John Wayne’s 10 Best World War II Movies, Ranked By IMDb

Few names are as recognizable as Marion Morrison’s stage name, John Wayne. Just the mention of the name will likely bring one of two images to mind, either the stoic cowboy or the tough-as-nails military officer. While he’s best known for playing some of the best Western heroes, John Wayne has entertained generations with his portrayal of soldiers, sailors, and pilots in a slew of war movies, especially World War II movies.

Though he was never drafted into World War II, his talents allowed him to expertly portray the military men he respected.

10 The Sea Chase (1955) 6.5

German Naval Captain Karl Ehrlich (John Wayne) is demoted to an old steam freighter when he refuses to support the Nazi regime. The freighter sets sail from Australia, just after the invasion of Poland, with Elsa Keller as the cargo, the German fiancee to a British Naval Officer. Ehrlich quickly learns that Keller is a German spy and that the Australian Navy is hot on his tail.

A rare instance of Wayne playing a German character, though he didn’t attempt an accent, this movie entertains with adventure, intrigue, and romance on the high seas.

9 The Fighting Seabees (1944) 6.6

In the Pacific theatre, the military is having trouble protecting the construction workers that make it possible to push forward. Wedge Donovan, the tough construction boss played by John Wayne, wants to arm his men so they can defend themselves in an enemy attack.

The brass agrees to turn them into fighting construction battalions (aka CB’s), but their lack of military experience might be as dangerous as the enemy. This is a classic action war film in every way, it may not be revolutionary but it is well made and entertaining.

8 Operation Pacific (1951) 6.7

The USS Thunderfish, an American submarine, is returning from a secret mission to rescue civilians from a remote island when they encounter a Japanese aircraft carrier. Even though they had the element of surprise, the attack fails because the torpedoes explode before reaching the target. Now Captain Perry (Ward Bond) and first officer Duke Gifford (John Wayne) must survive a sea full of enemies with faulty torpedoes.

In many ways, this is a rather formulaic war action movie from the golden age, but it is elevated by the cast, effective tension, and it even has a mystery.

7 Back To Bataan (1945) 6.7

Colonel Joseph Madden (John Wayne), and other survivors of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, are ordered to organize an armed resistance group. Andres Bonifacio (Anthony Quinn) is key to gaining support among the people, as his grandfather was a national hero. However, the love of Bonifacio’s life is being used to make pro-Japanese propaganda broadcasts and could be a prisoner or a collaborator.

This film was made as a tribute to the Filippino resistance and had to have many rewrites, as the real war was changing every day while filming, but is still a mix of fact and fiction.

6 The Wings Of Eagles (1957) 6.7

The true story of naval aviator Frank “Spig” Wead (John Wayne) and the accident that grounded him. Shortly after the end of WWI and Wead’s promotion to fighter squadron commander, he falls down a flight of stairs and becomes paralyzed from the neck down. As WWII begins, Wead must use his new position as a screenwriter to help the war effort and fight with his mind, rather than with a plane.

John Ford directed the amazing story of the unexpected way Wead assisted the US military in winning WWII. Years earlier, Ford and Wayne brought one of Frank Mead’s scripts to life in 1945’s They Were Expendable.

5 Flying Tigers (1942) 6.8

Before the US became officially involved in WWII, a group of volunteer airmen called “Flying Tigers” fought the Japanese army invading China. Captain Jim Gordon (John Wayne) leads the ragtag squadron against the superior forces of the Japanese. Making Gordon’s life harder is a hotshot pilot and old friend who joins up, whose actions threaten to destroy the whole squad.

This is a fictionalized story based on the real story of volunteer pilots who fought the Japanese in China. While it is a propaganda film made to support the war effort, it avoids blatantly racist characterization of the Japanese (which was uncommon for this type of film) by making them a silent adversary.

4 Sands Of Iwo Jima (1949) 7.1

Sergeant John Stryker (John Wayne) is a rigidly disciplined leader and seen as cruel and sadistic by those under his command. When their boots hit the ground in enemy territory, Stryker’s men begin to appreciate his methods, as even small mistakes can have grave consequences.

This movie received three nominations for the Academy Award for Best Film Editing, Best Writing, and John Wayne was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

3 They Were Expendable (1945) 7.2

Lt. John Brickley and his second in command, Lt. “Rusty” Ryan, are in charge of a squad of fast attack “PT” (patrol torpedo) boats, but the lack of respect for the small boats leaves them little opportunity to prove themselves. After the attack on Pearl Harbor and a small victory for the PT boats, they are sent to the Philippines to stop an invading Japanese fleet with far more firepower.

While They Were Expendable is a mostly fictional account of PT boats, several of the film’s characters were based on real people. Director John Ford, writer Frank Mead, and top-billed actor Robert Montgomery had or were serving in the Navy and made it highly realistic.

2 In Harm’s Way (1965) 7.3

A heavy cruiser is on patrol under the command of Captain “Rock” Torrey (John Wayne) when the attack on Pearl Harbor is carried out. Rock is ordered to pursue and destroy the Japanese forces that devastated Pearl Harbor but is forced to turn back due to low fuel. Disgraced and relegated to desk duty, Rock finally gets a chance for redemption when he’s promoted to Rear Admiral and sent to push the enemy back to Japan.

The inclusion of high drama and time spent with the characters in their normal lives elevates this above similar war movies and helps the audience get more emotionally invested.

1 The Longest Day (1962) 7.8

In a docu-drama style, this film follows the days leading up to and invasion of allied forces into France. The audience sees the problems, especially the weather, facing the allied forces planning the D-Day invasion, and the Germans’ mistakes and bad judgment that unwittingly helped the allied troops.

A star-studded cast that includes John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Sean Connery, Jeffrey Hunter, Roddy McDowall, and more bring D-Day to life in shocking detail. The filmmakers even had consultants that had been part of the invasion, making this the best WWII movie and the most historically accurate on the list.

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