Summary
- Military TV shows showcase authentic depictions of soldiers and combat, honoring courage and intelligence in war.
- These shows often have riveting storylines, intense action, and meticulous attention to detail.
- They explore themes of honor, sacrifice, and the grim realities of combat, while also provoking thought on violence in war.
These military TV shows serve as examples of the best of the genre. Most military shows feature authentic depictions of soldiers and combat and in some cases reenact significant war events throughout history. Outstanding military shows also typically include riveting storylines, intense action, authentic apparel and weapons, and meticulous attention to detail. All military shows share the theme of honoring courage in combat, intelligence in strategy, and efficiency in tactics.
The best military television shows, like great military movies, also demonstrate great respect for fallen soldiers and establish a deep sense of teamwork and trust from an early stage. The greatest examples of the genre tell stories of honor and sacrifice, and sometimes inspire thought-provoking discourse about the ostensible senselessness of physical and psychological violence in war. The best military television shows tell timeless tales of heroism, duty, and the grim realities of combat.
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15 JAG (1995-2005)
10 Seasons, 227 Episodes
JAG impressively aired 227 episodes over 10 seasons between 1995 and 2005. The long-standing legal and military show follows the lives of several members of the JAG (Judge Advocate General) Corps and their handling of military-related law cases. The show is unlike most military shows in the way it features many various legal proceedings ranging from war crimes to acts of terrorism. JAG is a quintessential military television classic that was highly popular and culturally relevant when it aired on CBS during the ’90s and 2000s.
14 The Last Ship (2014-2018)
5 Seasons, 56 Episodes
The Last Ship combines elements of sci-fi, action, and mystery to create an intriguing military drama series. While the stakes of the plot are not typically what you would expect from other military shows that focus on realism, The Last Ship is eerily pertinent to a pandemic-stricken world and the urgency to develop a vaccine. The four seasons of The Last Ship ran from 2014 to 2018 but failed to garner significant critical acclaim during that time. Equal parts straightforward and far-fetched, The Last Ship proves to be an interesting and engaging watch.
13 Six (2017-2018)
2 Seasons, 18 Episodes
- Buy now on Apple TV & Amazon
Six is a great show about the balance of military and family life for the elite members of Navy SEAL Team Six. Well-made and riveting throughout its 19 episodes, season 2 becomes somewhat convoluted by an overly complicated plot that received mixed reactions. While there are certainly better military shows than Six, it is still worth a watch thanks to a handful of standout action sequences and plot. What Six lacks in an original story, it makes up for in its precise portrayal of Navy SEAL tactics.
12 The Brave (2017-2018)
1 Season, 13 Episodes
The Brave is an extremely fast-paced and thrilling military show that highlights the tactical warfare elements of modern combat in entertaining ways. While The Brave might not carry a focus on attention to detail, the plot is compelling enough to quell the inaccuracies. The cast has an outstanding chemistry that brings to light the necessity of trust and comradery in intense, life-threatening situations. The Brave succeeds in delivering high-octane action and leaving out melodrama.
11 Das Boot (2018)
4 Seasons, 32 Episodes
Das Boot is a television adaptation of the original 1981 film of the same name, which is widely considered to be one of the greatest military movies ever made. While some fans of the original film have criticized the series as unnecessary, the series is a thrilling interpretation of an inexperienced German U-boat crew on a secret mission during the middle of World War II. Das Boot excels in modernizing and expanding upon the plot of the original movie and features great performances as well as realistic, suspenseful narratives.
10 The Terminal List (2022-)
1 Season, 8 Episodes
The Terminal List starring Chris Pratt proved controversial among critics, but that doesn’t make it any less riveting. The intense show follows a former Navy SEAL officer and explores dark, but accurate themes of the traumas inflicted by combat. The Terminal List fearlessly tackles heavy issues involving veterans, mental health, and government conspiracy. The show has only released nine episodes as of June 2023 but has already made a substantial impact as one of the best new military shows on television. The Terminal List season 2 is confirmed by Prime Video.
9 SEAL Team (2017)
6 Seasons, 104 Episodes
SEAL Team is a surprisingly easy-to-watch military show about the lives of a group of Navy SEALs. The compelling show holds up in terms of entertainment value while potentially cutting a few corners in the fields of accuracy and realism for the sake of network television. SEAL Team offers a humanizing look into the professional and personal lives of a highly-trained elite unit. The show goes deep into the training and planning of many top-secret and high-risk missions and features great characters that are enjoyable to root for.
8 Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (2018-)
4 Seasons, 30 Episodes
Jack Ryan is one of the most popular military shows currently airing on television or streaming services. Famed military writer Tom Clancy created the Jack Ryan character who initially appeared in The Hunt For Red October as a CIA analyst. Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan depicts the character as a field agent who is tasked with handling highly classified and high-risk missions involving espionage, terrorism, and a variety of geopolitical conflicts. The show expertly combines components of military action and intelligence that make it equally entertaining and relevant. Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan season 4 will end the fantastic series.
7 Strike Back (2010-2020)
8 Seasons, 76 Episodes
Strike Back is an adrenaline-pumping and authentic depiction of military combat in a top-secret group of British intelligence soldiers. The series is particularly celebrated for its intense and riveting action sequences that consistently create compelling stakes during high-risk counter-terrorism missions around the world. Strike Back ran for eight seasons and maintained its impressive quality through all of its 77 episodes.
6 Tour Of Duty (1987-1990)
3 Seasons, 58 Episodes
- Not available for streaming
Tour of Duty was a significant part of television history when it aired in 1987. It was one of the first series to depict a realistic interpretation of military events that transpired during the controversial Vietnam War. The show revolutionized conversations at the time about the overall impact of the Vietnam War. It was celebrated for its authentic portrayal of a U.S. Army platoon and its factual rendition of real-life events that occurred during the Vietnam War, including the raid on Son Tay Prison.
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5 The Unit (2006-2009)
4 Seasons, 69 Episodes
The Unit is one of the best military TV shows that offers an unparalleled inner perspective into the top-secret world of a covert Special Forces unit. The show uniquely explores themes of military family life and the sacrifices that spouses of soldiers must frequently make. The Unit focuses on the elite and realistic strategic and combat experiences of the Special Forces throughout the entire world while also adding elements of behind-the-scenes household drama. These qualities combine to help maintain the show’s intrigue throughout its 70 episodes.
4 The Pacific (2010)
1 Season, 10 Episodes
The Pacific is an extraordinary portrayal of World War II that is a companion piece and an extension of Band of Brothers. The show focuses intensely on the psychological effects of war on its characters, a group of U.S. Marines during World War II. The Pacific was inspired by real-life events and soldier accounts of what it was like to fight in the Pacific Theater. The Pacific depicts the brutality and gruesome horrors of war in relentless detail, which can make for sometimes difficult viewing, but it’s gripping from start to finish.
3 Generation Kill (2008)
1 Season, 7 Episodes
Generation Kill is celebrated for its incredibly accurate feel and stark attention to detail. Few other military television shows have been able to capture the realism of modern warfare achieved by the show. The outstanding characters look, speak, and operate like real-life Marines, a sign of the intelligence that went into the production. Other than the show’s undeniable authenticity, Generation Kill follows a fascinating narrative that was based on a true story. It aired while the War in Iraq, which it depicted, was still very active and extremely relevant to American culture.
2 M*A*S*H (1972-1983)
11 Seasons, 256 Episodes
M*A*S*H is an exceptional military TV show that aired for 11 seasons from 1972 to 1983. The show expertly combines elements of comedy and drama to offer relief from the brutal conditions of warfare and create introspective views of life as a soldier. M*A*S*H features great classic characters, including Hawkeye Pierce, Colonel Potter, Radar O’Reilly, and Trapper John McIntyre. The show takes place during the Korean War but touches on war’s difficulties and ethical issues throughout generations. M*A*S*H is one of the most culturally significant network TV shows ever made.
1 Band of Brothers (2001)
1 Season, 10 Episodes
Band of Brothers is the best military TV series ever made. The critically acclaimed show is famous for its horrific realism and expertly accurate depiction of culture and combat in World War II. The show was produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, two legends behind the remarkable war movie Saving Private Ryan. With a strong narrative, admirable characters, and outstanding cinematography and production value, Band of Brothers changed TV forever and remains among the best military TV shows of all time.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
