The American civil war was the deadliest and bloodiest war fought on American soil. It has serious consequences on the formation of the modern map of America. The younger generation knows about the tragic loss of lives and heroic moments through civil war movies.
The American civil war movies have been a source of knowledge as well as entertainment. Furthermore, the best civil war movies have boldly depicted the brutal realities of the bygone era. Moreover, the best civil war movies are not only about brave action sequences but are also about the sentiments and the emotionality that enchanted the people of the land. Here we present a list of the Best civil war movies and the civil war movies on Netflix.
Table of Contents
BEST CIVIL WAR MOVIES
LINCOLN
PLOT
This is one of the most loved American civil war movies, it is based on the life of the 16th President of the United States of America. He was known for his powerful statesmanship and grit. Abe. Lincoln was the president when the country was amidst the civil war, the death count was humungous. In this one from the list of best American civil war movies, the lead character drives the future of the country with his humanity, passion, and statecraft. Hence, he brings an end to the bloody civil war and the torturous slavery by banning it permanently. Furthermore, he stands strong in the face of opposition and aims to do good for humanity.
HIGHLIGHT:
Steven Spielberg wore a proper suit and tie while directing the film. He later said that, “Because we were creating a part of history, and I didn’t want to be the shlubby baseball-cap-wearing 21st century guy. I wanted to be like the cast.”
CAST
- Daniel Day-Lewis as President Abraham Lincoln
- Sally Field as First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln
- Gloria Reuben as Elizabeth Keckley
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Robert Todd Lincoln
- Gulliver McGrath as Tad Lincoln
- Adam Driver as Samuel Beckwith (Union Army)
- David Strathairn as Secretary of State William H. Seward
- Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens
- Hal Holbrook as Francis Preston Blair
Suggested Blogs:
GLORY
PLOT
It is one of the finest American civil war movies. The film begins with the end of the Battle of Antietam, Col. Robert Shaw is instructed to build the first African-American regiment. Furthermore, Col. Shaw works with officer Cabot Forbes and they create a strong and brave regiment of heroic men. Moreover, the regiment also has an escaped slave; Trip. In the beginning, the 54th Massachusetts regiment is restricted to perform menial tasks but is eventually thrust into the middle of a heated battle.
CAST
- Matthew Broderick as Col. Robert Gould Shaw
- Denzel Washington as Private Trip
- Cary Elwes as Major Cabot Forbes
- Andre Braugher as Corporal Thomas Searless
- Morgan Freeman as Sergeant Major John Rawlins
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
PLOT
This brilliant one from American civil war movies is about men after money. Furthermore, the civil war is very much the heart of the story as the two men form an eerie partnership. Blondie (the good) is a gunslinger, Angel Eyes (The Bad) is a hitman and Tuco (the ugly) is a wanted Mexican outlander. Blondie and Tuco form an eerie partnership. The three men set out on an expedition in search of two hundred thousand dollars in gold coins. Eventually, they intersect at a place where a major battle between the confederate and the Union forces is taking place. Whether they find the gold or not is the mystery of this film.
HIGHLIGHT:
The film did not have a single line of dialogue for the first 10 and a half minutes.
CAST
- Clint Eastwood as Blondie
- Lee Van Cleef as Angel Eyes
- Eli Wallach as Tuco
THE BEGUILED
PLOT
This is a period drama and one of the most beautiful American civil war movies. The story revolves around the life of a soldier who is on a run from the civil war as a deserter. He seeks refuge at an all-women boarding school. Furthermore, the teachers and students are more than willing to help him recover. However, sexual tension arises between them, and animosity takes place as the women look after the man’s wounded leg. This is one of the best American civil war movies which does not show tough on-ground action but keeps the war period at the center of the story.
CAST
- Colin Farell as Corporal John McBurney
- Nicole Kidman as Miss Martha Farnsworth
- Kristen Dunst as Miss Edwina Morrow
- Elle Fanning as Alicia
- Oona Laurence as Amy
- Angourie Rice as Jane
- Addison Riecke as Marie
- Emma Howard as Emily
- Wayne Pere as The Captain
FREE STATE OF JONES
PLOT
This is a war drama and is the finest American civil war movie. The film revolves around the life of the revolutionary Newt Knight. He serves as the doctor for the confederate army during the Civil war. He relentlessly treats the wounded soldiers. Furthermore, after the death of his nephew, Newt returns home but is deemed to be a deserter. Hence, he is forced to run away. Thus, Knight finds a place where several runaway slaves have sought refuge. He forms an alliance with all those slaves and farmers and leads them in a rebellion that changes the history of America.
HIGHLIGHTS:
In the year 2016, a letter was discovered which stated that Knight tried to join the Union Army.
CAST
- Matthew McConaughey as Newton Knight
- Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Rachel
- Mahershala Ali as Moses Washington
- Keri Russell as Serena Knight
- Christopher Berry as Jasper Collins
- Sean Bridgers as Will Sumrall
- Jacob Lofland as Daniel
Suggested Blogs:
CIVIL WAR MOVIES ON NETFLIX
The civil war movies on Netflix narrate the story of the civil wars that happened in different corners of the world. Hence, here’s a list of civil war movies on Netflix
SOMERSBY
PLOT
It is one of the best civil war movies on Netflix. It revolves around the story of John Somersby. He is returning from the civil war. Furthermore, his changed behavior leads to suspicion. However, his tobacco-growing scheme does good for the village and helps it prosper. Hence, when everything was going fine, Jack is accused of murdering a man, many years ago. The film solves the mystery and beautifully depicts the bygone era.
HIGHLIGHT:
The film production planted, cultivated and harvested about 30 acres of tobacco on their own.
CAST
- Richard Gere as John Somersby
- Jodie Foster as Laurel Somersby
- Brett Kelley as Rob Somersby
- Bill Pullman as Orin Meacham
- James Earl Jones as Judge Barry Conrad Isaacs
- William Windom as Reverand Powell
A SOLDIER’S STORY
PLOT
The film is based on the story of a soldier as the name suggests. It traces the civil war of a small African Nation where the rebels go against the national rulers. Furthermore, the war brings two unknown people closer. Egan and Regina get to know one another. Regina treats Egan who is badly injured and advises Egan to return to Nigeria in order to save him from Bossman. The storyline of the movie is filled with unforeseen events and is very gripping. As many people are behind Egan’s life the mystery unfolds gradually. It is one of the most intriguing civil war movies on Netflix.
CAST
- Linda Ejiofor as Regina
- Trope Tedela as Major Egan
- Daniel K Daniel as Bossman
- Zainab Balogun as Angela
- Chukwuma Aligwekwe as Col. Bello
FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER
PLOT
This civil war movie on Netflix traces the Cambodian civil war. It narrates the moving story of Loung Ung, a five-year-old. Furthermore, as Khmer Rouge comes to power in Cambodia in the year 1975, a reign of terror begins with bloodshed and genocide. As the national scenario changes drastically, Ung and her siblings are trained as child soldiers and are sent to labor camps. The story feels tragic and very emotion-evoking.
CAST
- Sreymoch Sareum as Loung Ung
- Kompheak Phoeung as Pa Ung
- Socheta Sveng as Ma
- Mun Kimhak as Kim
- Run Malina as Chou
- Sreyneang Oun as Keav
BEASTS OF NO NATION
PLOT
The film is iconic and is one of the best civil war movies on Netflix. It revolves around the life of a young boy named Agu from a war-affected African town. The war impacts his town brutally, his father and older brother are killed and his mother and younger siblings flee the horrors. Furthermore, Agu flees to a jungle and he meets a battalion of rebel soldiers. He joins the rebellion. Hence, his childhood is drenched in the blood of revenge and the movie depicts his life as a boy soldier.
CAST
- Abraham Attah as Agu
- Idris Elba as Commandant
- Ama Abebrese as Mother
- Kobina Amissa-Sam as Father
- Jude Akuwudike as Dada Goodblood
COLD MOUNTAIN
PLOT
This one from civil war movies on Netflix is a classic love story full of companionship and devotion. In the backdrop of the American Civil war, a wounded soldier named W.P. Inman travels across the landscapes to the South to meet his wife. Furthermore, his wife; Ada, is looking after their land along with a mysterious drifter sent by their neighbor. The story is about a wife’s longing and a husband’s desire to meet her. Moreover, it is a dramatic love story and surely engages the audience.
HIGHLIGHT:
Nicole Kidman played the Piano herself.
CAST
- Jude Law as William Inman
- Nicole Kidman as Ada Monroe
- Renee Zellweger as Ruby Thewes
- Eileen Atkins as Maddy
- Kathy Baker as Sally Swanger
- James Ganmon as Esco Swanger
- Natalie Portman as Sara
- Cillian Murphy as Bardolph
THE FINAL WORD
The civil war movies on Netflix and the best Civil war movies have been a delight to the audiences. Furthermore, these movies have made people realize the tragic realities and painful separations of the foregone times. The tears and joys were all a part of people’s lives and the best part of these movies is the sentimental highlights which make people perceive the gravity of the grave situations.
Read our Blogs:
WhatsApp