Netflix Movies 2015: 8 War Movies To Watch On Veterans Day

Looking for something to do on your day off for Veterans Day? The holiday honors all of those who have served in the armed services for the country, so why not turn to Netflix to watch a few movies portraying past and present patriots. Options range from the Revolutionary War, World War II, Vietnam and the Iraq War.

Here are eight American war movie flicks to add to your Netflix queue for Veterans Day:

1. "We Were Soldiers"

Fresh off his role of fighting in the Revolutionary War in 2000's "The Patriot," Mel Gibson plays a solider in the Vietnam War. The plot tells the story of the first major battle involving American soldiers in Vietnam and the soldiers who fought in the battle.

2. "Hart's War"

Colin Farrell plays Lt. Thomas W. Hart in this 2002 World War II film. Hart is a law student turned soldier who has to defend Lt. Lincoln Scott (Terrence Howard), who has been accused of murder. Bruce Willis also stars in the film as Col. William A. McNamara.

3. "Top Gun"

A classic 80's film, complete with a solid soundtrack, a love story, and a look at what it takes to be a top Navy pilot. Tom Cruise plays Maverick, a student fighter pilot who has no problem "taking a ride into the danger zone" and has "a need for speed." Tony Scott directed the movie, which was released in 1986.

4. "The Hurt Locker"

The 2009 film was renowned for it's portrayal of the War in Iraq, which follows a bomb disposal team and the horrors they face every day overseas. The movie won six Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay. Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie star as Sgt. First Class William James and Sgt. J.T. Sanborn.

5. "Inglourious Basterds"

Quentin Tarantino's take on World War II stars Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz, who both give outstanding performances. Waltz won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Nazi Officer Hans Landa. Pitt plays Lt. Aldo Raine, who's in charge of a crew of Jewish-American soldiers who go behind enemy lines to kill Nazi soldiers.

6. "The Patriot"

Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) gets sucked into leading a Colonial Militia during the American Revolution after the loss of a family member. The movie runs close to three hours, but the story of family and war keep the viewer locked in. There's also the conflict between Martin and British Col. William Tavington (Jason Isaacs), who is one of the most evil villains ever in a war movie.

7. "Black Hawk Down"

U.S. soldiers fight to survive after a helicopter is shot down behind enemy lines. The troops were dropped in Somalia to capture two lieutenants of a war lord. The 2001 film gave an intense look at the war-like atmosphere in Somalia in 1993 and received two Academy Awards that year for Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing. Josh Hartnet, Ewan McGregor and Eric Bana all star as soldiers.

8. "Tora! Tora! Tora!"

"Tora! Tora! Tora" is a classic war movie from 1970 about the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor and the events that lead up to it. The film has a unique way of telling the story as it looks at both the American side as well as the Japanese side. Many feel this movie does a better job of telling the story of the events of Dec. 7, 1941, than the 2001 film "Pearl Harbor" does.