This is the third in a series of articles where we’ll be covering Cold War Films. Films About the Cold War involve the ‘Cold War’ period between the U.S. and Soviet Union from 1945 – 1991 and typically involve themes of Spies & Espionage, Double Agents, the CIA & KGB, the threat of Nuclear War & World War III and fears of Communism. Due to the 46-year period of the Cold War, many historical topics and events are also covered in this subgenre including the Korean War, the Soviet-Afghan War, the Berlin Wall, The Cuban Missile Crisis and other events involving direct or indirect U.S. and Soviet Union military or political confrontations. Though the Vietnam War also occurred during the Cold War and involved the U.S. and Soviet Union, due to the large number of films about Vietnam, we have an entirely separate subgenre dedicated specifically to Vietnam War Films.
This third article will cover the Top Cold War Films You Haven’t Seen from the 1990’s and you can check out additional articles by decade below. We are also going to include a Best Of subgenre article as a grand finale. There are so many great Cold War films over the last 70 years that we felt it best to break down some of the subgenre’s forgotten and lesser-known gems by decade before we give you the Best Of list which will likely feature many films you’ve already heard of or have seen.
- Top Cold War Films You Haven’t Seen – 1970’s
- Top Cold War Films You Haven’t Seen – 1980’s
- Top Cold War Films You Haven’t Seen – 1990’s
- Top Cold War Films You Haven’t Seen – 2000’s
- Top Cold War Films You Haven’t Seen – 2010’s
- Best Recent Cold War Films
- Best Cold War Films
- Funniest Cold War Comedies
The Cold War came to an end with the collapse of the Soviet Union in late 1991 but that didn’t stop the release of Cold War-themed films in the 1990’s. Though the volume of subgenre films was down significantly from the 1980’s, there were still some interesting themes of the Cold War to be explored. The most prominent Cold War themes in the subgenre during this decade involved direct military conflict and military disasters that could have resulted in Nuclear War between the U.S. and USSR. Romantic-themed films set in various countries and throughout various periods of the Cold War were also a popular theme. And the 90’s saw a continuation of three of the most popular themes of the subgenre with Cold War-themed Films About Spies & Espionage, Historical Biopics and Historical Event Films.
Earlier films in the subgenre had explored direct military confrontations between the U.S. and USSR in films such as Fail Safe (1964), Ice Station Zebra (1968) and World War III (1982). However, ironically, it wasn’t until after the end of the Cold War that these films about U.S. and USSR military confrontations became more prominent. The Hunt for Red October (1990) featured a Russian submarine commander trying to defect to the West. Russian and American military commanders conduct their own private war on the border of Czechoslovakia in The Fourth War (1990). U.S. and Soviet governments try to prevent nuclear holocaust after Soviet insurgents launch a nuclear warhead in By Dawn’s Early Light (1990). Crimson Tide (1995) involved a U.S nuclear submarine that receives a partial nuclear launch order leading to mutiny. And World War III (1998) was an Alternate History fictional documentary showing how the Berlin Wall never came down which leads to increased global tensions and eventual Nuclear War.
The decade also saw an increase in romantic-themed films set against the backdrop of the Cold War. The Cuban Revolution was the backdrop of the Robert Redford and Lena Olin Romantic Drama Havana (1990). The Sean Connery and Michelle Pfieffer Spy Romance, The Russia House (1990), was primarily set (and filmed) in the Soviet Union. And Blue Sky (1994) was about the troubled marriage between Tommy Lee Jones and Jessica Lange set against the backdrop of atomic weapons’ testing in the U.S. Other notable Cold War romantic films included The Innocent (1993), Golden Gate (1993), Barcelona (1994) and Going All the Way (1997).
The Cold War had no shortage of significant events and people during its 46-year duration and the 1990’s featured some of the best historical films of the subgenre. Cold War Historical Biopics included the Oliver Stone classic film JFK (1991) about the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, James Woods’ excellent performance during the McCarthyism era as Roy Cohn in Citizen Cohn (1992), Robert Duvall as Joseph Stalin in Stalin (1992) and Timothy Hutton as the infamous spy and traitor Aldrich Ames in Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within (1998). Though not often considered a Cold War film, October Sky (1999) was an inspirational biopic of Homer Hickam’s youth during the Space Race.
Historical Event Films of the Cold War also covered a variety of topics including McCarthyism, the Hollywood Blacklist and House Un-American Activities Committee in the Robert DeNiro film Guilty by Suspicion (1991). The 8888 Uprising in Burma in 1988 would be the backdrop of the Patricia Arquette film Beyond Rangoon (1995). Hostile Waters (1997) would detail the Soviet Union’s K-219 nuclear submarine disaster. And the events of the brutal Yugoslavian War would detail the dangers faced by war correspondents in Welcome to Sarajevo (1997), lead two lifelong friends to become opposing combatants in Shot Through the Heart (1998) and show a mercenary discovering his humanity in Savior (1998).
And finally, like other decades, the Cold War Films subgenre had its usual share of Films About Spies and Espionage including The Russia House (1990), Company Business (1991), The Innocent (1993), The Assignment (1997), The Peacemaker (1997) and Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within (1998).
Our complete list of Cold War Films features over 229+ films from 1951 – 2023. This collection features almost every film involving Spies & Espionage, The Korean War, The Berlin Wall and other historical events occurring during the Cold War period. If you don’t see a film in our collection, it might not be set during the Cold War or is likely in our lists of Films About Spies & Espionage, Conspiracy Thrillers, Historical Biopics and Historical Event Films. Also, if you’re just starting to get into films and themes about The Cold War, we have a previous list of The Top Films About the Cold War You Haven’t Seen which is an overview of some of the lesser-known films of the subgenre. For these lists, we’re going much more in depth into Cold War film subgenre so subscribe to our newsletter to get updated as we release subsequent lists of great Cold War films from subsequent decades.
Classic Cold War Films from the 1990’s: The Hunt for Red October (1990), Guilty by Suspicion (1991), JFK (1991), Citizen Cohn (1992), Stalin (1992), Barcelona (1994), Crimson Tide (1995), Beyond Rangoon (1995), Welcome to Sarajevo (1997) and October Sky (1999).
Cold War Films from the 1990’s that didn’t make our list: Havana (1990), Company Business (1991), Year of the Gun (1991), Matinee (1993), The Innocent (1993), Golden Gate (1993), Pentathlon (1994), Blue Sky (1994), The Assignment (1997), The Peacemaker (1997), Counter Measures (1998), Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within (1998) and World War III (1998).
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Here is our list of the Top Cold War Films You Haven’t Seen from the 1990’s:
Plot: Vlado (Linus Roache) and Slavko (Vincent Perez) are longtime friends who are torn apart by the Bosnian War in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Vlado is a Muslim and Slavko is a Serb, meaning they are on opposing sides of the conflict. Being an expert sniper, Slavko fires at civilians in Vlado’s neighborhood. Consequently, Vlado turns down Slavko’s offer to flee the country and instead becomes a freedom fighter. The old friends confront each other and must decide on their true allegiances.
KBZ’s Take: This is one of the lesser-known films set during the Yugoslavian War at the tail end of the Cold War and it’s also one of the most heartbreaking.
Linus Roache and Vincent Perez excel in the film as lifelong friends whose lives are torn apart by the war. It’s also a film that details the beginning stages of the war and Sarajevo’s descent into chaos. Highly recommended film of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/45BkGDG
Plot: Based on true events, an American submarine collides into a Soviet sub of the coast of America and an ensuing standoff occurs that could lead to total annihilation.
KBZ’s Take: The subgenre is filled with historical military disasters that could have easily escalated into Nuclear War between the U.S. and Soviet Union. Hostile Waters is a great film detailing the events of the Soviet sub K-219 which came alarmingly close to its nuclear meltdown near the eastern seaboard of the U.S.
There’s an all-star cast in this film with Rutger Hauer, Martin Sheen, Max von Sydow, and Colm Feore and it’s one of the most suspense-filled films of the subgenre. If you enjoyed other Sea Warfare Films featuring submarine standoffs like The Hunt for Red October (1990) and Crimson Tide (1995), we would encourage you to also check out Hostile Waters – you won’t be disappointed!
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/45hHtVb
Plot: Barley Scott Blair, a Lisbon-based editor of Russian literature who unexpectedly begins working for British intelligence, is commissioned to investigate the purposes of Dante, a dissident scientist trapped in the decaying Soviet Union that is crumbling under the new open-minded policies.
KBZ’s Take: We’ve covered other Cold War films based on the novels of John le Carré and The Russia House is one of the better ones. However, we do need to provide a caveat. The Russia House, like most of le Carré’s other spy and espionage film adaptations, is a slow film with a very intricate plot you need to pay attention to. It’s not a film you should go into expecting action-filled spy and espionage sequences.
With that said, the film has an interesting plot and has one of the better romances of the subgenre. Sean Connery and Michelle Pfieffer are the stars of the film and were at the top of their game in the early 1990’s. Their performances, especially when they share screen time together, are the highlight of the film and elevates The Russia House into one of the better spy-driven films of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3EaqW9T
#7
Barcelona
Plot: Two friends in Barcelona deal with relationship issues and anti-Americanism from the Barcelona community.
KBZ’s Take: One of a handful of films that shows opposing viewpoints of the U.S. during the Cold War. Warning though – this movie is a talker with little to no action. Whit Stillman’s films have a ‘love it or hate it’ vibe similar to Woody Allena and Jim Jarmusch. Barcelona is the second in a trifecta of Stillman’s dialogue heavy films including Metropolitan (1990) and The Last Days of Disco (1998).
Overall, it’s still a great film and worth watching if only to see the funny (and often clueless) musings by Chris Eigeman’s US naval officer who doesn’t understand why other countries would have a negative perception of America at the height of the Cold War.
Additional Lists: Top Cold War Films You Haven’t Seen #8, Top Films About Politics You Haven’t Seen #8
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3WAe9nO
#6
Savior
Plot: A hardened mercenary in the Foreign Legion begins to find his own humanity when confronted with atrocities during the fighting in Bosnia.
KBZ’s Take: Dennis Quaid has starred in quite a few films over the last four decades and this is one of his lesser-known but best films. Quaid plays an American who has lost his family to a terrorist bombing and joins the Foreign Legion. From there his entire outlook on life changes while encountering the horrors of the Yugoslavian War.
This film isn’t easy to watch – especially in the first act. Many films have covered the atrocities committed during this war and the film doesn’t shy away from those realities. However, the film has an uplifting message as well when a man who has been emotionally destroyed by the cruelty of life finds meaning and purpose again through extraordinary circumstances.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3YKEUZm
Plot: Cold War drama about two gung-ho border commanders (Roy Scheider, Jurgen Prochnow) who carry out their own private war against each other on the German – Czechoslovakia border.
KBZ’s Take: The Fourth War is about two men – Colonel Knowles (Roy Scheider) and Colonel Valachev (Jürgen Prochnow) – who are military relics of the past and are not adjusting well to the end of the Cold War. Knowles deteriorating psychological condition is also examined as he increasingly escalates tensions with Valachev and the Soviets.
John Frankenheimer has directed quite a few Cold War films, including classics such as The Manchurian Candidate (1962) and Seven Days in May (1964), and this is one of his better, lesser-known subgenre films. But we would recommend the film for the performances of Sheider and Prochnow. They’re both excellent in the film as two men who can’t let a grudge go even if it results in Nuclear War.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/45Ccva5
#4
Citizen Cohn
Plot: A reflection on the life of lawyer Roy Cohn.
KBZ’s Take: Historical Biopics are at their best when they cover a controversial character and don’t hold back. That’s the case with Roy Cohn who was instrumental in the Red Scare of 1950’s McCarthyism.
James Woods is amazing as Cohn and was nominated for both an Emmy and Golden Globe for his performance. Regardless of where you stand on Roy Cohn as a person, this film shouldn’t be missed for Woods’ performance and a unique look at a disturbing political event of the Cold War.
Additional Lists: Top Films About Politics You Haven’t Seen #8
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40fL6cs
Plot: This compelling story vividly recreates Hollywood’s infamous Blacklist Era. The witch-hunt has begun and director David Merrill can revive his stalled career by testifying against friends who are suspected communists. Merrill’s ex-wife shares a whirlpool of scandals that draws them closer together while his chances for ever making movies again slips further away…
KBZ’s Take: One of Robert DeNiro’s lesser-known films but still one of his best. Though the film is fictionalized (with David Merrill inspired by the experiences of John Berry), it’s another unique look into the era of McCarthyism, the Red “Communist’ Scare and its impact on an entire industry – Hollywood. At heart, the film is about staying true to one’s convictions in the face of politically charged winds.
Additional Lists: Top Films About Politics You Haven’t Seen #2
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3JrEnpO
Plot: Patricia Arquette stars as American widow Laura Bowman, a young doctor who’s unwittingly drawn into political turmoil while vacationing in Burma in the late 1980s, in this fictionalized drama based on actual events. Bowman initially left San Francisco with her sister (Frances McDormand) in an attempt to escape painful memories of her husband and son’s violent deaths. But her fight to escape to Thailand could prove just as harrowing.
KBZ’s Take: Beyond Rangoon is one of the few subgenre films that covers the 8888 Uprising in Burma in 1988 and it’s one of the most thrilling films of the subgenre. Like the equally thrilling No Escape (2015), the film is primarily about an American in the wrong place at the wrong time as political violence erupts in the country they’re visiting.
Though the film primarily follows Laura Bowman’s (Patricia Arquette) attempt to flee the country as it descends into chaos, it’s also a film about someone finding purpose again in life during extreme circumstances. And though the film has been forgotten over time, it’s still one of the best subgenre films of the decade.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/44iGHGs
Plot: A nuclear warhead launched by Soviet insurgents protesting the waning Cold War destroys the Ukrainian city of Donetsk. The destruction sets off a race between American and Soviet politicians to prevent a nuclear holocaust. While the U.S. president feverishly works to keep the military and political machine from going into overdrive, various subordinates panic. When the president is believed to be killed in a helicopter crash, zealous advisers take over.
KBZ’s Take: If you’re a fan of the subgenre and liked Fail Safe (1964), this film should be immediately added to your queue. It’s like Fail Safe with respect to the Cold War escalating to a limited nuclear exchange by the U.S. and Soviet Union while governments on both sides try to prevent further escalation and nuclear Armageddon.
The film was released on HBO in 1990 and has a limited budget compared to similar feature film releases. However, despite the budget, it employs an all-star cast with Powers Boothe, Rebecca De Mornay, James Earl Jones and Martin Landau while also emulating the suspense and tension found in the best Cold War films. In fact, it’s one of a handful of subgenre films that delves into the ensuing chaos of both the military and government once the unthinkable happens.
Though the film isn’t on the classic film level of Fail Safe and Crimson Tide (1995), it’s the next tier down and is our pick for the best, lesser-known film of the subgenre from the 1990’s.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3OLHGcj
