10 Greatest Hidden-Gem War Masterpieces of the 21st Century, Ranked

A handful of 21st-century war movies usually dominate the conversation — Black Hawk Down, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Dunkirk — but those titles only scratch the surface. The last quarter-century has produced many lesser-known films that repay the effort of seeking them out, offering realism, social insight, strong acting, or tense action set pieces.

Kajaki (aka Kilo Two Bravo) confines its drama to a single, white-knuckle location after a British patrol in Afghanistan steps on hidden mines; the film earned only $34,000 at the box office but delivers close, restrained performances and a focus on survival rather than spectacle.

The Siege of Jadotville dramatizes a 1961 standoff in the Congo, giving a classic siege narrative sharp themes of bureaucratic neglect. ’71 places a young British soldier in the chaos of rioting Belfast and makes disorientation the central experience, with Jack O'Connell anchoring the story.

war movies, 21st century, hidden gems, inglourious basterds, dunkirk, kajaki, kilo two, jadotville, belfast, afghanistan