20 Best War Movies Released Since 2000

11. Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)

In one of the boldest moves of his career, Clint Eastwood followed up his devastating Pacific War drama The Flags of Our Fathers with a companion movie produced from the perspective of Japanese soldiers tangled in the conflict.

Letters from Iwo Jima is a measured and moving affair that tackles the motivations and hardships of its principal characters (a general played by Ken Watanabe and a young foot soldier played by Kazunari Ninomiya) with unforgettable empathy. 

Littered with disease and blood, grief and disillusionment, Eastwood's wrenching drama goes to great lengths to offer humanity to the side mainstream western cinema rarely casts its eye to, giving compelling insight into what they faced, and how they came to be wrapped up in the war. 

Unflinching and empathetic, Letters from Iwo Jima is a vital snapshot of war from a unique and tragic perspective, a stunning piece of filmmaking that just goes to show that there are no winners and straightforward villains in war.