6 Best Civil War Veteran Movies

By Vlad Zakh · May 10, 2026

Drama intensethought provoking

The haunted aftermath of the Civil War for the soldiers who survived it has powered some of cinema’s most powerful historical dramas. In The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976): A Missouri farmer turned outlaw evades Union soldiers who massacred his family during the Civil War. Worth seeking out is Shenandoah (1965): A Virginia farmer determined to keep his family out of the Civil War is forced into the conflict when his son is captured.

The Beguiled (2017) 01

The Beguiled (2017)

TMDB ★ 6.2

A wounded Union soldier taking refuge at a girls' school stirs dangerous jealousy among its residents.

Directed by Sofia Coppola · 1h 33m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Criterion Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
Cold Mountain (2003) 02

Cold Mountain (2003)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A wounded Confederate deserter undertakes a perilous journey home to reunite with the woman he loves.

Directed by Anthony Minghella · 2h 34m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
Ride with the Devil (1999) 03

Ride with the Devil (1999)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A young man fighting with Confederate guerrillas in Missouri confronts the brutal realities of irregular warfare.

Directed by Ang Lee · 2h 18m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) 04

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

TMDB ★ 7.8

A Missouri farmer turned outlaw evades Union soldiers who massacred his family during the Civil War.

Directed by Clint Eastwood · 2h 15m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
The Beguiled (1971) 05

The Beguiled (1971)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A wounded Union soldier taking refuge at a girls' school stirs dangerous jealousy among its residents.

Directed by Don Siegel · 1h 45m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
Shenandoah (1965) 06

Shenandoah (1965)

TMDB ★ 7.3

A Virginia farmer determined to keep his family out of the Civil War is forced into the conflict when his son is captured.

Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen · 1h 45m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

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Vlad Zakh

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.