We Were Soldiers (2002)

Kernel Score: 81% · 2,223 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Action, History, War

Released: 2002-03-01

Runtime: 138 minutes

Is We Were Soldiers worth watching?

Worth watching. We Were Soldiers covers the first major battle of the Vietnam War, and it's a solid, straightforward combat film with a strong lead. It respects both sides, though it leans on patriotic war-movie conventions.

Watch it if you

  • like large-scale war movies
  • enjoy the Vietnam era
  • want strong military leadership drama

Skip it if you

  • want an anti-war tone
  • dislike graphic combat

Best for: Action-heavy war night

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch We Were Soldiers

  • Stream: Fubo, Paramount+, Philo, MGM+
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

The story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War and the soldiers on both sides that fought it.

We Were Soldiers parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that We Were Soldiers is an R-rated war film depicting intense, graphic Vietnam War combat.

  • Violence & scariness: Intense — Depicts explosions, bayonet fighting, and battlefield death in a based-on-true-story Vietnam War battle, per its R rating.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like We Were Soldiers

If you liked We Were Soldiers, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Black Hawk Down (2001) — 84%: Intense modern combat film told through one battle
  • Platoon (1986) — 87%: Vietnam war drama from the soldiers' view
  • Full Metal Jacket (1987) — 90%: Vietnam-era war classic with a harsher edge
  • The Thin Red Line (1998) — 85%: Reflective war film about men under fire
  • Enemy at the Gates (2001) — 83%: Tense wartime story of men in battle
  • The Longest Day (1962) — 87%: Large-scale war epic built on a single battle

Director

Randall Wallace

Cast

  • Mel Gibson as Lt. Col. Hal Moore
  • Madeleine Stowe as Julie Moore
  • Greg Kinnear as Maj. Bruce 'Snake' Crandall
  • Sam Elliott as Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley
  • Chris Klein as 2nd Lt. Jack Geoghegan
  • Keri Russell as Barbara Geoghegan
  • Barry Pepper as Joe Galloway
  • Đơn Dương as Lt. Col. Nguyen Huu An
  • Ryan Hurst as Sgt. Ernie Savage
  • Robert Bagnell as 1st Lt. Charlie Hastings

We Were Soldiers FAQ

Is We Were Soldiers worth watching?

Worth watching. We Were Soldiers covers the first major battle of the Vietnam War, and it's a solid, straightforward combat film with a strong lead. It respects both sides, though it leans on patriotic war-movie conventions.

Where can I watch We Were Soldiers?

In the US you can stream We Were Soldiers on Fubo, Paramount+, Philo and MGM+ and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is We Were Soldiers OK for kids?

We Were Soldiers is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that We Were Soldiers is an R-rated war film depicting intense, graphic Vietnam War combat.

What movies are like We Were Soldiers?

If you liked We Were Soldiers, try Black Hawk Down, Platoon, Full Metal Jacket and The Thin Red Line.