The War Horror Film subgenre primarily resides in the War and Horror genres and features other subgenres including World War II Films, Films About Ghosts and the Paranormal, Survival Horror Films, Films About Vampires and Films and Films About The Devil, Demons and Hell. Films in this subgenre also include the horror of actual warfare, a war setting where horror elements occur, or horror elements involved with post-war situations.
The War Horror subgenre wasn’t a popular subgenre in the 1960’s and 1970’s with only a few films utilizing War and Horror elements: The Frozen Dead (1966), Deathdream (1974) and Shock Waves (1977). However, in the 1980’s the subgenre gained in popularity with a few classic films of the War Horror subgenre with Heavy Metal (1981), Southern Comfort (1981), The Keep (1983), Zone Troopers (1985) and Predator (1987). This decade also included arguably the most difficult film to watch – Men Behind the Sun (1988). While not a traditional horror film, the horrors present in this film are the re-enactments of experiments on human prisoners by Japanese Unit 731 during World War II. The film shows that real-life horror can often exceed fictional horror especially in a time of war.
The 1990’s only had two prominent War Horror films, but they were both unique in their settings. Grey Knight a.ka. The Killing Box (1993) was one of the only War Horror films set during the U.S. Civil War. And Ravenous (1999) featured a remote Army outpost on the U.S. Western Frontier in the 1840’s.
In the 2000’s, The Golden Age of War Horror Films began as the popularity of the subgenre exploded. This decade produced many classic films of the subgenre with Dog Soldiers (2002), Below (2002), R-Point (2004), Doom (2005), Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), 28 Weeks Later (2007) and Dead Snow (2009).
The Golden Age of War Horror Films continued into the 2010’s as World Cinema War films with horror elements began to appear. Under the Shadow (2016) and Werewolf (2019) were two classic films of the subgenre from Iran and Poland. Other classic subgenre films from this decade included Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012), Frankenstein’s Army (2013), Spectral (2016), Overlord (2018) and Blood Vessel (2019).
The 2020’s have not yet produced any classics of the subgenre but there are a few notable films including La Llorona (2020), Ghosts of War (2020) and Shadow in the Cloud (2020).
Our list of War Horror films includes over 48+ films from 1966 – 2020. Most of these films have settings in the U.S. Civil War and World War II though some films also feature U.S. Special Forces confronting various horror elements. For our list of Top War Horror Films You Haven’t Seen, the following honorable mentions did not make our list: Shock Waves (1977), Heavy Metal (1981), R-Point (2004), Dead Snow (2009), The Devil’s Rock (2011), The Squad (2011), Spectral (2016) and Ghosts of War (2020).
Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here is our list of Top War Horror Films You Haven’t Seen:
#10
Firebase
Plot: American soldiers discover alien presence.
War: Vietnam War
KBZ’s Take: This short film is another quality effort from Neil Blomkamp and Oats Studios. Like other films from Oats Studios including Zygote (2017) and Rakka (2017), the special effects are top notch and each film is filled with action. The only problem is these short films are too short and have you yearning for more. Firebase is different than the other films in that the setting is Vietnam and there’s less of the ‘creature’ shown compared to other films. However, it’s better than most feature films in this subgenre and recommend for fans of War Horror. You can view this short online here.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm0V24IEHao
#9
Blood Vessel
Plot: Survivors on a lifeboat seek safety on an abandoned German minesweeper unaware of what lies within.
War: World War II
KBZ’s Take: This is a film of two halves. The first half is a bit difficult to get through as it takes it’s time as a Mystery Film building up to why all the crew members are dead. The second half though is worth waiting for as it features quite a bit of action, impressive creature design and a foreboding sense of hopelessness with the survivors. It’s not a great film but it’s one of the better films of the subgenre fans should check out.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HjbYiU
#8
Grey Knight
Plot: Confederate army accidentally frees an evil voodoo entity that possesses the bodies of dead soldiers.
War: U.S. Civil War
KBZ’s Take: Grey Knight a.k.a. The Killing Box a.ka. Ghost Brigade is a low budget Zombie film set during the U.S. Civil War. Is it a great film? No. But, it is a passable film in the subgenre that features some decent sequences – especially as an army of the dead fights against the living in a battle. The film has a great premise and has some quality acting that carries the film with Corbin Bernsen, Adrian Pasdar, Ray Wise and Martin Sheen. We only recommend this film if you are fans of the subgenre or enjoy films about the U.S. Civil War.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://tubitv.com/movies/547592/the-lost-brigade
Plot: National Guard squad must fight for their lives during a training exercise after they anger local Cajuns.
War: National Guard Training
KBZ’s Take: This is a film that isn’t in a war setting but mirrors situations the National Guard squad would fight in the Vietnam War. The film also mirrors other situations from Walter Hill films such as The Warriors (1979), Extreme Prejudice (1987) and Trespass (1992). Powers Boothe and Keith Carradine carry the film through the many action and suspense filled moments. If you enjoyed Walter Hill’s previous efforts listed above or like great survival thrillers, then you will also enjoy this film.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3WR1Gw0
#6
Dog Soldiers
Plot: Werewolves attack a squad of British soldiers holed up in a house in the middle of Scottish wilderness.
War: British soldier training
KBZ’s Take: Any hardcore horror fan or fan of the Werewolf subgenre has likely seen this film. We’re listing this for casual horror fans who might not have heard of it. It’s directed by Neil Marshall and is his second-best film after The Descent (2005). It also has a John Carpenter Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) vibe where the soldiers are in an almost hopeless situation as the Werewolves attack. Special note: this film has one of the best Werewolf creature designs and is worth watching for that alone.
Additional Lists: Top Films About Werewolves You Haven’t Seen #5
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3RqXrX5
Plot: During the Iran-Iraq War, a mother becomes convinced a supernatural force is trying to possess her daughter.
War: Iran / Iraq War
KBZ’s Take: This Persian-language film is part supernatural horror and part psychological horror. While those horror subgenres typically go hand in hand together, Under the Shadow brilliantly interweaves the psychological aspects of being in a war zone with the supernatural threat of a Djinn. The film also has a few of the better “jump scares” you’ll find in any horror film.
Additional Lists: Top World Cinema Horror Films You Haven’t Seen #7
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Y8n1Cj
Plot: Russian solders come across a secret Nazi lab where super soldiers are being created based on Dr. Frankenstein’s journal.
Mythology: World War II
KBZ’s Take: This film uses a Found Footage format that enhances the claustrophobic feeling the Russian soldiers experience once they find the lab and then have to escape from the various monster creations. And that’s what this film is ultimately about – some of the strangest, unique and horrifying Zombie / Robot like creations to ever appear on screen. It’s not a great film but it’s worth watching just to see the creations. Recommended for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Y8ndBx
#3
Ravenous
Plot: At the western frontier, a group of army personnel investigate the murder of wagon train travelers.
War: Mexican / American War & Western Frontier of U.S. in 1840’s
KBZ’s Take: If you somehow have still not seen this film, it’s one of the best pure Survival Horror films out there. Set in a desolate winter location with a “Ten Little Indians” vibe, Ravenous has an absolute bonkers turning point from period piece murder mystery to ‘demonic cannibal on the hunt’ shift. And this is where the film excels as it turns into a battle of the wills between Guy Pearce and Robert Carlyle. Adding to this excellent film is the very unique soundtrack you won’t get out of your head anytime soon after watching.
Additional Lists: Top Survival Horror Films You Haven’t Seen #3
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3YecLIV
#2
Overlord
Plot: American paratroopers behind enemy lines find disturbing Nazi experiments.
War: World War II
KBZ’s Take: This is both a great film of the subgenre and a great World War II film. The opening sequence will remind you of Saving Private Ryan (1998) and remaining first act is like a traditional World War II film. It’s when the film gets to the second and third acts where the madness starts happening. We don’t want to ruin the surprise only to say that the American soldiers soon find out what the Nazis have been working on and the horror they’re soon fighting against. It’s a highly recommended film for fans of War Horror Films and/or World War II Films subgenres.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HIfwws
#1
The Keep
Plot: Nazis take over an ancient fortress that contains an evil presence.
War: World War II
KBZ’s Take: Upon it’s release, The Keep was savaged by the critics and was a commercial flop. Based on the F. Paul Wilson novel of the same name, many book readers who were familiar with the tale of Glaeken and Rasalom were also confused by the film. Directed by the great Michael Mann, there were rumors of studio interference which reduced the film from a 210-minute cut down to the theatrical 96-minute cut. However, over time, the film has developed a cult following with many fans petitioning for the full length cut of the film.
We have read the novel, have seen the film and can say it’s one of the best overall horror films out there. It has the Good German (Jürgen Prochnow) against the Evil Nazi (Gabriel Byrne). It has the eternal Good vs. Evil dynamic between Glenn/Glaekan (Scott Glenn) and Rasalom. It has a great performance from Ian McKellen in one of his earlier film performances. The atmosphere in the film is one of the creepiest you’ll find in the subgenre. And the visuals and music create this increasing sense of impending dread with Mann’s usual visual style and the soundtrack from early 80’s synth masters Tangerine Dream.
Our advice is to check out the film. If you like it, read the novel or read the graphic comic that was created by the novel’s author F. Paul Wilson for more insight into the story. Highly recommended film of the subgenre and one we feel is the best.
Additional Lists: Top Dark Fantasy Films You Haven’t Seen 1970 – 1989 #2
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3jhZxvL
