Memorial Day: 5 Of The Best War Movies To Watch On The Holiday
Memorial Day is about honoring military veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States, but the holiday will look different in most parts of the country in 2020.
With the majority of parades and public ceremonies for the holiday canceled amid the coronavirus crisis, Americans will have to find other ways to reflect on the Memorial Day weekend.
For those staying inside, here are five classic war movies you can watch this weekend as you think about those who have served.
"Saving Private Ryan" (1998)
Steven Spielberg directs a moving film that follows a group of U.S. soldiers during the invasion of Normandy in World War II.
The movie is best known for its intense opening scene, which is a nearly 30-minute-long depiction of the assault of Omaha beach. The story goes on to follow Army Ranger Capt. John Miller (Tom Hanks) and his squad as they search for a paratrooper.
You can stream the movie on: YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime, iTunes
"Patton" (1970)
There are few moments in movie history more memorable than the opening scene of "Patton," in which George C. Scott delivers a five-minute monologue as Gen. George Patton in front of an enormous American flag.
The film is an epic-biographical story about Patton during World War II.
"Patton" won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
You can stream the movie on: iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime, Hulu
"Zero Dark Thirty" (2012)
The film tells the story of an elite team of intelligence and military operatives who spent a decade tracking al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
The search ultimately leads to the discovery of bin Laden's location and his death in 2011.
"Zero Dark Thirty" received five nominations at the 85th Academy Awards and is one of the most acclaimed military movies in the past decade.
You can stream the movie on: Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play
"Apocalypse Now" (1979)
The epic-war film features a collection of the greatest actors in history, with Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne, Harrison Ford and Dennis Hopper all playing characters within the Vietnam War movie.
"Apocalypse Now" follows U.S. Army 5th Special Forces Col. Walter Kurtz as he goes insane while waging a brutal guerilla war without the necessary permission.
You can stream the movie on: Google Play, YouTube, iTunes, Hulu, HBO Now
"The Hurt Locker" (2008)
The Iraq War drama stars Jeremy Renner as Sgt. 1st Class William James, who becomes the new team leader of a U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team .
Director Kathryn Bigelow gives an insight into modern-day warfare and a fascinating depiction of the process of defusing a bomb.
Bigelow became the first and only woman in history to win the Academy Award for Best Director for her work with "The Hurt Locker."
You can stream the movie on: YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Hulu
This article originally appeared on the Across America Patch
