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With Memorial Day 2024 set to be celebrated on 27 May, there are many ways to honor the country’s fallen heroes. One of them is by watching one of the breathtaking films about American war heroes.
Starring some of the biggest stars of the modern generation, these Memorial Day movies are bound to help you acknowledge the sacrifices and losses American soldiers make daily for their country and its residents. Here, we look at the five movies that may be apt to watch on Memorial Day 2024, featuring some of the best narratives to have come out of the genre.
5 Movies to watch on Memorial Day 2024
1) Saving Private Ryan
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A cinematic masterpiece still looked back at and remembered for its stunning visuals and accurate depiction of war, Saving Private Ryan stars the likes of Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, and Vin Diesel, alongside notable names such as Edward Burns and Tom Sizemore.
The movie revolves around the Normandy invasion during World War II and leaves a range of harrowing images for fans to remember. It is available on multiple platforms, like Apple TV and Amazon Prime, and is a stellar watch for the occasion at hand.
2) Da 5 Bloods
A more recent movie and a Spike Lee offering, Da 5 Bloods, starred the late Chadwick Boseman and delved into the not-so-equal experience of black soldiers during the Vietnam War. The movie revolves around 4 African-American soldiers sent on a suicidal expedition to find the remains of their leader, who is lost at war.
The movie featured an intense sound score and an incredible story that delved into the ways African-Americans would be treated differently in the US Army. It is available for viewing on Netflix.
3) The Thin Red Line
The Thin Red Line is another lesser-known Memorial Day watch. Released in 1998, it was directed by Terrence Malick. The movie was a direct adaptation of James Jones’ autobiographical novel, which delved into the former US soldier’s time in the Guadalcanal campaign during World War II.
The film stars Jim Caviezel in the lead and is a stellar depiction of what war can do to the human psyche. Available on Amazon Prime, the cast also includes Sean Penn and Nick Nolte, presenting a harrowing depiction of war and what killing entails.
4) The Greatest Beer Run Ever
Available to watch on Apple TV, The Greatest Beer Run Ever is also based on a true story. It is about Chickie Donohue, a former American soldier who went on a solo mission to deliver American beer to his friends while serving in the Vietnam War.
Starring some legendary names such as Bill Murray and Russell Crowe, the movie identifies as a comedy-drama and exposes a lighter aspect of war. It is arguably one of the best watches, especially around family on Memorial Day!
5) Top Gun: Maverick
Well, not any list of entertaining watches that revolve around US soldiers can be, or should be, complete without Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick. Featuring the action genius in all of his glory, the 2022 release sees Cruise’s character, Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, take on a high-stakes mission that only he is deemed capable of completing.
A thrilling watch from start to finish, Top Gun: Maverick is available on Netflix and boasts an impressive cast in addition to Cruise. This includes Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, and Val Kilmer, making it an obvious choice for Memorial Day viewing.
Fans can enjoy these five movies, most of which feature real-life stories, this Memorial Day.
