19 Best Cold War Movies You Can’t Miss

War movies combine historical information, intense drama, and heart-stopping action. The 19 best cold war movies in this article contain these features plus the mystery of espionage. The cold war reveals the tension and the psychological warfare between the U.S. and Russia. Check out this list to know more about this genre.

1. Dr. Strangelove (1964)

English 1h 35m IMDb
Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Stars: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden

This 1964 dark comedy film plays on the fears of a nuclear conflict between two powerful nations. It’s a satire that explores the citizen’s fears and a leader’s motivation to wreak havoc. When paranoia eats up General Jack Ripper, he sends bombs to destroy the Soviet Union.

Stanley Kubric, one of the greatest directors of all time, directs this film. So, expect to be blown away by the film’s suspenseful flow and incredible rhythm. He injected wild energy and a humorous approach, so watching it becomes high-level entertainment. Peter Sellers was extraordinary as Captain Lionel Mandrake.


2. Bridge of Spies (2015)

English 2h 22m IMDb
Bridge of Spies (2015)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Stars: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda

The C.I.A. recruits James Donovan, a lawyer played by Tom Hanks. He’s tasked to negotiate the release of an American spy-plane pilot. Part of the mission is to exchange a K.G.B. officer jailed in the U.S. for espionage. This situation led to intense conflict by hasty measures from both countries.

Many critics and viewers believed this was one of Steven Spielberg’s best movies. Collaborating with multi-awarded Coen brothers as writers made it more epic. If you were to research the cold war, you’d realize that this movie got most of its facts straight.


3. Pawn Sacrifice (2014)

English 1h 55m IMDb
Pawn Sacrifice (2014)

Director: Edward Zwick

Stars: Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber, Peter Sarsgaard

This biographical drama follows the story of iconic American chess player Bobby Fischer. His matches with Russian chess genius Boris Spassky seem to be all about chess. However, it stirred conflict between the two superpower nations. Amidst the cold war, Fischer gets embroiled in politics and national security issues.

According to many viewers, this movie is an underrated and underappreciated masterpiece. Toby Maguire gave exceptional acting for his role as Bobby Fischer. He got the mannerisms and the depth of his character down pat. The movie also gave brilliant parallelism to chess and the intensity of the cold war.


4. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

English 2h 7m IMDb
 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

Director: Tomas Alfredson

Stars: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy

This movie is an adaptation of John le Carre’s bestselling novel. Set in 1973, it reveals the damages to international relations brought about by the Cold War. British Secret Intelligence Service officials attempt to keep up with other countries’ espionage efforts. They also strive to keep Britain safe from the consequences of conflict.

This film deserves a second viewing to appreciate the cinematic artistry significantly. The first viewing is for understanding the flow. You may catch yourself watching it over and over for its mesmerizing storytelling. Even the trailer is already a masterpiece.


5. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold- Movie (1965)

English 1h 52m IMDb
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold- Movie (1965)

Director: Martin Ritt

Stars: Richard Burton, Oskar Werner, Claire Bloom

Richard Burton plays Alec Leamas, a British spy. At the Cold War’s peak, he was sent to Germany for one last assignment.

He endangered going undercover as a drunken former agent to get more information about captured colleagues. However, things went awry, and he was also sent to jail. It then sparked sinister plots and shocking events that jolted his very core.

This movie is another John le Carre adaptation that thrilled movie audiences. Viewers believed it was one of the greatest spy movies ever made. It encapsulated the dangers and atrocities of the Cold War perfectly.


6. The Man from UNCLE (2015)

English 1h 56m IMDb
The Man from UNCLE (2015)

Director: Guy Ritchie

Stars: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander

In an attempt to disrupt the relationship between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. during the cold war, a criminal organization plans to utilize nuclear technology to cause chaos.

A KGB agent (Armie Hammer) and a C.I.A. agent (Henry Cavill) must set aside their differences to thwart the evil plan. The key to their mission’s success is finding the daughter of a missing German scientist.

This star-studded movie packs in a lot of action and breathtaking sceneries. Many viewers claim that it is unfairly underrated. Some even said it’s better than most Bond movies, which says a lot.


7. Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)

English 1h 42m IMDb
Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)

Director: Mike Nichols

Stars: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman

In the 1980s, U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson, C.I.A. agent Gust Avrakotos, and Texas socialite Joanne Herring formed an unlikely alliance.

They wanted to provide Afghan freedom fighters with financial support to fight Soviet invaders. Their efforts to fund the operations proved successful since they fueled the end of the Cold War and the U.S.S.R.’s fall.

This movie was released in 2007, but its theme and plot remain to be relevant even up to this time. The principal leads, Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts gave memorable performances. Philip Seymour Hoffman was also effective as a C.I.A. agent.


8. The Hunt for Red October (1990)

English 2h 15m IMDb
The Hunt for Red October (1990)

Director: John McTiernan

Stars: Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn

Based on a Tom Clancy novel, this movie shows the story of Marko Ramius (Sean Connery), a Soviet submarine captain.

He relates he wanted to defect, but some evidence leads to his motives of launching an attack against the United States. The submarine named “Red October” utilizes stealth technology that can be invisible to radars.

This 1990s masterpiece has won several awards for acting and sound editing. Many viewers believe that its story was way ahead of its time. The director effectively adapted Tom Clancy’s novel into a treat for the senses.


9. Fail-Safe (1964)

English 1h 52m IMDb
Fail-Safe (1964)

Director: Sidney Lumet

Stars: Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, Fritz Weaver

The term fail-safe during the cold war means a point of no return for bomber jet pilots. They need to follow instructions to attack the enemy. In this movie, a system malfunction sent out a wrong fail-safe signal. The U.S. president did everything he could to stop the pilots from dropping bombs on Moscow.

This movie may be in black and white, but its message resonates until now. The palpable suspense described the political and foreign affairs turmoil during the cold war—even the dialogue, strategies, and setting exuded military precision.


10. The Shape of Water (2017)

English 2h 3m IMDb
The Shape of Water (2017)

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Stars: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon

The American and Soviet governments built high-security laboratories during the cold war. This film banked on that premise and tickled everyone’s imagination with its unusual theme.

Elisa, a mute laboratory janitor, discovers a mysterious man-like creature who lives in the water tank. She develops a unique bond that transcends species and physical features.

This film is a brilliant combination of scientific concepts, conspiracy theories, and the mysteries behind the cold war. It digs deeper into the human psyche and what triggers romantic emotions. Director Guillermo del Toro created a visual masterpiece that’s timeless as love itself.


11. The Courier (2020)

English 1h 52m IMDb

The Courier (2020)

Director: Dominic Cooke

Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Merab Ninidze, Rachel Brosnahan

Based on a true story, The Courier tells the tale of a British businessman tasked to spy on the Soviet Union. He becomes a pawn in the conflicts involving the cold war.

Due to threats of nuclear tension, he forms an unlikely alliance with a Soviet office to help prevent a confrontation. They joined forces to provide critical information about the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Benedict Cumberbatch proved his versatility as an actor in this movie. The suspense and action-packed scenes make it a worthwhile watch. The panoramic shots of Moscow transport you to the beautiful country.


12. Atomic Blond (2017)

English 1h 55m IMDb
Atomic Blond (2017)

Director: David Leitch

Stars: Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman

Academy Award winner Charlize Theron plays Lorraine Broughton, an elite M16 spy. Don’t let her gorgeous looks fool you because she has lethal skills up her sleeves. As the Berlin Wall falls, she travels to Germany to destroy an espionage ring and retrieve a crucial dossier. A station chief helps her to survive a deadly spy mission.

Viewers praised the realistic fight scenes where Lorraine received an intense beating. It’s an entertaining girl-power movie as Theron played the badass role to a tee. Fans can’t imagine anyone else being the lead.


13. The Death of Stalin (2017)

English 1h 47m IMDb
The Death of Stalin (2017)

Director: Armando Iannucci

Stars: Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jeffrey Tambor

In this dark political comedy, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin suddenly dies, leaving the position vacant. His cronies battle it out to take his place. The power struggles between the parasitic officials were funny and goofy at times. There’s backstabbing, dirty tricks, and hilarious antics.

This satire was banned in some countries, making it more enticing for viewers. The anti-Soviet theme and historical inaccuracies did not sit well with many foreign government officials and citizens.

However, critics gave it a warm reception for the superb acting, unique storyline, and dark humor. Some viewers even claimed that it is, in fact, highly accurate.


14. Gorky Park (1983)

English 2h 8m IMDb
Gorky Park (1983)

Director: Michael Apted

Stars: William Hurt, Lee Marvin, Brian Dennehy

Three Americans were murdered in Gorky Park, a Moscow leisure park. Arkady Renko, played by William Hurt, is a Soviet detective who has to solve the crime. During the investigation’s course, he felt that the K.G.B. didn’t want the case to be solved.

He crosses paths with  American Jack Osborne, who offers some help. However, some evidence shows that his motives are not so pure.

This movie showcased William Hurt’s acting chops. His charismatic presence elevated the scenes to the classic that it is now. The director’s adaptation of the novel is on point, making it a visual treat for fans of the book.


15. The Living Daylights (1987)

English 2h 10m IMDb
The Living Daylights (1987)

Director: John Glen

Stars: Timothy Dalton, Maryam d’Abo, Jeroen Krabbé

No Cold War movie list is complete without a Bond film. The Living Daylights reveals how James Bond, a British secret agent helps a K.G.B. officer defect during the height of the cold war. The officer indicated that there was an assassination plot for defectors. Bond knew there was more to the story than meets the eye.

This movie is one of the most underrated James Bond films. Most viewers agree that Timothy Dalton exuded a strong demeanor but still showed heart and soul. Meanwhile, the music and sceneries complemented the script perfectly. It combined humorous moments with action-packed sequences making it an entertaining watch.


16. Thirteen Days (2000)

English 2h 25m IMDb
Thirteen Days (2000)

Director: Roger Donaldson

Stars: Kevin Costner, Bruce Greenwood, Shawn Driscoll

In October 1962, the world stood still for 13 days. People around the world anxiously waited for the result of a risky political and military confrontation between two powerful nations. Strained diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and the U.S. may end in a treacherous nuclear war.

This movie encapsulates the suspense and chaos during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It describes the horror of waiting if nuclear outrage will end the world. Students should watch this crucial movie to understand the  Cold War. Bruce Greenwood did justice to his role as J.F.K.


17. Miracle (2004)

English 2h 15m IMDb
Miracle (2004)

Director: Gavin O’Connor

Stars: Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Nathan West

This film tells the story of Herb Brooks, a college coach chosen to lead the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team. It shows the challenges of going up against the unbeatable Soviet team during the 1980 Olympics. It shows patriotism through sports during the Cold War.

In this movie, viewers relive the historical moment when the U.S. defeated the Russians. It’s a notable and inspiring film that young and old should watch. Kurt Russel plays Coach Brooks with such intensity that you can see his pain and triumphs. It shows how the tenacity of the human spirit can topple any superpower.


18. The Fourth Protocol (1987)

English 1h 59m IMDb
The Fourth Protocol (1987)

Director: John Mackenzie

Stars: Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan, Ned Beatty

When British spy John Preston (Michael Caine) went on an unsanctioned mission, he got demoted.

During the operations, he discovered that a K.G.B. agent was trying to blow up Britain using a nuclear bomb and was planning to pin it on the U.S. Despite having conflicts with his officers, Preston tries to stop the sinister plan before it’s too late.

The movie’s pace may be slow, but it allows for a steady build-up towards the climax. Pierce Brosnan played the role of the K.G.B. agent excellently. His chemistry with Michael Caine made it deserving of the spot on this list.


19. The Falcon and the Snowman (1985)

English 2h 11m IMDb
The Falcon and the Snowman (1985)

Director: John Schlesinger

Stars: Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, Pat Hingle

This film follows the true story of Christopher Boyce, a young C.I.A. employee. His job was to guard intelligence documents. However, sinister contents led him to disillusionment. With the help of a drug-addict friend, he became a spy for the Soviet government. When officials find out what he was doing, all hell breaks loose.

Sean Penn and Timothy Hutton played their roles exceptionally well. Their palpable chemistry made the suspenseful and comedic parts a joy to watch. It revealed the dangers of the cold war and how it affected many people’s lives.

 

Conclusion

The19 best cold war movies on this list can satisfy your thirst for espionage adventures and historical information. Most of them are great for educational viewing to teach students how the cold war affected the world.

Cold War Movies You Can't Miss

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