and Morgan Freeman lead in an all-star cast in this historically accurate and detailed picture.

2. Gettysburg

Adapted from Michael Shaara’s novel “The Killer Angels,” “Gettysburg” depicts the narrative of how the legendary 1863 battle helped the Union defeat Robert E. Lee’s army in the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Filming the fighting scenes at Gettysburg gave the film a strong sense of reality. “Gettysburg” has a great cast, including Jeff Daniels, who gives an excellent performance. It’s a must-see for Civil War aficionados thanks to its terrific soundtrack and writing.

3. Gone With the Wind

Gone With the Wind

Oscar-winning picture The Civil War utilizes a strong-willed Southern woman as its protagonist. In “Gone With the Wind,” we see the South’s perspective without being moralistic. It is certain that Sherman’s March to the Sea had a profound influence on the inhabitants of the South by destroying Atlanta and seizing Tara.

4. North and South

One of the most significant moments in American history is examined in this television miniseries. Good and terrible characters are depicted on both sides of a tragic period in history in the story, which is based on the popular historical novels by John Jakes. James Read and David Carradine both shine in their roles. If you’re a fan of military history, this series is a must-read.

5. The Red Badge of Courage

The Red Badge of Courage

On the basis of Stephen Crane’s classic novel, this film follows a young Union soldier’s battle with cowardice. Despite the fact that studio editors substantially trimmed the film from its initial length, it has held up well over time. A number of fight sequences are featured, as well as the novel’s narration, in the film adaptation. Audie Murphy, a World War II soldier, portrays the protagonist in the film.

6. Shenandoah

During the Civil War, a wealthy planter in Virginia refuses to pick sides. A wrongful kidnapping of his son by Union soldiers forces him to get involved. It is on this journey that the family learns about the horrors of war and how important it is to maintain family values. Scenery, plot, and Jimmy Stewart’s performance are all excellent in this film.

7. Cold Mountain

Cold Mountain

“Cold Mountain,” based on Charles Frazier’s award-winning novel, stars Jude Law and Nicole Kidman as a Confederate soldier and his lover. Filmed in Virginia and North Carolina, where the story takes place, the film reveals the hardships endured by those in the region during the American Civil War.

8. Lincoln

In “Lincoln,” Daniel Day-Lewis plays Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, as he and his “team of competitors” struggle to pass the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution near the close of the Civil War. As the Civil War came to a close, the movie concentrates on the challenging political issues that faced U.S. officials.

9. The Civil War

The Civil War

Ken Burns’ PBS series “The Civil War” is a documentary epic that clocks in at about 12 hours. It tells the account of the Civil War from the time of the South’s secession through Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in nine episodes. David McCullough, Sam Waterston, Julie Harris, and M. Emmet Walsh also appear in the film’s narration.

10. Gods and Generals

Gettysburg is a prequel to Gettysburg, but this prequel is entirely about Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson, who led his troops to multiple triumphs. Battles such as Fredericksburg’s and Gettysburg’s are depicted in great detail in the film.