The Best Korean War Movies, According to Service Members and Veterans

Unlike World War II and the Vietnam War, there aren’t many major movies focused on the Korean War. With the exception of the wildly popular TV program “M*A*S*H,” the conflict — which lasted from 1950 until 1953 and never officially ended — has yet to find its place within the cultural zeitgeist. There’s a reason it’s often referred to as “the Forgotten War.”

Military.com readers were a different story, though. When we asked them to share their must-watch war movies with us, we didn’t expect many Korean War movies to make the list. We were wrong. Here’s a small — but mighty — list of the best Korean War movies, according to service members and veterans.

“Fixed Bayonets!” (1951)

Starring Richard Basehart (“Moby Dick”) and Gene Evans (“Hell and High Water”), “Fixed Bayonets!” is the second movie WWII veteran Samuel Fuller wrote and directed about the Korean War. Medal of Honor recipient Raymond Harvey served as a technical adviser to the film. “Fixed Bayonets!” follows a ragtag platoon left to defend a chokepoint as they support their division’s retreat. One by one, soldiers from the platoon are killed as they face frostbite, enemy fire and freak accidents.

While the reception for “Fixed Bayonets!” was lukewarm, it may be best known for James Dean’s first movie appearance. “[‘Fixed Bayonets!’] shows the diversity of the military at the time and how leadership under very stressful conditions is always a challenge whether you want it or not,” said a reader.

“M*A*S*H” (1970)

Based on Richard Hooker’s 1968 novel “MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors,” the movie tells the story of a medical unit during the Korean War. The ensemble cast includes Donald Sutherland (“The Dirty Dozen”), Elliott Gould (“Ocean’s Eleven”), Tom Skerritt (“Top Gun”), Robert Duvall (“To Kill a Mockingbird”) and Sally Kellerman (“Payback”). The plot follows three surgeons — Hawkeye, Duke and Trapper John — as they survive military life through a series of hijinx and misadventures.

“M*A*S*H” was a box-office hit, won an Oscar for Best Screenplay and was later preserved in the Library of Congress’ United States National Film Registry. The movie’s popularity precipitated the eponymous TV show, which ran from 1972 until 1983. “M*A*S*H” is often seen as a precursor to later comedies such as “Animal House” for many reasons, including its use of raunchy humor, usually at the expense of women. It was also the first movie from a major production company to use “fuck” in its dialogue.

Related: The Best World War II Movies, According to Service Members and Veterans

“Pork Chop Hill” (1959)

Based on the book by Brig. Gen. S.L.A. Marshall, “Pork Chop Hill” stars Gregory Peck (“Roman Holiday”), George Peppard (“Breakfast at Tiffany’s”), Woody Strode (“Spartacus”) and Rip Torn (“Cross Creek”). The movie tells the story of the 7th Infantry Division’s struggle to take and hold Pork Chop Hill against Chinese and North Korean forces. Notably, the movie includes Japanese-American and Black service members in the Korean War — the last conflict in which U.S. forces were racially segregated.

A minor box-office hit, the movie features many actors who went on to long, illustrious careers. That list includes Rip Torn, who became a beloved cultural icon in the early 2000s with his portrayal of Patches O’Houlihan in “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” (2004) and Don Geiss, a recurring supporting role in the TV series “30 Rock.” A Military.com reader nominated “Pork Chop Hill,” because “the ground war in Korea, and infantry assaults in general, have rarely been shown this thoroughly.”

“Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War” (2004)

A story of brotherhood divided by the 38th parallel, “Taegukgi” is a South Korean film that takes an unflinching look at the conflict that tore a country apart. Lee Jin-tae and his younger brother, Lee Jin-seok, are drafted into the South Korean army when North Korea invades in 1950. During vicious fighting on the Busan Peninsula, Jin-tae is told that if he wins the Taeguk Cordon of the Order of Military Merit, Jin-seok will be sent home from the war. The bargain — and war — changes both of them.

“Taegukgi” won critical acclaim across Asian film festivals, including awards for Best Film and Best Director at the Asia Pacific Film Festival. It was a box-office hit in South Korea, earning billions of won at the theater. While limited in its U.S. release, it still brought in $1.1 million and was South Korea’s Academy Award nomination for Best International Foreign Film in 2005.

“Devotion” (2022)

Perhaps there is no story more forgotten from “the Forgotten War” than the one that took place in the skies above North Korea. Based on “Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice” by Adam Makos, “Devotion” follows the true story of two Naval pilots — Medal of Honor recipient Tom Hudner (Glen Powell, “Top Gun: Maverick”) and Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors, “Lovecraft Country”) — against the backdrop of racial upheaval in post-war America. When the Korean War breaks out and they’re sent on combat missions, the two will have to lean on each other to survive.

“Devotion” was released the same year as “Top Gun: Maverick.” Not only did the movies have Powell in common, the aerial stunt coordinator was also the same for both films. Unfortunately, “Devotion” did not see the same success as the “Top Gun” sequel at the box office despite overall positive reviews.

Related: The Best Vietnam War Movies, According to Service Members and Veterans 

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