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For enthusiasts of historical dramas, the realm of war documentaries, films, and television shows offers a compelling viewing experience. These war TV series vividly portray the grim realities of armed conflicts, enabling firsthand accounts to reach a broader audience. They foster a deeper understanding of historical events and the underlying causes of these conflicts. With a plethora of options available, discerning the best representations of these tragic events can be challenging. Here’s a curated list of the top 10 war documentaries, as ranked on IMDb, beginning with a monumental 26-part series.
Top 10 War Documentaries and TV Series
10. Taxi to the Dark Side
Alex Gibney’s unsettling 2007 military documentary, Taxi to the Dark Side, delves into the U.S. government’s torture programs during the war in Afghanistan. The film primarily centers on Dilawar, an Afghan taxi driver who was fatally beaten by American soldiers while in detention and under interrogation. It received an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in 2007.
9. The Power of Nightmares
The Power of Nightmares is a series of three documentaries that critically examines the use of fear as a tool for political manipulation. This notable BBC television documentary by Adam Curtis heavily relies on archival footage to draw parallels between the origins and growth of neoconservatism in the U.S. and radical Islamist movements. It was presented at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005.
8. Fahrenheit 9/11
Fahrenheit 9/11 is a documentary anchored in Michael Moore’s perspective on the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in the United States. Moore explores how the Bush Administration purportedly exploited the tragic event for its own advantage, advancing its agenda for military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
7. Samsara
The 2011 film Samsara, filmed over five years in 25 countries, employs 70mm film to transport viewers to diverse environments: sacred sites, disaster areas, industrial zones, and natural wonders.
6. They Shall Not Grow Old
Directed by Peter Jackson, They Shall Not Grow Old offers a poignant examination of the First World War. Released in 2018 to mark the centennial of the war’s end, this documentary employs archival footage to vividly portray the war experience and preserve a crucial moment in history.
5. The Fog of War
The Fog of War from 2005, by Errol Morris, presents a narrative of America through the experiences of Robert McNamara, former Secretary of Defense under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Archival footage enhances this Academy Award-winning documentary.
4. Surviving Black Hawk Down
The television mini-series Surviving Black Hawk Down provides a detailed account of the real-life 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. The documentary features firsthand testimonials from U.S. soldiers and Somali civilians, recounting their experiences during the mission to capture warlord Aidid and the subsequent downing of two helicopters.
3. Apocalypse: The Second World War
This six-part series from 2009, Apocalypse: The Second World War, revisits World War II, covering the ascent of the Nazi regime to the surrender of Japan, providing detailed analyses of key figures during that era. The documentary is celebrated for transforming perspectives on the Second World War through remastered high-quality video footage.
2. Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds
The recent 2025 documentary, Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds, offers an exclusive look at the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the Thunderbirds. Produced by former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, the film highlights the team’s demanding training regimen and personal sacrifices.
1. The World at War
The World at War, an extensive 26-part documentary originally released in 1973, meticulously explores the Second World War. Narrated by Laurence Olivier, the series chronologically details the war’s events, from its origins in the 1920s to its aftermath and the profound impact it had on countless lives.