Summary

• The heroism of D-Day veterans is immortalized in various films, from thrillers to rom-coms, offering something for every movie lover.
• Over the years, Hollywood has produced iconic D-Day movies, highlighting the multi-pronged assault of the Normandy invasion from different angles.
• From documentaries to romantic comedies, each film provides a unique perspective on the historic event, capturing the emotions of soldiers involved.

The best D-Day movies chronicle the world-changing moment of World War II in various ways. It has been 80 years since the D-Day invasions changed the course of World War II and the events of that day changed the world forever. Such an iconic moment in history meant that Hollywood would get inspired to produce several films that reference D-Day to pay homage to it. It's fascinating to see just how many films about the subject were made, and how effective they were. Whether they're for history experts or complete novices, there's something for everyone in these movies.

There have been countless movies about World War II but many of those focusing on Operation Overlord stand out. The heroism of the D-Day vets would live on in the hearts and minds of generations for all time, and that meant immortalizing it on film. Some of the best D-Day movies are fictional adventure films, while others try to stay as close to authentic as possible. WWII buffs in particular will find a lot to love about these films, all of which offer a different perspective on D-Day.

18 The Great Escaper (2023)

Michael Caine Plays A Veteran Looking Back On D-Day

Along with possibly being Michael Caine's final movie now that he has reportedly retired, The Great Escaper is an uplifting true story that is all about soldiers looking back on their experiences on D-Day. The movie is based on the true story of Bernard Jordan, a 90-year-old veteran who broke out of his nursing home in England in order to attend the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in .

The movie has a lighter touch at times with Caine bringing his trademark charm and humor to this story of an older adventurer. However, the movie also explores the impact the war had on people like Bernard, with flashbacks depicting his experiences in the war. that still haunt him decades later. There is also an interesting scene in which Bernard shares a drink in the bar with German soldiers who are also still dealing with wartime trauma.

17 Overlord (2018)

Soldiers Investigate A Nazi Lab On D-Day

As serious of a subject matter as the D-Day invasions were, there have been a number of movies that have been willing to use it as a backdrop for a different kind of genre story. While there are a number of rom-coms that feature D-Day prominently in the plot, Overlord is a thrilling and underrated sci-fi horror movie with the invasions at the center. Wyatt Russell and Jovan Adepo lead the cast in the story of a group of soldiers dropped into Europe during D-Day on a special mission to locate a Nazi lab.

The movie becomes a twisted horror movie as the soldiers discover that the Nazi experiments have involved raising the dead to form a super-soldier army. This aspect of the story is terrific with some really great genre moments and gory set pieces. However, the early D-Day sequence with the chaos of the paratroopers dropping into Europe is also outstanding.

16 Churchill (2017)

A Look At Winston Churchill's Tormented Mind In The Lead Up To D-Day

While Gary Oldman's Oscar-winning turn in The Darkest Hour helps make it likely the most popular biopic of Winston Churchill, the 2017 movie Churchill is one that deals more directly with the D-Day invasions. The movie stars Brian Cox in the lead role as it follows the Prime Minister during the lead-up to the invasions as he struggles with his reservations over the plans. With so many lives on the line, Churchill battles with military leaders over the right course of action.

Cox's performance as Logan Roy in Succession is proof enough that he can handle the infamously big personality of Churchill, bringing gravitas to the role. However, Cox also brings more vulnerability than the character is usually depicted with as the movie shows his uncertainty and lack of confidence in some of the most pressing decisions.

15 The True Glory (1945)

A Documentary About The Victory Of WWII

Wartime propaganda existed on both sights of the WWII conflict with the military using the power of filmmaking to raise and public morale amid the troubling times. While these films have problematic reputations, with some of them pushing deliberate and clear lies, some of them remain fascinating and in-depth depictions of the war as it was happening, such as the documentary The True Glory.

This movie is actually a look at the war after it had been one as a celebration of the military and the soldiers who fought, with the rousing tagline of "The story of your victory...told by the guys who won it!" The movie details the American participation in WWII, from the Normandy invasions right to the fall of the German army. The footage captured for the movie is astounding decades later and the movie earned a Best Documentary Feature Oscar.

14 D-Day The Sixth Of June (1956)

A Wartime Romance Hours Before D-Day Begins

Romantic dramas taking place during wartime got their start with movies like this one. Robert Taylor, Richard Todd, and Dana Wynter star in a story about an American and British soldier who each share memories of their romance with the lovely Valerie Russell. The movie often feels like it is attempting to be the iconic wartime romance Casablanca, with a love triangle and flashbacks. While it certainly falls short of that, it is a solid Hollywood romance.

To his credit, Richard Todd was an actual D-Day vet; a member of the 7th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment who actually made with Major Howard at the Orne Bridge. It's an impressive casting choice, even if the actual battle in question occurs in the final minutes of the film. Those looking for an action movie will be disappointed but it is an interesting look at the build-up to the invasion from the perspective of brave soldiers.

13 Storming Juno (2010)

A Look At The Canadian Forces' Invasion Told By Real-Life Soldiers

Most D-Day movies and content focus largely on the conflict that took place on Omaha Beach, but military buffs know the event was a multi-pronged assault. The second-most famous beach was Juno, which this docudrama film attempted to showcase, with solid results. The film switches focus from American forces to the Canadian soldiers who stormed that particular beach. It tells the story from the perspective of several soldiers involved in the paratroop brigade, tank crew, and front-line infantry, offering different glimpses into what unfolded on that fateful day.

The reenactments of the battles are lower budget than some of the other depictions seen in D-Day movies and the size of the production does feel very apparent at times. However, the big selling point of the movie is hearing directly from those who experienced the actual battle.

12 Breakthrough (1950)

Following A Platoon From Training Into Battle

WWII movies of the '50s have a particular feel and aesthetic, considering they were written, directed, and performed by people who actually lived to see them. Often, these movies feature quirky details that reflect their genuine experience, adding to their innate charm. Breakthrough is a great example of this and follows the story of a WWII platoon that trains for D-Day, then gets dropped in the middle of the action before fighting its way into .

The production utilizes video footage taken from U.S., British and German forces to weave a narrative around the visuals. While the characters do not feel layered and interesting enough to bring the movie to life on a story level, the authentic production values add to the impact of the experience. On top of that, the film was also a surprising box office success.

11 A Matter Of Resistance (1966)

A French Rom-Com With A D-Day Backdrop

A Matter of Resistance is a French romantic comedy set around the Normandy invasion which might seem like a strange melding of genre and subject matter. A young Catherine Deneuve plays Marie, a country girl who is the young bride of an older farmer. She catches the eye of a German commander, who bivouacs his troops nearby. She also catches the eye of a French resistance fighter who is trying to spy on the Germans to help prepare for the Allied invasion.

She distracts him from his mission, and over the course of the film, all the men make fools of themselves trying to win her affection. The slapstick humor and romantic tension are the main draws of this film, with D-Day providing a significant backdrop. It is interesting to see a wartime movie like this played to a more lighthearted tone at this point in Hollywood history.

10 Ike: Countdown To D-Day (2004)

Tom Selleck Plays The Military Leader Behind The Invasion

Though he is best known for TV roles in Magnum P.I. and Blue Bloods, actor Tom Selleck's most underrated performance came in Ike: Countdown to D-Day. Selleck shaved off more than just the mustache for his portrayal of General. Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of the most brilliant strategists ever to have graced the United States military. The film starts 90 days prior to Operation Overlord and builds up to the inevitable conflict.

Selleck masterfully plays Eisenhower as a man trying to affect the single most important invasion in history, while dodging the politics of his peers like General Patton. The movie effectively shows how, through a mixture of superb diplomacy and strategy, he manages to accomplish the impossible. Like Churchill, it is a look behind the scenes at the planning of this pivotal moment in history with another commanding performance to carry the story.

9 Overlord (1975)

A Post-Vietnam Perspective on D-Day

Instead of focusing on the heroism of the Normandy invasion, this movie looks at the war as an instrument of fate that carelessly churns through naïve young soldiers

Many of the best D-Day movies appeared in the immediate post-WWII era and reflected the attitudes toward war developed during that conflict. However, Overlord is a post-Vietnam D-Day movie and thus takes a look at the moment through a very different lens. Instead of focusing on the heroism of the Normandy invasion, this movie looks at the war as an instrument of fate that carelessly churns through naïve young soldiers drawn inexorably toward an inglorious end.

It's also an engaging film shot in glorious black and white and does a better job than most when it comes to blending new and archival footage. Instead of being distracting, this only elevates the narrative elements of the movie and gives a constant reminder of the reality of the story. The result is a visceral WWII film that fits in well with the nihilism of the very difficult 1970s.