47 Movies to Watch in Honor of Memorial Day in 2025
These are the best films to watch on Memorial Day and remember the true meaning of the holiday.
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When it comes to Memorial Day, it's important to remember that this isn't just an excuse for a long weekend.
In 1971, it was officially designated as a national holiday that would place on the last Monday in May. The holiday is about honoring our fallen soldiers and remembering their heroic actions that allow us to enjoy the freedoms we have. In addition to participating in appropriate Memorial Day activities, watching war movies and military-themed films can be a somber reminder of the true meaning of the day.
While there aren't many specific Memorial Day movies to watch, there are plenty of films that depict the stories and sacrifices of members serving in the U.S. military. From newer movies like Warfare and The Six Triple Eight to classics like Top Gun, these films all touch on themes that include romance, friendship and, of course, American life.
We rounded up the best Memorial Day movies for every kind of audience, including family-friendly movies that can help teach your kids about Memorial Day. No matter the case, you're bound to find something inspiring that will leave you feeling more thankful than ever for our soldiers and our freedoms.
Warfare (2025)
Based on the real-life 2006 Battle of Ramadi, the movie follows Navy SEAL platoon Alpha One as they experience a harrowing encounter during the Iraq War. In a unique twist on moviemaking, the story is told as if the viewer is seeing it in real-time. And with an ensemble cast featuring Will Poulter, Kit Connor, Cosmo Jarvis and more, the performances feel every bit as real.
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Tiger Cruise (2004)
This Disney movie that premiered two decades ago follows a young teenager (played by Hayden Panettiere) who is tired of following her Navy SEAL dad all over the world. When the duo decide to embark on a weeklong cruise for families of sailors, her world is changed forever by the events of September 11th.
Annapolis (2006)
James Franco and Tyrese Gibson star in a movie revolving around a young man named Jake Huard. A young adult who finds himself on the wrong side of the tracks, he is accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. While it seems like he may not necessarily make it through boot camp, it's up to him to prove everyone wrong and become the man he hopes to be someday.
The Six Triple Eight (2024)
Directed by Tyler Perry and starring Kerry Washington, this biographical drama follows an all-female Black Army Corps unit in World War II. The group (called the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion) was sent overseas to help deliver correspondence to soldiers from their loved ones ... but it came with challenges no one ever saw coming.
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12 Strong (2018)
Chris Hemsworth stars as Captain Mitch Nelson, a member of a small U.S. Special Forces team who gets deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11. As his unit is tasked with taking down a Taliban stronghold, the team has to overcome differences in cultures and build trust in order to make sure they accomplish their mission.
The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)
Based on a memoir of the same name, Zac Efron plays John "Chickie" Donahue, a young veteran living during the time of the Vietnam War. As a way to lift his friends' spirits while they're still overseas, he decides to do something no one ever thought to do before. He sneaks into Vietnam in order to give his loved ones some beer.
Thank You For Your Service (2017)
Based on a book by Washington Post reporter David Finkel, Miles Teller plays one of a few young veterans struggling to adapt to civilian life after the Iraq War. As each storyline feels more harrowing than the next, the film has been praised for its portrayal of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The Last Full Measure (2019)
Christopher Plummer, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Samuel L. Jackson and Sebastian Stan star in this war drama based on Vietnam War hero William H. Pitsenbarger, a U.S. Air Force Pararescueman who saved 60 men during a rescue mission in 1966. The movie follows fictional Pentagon staffer Scott Huffman (Sebastian Stan) who is tasked with investigating a posthumous Medal of Honor request 32 years after the event and ends up discovering a decades-long, high-level conspiracy cover-up related to William's death.
Taking Chance (2009)
In this historical TV movie based on a true story, Kevin Bacon stars as U.S. Marine Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl. The film follows his experience as he accompanies the remains of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps after he's fatally wounded in Baghdad during the Iraq war.
Midway (2019)
Featuring a star-studded cast, including Ed Skrein, Patrick Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Luke Evans, Aaron Eckhart and Dennis Quaid, Midway shares the stories of multiple military men and sailors who fought in the Battle of Midway, which is said to have been a major turning point for the Allies in World War II.
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Academy Award winner Spike Lee directed this war film that follows four Black Vietnam War veterans who return to the country where their dear friend and squad leader died, in order to uncover gold they buried there years ago.
Zero Dark Thirty (2013)
This deeply moving historical thriller shares the story of the hunt for terrorist al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks. Starring Jessica Chastain, the 2013 Best Picture winner follows the aftermath of the terrorist attacks and the journey to Osama's death at the hands of Navy SEAL Team 6 in May 2011.
Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
This 1942 biographical musical looks back on the life of George M. Cohan (James Cagney), a Broadway legend who wrote iconic patriotic songs like "Over There," "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "The Yankee Doodle Boy" that are still well known today.
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Act of Valor (2012)
This 2012 drama, which originally started out as a promo video to encourage folks to join the U.S. Navy, follows a team of Navy SEALs (Alex Veadov, Nestor Serrano and Emilio Rivera) as they travel to Manila to rescue a CIA Officer (Roselyn Sánchez) who has been kidnapped by a drug smuggler.
Rescue Dawn (2006)
Christian Bale stars as U.S. fighter pilot Dieter Dengler, a German-American pilot who was shot down in Laos while on a mission during the Vietnam War in 1966. The movie is based on director Werner Herzog's 1997 documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly, which shares a more in-depth look at the inspiring story.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Inspired by the 2004 documentary The Conscientious Objector, Andrew Garfield portrays Desmond Doss. Though he is involved in World War II, the combat medic stays true to his beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian and refuses to carry or use any kind of fire weapon. But this doesn't take away from his bravery or strength.
Top Gun (1986)
If you feel the need for speed, Top Gun is your best bet to stream on Memorial Day. Meet gutsy fighter pilot Maverick (Tom Cruise), who encounters both an epic romance and bromance. Who doesn't love Goose (Anthony Edwards)?
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American Sniper (2014)
Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, American Sniper follows the life of U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. Regarded as the most lethal sniper in military history, his story is one of triumph, anguish and love. It's also a tribute to the late veteran, who was tragically murdered about two years before the film's release.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
U.S. Navy Captain Pete Mitchell, known by his call sign Maverick (Tom Cruise), returns in this much-anticipated sequel where he's faced with the task of training the most elite graduates of Top Gun while encountering those from his past, including old flames (Jennifer Connelly), friends (Val Kilmer) and the son of his late flying partner (Miles Teller).
The Messenger (2009)
Starring Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Samantha Morton, Steve Buscemi and Jena Malone, this film follows U.S. Army staff sergeant Will Montgomery, on leave from the Iraq War due to injury, as he struggles with being relocated to the branch's Casualty Notification service.
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
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