8 Movies About Special Forces You Should Watch

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand

Black Hawk Down retells the real 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, when a U.S. mission in Somalia turned into a deadly urban battle. The story follows Army Rangers and Delta Force soldiers trying to escape after helicopters are shot down. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Josh Hartnett, the film closely reflects real events and military reports, showing confusion, bravery, and heavy losses during the operation.

Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home

This movie is inspired by Operation Red Wings, a real Navy SEAL mission in Afghanistan in 2005. The movie centers on four SEALs sent to track a Taliban leader in the mountains. When their position is exposed, the mission collapses. Starring Mark Wahlberg, the film is based on Marcus Luttrell’s firsthand account of survival, injury, and help from local villagers.

Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home

Set during the Iraq War, The Hurt Locker follows an elite U.S. Army explosive disposal team dealing with roadside bombs. The story is inspired by real military experiences rather than one event. Jeremy Renner plays a fearless specialist whose risky behavior puts his team in danger. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the film shows constant tension and the psychological pressure faced by soldiers in active combat zones.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Plex

Elite Squad is inspired by real operations of BOPE, an elite police unit in Rio de Janeiro. The film follows Captain Nascimento as he prepares new officers for violent missions in the city’s slums. Played by Wagner Moura, his character faces moral pressure while fighting crime. The movie is based on real accounts and books, offering a raw look at special forces style policing in Brazil.

Where to Watch: Vix, Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home

This movie is loosely inspired by real U.S. military rescue missions in Africa. The story follows a Navy SEAL team sent to extract a doctor during a Nigerian civil war. Led by Bruce Willis, the soldiers must choose between orders and protecting refugees. The film shows how special forces operate in unstable regions and the difficult decisions they face in the field.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies

Act of Valor stands out because real active duty Navy SEALs appear in the film. While the story is fictional, it is inspired by real missions and modern global threats. The plot connects several operations, including rescues and counter terrorism raids. Released in 2012, the movie aims for realism in tactics and equipment, showing how special forces coordinate missions across different locations.

Where to Watch: fuboTV, Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home

Based on true events from the 1991 Gulf War, Bravo Two Zero follows a British SAS patrol sent behind enemy lines in Iraq. After the mission fails, the soldiers are hunted, captured, or forced to escape through the desert. Starring Sean Bean, the film is adapted from Andy McNab’s book and highlights endurance, survival, and the risks of special forces operations.

Where to Watch: Paramount Plus, Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand

Zero Dark Thirty is inspired by real intelligence efforts to find Osama bin Laden after the September 11 attacks. The story focuses on a determined CIA analyst, played by Jessica Chastain, who follows leads for years. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the film shows cooperation between intelligence agencies and special forces, ending with the Navy SEAL raid that killed bin Laden in Pakistan.