War never changes. People can see this throughout history, but they have never experienced it firsthand, with the closest thing being war movies. This versatile genre can show the horrors of war, glorify patriotism, or portray it as a comedy. While some of these things may seem wrong for such a heavy topic, they can become some of the greatest movies of all time, including The Hurt Locker and Rambo.
However, while there are many fantastic war movies, a certain few stand out among the rest for various reasons, making them essential must-watch films. Whether that be because of their critical acclaim, genre-defining aspects, revolutionary elements, or how they best represent war in its intended fashion, these movies prove to be a staple among war movies and, ultimately, films that every fan has the duty to watch, even if it's only once.