Dynamic Watchlist Hub: Apr 14, 2026

10 Best Movies Like Once There Was a War

If you loved Once There Was a War, we've curated the perfect watchlist for you based on shared genres, themes, and directorial style.

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Expert Review & Ratings

See our full critical analysis and audience score for Once There Was a War.

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#1
The Book Thief

The Book Thief

2013★ 7.5

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Once There Was a War for fans of Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

While subjected to the horrors of WWII Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. Under the stairs in her home, a Jewish refugee is being sh...

#2
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

2008★ 7.8

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Once There Was a War for fans of Drama & War. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

When his family moves from their home in Berlin to a strange new house in Poland, young Bruno befriends Shmuel, a boy who lives on the other side of the fence where everyone seems ...

#3
The Island on Bird Street

The Island on Bird Street

1997★ 7.1

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Once There Was a War for fans of Drama & War. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

Alex is an 11-year old boy who, during WWII, hides in the Jewish ghetto from Nazis after all his relatives have been sent to the concentration camp. The movie portrays the ghetto t...

#4
Where Hands Touch

Where Hands Touch

2018★ 7.9

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Once There Was a War for fans of Drama & War. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

Germany, 1944. Leyna, the 15-year old daughter of a white German mother and a black African father, meets Lutz, a compassionate member of the Hitler Youth whose father is a promine...

#5
To Be or Not to Be

To Be or Not to Be

1983★ 6.7

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Once There Was a War for fans of Drama & War. It captures a similar light-hearted atmosphere.

A bad Polish actor is just trying to make a living when Poland is invaded by the Germans in World War II. His wife has the habit of entertaining young Polish officers while he's on...

#6
Little Boy

Little Boy

2015★ 7.2

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Once There Was a War for fans of Drama & War. It captures a similar light-hearted atmosphere.

An eight-year-old boy is willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II so he can bring his father home. The story reveals the indescribable love a father has for his little b...

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